Sound Fundamentals for DIYers
With the recent rise of do it yourself or DIY projects from specialty builders stores, television, books and especially the Internet, more and more people are taking up DIY projects as a hobby. Others start off with repairing small household appliances. Some take up home decorating projects, while still others concentrate on building their own furniture. Whatever brand of DIY you would like to start on – be it complex garden swings sets, to simple cupboard and shelves or DIY installation of new piston rings on an old and battered sedan – there are some things every DIYer should never forget. Here are some tips for better and more efficient DIY projects.
Safety First
From professional builders to the neighbourhood plumber, every serious handyman will tell you there is simply no substitute to safety when working on projects. You can skimp on expensive materials or take shortcuts when making those magazine and DVD racks, but you should never, ever cut corners when it comes to safety.
When starting out a DIY project or even taking it to the next level by making a special work area, choose a place that is well-lit and well-ventilated. Find a place that you can work in relative peace and quiet. As some women would contemptuously refer to these kinds of places, a “man-cave” will not do if it is surrounded by flammable and combustible materials. Not only are you risking hurting yourself, but you may unknowingly become an accident just waiting to happen.
DIY programs on television and the Internet, as well as books, magazines and web pages always remind us to wear the proper safety equipment. This article is no different especially with the still growing number of DIY accidents. Always wear thick, leather work gloves for added traction and grip. Never forget to wear safety goggles especially when working with metal and wood. Flying bits of wood, sparks and welding slag can cause blindness. Also, wear proper work clothes like long sleeved shirts and thick denim pants. It is also a good idea to wear steel toe-capped work shoes. When the project calls for them, wear ear plugs and face masks for added protection.
When Working
Now that both men and women are taking DIY more and more seriously, it bears stressing at this point to avoid working alone. If that is not possible, always have a mobile phone on your person. This way, you can quickly call for help in cases of emergencies.
Do not work when you are sad, tired or distracted. This is especially true when attempting repairs at home. Not only will your subpar mental state quickly cause frustration but may also lead to poor results, or worse accidents. DIY projects should be fun and much effort must be exerted to keep them so.
Use your good sense and thorough judgment when working on DIY projects. More often than not, accidents are caused by ill-timed choices or complete absence of reason. Work slowly but surely. Think twice when touching sheet metal bare-handed. While more and more equipment such as those from Panasonic Power Tools have better safety features, there is no such thing as too much common sense. So be careful when using a jigsaw, a screw gun or drill.
DIY projects are an inexpensive way of improving things at home, fixing broken appliances or creating something out of nothing. The joys of DIY are often misunderstood by those who have never tried to mend a door or change light fixtures. But for those who have seen their projects come alive and take shape, much pride and happiness can be found. All these things begin with these sound fundamentals at work. Try a DIY project today.
– GUEST POST!
