Home Improvements youve started, failed at, and ended up only hurting someone

[Flasch186]

Today is my day off so I decided Im going to install a computer, monitor, and wireless out by the jacuzzi so I can watch TV on it via Slingbox thus avoiding having to get another Direct TV box and TV.

After working for hours in the heat, trying to screw these mammoth screws into the gazebo by hand, I ended up tearing my thumb up by the allen wrench (included) slipping off of the nut (included) thus smacking my thumb up against the metal pivot. Blood is gushing out of my thumb and an emormous flap of skin is hanging off, abutting the nail. I go inside, papertowel it, grit my teeth through the throbbing, and band-aid it. I am finishing this damnit, then we can analyze the damage.

After another hour completing the project, midway through attaching the arm I realized that there isn't enough clearance b/w the arm and ceiling for anything let alone this monitor. I have botched it and there is no other portion of hte gazebo where it can be installed and be strong enough to hold some substantial weight.

I failed....I bled.

Couple this with the smashed pinkie from a month ago and Im surprised my wife lets me attempt this stuff.

[johnnyshaka]

I'm in the planning stages of building a garage at our place and because I'm the exact opposite of a handyman, I've graciously bowed out of any involvement other than keeping the workers (i.e. family and friends) hydrated and happy. Also, I want it done right and don't want to lose any of my limbs in the process...I like my limbs where they are.

But, Flasch, I applaud the effort. I just know my limits.

[Butter]

For home improvement projects, I have proven so inept now I just follow Homer Simpson's motto:

Never try.

[CraigSca]

Anyone wanna help work on my 20% complete basement?! Anyone?

[gstelmack]

I'll take on small projects: repainting rooms, putting furniture together, putting a roof bike rack on the car, etc. My favorite was actually doing a kid-height stair hand-railing for our first daughter when she was learning to walk. Kids can't reach an adult-height one when they are young, and this helped her and now my son learn to get up the stairs. I've never seen these anywhere except at daycare, so I figure maybe I've got a business here.

Anyway, I gave up on bigger things and anything related to plumbing a long time ago. After trying to fix a leaking toilet, including having to saw off the rusted-out bolts between the tank and the seat to replace them, and replacing all the guts, and eventually breaking the shutoff valve from using it so much, I finally called a plumber. They replaced the shutoff valve and the guts of the toilet in 10 minutes TOTAL, and it ran flawlessly after that. I now know that if I want it done right, it's worth the money, even if I do feel $90 is a lot for 10 minutes of work. That's only $9/hour for the time I spent trying to do the same stuff.

If it involves painting something or drilling pilot holes and putting in screws, I'm good. Anything else and I'm bringing in the experts.

[Poli]

My father in law asked me to complete the rewiring of his home's circuit breaker box in 1997. I had about 3 weeks of electronics training under my belt, so I said I'd help.

The electric company was supposed to shut off the power, I take out previous cables, have the new cables fed to me through the wall and insert them into the breaker box.

Piece of cake.

Only, the new wires were thick and stiff and I barely had them in the home when a worker knocked on the door and asked if I had the cables. I replied yes but didn't realize they were asking if I had them installed.

A few minutes later I blew a transformer.

[johnnyshaka]

A few minutes later I blew a transformer.

How did it taste?

The reason I ask is because I've heard bad things...

;)

[st.cronin]

For over a year, I've been trying to figure out a way to properly hook up my swamp cooler. I haven't hurt anybody yet, but I'm still manually filling it when I want to use it.

[MikeVic]

A few minutes later I blew a transformer.

Did everything taste like peanut butter after?

[NoMyths]

MEASURE TWICE -- CUT ONCE.

[Poli]

How did it taste?

The reason I ask is because I've heard bad things...

;)
;)

[MikeVic]

MEASURE TWICE -- CUT ONCE.

Thanks Villa.

[Sgran]

I've changed the inner tube on my bike a few times. Even that was touch and go.

[bulletsponge]

*sigh* what amatures
heres my list of Completed projects

replaced all crappy windows with new double pane windows
put in 4 new sliding glass doors ( 2 in previously walled areas)
all new exterior doors.
repainted house inside and out (several times)
tore out carpet and put in tile floors
converted 1/2 of garage into bedroom
reshingled the roof
new patio decks on back and side of house
built bird room in back
patio cover on side of house

all with no bad injuries besides maybe a scratch or bruise

im sure theres others that i have forgot

[Flasch186]

ugh....what a show off.

[Mustang]

I do alot of the small stuff (< 12 hours). Paint, new garbage disposal, new water heater, new toilet, minor plumbing fixes, install new ceiling tiles in the basement but, anything major that we've done - New Furnace and new roof, I leave to the professionals I just don't have the time or patience. I helped my friend do a tear down of his roof and never again...

Although, next week, I get to demolish our bathroom as we are taking it down to the studs and redoing everything.