Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & technique!

[GoodEnough]

Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & technique!

I was PM'ing tarbellb about what drill bits I am going to buy, and he added this at the end:

Any kind of metal work and you will appreciate a better bit. But biggest thing- GO SLOW. If I'm using my screw gun, I almost always use my lower gear to drill metal. If using a impact you might F things up quick. Anybody can ruin a good drill bit with to much speed and not enough pressure.

Tips-

• Get an auto punch- Punch your hole 1st
• Oil if thick material
• Go slow
• Lots of pressure (except 1/8" or smaller) then just enough to not break the bit.

People focus so much on tools, but for a weekender/layman, there is much to be learned about technique...

So, let's hear something you've learned over the years, that is as obvious as the above, but is news to a newcomers just getting into using his tools....

 

[Bill Ramsey]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Contrary to what Lowe's and Home Depot's slick TV ads would have you believe, there is skill and technique involved in painting, whether interior or exterior. Take the time to pratice and learn before tackling a big project.

1. 
   [1]Get the best quality brush and roller you can afford. The difference between the cheapest junk and the best is really not that much.
   [2]Buy good quality paint. There's a zillion threads on this, so I won't elaborate except to say it's tough to get a good-looking job out of cheap paint.
   [3]The way you apply paint will affect what it looks like after it's dry. Longer nap roller covers leave a progressively more textured look, and the direction and overlap of your last strokes affect the final look. The last stroke with a brush will (with most paints) show when it's dry. Do it straight, light, and carefully.
   [4]Don't 'cut in' your wood trim freehand, until you've practiced that a lot. A better bet is learn to use a good hand masker with good quality masking tape. 3M makes the best...blue or green. But the key to clean lines is to caulk the tapeline and scrape away the excess with a putty knive. This seals the edge of the tape (let caulk dry before you paint). Don't believe the hype about tape (alone) that seals a beautiful paint line, like you see on TV.
   [5]And the most important thing about painting: The old saying is true that prep is 90%. Poor prep, poor finished product. After your primer coat, caulk all cracks and fill all holes, and your job will look much nicer.

 

[tarbellb]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Well now that ive been quoted..... dang.

Measuring:

Always measure as if it means it. Every cut counts.

Your first measurement will be multiplied x number of steps after it. Be accurate.

When marking your measurement, it DOES matter which side you cut on.
>>>>>>> ie if your mark is a carrot, line, etc... then know which side, you are cutting on. Mark with a "X" the side your not keeping.

1/16th, 1/32nds, 1/64ths, really do count. So make sure you take a good measure to measure.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

When working with a bunch of other people, watch and pay attention to how they do things........the main thing I have learned is that there is ALWAYS something to learn. EVERYBODY knows something that I do not. Keep an open mind.

 

[Xenocide]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

When working with a bunch of other people, watch and pay attention to how they do things........the main thing I have learned is that there is ALWAYS something to learn. EVERYBODY knows something that I do not. Keep an open mind.

This. Absolutely this.

I've worked on my own stuff for years and I thought i was pretty competent. I took on a project to restore an old land rover with my uncle. Watching him go at things his way has taught me more than I could convey in words alone.

Strangely the main thing I've learnt from him is tenacity. I would do a job then rejoice with a cuppa after everything. He'll just pick up another spanner and crack on with the next thing.

Another one of my friends is a computer developer by trade so he's very logical. We were working on a motorbike when i dropped a screw down the fairing. Anyone who's worked on a bike knows what a ******* this is. I started looking about in every nook & cranny, crack & hole but came up blank. He just dropped another screw from the same spot and watched where it fell. Sure enough "my" screw was there too.

Everyone can teach you something, make sure you try and learn.

 

[Davefr]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Dad's favorite words - "It's skill, not strength".

 

[Pumpman1968]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Dad's favorite words - "It's skill, not strength".

Yep.........only mine said "Work with your head, not your back"........then he would use a screwdriver for a prybar.

 

[arms1970]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

I was PM'ing tarbellb about what drill bits I am going to buy, and he added this at the end:




People focus so much on tools, but for a weekender/layman, there is much to be learned about technique...

So, let's hear something you've learned over the years, that is as obvious as the above, but is news to a newcomers just getting into using his tools....

How about using the "right" drill bit with material also.

 

[Thumper68]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Step back and think it through, rushing to get it done rarely saves time in the end.

 

[Marion3]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

It's faster to work slower, rather then to run around like a chicken with its head cutoff

I learned that about my second year of doing collision repair. I would forget simple things to double check like door handle cables, lightbulbs, ect. All the time I thought I was saving going 100mph just got burned up having to take a door apart or half the front end of a car because I forget to plug a harness back in

 

[creativecars]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

"If you don't have time to do it right the first time then when are you going to find time to do it over ?"

BTW, not all professionals have the same level professionalism. Be leary of the people who throw that term around.

 

[sberry]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

There is a certain amount of talent, not everyone can do everything or do it well. Half of all professionals are below average.

Even though we knopw something about a lot of things rarely do we know a lot about it. I can tell the difference when they read the book or learned it all hand to mouth.

 

[woody 73]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

For the DIY'ers out there...Every now and then take a deep breath, step back from the problem at hand and get a good nights sleep, by the next morning the answer will come to you most times.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Re: Forget about tool brand debates, a n00b should focus on skill, method, & techniqu

Well now that ive been quoted..... dang.

Measuring:

Always measure as if it means it. Every cut counts.

Your first measurement will be multiplied x number of steps after it. Be accurate.

LOL.

Always reminds me of the the guy standing there with a saw and a piece of lumber going." Dammit, I've cut this 2x4 three times already and the mother f*(&er is STILL too short."

Hahahahahaha!