While I might not be as handy as I would like, one of the little joys I get from fixing things, is doing it in ways that aren't necessarily the "proper" way to do it. I enjoy finding a solution, even if not perfect, to something myself. I am not the only one I am sure, but it there is a satisfaction in problem solving I get, which goes all the way back to using a butter knife as a screwdriver.
I think people are losing the will to fix things themselves and it is likely for multiple reasons. One reason is that so many consumer things we buy these days are just not repairable, even by professionals - they are just made to be thrown away. And then, most don't last that long before an upgrade is needed anyway. And then there is the continually advancing mindset of paying to have things done, instead of doing it oneself. There is a luxury in that for sure, but there is also a loss.
The other day the overhead sunglasses compartment in my car broke away. It was held in place by a little plastic pin that was just not fit for purpose. I had the piece and I tried doing the "superglue" thing with it, knowing it was never going to be strong enough to stay in place. While the glue was drying, I searched for a replacement part from Volkswagen and non-genuine, and found a few options that would have been suitable, but also would have required more work to install, plus the cost.
So I just ghetto fixed it instead.
After rummaging through a couple toolboxes, I found what I was looking for - A small, 4mm threaded bolt of the kind that (if longer) would be used to hold on cupboard handles. I made sure it would slide into the slot the plastic pin used to live, and then went about carefully drilling out the plastic on the holder so that I could thread the bolt in until flush, and then screw it in further once in place. Once done, unless looking for it, you wouldn't notice it is there, as it is only visible up in the corner from the drivers side, once the case is open, and you'd have to crane your neck a little.
It is far stronger than the factory piece.
Of course, things don't always work out so easily and there have been many failures over the years, some more costly than others. However, regardless of the cost (which would have to be paid anyway), there is value in the attempt at fixing it for me. Rarely would it meet the standards of someone else's, but I enjoy looking at the things I have done and saying, there, I fixed it.
Even if it might have been comparable in price and saved a lot of time to replace it.
It feels a bit silly, however I also think that we have become "too" accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it. We expect everything to be perfect, and when it is not, we will pay someone to fix it or replace it, without even considering trying to do it ourselves. This is especially true around the houses now, where in the past people's homes were full of little DiY repairs that added up over the years. Now, a lot of the homes seem a little too standardised, a little soulless, a little impersonal. They look good still.
I have never been into looks that much. Personality matters. Looks are a bonus.
Taraz
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While I don't disagree with you, I can definitely understand where some people are coming from. Here's my example. I feel like a lot of times when I try to fix something in my house it snowballs into something where I have to hire it out because someone didn't do something right in the first place. In that case I do expect things to be perfect because we are talking about the structural integrity of my house. Your dang right I'm not going to applaud the guy before me for using his DIY skills when he cuts through the wall studs to install a medicine cabinet. I think if people did things right the first time then those DIY projects wouldn't be such a big deal, but they don't, so we have to hire stuff out.
Yeah, you still need to have some common sense and realistic view of abilities!
It depends... Some things are worth DIY like switching light switches because it is simple to do and some are cost effective like wiring a 40 AMP 240 Volt sauna because it costs $3000+ to hire an electrician for the work I have done myself in the past and can do in less than 4 hours. But some things like a bathroom remodel where you are replacing a standard cabin with premium stonework and new water barrier is just not worth the risk of doing yourself same goes for the roof, I don't think that installing shingles yourself on the roof is worth the risk or the effort...
I wish I was comfortable with basic electrical. I am not. Plumbing either. I also have never used concrete until today, so let's see how that goes!
I miss cutting down firewood
Good exercise!
There is a different kind of satisfaction when you fix something yourself, even if the solution is not perfect sometimes the small repair we do ourselves can even become more memory than buying a new one
Thanks