Fixing things like a manly man, manly glow everywhere

castletownman · 13-08-2014 02:52PM

I managed to put on a full load in the washing machine without breaking my leg or burning the house down.

Currently basking in my triumph by necking cans of Tennants

Hooked · 13-08-2014 02:55PM

Well let's see... Well let's see... Well let's see...

Here's my shortlist:

Block laying: basic walls, pillars, etc.

Electrics: running sockets, lights, fixing all manner of appliances. Outdoor lighting, etc..

Plumbing: fitted my entire kitchen and moved all bathroom bits around.

Carpentry: have laid floors, hung doors and skirting boards. And fitted the kitchen and countertops. Have made a few units too..,

Car: changed window regulator and door actuators on a few cars. Do my own basic servicing.

Dogs: have made a rig for my bike and am currently building a scooter from scratch out of two old bikes and parts. Have divided the dog crate in the kitchen and built the outdoor dog box, under my deck, also split into two. Do all their shots, worming and basic vet stuff.

Painting, wallpapering and general household DIY goes without saying.

Recently fenced the back garden with that strong, green wire mesh. Sinking the posts and digging down 2 feet for the concrete was fun!

That's all I can think of for now. Oh, I did remove, disassemble, fix and reassemble the waste water pump from my washing machine recently. Was well proud of that one...

Over the years, I'd say I've saved a fortune on these services, parts and goods.

The Backwards Man · 13-08-2014 02:59PM

castletownman wrote: »

I managed to put on a full load in the washing machine without breaking my leg or burning the house down.

Currently basking in my triumph by necking cans of Tennants

Real men drink Tennents Super.

kylith · 13-08-2014 02:59PM

I recently replaced the latch on my dishwasher.

I also have a bit of wood that is used specifically to stir paint.

Bipolar Joe · 13-08-2014 03:01PM

fizzypish wrote: »

Moved house and ended up having to buy furniture. Carrying the wardrobe up the stairs (was heavier than it looked) I lost grip, it went back down the stairs and nearly hit herself (-1 man point for dropping a heavy thing, -10 for nearly hitting GF with heavy thing). Broke into individual pieces. Put it back together a week later and its still standing (+1 man point).
I resurrected a 4 year dead laptop a while back. I find it hard to feel manly about fixing laptops though. The job must entail a hammer to gain man points. Dammit, I'm still on -10 points......

Computers still count as Manly Points, with an added point buffer of Genius (+ 50%). Fixing a laptop that won't get passed the boot screen is +10 MP, the point buffer gives you 5 GP, which leaves you with 15 MP. So, you're in the green. If there's important stuff on the computer, like work or pictures that exist only on the machine, it's 20 MP.

Shiraz 4.99 · 13-08-2014 03:04PM

Hooked wrote: »

Well let's see... Well let's see... Well let's see...

Here's my shortlist:

Block laying: basic walls, pillars, etc.

Electrics: running sockets, lights, fixing all manner of appliances. Outdoor lighting, etc..

Plumbing: fitted my entire kitchen and moved all bathroom bits around.

Carpentry: have laid floors, hung doors and skirting boards. And fitted the kitchen and countertops. Have made a few units too..,

Car: changed window regulator and door actuators on a few cars. Do my own basic servicing.

Dogs: have made a rig for my bike and am currently building a scooter from scratch out of two old bikes and parts. Have divided the dog crate in the kitchen and built the outdoor dog box, under my deck, also split into two. Do all their shots, worming and basic vet stuff.

Painting, wallpapering and general household DIY goes without saying.

Recently fenced the back garden with that strong, green wire mesh. Sinking the posts and digging down 2 feet for the concrete was fun!

That's all I can think of for now. Oh, I did remove, disassemble, fix and reassemble the waste water pump from my washing machine recently. Was well proud of that one...

Over the years, I'd say I've saved a fortune on these services, parts and goods.

Your woman must spend her days sliding off the furniture that you've probably made yourself.

Galadriel · 13-08-2014 03:05PM

I fixed my car myself

It may have taken me two years to figure out what it was but the two auto electricians I brought it to couldn't figure it out.

akura · 13-08-2014 03:07PM

I changed the brake pads on the car yesterday and smashed my knuckles on the ground but it didn't stop me because I'm a Man. Job done knuckles covered in a thick bloody brake dust mess.

Shiraz 4.99 · 13-08-2014 03:10PM

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

Computers still count as Manly Points, with an added point buffer of Genius (+ 50%). Fixing a laptop that won't get passed the boot screen is +10 MP, the point buffer gives you 5 GP, which leaves you with 15 MP. So, you're in the green. If there's important stuff on the computer, like work or pictures that exist only on the machine, it's 20 MP.

I once was able to recover a HD full of family photos which had corrupted for some reason, PC World were charging her €200 for the same service.

Sunnyisland · 13-08-2014 03:10PM

Heres mine and this is the truth

I ironed my first shirt last week, and did a mighty job on it to.

anncoates · 13-08-2014 03:11PM

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

I'm on a dream run at present.

Cigarette lighter 12V sockets went in the missus car, just a fuse but working out which one & what size required all my googling skills, saved us a trip to the garage & cost 50c.

Washing machine wasn't draining so I was able to remove the pump & clean out all the crap, hey presto, good as new washing machine where herself was about to throw it out.

Cooker kept tripping out, got it out, removed the back & saw the spark shorting across the fan element contacts, 20 quid new part instead of an €80 call out fee.

Missus fancy new laptop only started up intermittently, she was taking it back to Currys, I updated the drivers & Bios & now it's working perfectly.

All this fixing prowess has bought me much improved respect from herself & has me glowing in manliness.
Regale me with tales of proving your manhood.

Whipped.

Shiraz 4.99 · 13-08-2014 03:16PM

anncoates wrote: »

Whipped.

If your husband can't do the above why have him at all, just ring an escort service instead when you need satisfying.
Their number will be on your phone next to the plumbers, plasterers & electricians.

jimgoose · 13-08-2014 03:17PM

Damn near impossible to get nice sharp bits of flint these days. :cool:

Duff · 13-08-2014 03:30PM

Some things that make me feel manly..

Going to the dump - A manly act which combines driving, lifting and as
you thrillingly drop your rubbish into another huge pile of other rubbish, noisy destruction.

Using power tools - slightly more powerful than I need or can safely
handle. Pneumatic drilling while smoking a fag? Superb.

Arriving to the pub late.. and everyone cheers you. It doesn't mean
you're popular, it just means your mates are ****ed. However, the rest of
the pub doesn't know that.

Parallel parking - bosh, straight in. first time. Can Hamilton do
that? No, because his cars got no reverse gear which, technically, makes
you the worlds best driver.

Knowing which screwdriver is which - "a Phillips? For that? Are you mad, bint?"

I'm away to cut some wood with a belt knife.

Bipolar Joe · 13-08-2014 03:31PM

Shiraz 4.99 wrote: »

I once was able to recover a HD full of family photos which had corrupted for some reason, PC World were charging her €200 for the same service.

That's some mighty points. I'm currently in the midst of getting files off an old laptop. No wireless, USB doesn't work (Old '98 OS), floppy drive doesn't work, CD drive doesn't burn and Ethernet cable is an old variety no one seems to have. Lots of pictures that need removing.

Manly Joe, I love gardening. I mow the lawn all the time, and recently got a fancy Ryobi Power LT2. I've been destroying weeds like no ones business. Fuck 'em, they got no place in my yard.

Recently fixed up the walls and repainted them. Next year I'll be building a barbecue pit and a shelter for sitting outside. The house is basically new, so nothing needs fixing, but I'm ready and waiting with my tools when it does.

Mick55 · 13-08-2014 03:37PM

I always fix my own car, never pay for a garage to do it..

I'm a mechanic

dub_skav · 13-08-2014 03:41PM

Hooked wrote: »

Well let's see... Well let's see... Well let's see...

Here's my shortlist:

Block laying: basic walls, pillars, etc.

Electrics: running sockets, lights, fixing all manner of appliances. Outdoor lighting, etc..

Plumbing: fitted my entire kitchen and moved all bathroom bits around.

Carpentry: have laid floors, hung doors and skirting boards. And fitted the kitchen and countertops. Have made a few units too..,

Car: changed window regulator and door actuators on a few cars. Do my own basic servicing.

Dogs: have made a rig for my bike and am currently building a scooter from scratch out of two old bikes and parts. Have divided the dog crate in the kitchen and built the outdoor dog box, under my deck, also split into two. Do all their shots, worming and basic vet stuff.

Painting, wallpapering and general household DIY goes without saying.

Recently fenced the back garden with that strong, green wire mesh. Sinking the posts and digging down 2 feet for the concrete was fun!

That's all I can think of for now. Oh, I did remove, disassemble, fix and reassemble the waste water pump from my washing machine recently. Was well proud of that one...

Over the years, I'd say I've saved a fortune on these services, parts and goodswasted hours/days and damaged both myself and parts of the house in figuring out the "best" way to do a job that would take a professional 5 minutes

FYP

Bipolar Joe · 13-08-2014 03:46PM

dub_skav wrote: »

FYP

Now Dub knows how to fix things, therefore he is winning. Self sufficiency should be applauded.

kylith · 13-08-2014 03:47PM

dub_skav wrote: »

FYP

But did you fix it in a manly way?

dub_skav · 13-08-2014 03:57PM

kylith wrote: »

But did you fix it in a manly way?

I didn't ask anybody for help and adopted a superior attitude while I did it, if that's what you mean

RoboRat · 13-08-2014 03:57PM

Back door wasn't locking as the handle was going in circles, took it apart, found the problem and proceeded to macgyver a fix by using a small screwdriver and tap hammer to slowly remove the broken screw and then using a plug, I lined it up and screwed another screw into it (had to use the plug as the broken screw had bore away the hole). Working perfectly now :-)

Door on the VW passat wasn't opening and checked online you have to open from both sides and bang it closed until the lock realigns, looked very knowledgeable especially when the missus friend had the same problem and I had to be called to the rescue.

Shiraz 4.99 · 13-08-2014 03:57PM

Bipolar Joe wrote: »

That's some mighty points. I'm currently in the midst of getting files off an old laptop. No wireless, USB doesn't work (Old '98 OS), floppy drive doesn't work, CD drive doesn't burn and Ethernet cable is an old variety no one seems to have. Lots of pictures that need removing.

Just remove the hard drive & plug it into a caddy.

MattD1349 · 13-08-2014 03:59PM

westmidlands wrote: »

Donal!!!

Nah, it's Handy Manny. Or Bob The Builder, I can't decide which. Fixing stuff around the house usually gets me a ride as the Mrs gets friskyðŸ˜„ OP, did ye bury the baldy fella after all that?

Calibos · 13-08-2014 04:35PM

Done everything posted in the thread thus far and more. Amazed more people don't google problems and fix themselves if they can. Before the advent of the internet I could understand it. Before the advent of youtube video instructionals I could still understand it. Not everyone can follow written instructions without giving up in frustration. With Youtube so pervasive now chances are no matter what problem you have, someone else has too and recorded a video showing you how to fix it.

No point in listing all my man pride DIY moments but the one that saved me the most money was the electric windows in my Audi. The fcukers used ungalvanised steel for the winder cables that rusted and frayed and failed at about the 5 year mark outside of warranty. Despite thousands of owners of this particular model all suffering failed electric windows in the down position at the 4-6 year mark, Audi refused to acknowledge an issue or offer out of warranty free replacement. Not only that, but all that was required was a new galvanised steel cable but Audi would only replace the entire electric window mechanism even though only a small part of it actually needed replacing. To top it all off, the replacement full mechanisms where the same as the fcuking faulty ones with ungalvanised cables so they'll fail again in another 4-6 years.

Passenger side failed first on mine and I was lucky to be able to pull the window up till I could fix it. Others were not so lucky. My drivers side was making the same frayed cable noises so I knew it was also on the way out. Audi Ireland wanted €450 per fcuking side!!! Bill composed of about €150 for an entire replacement mechanism that didn't need to be replaced and about €300 labour. Was able to buy a pair of new galvanised steel cables designed by a parts company specifically for this fix on this model for €90. Downloaded a guide on how to remove door cards and replace cables. Took 2 hours to do both sides. Saved €810.

JuliusCaesar · 13-08-2014 04:57PM

Nearly knocked out by the waft of testosterone coming off this thread. Luckily I was able to slam the laptop shut just in time.

Excellent, men, excellent!

RayCon · 13-08-2014 05:20PM

Larbre34 wrote: »

Replaced the immersion, lowered the cut off temperature on it and put a timer switch on it, SO IT CAN NEVER BE LEFT ON AGAINNNNN

/Thread......

:eek: That is genius ... share your knowledge oh great manly one ... this should be mandatory for every house in Ireland*

* ... and maybe Des Bishop would never do that routine again