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.

 

[Phorcys]

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.

Renting represents freedom, as opposed to being stuck to one plot of dirt potentially forever, and then buried in the family plot at the local cemetery. I tend to move around, a lot. Some past addresses with my name on the lease include: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Charlotte Amalie, Los Angeles, Queens. I am someone who loves to travel, but prefer to experience new cultures and generally expand my horizons by actually moving to a place, and fully participating in and becoming an active member of its community.

Try selling, and then buying a new condo—or worse, a house—in a bad real estate market when your next opportunity suddenly emerges in Sydney, Australia (I am currently exploring possibilities).

What if you make a mistake, and discover after moving in that your neighbor is a homicidal maniac? As a renter, I’ll just break the lease and suffer some minor financial penalties and a black mark on my next credit report. Owners are stuck sleeping with one eye open, especially those nights when the neighbor had spent the entire day sharpening power tools in his tool shed out back, sparks flying and maniacal laughter. No thank you.

 

[Phorcys]

People with too many tools scare the hell out of me.

 

[Scottzer]

Renting represents freedom, as opposed to being stuck to one plot of dirt potentially forever, and then buried in the family plot at the local cemetery. I tend to move around, a lot. Some past addresses with my name on the lease include: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Charlotte Amalie, Los Angeles, Queens. I am someone who loves to travel, but prefer to experience new cultures and generally expand my horizons by actually moving to a place, and fully participating in and becoming an active member of its community.

Try selling, and then buying a new condo—or worse, a house—in a bad real estate market when your next opportunity suddenly emerges in Sydney, Australia (I am currently exploring possibilities).

What if you make a mistake, and discover after moving in that your neighbor is a homicidal maniac? As a renter, I’ll just break the lease and suffer some minor financial penalties and a black mark on my next credit report. Owners are stuck sleeping with one eye open, especially those nights when the neighbor had spent the entire day sharpening power tools in his tool shed out back, sparks flying and maniacal laughter. No thank you.

I’ve lived in Brooklyn, too. Far more than I was ever concerned with a neighbor having power tools in their own apartment, I tried to pay attention to the guys carrying tools that did not require a battery or power supply. (I found myself in the middle of a battle - couldn’t see who was firing, and several of us ducked into building alcoves). This was not the only occasion I found myself way too close to the action. (First one, I saw the signs - a guy leaves his building complaining about somebody insulting his baby’s mama, then back tracks into his building/. I keep walking down the street and see a guy out with a machete. I cross the street and turn the corner - and I immediately hear 5-6 shots. I call 911 - then realize I can see the precinct. Cops ask me if I’m sure it wasn’t fireworks. Yes, I’m sure. Eventually they find a blood trail. I’m sure machete guy got shot (he survived).

And you’re afraid of power tools?

At least in the sticks, I can have my own tools and if somebody shows up, I can defend myself with my own tools.