Dads are so PRACTICAL

[Easy 10]

Dunno what it is, but is strikes me theres a lost generation in practical skills amongst many of us 30-somethings. Personally I need a diagram to show me which way round a hammer should go, but my dad is an absolute DIY WIZZ. We're in the middle of a project to lay wooden flooring down through my hallway and kitchen, and I have to say, without my dad, I would not have a SCOOBY how to go about it. The wooden slats click in to each other, but the amount of measuring, cutting round corners, curves, fiddly bits and general AWKWARDNESS is a logistical nightmare.

I'm doing some odds and sods, putting down two layers of underlay, getting stuff prepared, helping out here and there, doing some donkeywork. But gawd bless my old man, theres no bit too tricky, no nook too difficult, no cranny that causes a problem. If I did this job myself it would end up in CARNAGE, but the hallways now done and it looks fecking MINT. Just the kitchen to go, which should be simpler as less aggro going into cupboards etc.

Sit my dad down in front of his laptop and he's hopeless. Thats where I can help him. Stick a chisel in his hand though and jobs just HAPPEN. Most of my mates are DIY SPACKOS like me. The computer age has BLUNTED many practical skills hannit ?

I can wallpaper though.

 

[steward 433]

Dunno what it is, but is strikes me theres a lost generation in practical skills amongst many of us 30-somethings. Personally I need a diagram to show me which way round a hammer should go, but my dad is an absolute DIY WIZZ. We're in the middle of a project to lay wooden flooring down through my hallway and kitchen, and I have to say, without my dad, I would not have a SCOOBY how to go about it. The wooden slats click in to each other, but the amount of measuring, cutting round corners, curves, fiddly bits and general AWKWARDNESS is a logistical nightmare.

I'm doing some odds and sods, putting down two layers of underlay, getting stuff prepared, helping out here and there, doing some donkeywork. But gawd bless my old man, theres no bit too tricky, no nook too difficult, no cranny that causes a problem. If I did this job myself it would end up in CARNAGE, but the hallways now done and it looks fecking MINT. Just the kitchen to go, which should be simpler as less aggro going into cupboards etc.

Sit my dad down in front of his laptop and he's hopeless. Thats where I can help him. Stick a chisel in his hand though and jobs just HAPPEN. Most of my mates are DIY SPACKOS like me. The computer age has BLUNTED many practical skills hannit ?

I can wallpaper though.

I am 35 and can strip and rebuild engines, Can do most DIY but i can't wallpaper for toffee

 

[dougdeep]

Dunno what it is, but is strikes me theres a lost generation in practical skills amongst many of us 30-somethings.

BLIMEY! You look much older.

 

[Nibble]

I have always found that with patience and the right tools a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. I think my generations father's ( I am 30) have a lot more patience than my generation.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

i can't wallpaper for toffee

There's a trick. My then father-in-law showed it to me.

Proving what Easy 10 said.

 

[Cian]

My dad can't complete a DIY project without finding someone to 'help', f***ing up himself, blaming them, getting remorseful, trying to finish it on his own, f***ing up somehow, etc.

Which is why all the flat pack furniture, TV cabling, curtain poles, etc in the house have been done by me...

He works in IT himself, might be why. But so do I....

 

[Les Biehn]

My Grandad is the one who everyone goes to for DIY in my family. Grandads are like improved versions of Dad's for that sort of thing.

 

[Stoichkov]

Not only are dads DIY geniuses, they are also unfeasibly strong. I run quite a lot, go to the gym lift some weights so consider myself quite fit. However, when being shown some DIY by my dad (60) there is a massive gulf in strength.

For example, last summer, we re-pointed the garage and had to knock out all the old mortar. 5mins in and my arm was totally f***ed - couldn't hold the hammer anymore. Round the corner I could hear the sound of my dad happily chipping away. I am ashamed to say I slacked off that day and let him do the majority of the work.

Tightening things is another case in point. Just when you think you've got something as tight as it will go, your dad will lean in and say "lets just check that tightness" and proceed to turn it another couple of rotations.

Electronics - whilst we smugly set up wi-fi and download mp3's, our dads will have a decent knowledge of the technology going on inside. They'll also know how to fit a new gearbox on a Ford Escort and the correct way to put up a new garden fence.

I have thought at length about this subject for years now...

 

[Easy 10]

Damn straight Stoichkov.
While my dad was bashing the wooden slats into place with the heel of his hand, I was holding them in place just scared that my fingers might get pinched in the gap.

*lightweight*

And DOUG
I'm 36 you cheeky APE

 

[ali jenkins]

Im 21 and I can put up shelves, build flat-pack furniture, decorate (not wallpaper though) and genrally most DIY things, but when it comes to cars...

Im like a GIRL!

 

[Gazwag]

My Grandad is the one who everyone goes to for DIY in my family. Grandads are like improved versions of Dad's for that sort of thing.

My Dad's very practical but my Grandad, when he was alive, could do and make almost everything.

I can remember all the vices, hammers, files and all sorts of equipment he kept in his shed.

I still have the Shove H'Penny board he made, the quality of shich you could never buy, including the set of old pennies which are completely smooth on one side.

 

[Yorkie]

My father in law could do any sort of DIY. Fortunately my husband learned all he knew.

 

[Questions]

Dads are at their very best when it comes to mending things. I remember my dad mending our TV all the time and rigging the meter on the back so we never had to put any money in it.

 

[Questions]

Do grandads have to have potting sheds ?

 

[Man of Harveys]

I've long believed that there's a secret Dads' Training School, where they mainly teach you how to put up shelves straight and insulate lofts. The dads-to-be go there while their pregnant women go to ante-natal classes. But it's kept very secret, because otherwise all the non-dads of a certain age like me (who are obviously still crap at this stuff) will all want to attend too.