Looking for a basic DIY course

ampjohnny

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for learning some basic DIY knowledge, I can bang a nail into a wall and saw in a straight line but that's about it :P

We just bought our first house and the missus is on at me to put up shelves, curtain rails and curtain tie backs etc, I assumed there would be basic DIY night-courses easily available but a search on Google suggests otherwise.

Would anyone have some info on this or be able to recommend a course they did themselves?

Cheers
John

ampjohnny

Sorry, it won't allow me edit the original title or post - I am based in Cork City!

DublinDilbert

Are you near a B&Q? they offer courses in store, I done their plastering course. It was very cheap all materials were paid for and supplied by them. I know they do a few other courses, they take about 2 hours in total.

Over the last few years You tube has become a great resource which I often look at before tackling a job, even just to get a little tip or two to make the job simpler/better. Also within reason the best way to learn is by rolling your sleeves and doing.

If you haven't been doing much of this work you'll need to pick up some tools, but they will pay for themselves 10 times over within a year or two. I've a mixture of Aldi/Lidl tools along with Dewalt/hitachi and they all get used again and again.

ampjohnny

DublinDilbert wrote: »

Are you near a B&Q? they offer courses in store, I done their plastering course. It was very cheap all materials were paid for and supplied by them. I know they do a few other courses, they take about 2 hours in total.

Over the last few years You tube has become a great resource which I often look at before tackling a job, even just to get a little tip or two to make the job simpler/better. Also within reason the best way to learn is by rolling your sleeves and doing.

If you haven't been doing much of this work you'll need to pick up some tools, but they will pay for themselves 10 times over within a year or two. I've a mixture of Aldi/Lidl tools along with Dewalt/hitachi and they all get used again and again.

Thanks a lot for that - simple answer that I had never considered!

I have some decent, inexpensive tools over the year but am loathe to anything like drilling holes in walls until I am sure i have even a basic level of competency!

Cheers

e.r

You could ring all your friends that are either in trades or handy themselves.

ask them to ring you when they are doing some diy.

Callover and help and look how they do it and pick up some experience.

cheif kaiser

Would agree with using youtube. I use it frequently and have learned a huge amount, from laying floors, to fixing a lawn, to replacing an iphone screen and more. I am at the moment learning wood turning and have picked up a huge amount from youtube and the best thing is, it's all free!

Charlie19

As the lads said, Youtube videos would be very handy;)

For what's needed after buying a house, I'd imagine a diy course wouldn't be able to cover everything and thats where youtube is great by going into detail on each individual job.

sky6

Here's your very first lesson. THINK SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS. In other words before jumping into any job try and foresee any possible dangers. Before drilling walls, Floors etc, make sure there are no cables or pipes behind where your drilling. Always try and use the proper tool.
Blunt tools and blades are an accident waiting to happen.
Get yourself a good sds drill for masonry and a good quality Saw. As said you tube is a great place to start.
Happy DIY.

agusta

ampjohnny wrote: »

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for learning some basic DIY knowledge, I can bang a nail into a wall and saw in a straight line but that's about it :P

We just bought our first house and the missus is on at me to put up shelves, curtain rails and curtain tie backs etc, I assumed there would be basic DIY night-courses easily available but a search on Google suggests otherwise.

Would anyone have some info on this or be able to recommend a course they did themselves?

Cheers
John

http://metac.ie/diy-home-improvement/

ampjohnny

Thanks for the feedback folks.

agusta wrote: »

Link

Looks promising, i'll check if they can offer same in Cork, thanks.

Tom44

ampjohnny wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback folks.




Looks promising, i'll check if they can offer same in Cork, thanks.

A lot of secondary schools have a verity of night classes.

Robbie71

heres my 5 min course
18v battery drill/driver with accessory kit -this is essential, brands makita/dewalt in B Q - this will drill hollow plasterboard ,help assemble anything incl flat packs(use the torque settings) ,
sds drill - handy if drilling hard masonry walls , cheap one will do for 6 to 10mm holes ,will fly through
would not bother with a high speed drill
general rule - avoid drilling vertically/horizontal line of switch/socket ,this is usual path of wiring
curtain poles - if drilling plasterboard - nice tight 6mm holes for rawl plugs
drilling holes in tiles - use 18v drill,not so tight as tile may crack when screw goes into plug,no hammer action until at least through ceramic coating,
be willing throw away screws etc supplied with some cheaper products as the heads usually disintegrate,use screws from builders providers
get small tub lightweight filler (like cream) for mistakes (though you cant redrill these holes)
dont worry if things dont line up its not yoour fault ,its usually because the walls arent straight/plumb/square etc
coffee break...:D