A Dying Art

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Anyone good with their hands? It seems handy man skills and making things from scratch are a dying art. I was just wondering who out there can still do this.

uconnwinsnc

Anyone good with their hands? It seems handy man skills and making things from scratch are a dying art. I was just wondering who out there can still do this.

What would you like me to do with my hands? :huh:

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Build a chair. From scratch.

uconnwinsnc

No

Sinisterly

Build a chair. From scratch.

Would love to.

Strokingdiction

I can do most repairs around the house, from drywall, minor electrical, replacing windows, fixing/replacing gutters and repairing wood siding. I can also build most things. I've build storage buildings, chicken coops, a car port, installed a variety of different fencing and built numerous pergolas and trellises I credit my father with most of these acquired skills since he is the definition of jack of all trades, master of none (or one in his case). Oddly enough, it's his daughters that are more the handy sort though our oldest brother has gotten into the do it yourself mode over the past few years.

I've found that most of my friends (men and women) that ask for my help doing one of these things are perfectly capable of doing it themselves after being shown how to once or twice. Most of those tasks are relatively easy and the person just needs some confidence and knowledge.

"That was easy!" is something I commonly hear.

BrokenButBeautiful

I was told I was good with my hands... once... or twice...

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Why is it there aren't many people who can do this these days? I had a friend who could build or fix anything. He make a gate for me, hung a painting, changed light bulbs I couldn't reach. I was actually in awe of this guy and what he could make.

Madame_Goldbricker

Sure there are loads of craftsmen/carpenters around. Handmade products can be sold for a premium.

However under the general heading of "handyman" I don't think there has ever been a recent time when the average person had to whittle their own chair.

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

I can do most repairs around the house, from drywall, minor electrical, replacing windows, fixing/replacing gutters and repairing wood siding. I can also build most things. I've build storage buildings, chicken coops, a car port, installed a variety of different fencing and built numerous pergolas and trellises I credit my father with most of these acquired skills since he is the definition of jack of all trades, master of none (or one in his case). Oddly enough, it's his daughters that are more the handy sort though our oldest brother has gotten into the do it yourself mode over the past few years.

I've found that most of my friends (men and women) that ask for my help doing one of these things are perfectly capable of doing it themselves after being shown how to once or twice. Most of those tasks are relatively easy and the person just needs some confidence and knowledge.

"That was easy!" is something I commonly hear.

Exactly! And I am in awe of you.

BrokenButBeautiful

Oooooooh, like that.

I can fix most things around the house. I maintain and repair my own car. I'm pretty handy.

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Sure there are loads of craftsmen/carpenters around. Handmade products can be sold for a premium.

However under the general heading of "handyman" I don't think there has ever been a recent time when the average person had to whittle their own chair.

I'm sure people will wish they knew how after the zombie apocalypse has hit and we're all looking for a chair. :laugh:

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Oooooooh, like that.

I can fix most things around the house. I maintain and repair my own car. I'm pretty handy.

THAT's the other thing I want to know how to do - understand cars and minor upkeep and repair.

MelsAuntie

I do woodburning, wood carving, painting, jewelry making, sculpture, gourd art, drawing, fiberarts of various sorts, I have built shelving units and benches from reclaimed wood, painted faux finishes on my walls, installed cast stone walls in my kitchen and living room,.........

Noogynoogs

My husband is very creative and does things from scratch. H made a stained glass window for my attic area and he made a four poster bed. He worked on the ceilings of the Ramada Hotel in Sri Lanka.

Noogynoogs

I am not I am good at breaking things lol

Madame_Goldbricker

Oooooooh, like that.

I can fix most things around the house. I maintain and repair my own car. I'm pretty handy.

THAT's the other thing I want to know how to do - understand cars and minor upkeep and repair.

Sign up for night classes at the local college.

Strokingdiction

Oooooooh, like that.

I can fix most things around the house. I maintain and repair my own car. I'm pretty handy.

THAT's the other thing I want to know how to do - understand cars and minor upkeep and repair.

Sign up for night classes at the local college.

It's getting harder and harder to do this sort of upkeep. Even an oil change has gotten tough on some of the newer models of cars. Ever try to change the oil on the most recent couple of mustang models without a hydrolic lift? It's a pain in the butt. Besides changing tires, it's getting pretty annoying to do a lot of the usual DIY car repairs and services unless you're able to invest in some of the tech required for a lot of repairs these days.

Now if you enjoy classic cars/trucks, you can do pretty much anything to them on your own.

wheird

Yes. I grew up doing mechanical, electrical, and carpentry work. I've also begun teaching myself wood working. I garden when I have time and try to teach myself obscure arts like origami, juggling, and soon-to-be lockpicking.

SaintGiff

I don't know about building a chair from scratch, but I'm ok. I mean, I could build a chair that would be functional, but ugly as sin. I learned the hard way. I purchased a big, two story house that was built in the 1850s a long time ago. I wound up going through and steadily redoing all the wiring, restoring the floors, the spiral staircase etc over the course of three years. I learned a lot. I also bought a lot of tools. Most of which I did not need.

RabbitLost

Cars I get. I rebuilt a 1971 Dodge Challenger from the ground up, mostly on junk yard parts I refurbished. But the comment about today's car is too true. Too many chips that need to be reset by computer and parts that are flat inaccessible. One of birthday wish list items is a 1978 Suburban, so I can survive the EMP that is sure to come (Hey - you can worry about Zombies).

I change light bulbs and do some minor wiring work, even though electricity scares the begeebies out of me. I still do it and I've grabbed an arc once or twice. Not fun.

But people who can do wood work, hang doors, install windows and ceilings fans and fix most plumbing issues? That group has my undying respect for all time. Whenever I try, it looks like the work product of Dr. Frankenstein's monster.

Edited because rabbits don't have opposable thumbs. Or thumbs for that matter.

sanzza

Yes I'm creative I can do pretty much anything with my hands and a few thing with my feet too

sphkhn

I'm a handgirl I have built all types of stuff and hung my own shelves and put in new ceiling lights. Both my parents were really into home renovation things and my dad builds cars so that taught me a lot.

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Oooooooh, like that.

I can fix most things around the house. I maintain and repair my own car. I'm pretty handy.

THAT's the other thing I want to know how to do - understand cars and minor upkeep and repair.

Sign up for night classes at the local college.

I looked into it actually and they don't have those here. Which I think is crap.

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

I was just about to comment on the lack of men in this thread and how ironic THAT was, when three of them showed up.
However I do love it that sisters are doing it for themselves.
:happy:

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Yes. I grew up doing mechanical, electrical, and carpentry work. I've also begun teaching myself wood working. I garden when I have time and try to teach myself obscure arts like origami, juggling, and soon-to-be lockpicking.

You and

I don't know about building a chair from scratch, but I'm ok. I mean, I could build a chair that would be functional, but ugly as sin. I learned the hard way. I purchased a big, two story house that was built in the 1850s a long time ago. I wound up going through and steadily redoing all the wiring, restoring the floors, the spiral staircase etc over the course of three years. I learned a lot. I also bought a lot of tools. Most of which I did not need.

You- will be very useful in the post apocalyptic world.

sanzza

Men are useless , they never finish ANYTHING off that they start :devil:

SnuggleSmacks

I have repaired my own plumbing, built my own raised garden beds, painted and redecorated my house a few times, and built my own stone paver patio.

Also, I am an artist, and create lots of hand-made items like books, boxes, drawings and paintings. I build my own canvas stretcher bars from 2 x 4s. I'm also in the process of decking out a pair of Steampunk costumes for me and my boyfriend so we can attend the Clockwork Ball next week.

It makes me sad when I hear my boss talk about his wife's honey-do list. When I want something done, I just do it. I don't expect my boyfriend to do everything for me. Just because I have ovaries doesn't make me incompetent with power tools, and it's disheartening that more women don't step up and do things for themselves.

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

Men are useless , they never finish ANYTHING off that they start :devil:

I think it'd figuring out the proper motivation for them.

Lilly_the_Hillbilly

I have repaired my own plumbing, built my own raised garden beds, painted and redecorated my house a few times, and built my own stone paver patio.

Also, I am an artist, and create lots of hand-made items like books, boxes, drawings and paintings. I build my own canvas stretcher bars from 2 x 4s. I'm also in the process of decking out a pair of Steampunk costumes for me and my boyfriend so we can attend the Clockwork Ball next week.

It makes me sad when I hear my boss talk about his wife's honey-do list. When I want something done, I just do it. I don't expect my boyfriend to do everything for me. Just because I have ovaries doesn't make me incompetent with power tools, and it's disheartening that more women don't step up and do things for themselves.

Wow.
That is awesome.

wheird

Yes. I grew up doing mechanical, electrical, and carpentry work. I've also begun teaching myself wood working. I garden when I have time and try to teach myself obscure arts like origami, juggling, and soon-to-be lockpicking.

You and

I don't know about building a chair from scratch, but I'm ok. I mean, I could build a chair that would be functional, but ugly as sin. I learned the hard way. I purchased a big, two story house that was built in the 1850s a long time ago. I wound up going through and steadily redoing all the wiring, restoring the floors, the spiral staircase etc over the course of three years. I learned a lot. I also bought a lot of tools. Most of which I did not need.

You- will be very useful in the post apocalyptic world.

Very. I know how to, in theory, start a fire by 5 different methods too. And I want to learn snaring methods at some point.

Oh! And blacksmithing. I think that would be an excellent skill to have.