How do I learn better DIY skills?

Answer 1

b&q have demos at evening times also try your local college or evening classes

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Hi there,

Steven Wolf has good answer and I agree with him to a certain extent.

You could read all the books and watch all the TV about DIY, however, if you lack the aptitude for for anything technical then you will never be better, unless of course, you get taught by an expert. Not a cowboy or a bull merchant but a bona fide professional.

I am a time served Joiner and Cabinetmaker (not many of those left) and I still use books/manuals as a point of reference.

In my own home I will carry out all tasks in the building trade except for electrical work. I never tamper with electrics.

Watch the New Yankee Workshop and see the quality of the items he turns out. Check the tools that he uses and then think about what you don't see.

Not everybody can use tools like this and that is why I mentioned aptitude earlier.

It is hard if you ain't got it.

Answer 4

Aside from the obvious stuff like watching DIY channels on tv, reading how-to books and internet sites, etc, it really helps to have a good solid tool inventory. Over the years I've acquired loads of tools, probably too much, but it helps a person to enjoy the work more when one has the proper tools to do the job. Not having the right tool leads to frustration, and even cause injury which can turn a person sour to doing handyman work. Also, the right tool helps do the job properly and is a great confidence booster. I've seen many people who were otherwise capable of doing something mechanical, balk at taking on a job requiring basic skills, soley due to lack of confidence.
Finally, some folks just have a higher aptitude for doing things mechanically, whether it's automotive, electrical, wood-working, plumbing, etc. Find your aptitude, work the skills and you'll find out quickly the type of things you prefer doing. Then as you accomplish these tasks, you can hone your skills in other areas and obtain the skill, knowledge, confidence and desire to tackle anaything around the house.
Start basic, and then build on your skills, branching out as you go.
Good luck. Just having the desire to improve is enough to get you started.

Answer 5

Practice and experience and learn by your mistakes.
Over time and if you do the jobs more or less by yourself you will pick it up.
No one is born with these skills. Like reading and writing you learn it as you go along.
For my own part, when it comes to DIY , I got two left hands and no thumbs..lol
But I do give it a go....then wish I had not started.

Answer 6

Practise, practise, practise!

It's the only way really. Have you ever noticed how even when you're following instructions, what you do always takes ten times longer than it's supposed to, and never looks quite like the pictures? It's all about practise.

As a guide however, I would definitely advise B&Q's hardback guide to pretty much everything you'll ever need to know. It's available in their shops and has helped me overcome many a DIY problem!

Hope we're all helping!

Answer 7

There are tons of DIY shows on TV. Careful, they tend to make things look a lot easier than they are (found this out installing ceramic tile!).

Browse the books at places like Lowe's and Home Depot.

The 'net also has an unlimited number of web sites.

Anyhoo, it's a great and satisfying way to direct your energy!

Answer 8

With no offense meant to you or others who answer, certainly Books can give you basics, and are usually compiled by experienced authors.

Practical experience is best however; in my opinion. Call it R&D if you will or Trial and Error, if you look at the glass half empty, often.

For those ignorant of procedures, the naive, the unskilled; there's little debate that reading and viewing pictured examples can get you started. What takes place in applying principals however, is the actual "lesson."

Assume for a moment you want to paint a wall, or piece of furniture. It might be that practicing on another surface, to establish techniques, etc. would be the way to begin, as opposed to applying your unskilled desire to designs on the actual wall, or table.

As a species, we often gain knowledge AFTER we need it, but we might also install that knowledge, even in manifest errors, to the "Next Task." Hopefully learning what NOT to do is as invaluable as learning, "YES, I DID IT RIGHT!"

Steven Wolf
(The Rev.)

Answer 9

good diy skills require one thing - patience. do a project. then do it again. then do it again. each time, remember what didn't turn out right and do it better. reading books will give you tips on hows, what tools to use, etc., but in the end to learn how to do it you just have to get in there and get your hands dirty.

Answer 10

There are some good books or the modern alternative is the DIY website, such as-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/index.htm

You can see hundreds of DIY tasks on most of these and the good ones have forums, for when you get stuck!

Answer 11

Try buying an easy DIY book,or get in touch with your local college,as they quite often do courses.