Hi, my name is George, I am a DIYer. (Long)

[Alien]

I just found your thread and believe me I do sympathize. However, like you, I am a glutton for punishment. I am an A Grade mechanic (or I was) but spent the last 10 years of my working life in a office environment for which I was truly thankful. I needed the break.
I am 70 this month and yearning to 'do some stuff' on my car as I feel like it. I am intending building a large nice steel shed and getting a medium lift scissor hoist so I don't have to lie on the dirt changing my oil and filters. I also go through a few tires so I intend getting a computer wheel balancer just for me. I am sick of getting wheels balanced by experts and still feeling vibration a short period later or losing wheel weights etc etc. A bit extravagant, yes, but hey, if I can then why not.
I will also get a electric rattle gun for removing wheel nuts, and a decent tire pressure guage for my compressor.
I have had 2 major back operations over the years and while it is not perfect, I can deal with it if I am careful. I also have 2 stepsons that like old utes and would love to have some help learning how to go about doing their own repairs.
I have lots of mechanics equipment still and it just hasn't been used for years. (including brake piston caliper compession tools and self bleeders) It will be great to be able to do it if I want to and when I want to.

 

[newbury]

Yes, I need a garage and a lift. Not going to happen. I live in town. No room. There are plans deep in the back of my mind of building one down at my cabin place.<snip>

Ah yes, plans.
When I bought what is supposed to be my "retirement spot" in 2011 one of the buildings (pic below) has 14' to the rafters which I planned to put a lift in, and may still do. If I "get around to it"

Great story.
<snip>This DIY stuff is a lifelong affliction.<snip>

And I think it may be genetic or inherited.
I constantly find my self doing things because I CAN do it. And usually justify jobs because I "can save money". But looking back on the "jobs" I've done for myself over the last 7 years (plumbing, electrical, logging, landscaping, auto repair, etc. etc.) if I calculate my savings versus the time spent the savings would be less than a few dollars an hour. But it keeps me from becoming a Lay-Z-Boy potato.
My Father and Grandfather were that way, totally DIY personalities, my sons and daughter are that way. My daughter, with a PHD from Cornell and a great job at a think tank in Washington just got her first house. Immediately she starts clearing bamboo, building a shed, redoing the electric.

If I could go back in time I would go a lot easier on all the landscaping. Trouble is, while you're still fit and pain-free you never think about it. I was never *injured* so I NEVER thought I'd pay a price. The doc says it's cumulative damage over the years that you don't notice 'til you're older. I mean, I love the feeling of accomplishment of a project done, the pride, but when I think of all the apartments and houses I remodeled over the years, the mountains of dirt I moved with a shovel.... was it really worth it???

Yes it was worth it, now you have he memories of accomplishment and the appreciation of a good "power shovel" - your tractor.

Smartest thing I ever did was buy a tractor. My body will thank me. Worth every penny.

Especially as you age. After my third back operation I realized manual lifting was no longer my forte, now when I need to move several hundred pounds of something I usually use a tractor.

<snip>
I am 70 this month and yearning to 'do some stuff' on my car as I feel like it. I am intending building a large nice steel shed and getting a medium lift scissor hoist so I don't have to lie on the dirt changing my oil and filters. I also go through a few tires so I intend getting a computer wheel balancer just for me. I am sick of getting wheels balanced by experts and still feeling vibration a short period later or losing wheel weights etc etc. A bit extravagant, yes, but hey, if I can then why not.
I will also get a electric rattle gun for removing wheel nuts, and a decent tire pressure guage for my compressor.
I have had 2 major back operations over the years and while it is not perfect, I can deal with it if I am careful. I also have 2 stepsons that like old utes and would love to have some help learning how to go about doing their own repairs.
I have lots of mechanics equipment still and it just hasn't been used for years. (including brake piston caliper compession tools and self bleeders) It will be great to be able to do it if I want to and when I want to.

Please start a thread on your shed and equipping it. I'd still like to get a lift of some sort to put in my tall shed.

 

[MossRoad]

I hear you loud and clear. Just came in from lying on my back under my 93 Suburban in the driveway replacing blown rusty brake line to rear wheel. Got the old one out. Found a compression fitting repair from previous owner. Grrr... rusty, dirty, gritty.... Grrrr..... :laughing:

Update:
As predicted, repaired the brake line, tested, found a new leak in another line. Back under the truck I go.

 

[Alien]

Newbury, at least you have a great start for a shed. My existing shed is about 20 x 20 ft and dirt floor. I only keep my tractor and implements and compressor in there. Oh, and a dune buggy and old Holden motor etc. You know the stuff that accumulates. There is also a few model planes that won't fit in my container /workshop. I have about 20 odd in there as well. So, yes, I need a big shed but have to wait for kitchen and bathroom renos to be finished. But it WILL happen.
We discussed moving to a smaller property with all that in place but we wouldn't have the space and privacy we have on our 40 acres. We have excellent neighbours as well and you never know who you will get if you move. The biggest bugbear of this place is the gravel road that is very dusty at times. Everyone that comes here reckons it is a little paradise it is so quiet.

 

[newbury]

Newbury, at least you have a great start for a shed. My existing shed is about 20 x 20 ft and dirt floor. I only keep my tractor and implements and compressor in there. Oh, and a dune buggy and old Holden motor etc. You know the stuff that accumulates. There is also a few model planes that won't fit in my container /workshop. I have about 20 odd in there as well. So, yes, I need a big shed but have to wait for kitchen and bathroom renos to be finished. But it WILL happen.
We discussed moving to a smaller property with all that in place but we wouldn't have the space and privacy we have on our 40 acres. We have excellent neighbours as well and you never know who you will get if you move. The biggest bugbear of this place is the gravel road that is very dusty at times. Everyone that comes here reckons it is a little paradise it is so quiet.

View attachment 569467

Are you going to put trusses and a roof over those two containers?

 

[Alien]

Thought about it but they are different heights and I drive my tractor through there into my shed. I did think of doing that and parking my tractor there but ideas are up in the air atm. The right one stores our Kymco 4x4 ATV

 

[jmc]

In defense of DIY, to have a vehicle serviced or a repairman's housecall requires being available at a certain time and place and for an uncertain duration. Maybe needing to arranging a pick up and drop off if the service is more than an oil change. It sure shoots a hole in your day.