Do you do it yourself ???

[Misterbluesky]

16 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Do it all myself!

 

Sometimes the wife even helps. Sometimes I seek professional help when it's really hard. That doesn't happen too much, I am getting older so things really aren't that hard anymore... I learned a lot during my years.

 

?

Keep fighting like a warrior. I'm dancing with the devil these days.

[unbillievable]

17 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Wife and I replaced the kitchen faucet today. With only minimal water spray.

 

I've replaced two faucets without turning off the water at all. Neither to the house or under the sink.

 

Bathroom was easy, all i had to do was dam the door with towels, then bail the water from the floor into the tub after I was done.

The Kitchen was more interesting. -required more towels.

Ceilings got wet.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, DC Tom said:

Basically, I hate people, so I do everything myself.

 

This is me, not because I hate people, but because I think they're idiots and I can do a better job.

So far, the only time I've been wrong is with electrical work.

Edited January 21, 2019 by unbillievable

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Mow, shovel, gardening / weeding 

 

I also replaced the kitchen faucet 

 

On occasion I’ll do my own oil change 

battery replacement wiper blades and air filter 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, unbillievable said:

 

I've replaced two faucets without turning off the water at all. Neither to the house or under the sink.

 

Bathroom was easy, all i had to do was dam the door with towels, then bail the water from the floor into the tub after I was done.

The Kitchen was more interesting. -required more towels.

Ceilings got wet.

 

 

 

 

This is me, not because I hate people, but because I think they're idiots and I can do a better job.

So far, the only time I've been wrong is with electrical work.

 

I was making a joke about the spray. Actually we had a small leak because we inadvertently loosened the hot water shut-off valve. Tightened it back up and no problem.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Replaced the dimmer switch in bathroom (don't ask... LoL... Okay, anyway: "The light is too harsh in here, it needs to be softer." /smh... It does sooth from the grim reality... Ha!)

 

Actually... Before LEDs... Dimmers practically on all lights (can recessed lighting, etc)... I live in dimmed darkness. 

 

Need to replace the washing machine hot/cold water valves... But it's the only fixture (with stationary tub) that has no immediate shutoffs, so will have to shutoff whole house.  Will add shutoffs to stationary tub/machine... Probably why I am putting off changing washing machine valves... I will most certainly create a Federal Project!  LoL... 

 

 

57 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

Mow, shovel, gardening / weeding 

 

I also replaced the kitchen faucet 

 

On occasion I’ll do my own oil change 

battery replacement wiper blades and air filter 

Sinks are getting easier these days with push-on, O-ringed connections.

 

But I still have a basin wrench that the whole neighborhood borrows:

 

My father gave it to me... About 40 years old... He always had non-standard plumbing projects.  Handy little bugger!

 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

6 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Sinks are getting easier these days with push-on, O-ringed connections.

 

Don’t tell anyone but I struggled for 30 min before I figured out the easy way. 

 

[GoBills808]

I only pay someone to do something for me when I don't want to do it or don't have the time. I CAN and DO most everything. I have the tools and the skills. But sometimes it's easier and/or cheaper to pay someone else to do it. For example:

 

-just finished building a custom harvesting rig that took about a week and $5000 worth of metal that would have cost over $45,000 to purchase and have shipped

 

-dropped a new propane engine into the forklift that lost compression in three cylinders (still haven't started it yet, fingers crossed)

 

-mowed the orchard (25 acres)

 

-BUT I just paid my guy to come and change oil/hydraulic fluid on 3 of the tractors because I didn't want to do it and didn't have the time. Would have taken a couple of hours. But I'd rather spend those doing other things. Like putting finishing touches on new cooler unit w/overridden AC to go down to 34, or finish glassing bulkheads of this piece of ***** boat I just bought. Rather do some things and pay for others. But can do everything and honestly usually do

[ExiledInIllinois]

20 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

Don’t tell anyone but I struggled for 30 min before I figured out the easy way. 

 

That's how it usually is.

 

My timer on washing machine went out last year... Tore whole panel apart, made custom stainless screws (with finish washers) to hold back it together... Looks like it was designed that way.  This because it was glued prior to me doing "exploratory surgery." ? Afterall that, I figured out plastic ring comes off and timer slips out.  Well now I am set for a full rehab! Ha!

 

I was scratching my head the whole time saying: "Changing a timer can't be tearing apart whole panel... What the hell were these engineers thinking?"  LoL...

 

Whoever sees my machine will know that the repairman cared, a labor of love! ?

17 minutes ago, GoBills808 said:

I only pay someone to do something for me when I don't want to do it or don't have the time. I CAN and DO most everything. I have the tools and the skills. But sometimes it's easier and/or cheaper to pay someone else to do it. For example:

 

-just finished building a custom harvesting rig that took about a week and $5000 worth of metal that would have cost over $45,000 to purchase and have shipped

 

-dropped a new propane engine into the forklift that lost compression in three cylinders (still haven't started it yet, fingers crossed)

 

-mowed the orchard (25 acres)

 

-BUT I just paid my guy to come and change oil/hydraulic fluid on 3 of the tractors because I didn't want to do it and didn't have the time. Would have taken a couple of hours. But I'd rather spend those doing other things. Like putting finishing touches on new cooler unit w/overridden AC to go down to 34, or finish glassing bulkheads of this piece of ***** boat I just bought. Rather do some things and pay for others. But can do everything and honestly usually do

+1.

Edited January 21, 2019 by ExiledInIllinois

[Gray Beard]

28 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

 

Sinks are getting easier these days with push-on, O-ringed connections.

 

I recently replaced the faucet in the kitchen.  Screw on flexible hoses.  Old ones were 1/2 inch.   New ones were 3/8 inch.  Really!?

Another trip to Home Depot to buy adapters.  And the adapters weren’t clearly labeled. They had some weird name/description that didn’t make it obvious to me at the time. 

[DC Tom]

36 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Replaced the dimmer switch in bathroom (don't ask... LoL... Okay, anyway: "The light is too harsh in here, it needs to be softer." /smh... It does sooth from the grim reality... Ha!)

 

Actually... Before LEDs... Dimmers practically on all lights (can recessed lighting, etc)... I live in dimmed darkness. 

 

Need to replace the washing machine hot/cold water valves... But it's the only fixture (with stationary tub) that has no immediate shutoffs, so will have to shutoff whole house.  Will add shutoffs to stationary tub/machine... Probably why I am putting off changing washing machine valves... I will most certainly create a Federal Project!  LoL... 

 

 

Sinks are getting easier these days with push-on, O-ringed connections.

 

But I still have a basin wrench that the whole neighborhood borrows:

 

My father gave it to me... About 40 years old... He always had non-standard plumbing projects.  Handy little bugger!

 

 

Is THAT what that thing is?  

 

I have one...no idea where I got it.  It was obviously a wrench, and for plumbing, but I had no idea what it was otherwise.

[ExiledInIllinois]

4 minutes ago, Gray Beard said:

I recently replaced the faucet in the kitchen.  Screw on flexible hoses.  Old ones were 1/2 inch.   New ones were 3/8 inch.  Really!?

Another trip to Home Depot to buy adapters.  And the adapters weren’t clearly labeled. They had some weird name/description that didn’t make it obvious to me at the time. 

Usually things get bigger.  When I replaced my water softener (2008), valve head moved fron 3/4" to 1" high flow.

 

 

[ExiledInIllinois]

10 minutes ago, DC Tom said:

 

Is THAT what that thing is?  

 

I have one...no idea where I got it.  It was obviously a wrench, and for plumbing, but I had no idea what it was otherwise.

Yep.  Basin wrench for reaching up under (and blindly behind) basin to tighten or loosen basin nut.  Without it, it's almost impossible to do, a total muthaphu...er.  

 

LoL... I have vivid memories of my old man hollering it up before he got one.  LoL

 

These were the pre-Chinese, Harbor Freight days when tools went for an arm and leg AND first born Son!  Ha!  MAGA!

 

Now... MOST faucets eliminate that nut, snap in, etc... But handy to have.  Neighbor went to change his father in law's faucet many miles away.  I told him to take it just in case.  He almost didn't take it!  He came back, thanked me... Said he had to use it.  It saved day!!!

 

 

Edited January 22, 2019 by ExiledInIllinois

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

28 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

I was scratching my head the whole time saying: "Changing a timer can't be tearing apart whole panel... What the hell were these engineers thinking?"  LoL...

Try changing a radio in a car.  

 

Some of them you do have to tear the whole interior out.  

[ExiledInIllinois]

9 minutes ago, ShadyBillsFan said:

Try changing a radio in a car.  

 

Some of them you do have to tear the whole interior out.  

Battery on the 2014 MINI Cooper (F56)... I never seen anything like it!  Totally enclosed under hood.  Have to remove part of the hood molding... Total P.I.T.A. But it looks pretty all hidden and insulated in there.  I guess it's the heat and humidity that destroy batteries the most. Better damn work, extend the life of battery.

 

I dread changing it, probably throw a damn code or something! /smh

 

 

[Marv's Neighbor]

As Red Green used to say; "duct tape is the handy man's secret weapon!"

[apuszczalowski]

14 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Battery on the 2014 MINI Cooper (F56)... I never seen anything like it!  Totally enclosed under hood.  Have to remove part of the hood molding... Total P.I.T.A. But it looks pretty all hidden and insulated in there.  I guess it's the heat and humidity that destroy batteries the most. Better damn work, extend the life of battery.

 

I dread changing it, probably throw a damn code or something! /smh

 

 

Dodge Journey is similar I believe. I heard the new Ford Ranger requires removing panels and a wheel to replace the filter and change the oil. I miss my old Jeep where I could sit in the engine bay while working on the motor......

[Augie]

6 minutes ago, Marv's Neighbor said:

As Red Green used to say; "duct tape is the handy man's secret weapon!"

 

Are you sure that wasn’t McGyver???

[apuszczalowski]

1 hour ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Replaced the dimmer switch in bathroom (don't ask... LoL... Okay, anyway: "The light is too harsh in here, it needs to be softer." /smh... It does sooth from the grim reality... Ha!)

 

Actually... Before LEDs... Dimmers practically on all lights (can recessed lighting, etc)... I live in dimmed darkness. 

 

Need to replace the washing machine hot/cold water valves... But it's the only fixture (with stationary tub) that has no immediate shutoffs, so will have to shutoff whole house.  Will add shutoffs to stationary tub/machine... Probably why I am putting off changing washing machine valves... I will most certainly create a Federal Project!  LoL... 

 

 

Sinks are getting easier these days with push-on, O-ringed connections.

 

But I still have a basin wrench that the whole neighborhood borrows:

 

My father gave it to me... About 40 years old... He always had non-standard plumbing projects.  Handy little bugger!

 

Just dont lose the little bar in the bottom.....

I couldnt find mine last time I replaced a faucet, managed to do it in just under 2 hours using slip joint pliers and a small propane torch (the nut was plastic and wouldn't come off).....

[Augie]

20 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

 Do it all myself!

 

Sometimes the wife even helps. Sometimes I seek professional help when it's really hard. That doesn't happen too much, I am getting older so things really aren't that hard anymore... I learned a lot during my years.

 

?

 

Would it help to know there’s a pill for that?  It’s generic and everything!  Listen to sports talk radio and you’ll hear about it all day long.....   ?

Edited January 22, 2019 by Augie

[707BillsFan]

I changed out the empty toilet paper roll today. Seemed like the appropriate thing to do. No YouTube video needed, I was proud of myself. 

Edited January 22, 2019 by 707BillsFan