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| My new Torque Wrench! |
Here's the example: I am a do-it-yourselfer who likes to tinker and do my own auto and home repairs. Sometimes fixing something myself can save me 10x the cost of the repair. Amazing, really.
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| My Hand Saw |
On the car, I'll do routine oil changes, replace brake pads, rotate the tires. If I can get a decent diagnosis on a problem, I'll get under the hood and tackle it with a decent amount of confidence
With regards to our family food, I have no qualms with cooking vegetables, canning fruit, or taking my own lunch to work.
I've been known to designing Halloween costumes, build furniture, creat toys.
At one point, someone was telling me that working on these projects gives me a good excuse to buy the requisite tools. I honestly hadn't thought of that. I have been going under the premise that I have to get by with the tools that I have from each Father's Day and Christmas for so long that I innately think "I haven't got that tool, what's the next best alternative?" Right? The end goal for doing the job myself was primarily the $$, not the independence.
Insert my TAP. I've been a married man for 8 years, a dad for almost 6, and a gainfully employed engineer for more than 4. It's about time that I stop using sheet-rock screws and recycled pallet wood for all my building projects! My tap looks like this. If I have a project that the going rate for a professional to deliver the finished project would be $100, I allow myself to buy tools and supplies, GUILT FREE, for up to half of that (if the wife agrees, of course), or $50 in this case.
For an oil change, I don't really get to accumulate any new supplies. (Me: $15 supplies vs $30 at the shop).
But in September, I did a transmission fluid and differential oil change, easily a $200 job at my mechanic's shop. So after buying my required supplies (~$40), I indulged and bought a pair of ramps (another $40). While doing that job, I thought to myself, "Self, all those oil changes through the year would have gone alot more smoothly with unscraped knuckles if you had ramps back then."
But think of all the jobs that have a decent margin! Brake job (easily $500 for 4 wheels, esp if the shop wants to slap on new rotors).
Pull out and clean radiator ($$)
Headlamp assembly, fender liner, fog blanks (from RockAuto.com, cheap, from the Dealer, big bucks!)
Bumper Job (ahem, we had that slide-off last year, remember? I bought it, had it painted, and hung it myself for about $200.)
The trundle bed I'm going to make this winter for the Baby to graduate into will be a higher quality bed for half the price of the store version, but it will be fully custom to our needs. No leftovers for tools. :(
What other tools should I buy instead of hiring a professional? Dare I buy piano tuning forks and mutes? HA!
*The only reason it's faulty logic is that ultimately, you end up spending more money. The handyman discount is not equal to money saved (money in the bank), but rather money you aren't obliged to spend. However, if you feel more confident that you can do the job, or you broaden the spectrum of jobs you can do yourself, this plan works pretty well until your home shop is fully stocked. Otherwise, just pocket the difference.
Dan has accumulated a ton of tools over the years...some even from my Dad when he hung up his tool belt. This past month, he built Ari a loft bed (small bedroom plus the soon to be acquisition of a pet chinchilla demanded this change). All that was required was the wood, bolts and a full weekend....he had the sander, saw, etc....so instead of going to a furniture store and spending several hundred, all it cost us was about $150 and a few scraped knuckles!
ReplyDeleteAlso there is value added when you do something yourself, especially when you enjoy yourself while doing it, and also if you pass on to your kids the idea that they can do many things themselves ( if they learn to use tools, follow instructions, and think clearly, finish and enjoy the results! ) It feels great to accomplish something, learn something, create something, save bucks, ect. And you never know when you will translate one skill to another, or even be able to barter, trade, or sell something you make. I really did make a lot of money doing crafts that , at the time, was also a very fun creative outlet for me. When I say a lot. I mean thousands. But not ten's of thousands. And I certainly also spent some good money for the supplies. But I also saved money by making things, instead of buying them, either for myself or others.
ReplyDeleteDIY ROCKS!
Ideas/Warning: it is ok to loan your tools but I think it is important to write down what you are loaning, and also to have a pre-determined check out period. Meaning, know about when its coming home. Like write it down on your calendar, with a name and phone number. You can think you won't forget who has things. Sometimes we are sad we don't know where some tools got off to. Write your name on any tools you take to group service projects, or put some marker like orange duct tape. Don't procrastinate checking on things you need returned. People can move away with them if you forget for too long! Think about not loaning out things that are finicky ( ex: chain saw ) or really dangerous ( ex: chain saws) . When they are returned not working, OR when someone slices through their leg with your chainsaw it is not a good feeling. Finally, its nice to share your talent and serve others with them. This, too, needs a balance. I don't know that formula. I am glad you are blessed with a zest for zeez sings!
Also you are very organized and take care of your tools. I think I heard that a bucket of sand in the corner of your storage area with oil poured into it is said to be a good way to store certain tools , like, for example, garden shovels, that would/could get rusty. But maybe it would make a mess and not be worth it, in the end. Sometimes Dad has had to buy duplicates when he can't find the original. I am glad you got ramps! now one of those things you lay on and roll under the car?
Impressive!!
ReplyDeleteTrevor laments the fact that his "tool collection" (AKA his Dad's garage) is now so far away!! ha.