how can one become more mechanically inclined?

Question

it seems others are better at repairing and improvising things. what are things to to help develop these? or is it just some people are more natural than others?

Answer 1

All good answers so far. I'll add a few additiona thoughts.

I don't think people are born naturally mechanically inclined. However, there are some people who enjoy working with their hands to such a great extent that it helps them overcomes frustration, disappointment, etc that are normal parts of attempting to do things on your own. Some folks just prefer to have others do things for them.

Don't be afraid to dive in and MAKE MISTAKES. Most of what I have learned about home maintenance and repair came from goofing things up the first time I tried.

Patience is also a virtue. The first toilet I replaced took most of a whole day. And several trips to the hardware store. I'm serious. Few weeks ago I put in a new toilet in our new house in an hour.

One additional helpful hint. Get your Tivo to record shows like Ask This Old House on PBS. It's one thing to read instructions from a book. Another to see it done and hear the tips & tricks.

Imagine the satisfaction you will get when your water heater gives up the ghost and you truck down to Lowes, get a new one and hook it up youself. You get all dirty, but the fruits of your labor are a nice hot shower and knowing you didn't have to hire a plumber. It's pure JOY.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I believe being mechanically inclined is much like being musically inclined or artistically inclined. It is something you are born with and can be developed. It is something that is almost impossible to teach.

I can take an engine apart and put it back together and I understand the theory behind vibrating wires but I can't play a guitar or a piano even though I had lessons.

Answer 3

Some people tend to be more natural at it than others.

I personally grew up around a master mechanic father, so I learned quite alot and do the majority of my own repairs. Some people just don't "think" in a mechanical way, women usually don't have the spatial ability.

Like anything, practice makes perfect. The more you do something, the better you get at it. Start with something simple, and work your way up. Have manuals around to help you, and friends who are good at it can help you alot too.

Answer 4

It's all about taking-apart three-dimensional objects, coming to understand what makes them work, caring for them properly and then putting them back-together carefully.

I was a bookish kid and had no experience at all, mechanically, until joining the service. One day my supervisor told me I was in-charge of our ships three-inch gun, he assigned me an assistant and we went up there and educated ourselves.

Within a year I'd done all the major maintenance, could perform fire-control problems in my head, had the best-trained three-inch crew on the East Coast and had implemented a $10 idea that made the gun highly-dependable and capable of firing just about all day without a misfire.

After that, I had the confidence to tear-apart my car's engine, replace its gaskets and all its belts, then rebuild it.

Just dig-in, accept that you're going to make some mistakes and that they're the price you pay for learning.

Once you get past the initial reluctance to do that and stop worrying about being a little embarrassed, you're more than half way there.

Just keep at it.

Answer 5

there is no easy way... take things apart to see how they work and see if you can put it back together! Make sure its something that you don't care if it doesn't work, though, cause if you're not mechanically inclined you may not be able to put it back together... :D

Answer 6

hang around people who are mechanically inclined. the secret is to watch, pay attention, and ask questons.