# Help me become handy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394 "2009-06-29T20:43:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/1 "2009-06-29T20:43:26Z")
Hi there, I own a townhouse in Lincoln Park in Chicago which I enjoy very much. It’s However, as many of your know, home ownership often requires repairs. Lots of repairs. My problem is that I am not handy. Not handy at all. A lot of people where I live hire handypeople to fix any and all problems. Now I am fine with that for electrical and plumbing issues but is there anyway that I can gain an even basic proficiency in simply home repairs? I was raised in Dublin, Ireland and my Dad is like MyGuyver. He can build or fix anything it seems. That gene clearly skipped a generation. I can’t even repair a wooden step that has slipped from it’s bolts on the stairs leading to my front garden. So, let’s make a grand leap and assume that I am not a lost cause, any advice or suggestions as to what I can do? Books? Classes? I’m basically useless it seems if I’m not behind a desk. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/2 "2009-06-29T21:06:43Z")
I bought [this book](http://www.amazon.com/Home-Improvement-1-2-3-Expert-Advice/dp/0696201682) (Home Improvements 1-2-3) from Home Depot as a house warming gift for my brother’s girlfriend. I got myself a copy when I bought my house. I like that book because it gives step-by-step details on how to do loads of stuff, has lots of pictures and best of all tells you how hard the project is going to be and how long it will take. My dad has been the best source of help for me, of course. I can get his advice on how to do stuff or ask him to come do it. But he doesn’t know everything - so I ask here. This place is crawling with “dads” 🙂 And, when The Book says the project is gonna be too hard, and Dad says the project is gonna be too hard - then I turn to [Angie’s List](http://www.angieslist.com) and find someone to pay to fix the problem. ETA: A good place to start with any of this is to amend your OP to ask for hints on what tools you will need to cover most home fixes. You gotta have a nice handsaw, a nice cordless drill and a scratch awl! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/3 "2009-06-29T21:08:13Z")
doublepost ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/4 "2009-06-29T22:07:25Z")
I wish I could ask my Dad but he’s back in Ireland. Thanks for the book suggestion. I have all of the tools you mentioned except for the awl…which I have never heard of! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/5 "2009-06-29T22:33:46Z")
Scratch awls are super handy! Most of the work I have done myself has been hanging stuff on the walls - pictures, curtain rods, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, etc. You can tap a hole with a scratch awl (either by hand or with a hammer - the head is flat), and since it’s tapered you can make any width you want. You do tiny holes to start screws, and big wide holes for [drywall anchors](http://www.anchorco.com/images/snapSkruLrg.jpg) - which is a plastic thingy you put into the wall before you put in a screw when there is no stud. You can also use the scratch awl to scratch a mark in wood instead of using a pencil. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/6 "2009-06-29T22:38:18Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > I was raised in Dublin, Ireland So drinking a bottle of Jamesons, screaming and headbutting didn’t work? Basically, you become “handy” by taking things apart and putting them back together. Like anything else, it takes practice. Reading some home improvement books couldn’t hurt either. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/7 "2009-06-29T22:39:30Z")
Oh! You also need to get yourself [vise-grips](http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd100304) (or locking pliers). It’s an adjustable wrench with a very tight locking grip. It gives you tons more leverage than just ordinary pliers or wrenches and they’re great for getting stuck stuff un-stuck. Plus they’re size adjustable so you don’t need to guess which wrench to use. The super-mega leverage combo is grabbing a stuck [torque wrench](http://www.amazon.com/Dr-20-200-Adjustable-Torque-Wrench/dp/B000I7ZDN4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1246315086&sr=1-4) with your vise grips. Stuff comes undone like nobody’s business! ---
**Author:** ![Parsimony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Parsimony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parsimony)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/8 "2009-06-29T23:19:52Z")
Start waching some of the home improvement shows on PBS. (just beware the stuff from Tim Taylor) ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/9 "2009-06-29T23:24:22Z")
Beg a Dremel tool for a birthday gift. Most bestest tool ever made 🙂 Like this: > **[Dremel 7700-02 MultiPro 7.2-Volt 20,000 RPM Two-Speed Rotary Tool with 50...](https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-7700-02-MultiPro-Two-Speed-Accessories/dp/B0000302Y2)** > > Amazon.com Perfect for do-it-yourselfers, the Dremel 7700-02 MultiPro Two-Speed Rotary Tool with 50 Accessories is an easy-to-handle, versatile tool that lets you tackle an endless variety of light-to-medium repair, renovation, or crafting... ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/10 "2009-06-29T23:30:28Z")
Home repair can be summed up with this - When you don’t get what you want, you get experience. When you can’t put something together, or can’t take it apart. Take a picture of it with you to the store. I also agree that one of the only ways to learn is to dive in and pull it apart. I would disagree with zipper. Not sure what he is trying to illustrate with the torque wrench and vise grips. Perhaps I’ve been whooshed. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/11 "2009-06-30T00:19:19Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I would disagree with zipper. Not sure what he is trying to illustrate with the torque wrench and vise grips. Perhaps I’ve been whooshed. Yeah, WTF? ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/12 "2009-06-30T03:15:45Z")
You should be watching Handyman Corner on The Red Green Show. Please remember If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. Not to be confused with Lake Wobegon , where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average. ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/13 "2009-06-30T15:06:51Z")
I’ll second what Parsimony said. **Ask This Old House** is a good one, since the whole premise of the show is sending experts to help homeowners with DIY projects. They do a pretty good job of explaining the how and why of different home repairs - plumbing, carpentry, landscaping, etc. YouTube is another good place to look. I’m always amazed how many videos there are that show you how to do different DIY projects. Get a couple of the general home repair books like **ZipperJJ** linked to - I’ve got two or three, and I’ve found it helpful to see multiple resources at the same time to get the “whole picture”. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/14 "2009-06-30T18:50:19Z")
Thanks guys. This is very helpful. I bought some screws and managed to use my drill to screw the step back into the holding thingy. My next poject is to put a grate on a vent. Very simple but it came with two screws. I have to screw it into the dry wall so should I use something to cover the screws or is it so light that I can just drill them into the wall? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/15 "2009-06-30T18:53:56Z")
It’s light enough that you can just screw it into the drywall. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/16 "2009-06-30T18:58:04Z")
By the way, Lowes and Home Depot sometimes have free classes on common repairs and projects. They want you to be handy too. If you’re not handy, you can’t buy their stuff. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Harry1945](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e47c2d/32.png) [@Harry1945](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harry1945)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/17 "2009-07-01T00:54:22Z")
An ice pick or a nail are good substitutes for a scratch awl. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/18 "2009-07-01T06:11:11Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > Thanks guys. This is very helpful. I bought some screws and managed to use my drill to screw the step back into the holding thingy. > > My next poject is to put a grate on a vent. Very simple but it came with two screws. I have to screw it into the dry wall so should I use something to cover the screws or is it so light that I can just drill them into the wall? It might be worth it to use [toggle bolts or drywall anchors](http://www.toggler.com/). It’ll be useful in the future if you have to hang something a little heavier. If it’s pretty heavy, you should be screwing into the studs. ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/19 "2009-07-01T06:25:42Z")
> [@Lochdale](#): > > … Lots of repairs. My problem is that I am not handy. Not handy at all. … So, let’s make a grand leap and assume that I am not a lost cause, any advice or suggestions as to what I can do? Books? Classes? I’m a firm believer that you will only learn by doing. Books can only get you so far. When I was in your position I took a few classes at a community college on home and car repairs. In those classes I had a chance to handle tools while pros demonstrated basic repairs. It was the best use of my time. One of the main things to learn when you’re making household repairs or handling tools is _ **safety** _. Worse than bungling a repair is to get injured in the process. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394/20 "2009-07-01T08:48:24Z")
You want to be Handy? Start by giving really bad medical advice… [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=331120&highlight=handy](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=331120&highlight=handy) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-become-handy/501394.md?page=2)