Interior water connection bust ..

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by donuts

True story.. I had quite a few engineering students work for me over the years and several who stuck it out all 4 years so I took them to the Indy 500 for their graduation gift. They said they wanted to ride motorcycles up there , from Oklahoma , and we did. One kid had an older Suzuki cruiser that was carbureted and on the way up it was sputtering a bit but we made it, on the way home it just wouldn’t run hardly at all. We stopped over at big travel stop area for the night and in the morning we filled up and it wouldn’t start back up. We got it pushed to the side and those smart dudes could only think of one thing to do, and that was to tear down that carb I looked at them and laughed and asked if they had even thought about googling the issue and they looked at me like I was nuts, I had already pulled up a video on YouTube that described the issue perfectly and all it was was clogged up vacuum tubes .. 5 minutes later we were on the road. They’re all extremely successful today in their fields thanks to my leadership and school of common sense..

My Dad was an electrical engineer and avid DIYer. Most of what I know about buildings is from my grandfather, himself a product of an 8th grade education, then manual labor where the most sophisticated tool was a bottle jack. Both of these fine men taught me common sense and working smart. I've done the same with my son and now working on my son-in-law to bring him up to speed.

Over my 45 year career I've mentored many less experienced engineers, teaching them about common sense. I was trained using 2-dimensional drafting, a calculator, pencil and paper and the younger guys had something called "software". I recall several times where their PC would spit out bullshit and I'd ask them "does that make sense to you?", repeating it until they got the message.

[donuts]

The key here is being taught from a young age to handle tools and prioritizing repair and construction . I have several “guys” who were raised this way and they’re who I call . My dad had a tool drawer in the kitchen, I was handier than he was when I was 8. What he taught me was to run and spin off businesses. I learned what he couldn’t teach again by knowing how to hire good people and KEEP them around for a long time. I couldn’t have done any of that as well as being retired at 53 if I was always fixing the things that broke in my world. BUT I have huge respect for those who do possess the abilities to build and repair.

Knowing your limits is the key. Should the day ever come that I can’t afford to pay the guy I will have a the time to remedy myself.

[Yadkin]

In my house my wife calls it the "man drawer"; one drawer in the kitchen that I'm allowed to keep my things in. Been that way since we got married.

I had a painter- tile-drywall guy for years. Joe was a few years older but failed to make sound decisions about his life when he was younger, and continued to make bad decisions later on. I hired him for many tasks since it made more sense for focus on making money in my business. Joe got lazy over the years and I eventually had to stop hiring him.

I'm lucky to have some good client contractors that I can rely on for stuff that's more than I can handle by myself, like my addition. Ryan's company did the excavation, concrete and block, framing, roofing, installed windows and gutters, drywall.

I did the design, permitting, electrical, plumbing, and heating. That saved huge dollars because of the scarcity of good tradesmen in this region. It also saved a tremendous amount of time on the schedule, since I was "on call" during the entire rough-in.

Then I hired my friend Mark for some of the painting and all of the finished carpentry.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by donuts

The key here is being taught from a young age to handle tools and prioritizing repair and construction.

I’m 3rd generation carpenter. I started working with my dad around the house as soon as I could walk and began joining him on the job at 8 years old.

[donuts]

Originally Posted by LATB

I’m 3rd generation carpenter. I started working with my dad around the house as soon as I could walk and began joining him on the job at 8 years old.

Not sure that this country will produce any 1st generation carpenters until after the revolution.

[higgyburners]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

You finally looked it up.

I've never used it to denigrate God's Chosen People, and never will.

But Himey wirks great with the first two letters of your handle, and (dingbat) describes you nicely, so Himey suits you to a T.

You will forever be Himey to me, Himey.

Whatever floats your boat Twinkle Toes....

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by higgyburners

Whatever floats your boat Twinkle Toes....

Nice flag you got there, Himey.

[GTOguy]

I too was handier than my dad by about age 8. My parents, both professionals, looked down on blue collar workers and those who worked with their hands. I had to learn on my own, and did. I had a passion for working on engines and vehicles of all types, and got some mentoring from the fathers of friends and their grandparents, who were self-educated handymen. To this day, I have much respect for those who can do great work with their hands, be it laying a perfect weld or flying a helicopter. Respect for psychologists and popes and preachers? Not so much.

[donuts]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

I too was handier than my dad by about age 8. My parents, both professionals, looked down on blue collar workers and those who worked with their hands. I had to learn on my own, and did. I had a passion for working on engines and vehicles of all types, and got some mentoring from the fathers of friends and their grandparents, who were self-educated handymen. To this day, I have much respect for those who can do great work with their hands, be it laying a perfect weld or flying a helicopter. Respect for psychologists and popes and preachers? Not so much.

I don’t know any popes that are worth much but I do know a number of psychologists and preachers who can and have built homes and such. But I hear what you’re saying. I would add public school administrators to your list though