- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Looking for handywoman classes
Posted on 4/5/11 at 2:29 am
Posted on 4/5/11 at 2:29 am
I've lurked TD for a long time now. Hard to do a first post unless its something worthwhile. And I guess this is one.
I've been looking around for workshops geared toward learning household skills (no, not cooking and laundry). I've been looking for a hobby and nothing interested me until I repaired the ancient clothes dryer I have. Sorta put a burr under my saddle and thought if I was going to learn something it might as well serve a purpose. A few years ago I wanted to do a halloween prop using a simple box fan motor, but when I had the motor in my hands I couldn't find any practicle information on what to do with it. I think now it needed a crankshaft, but who knows. I would like to know.
So, I looked around for workshops, classes etc. Seems the only thing people want to learn is how to improve their gardens. Noble, but I live in an apartment, so useless. LSU leisure, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Lowes, The Advocate...no luck.
I want to know basic home wiring, power tools, welding, appliance repair. Most of all, how to create awesome halloween props with motors and radio waves and pneumatics and switches and timers, oh my.
I've checked out instructables.com, googled DIY, found a lot of stuff that assumes I already KNOW stuff, which I don't. But I have learned a bit from doing this. I've got an SO and he does furniture refinishing and cuts wood, but says
to anything electrical.
Cliff Notes: how does a lady find some hands-on learning about handyman stuff in EBR most men learned from their dads (and their dads learned from popular mechanics).
I've been looking around for workshops geared toward learning household skills (no, not cooking and laundry). I've been looking for a hobby and nothing interested me until I repaired the ancient clothes dryer I have. Sorta put a burr under my saddle and thought if I was going to learn something it might as well serve a purpose. A few years ago I wanted to do a halloween prop using a simple box fan motor, but when I had the motor in my hands I couldn't find any practicle information on what to do with it. I think now it needed a crankshaft, but who knows. I would like to know.
So, I looked around for workshops, classes etc. Seems the only thing people want to learn is how to improve their gardens. Noble, but I live in an apartment, so useless. LSU leisure, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Lowes, The Advocate...no luck.
I want to know basic home wiring, power tools, welding, appliance repair. Most of all, how to create awesome halloween props with motors and radio waves and pneumatics and switches and timers, oh my.
I've checked out instructables.com, googled DIY, found a lot of stuff that assumes I already KNOW stuff, which I don't. But I have learned a bit from doing this. I've got an SO and he does furniture refinishing and cuts wood, but says
to anything electrical. Cliff Notes: how does a lady find some hands-on learning about handyman stuff in EBR most men learned from their dads (and their dads learned from popular mechanics).
6
Posted on 4/5/11 at 5:02 am to street pizza
Morning, good luck on TD.
I've seen some fairly descriptive books on plumbing, electrical and such. Try the library first.
I've seen some fairly descriptive books on plumbing, electrical and such. Try the library first.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 6:01 am to street pizza
I think most of what you want to know comes from tinkering with shite and watching old farts tinker with shite. Probably gonna be hard to find a class on that sort of thing. But good luck anyhow. And whatever you do don't disfigure your hand in a fan blade accident and lose your ability to make sandwiches and stuff.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 6:54 am to LSUballs
quote:
And whatever you do don't disfigure your hand in a fan blade accident and lose your ability to make sandwiches and stuff.
but
As time permits, find a good full-service, old time hardware store and start spending time there. Get to know the owner-most are pretty good all-around handymen, and it makes them feel good to share their knowledge. Or, you could spend some time with LSUDad-he knows a little about everything, just don't know if hubby would approve, as Dad is a TD
Posted on 4/5/11 at 7:00 am to LSUballs
quote:dammmit. ok, i'll volunteer to let her watch me tinker with shite..
watching old farts tinker with shite.
OP, very interesting post, in fact, i'm kinda at a loss for word and ideas. Agreed, most folks learn that stuff from a family member, friend, or grow up in the country or on a farm environment and have to figure stuff out. Electricians don't really do that sort of stuff that you mentioned. How bout finding a place that does generator repair and rewinding and see if you could spend some time there, watching over someones shoulder? They deal with most of the variables that you described..
Posted on 4/5/11 at 7:03 am to Icansee4miles
Look on Amazon for a "Handywoman" How to book. most of those start with the absolute basics.
Something like this: LINK
Also try Youtube for general repair info you can almost always find a video showing how to do it.
There are also Home improvement Forums with advice, but I havent had alot of luck out of some of them.
Try:
www.terrylove.com - plumbing
www.johnbridge.com - tile
appliancepartspro.com - appliance repair
those have alot of good info on them.
Something like this: LINK
Also try Youtube for general repair info you can almost always find a video showing how to do it.
There are also Home improvement Forums with advice, but I havent had alot of luck out of some of them.
Try:
www.terrylove.com - plumbing
www.johnbridge.com - tile
appliancepartspro.com - appliance repair
those have alot of good info on them.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 7:31 am to street pizza
Try to get a hold of some old "Home Time" episodes. Dean and Joanne did a great job explaining such things. The DIY books at Home Depot are very helpful as well.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 7:57 am to Capital Cajun
I think your best bet would be to just start tinkering with stuff. Be careful with them wires though. 110 volts will make you into a halloween prop if you're not cautious. Never fool with wires while there's juice in em, never leave anything exposed, and other little common sense things like that are easy to forget.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 9:26 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Time Life Complete fix it youself manual.
They also had a series of do it your self books on damn near every topic.
They also had a series of do it your self books on damn near every topic.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 11:22 am to offshoretrash
For a lot of it the best bet is find some books, buy some cheap supplies and then go tinker and screw it up. You will learn with every mistake and before long you will begin to do at least serviceable work. Then go get your expensive stuff and try to turn out your props.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 12:04 pm to street pizza
Love to hear that someone wants to learn how to do things for themselves.
Books, internet, chat sites, ect are all good places to start. As far as actual classes try offering to be a assistant in a HS shop class, or just following a handyman in the BR area. As many have said most learning comes from tackling a project then talking with others about what should be or should have been during and after the process. Homedepot and Lowes both offer courxes throughout the year on home improvement projects and they are decent.
To be honest though, if you want to learn how professionals do a job you have to work with them. No class is going to teach you all you need to know. Professionals have experienced what does and does not work first hand and know the little tricks that are often not taught in classes.
Welcome BTW.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 12:40 pm to Ole Geauxt
can we come up with a new phrase in this thread besides "tinker with shite?"
It's giving me disturbing mental images.
It's giving me disturbing mental images.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 12:44 pm to street pizza
quote:
Cliff Notes: how does a lady find some hands-on learning about handyman stuff in EBR most men learned from their dads (and their dads learned from popular mechanics).
i've had this same problem. what i did (and probably not the recommended way, but whatever) was everything i had something break around my house, whether it be electrical, plumbing, home upkeep, etc, i just try to take it apart and fix it. i'll bring my laptop in there and google whatever the problem is and then try to follow the directions.
from doing this, i've managed to learn how to change out light switches, completely take apart the disposal and fix it, fix the electrical wiring with the fridge/freezer, even hung a chandelier in my bathroom.
not saying that it's always gone smoothly, but i figure i should at least try to fix it before calling someone. (plus it's just fun taking shite apart ) good luck
Posted on 4/5/11 at 1:11 pm to beans
Beans tool chest includes a stiff broom handle FWIW.
She is right though, just gotta go through the motions, safely, and take a problem solving approach.
She is right though, just gotta go through the motions, safely, and take a problem solving approach.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 1:16 pm to Bleeding purple
and yall laughed at me when i was trying to help that poor guy
Posted on 4/5/11 at 1:18 pm to beans
quote:
laughed at me
No, just laughing with you.
I hope he finally got it fixed.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 2:13 pm to Bleeding purple
Community College
Vo Tech
Posted on 4/5/11 at 2:36 pm to ItTakesAThief
There's an old welder in my dad's neighborhood. I've actually got another project for him. Maybe if I give him the ole "I'm just a girl..." routine he'll teach me some stuff. And the hardware store is a good idea. I'm kind of a regular at Highland Hardware and some of those older guys are really great. I appreciate all the help and encouragement. I think for my first tinkering project I'm going to find an old golf bag and turn it into a lamp.
Posted on 4/5/11 at 2:53 pm to street pizza
i felt bad,,, n/m
This post was edited on 4/5/11 at 3:48 pm
Posted on 4/5/11 at 3:12 pm to beans
quote:
ve had this same problem. what i did (and probably not the recommended way, but whatever) was everything i had something break around my house, whether it be electrical, plumbing, home upkeep, etc, i just try to take it apart and fix it. i'll bring my laptop in there and google whatever the problem is and then try to follow the directions.
from doing this, i've managed to learn how to change out light switches, completely take apart the disposal and fix it, fix the electrical wiring with the fridge/freezer, even hung a chandelier in my bathroom. not saying that it's always gone smoothly, but i figure i should at least try to fix it before calling someone. (plus it's just fun taking shite apart )
As much as I hate to admit it, this is the best way to learn a lot of what you want to know. Obviously to do welding and things like that you'll need the right equipment, but I'm sure you're neighbor would be willing to show you a trick or two
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News