I enjoy numbers and coming up with simple studies, but I’ve not been exposed to figuring out logs, upper levels of Algebra, Geometry, and Trig. I’m not big on prime numbers, finding the upper level ones.
If I want to figure out something, I’ll look up formulas on the internet. I can come up with them too, for some things.
I’m lucky enough I can logic may way through most things. If I can’t, I can generally find enough information to see me through.
The other day I had to take my HP Laptop apart and install a new fan. I had the whole thing broken down. I got it back together and it runs great now.
Not sure what to do with the leftover 11 screws and that plastic strip hanging out the side with exposed leads on it... LOL
Well that’s a bit of an exaggeration. I do have two leftover screws, and that’s it.
Perhaps the hardest thing I ever had to figure out, was replacing the engine on my Trans Am all by myself.
I had an engine blow up on me. Went to a junkyard and bought a used one guaranteed for a year.
Put it in the vehicle and sold it.
Ran into the two guys who bought it about two years later. They said that car ran perfectly for them. I always felt good about the fact I could do that with no help at all. I was pretty sure I’d done a good job, but you never know.
The most I’d ever done before was to swap out an alternation, a thermostat, or a water pump.
I’ve never quite understood folks who can’t figure things out on their own, for most things.
Short cuts in life are nice, but like yous say, what if you couldn’t rely on some device to get things done?
I helped my friend to fix his laptop. We all participated in taking it apart, but only our friend who used to be a watch repair man (that’s a dying profession), was skilled enough to put it back together again.
I’m not overly handy, but I think working on BMX bikes as a kid was a good start that many people miss out on today. At an even earlier age, Erector Sets acquainted children with tools. YouTube has plenty of videos showing people how to do various things, and it is a great help for people who weren’t exposed to tools when they were younger. Even your car’s manual will tell you how to switch a battery or change burned-out bulbs; I’d be embarrassed to ask someone else (or even worse, pay them) to replace them.
There are two areas where I’m leery of doing home repairs is electrical and plumbing, simply because if you don’t get it right within your time window you may have to either leave the electricity or the water turned off in part of, or the whole, house. I don’t mind getting dirty with drywall, sanding, painting, etc., but if there is a risk that something gets screwed up to the point where you have to pay “emergency rates” for a pro (electrician or plumber, as noted above) then I’ll pass on that.
Engine work is beyond me; like electrical or plumbing work, my chief concern is that I wouldn’t finish it correctly by the time I need the car for work...