OT: Basic Tools

[Phorcys]

We renters in urban commununities leave the power tools to the professionals.

 

[Phorcys]

Powertools in the hands of amateurs ... I don't think that's going to end well.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Powertools in the hands of amateurs ... I don't think that's going to end well.

We home owners with an acre or so of woods surrounding our 4BR homes are no longer amateurs. I couldn't even access this house in winter snow if not for my snowblower. I installed the toilets and faucets in this house and have done a bunch of things. Nothing electrical except light switches and lights though.

Chainsaws are high risk. I did learn to use them from my dad, but felling trees is dangerous work best left to pros.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

Powertools in the hands of amateurs ... I don't think that's going to end well.

There’s a difference in danger level between a radial arm saw and a power drill. Most house projects are not exactly rocket science (except crown moulding, that is rocket science).

 

[RuffRuff]

There’s a difference in danger level between a radial arm saw and a power drill. Most house projects are not exactly rocket science (except crown moulding, that is rocket science).

I feel like a total weeny if I service anything but difficult plumbing and electrical work out to a contractor. You are only as good as your tools, that said. They're nice to accumulate over the years, as the projects come, not all at once, especially now that you can get almost anything battery powered.

I'd say any dude with ambition to do his own DIY should own a circular saw, a chop saw & a table saw. There are so many DIY videos online these days that as long as you have the patience and coordination, you can figure it out. Other nice to haves are a nail gun & a paint sprayer. If you ever intend to do tile work, a wet saw is nice to have.

Just finished off some box molding and a built in bookcase that would have likely cost 5-6x as much if a contractor was brought in.

 

[Deepster]

We renters in urban commununities leave the power tools to the professionals.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about paying rent for a living space where you'll never get anything back for that money you dish out? Clearly you enjoy the urban life enough to make that decision, but if you're doing this over a long span of time (10 years?), you're shovelling out tens of thousands of dollars getting nothing long term in return.

 

[storrsroars]

If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about paying rent for a living space where you'll never get anything back for that money you dish out? Clearly you enjoy the urban life enough to make that decision, but if you're doing this over a long span of time (10 years?), you're shovelling out tens of thousands of dollars getting nothing long term in return.

$4700/mo is roughly equivalent to a $842K condo with 20% down @ interest of 6%/yr.

So even if one wants to avoid DIY maintenance, buying a condo is a much better option.

 

[Deepster]

$4700/mo is roughly equivalent to a $842K condo with 20% down @ interest of 6%/yr.

So even if one wants to avoid DIY maintenance, buying a condo is a much better option.

Exactly. I've never leased a car or paid a month's rent before.

 

[StllH8L8ner]

Just got a $2,000 generator off Facebook marketplace for $300 on an estate sale.