Why do your own maintenance & repair work?

[Diggin It]

Same goes for the house. Rural, so codes and inspections aren't an issue. I do everything I can, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, roofing, whatever ....

Few years back I had to put a metal roof on. Did what I could, but found I just could not find a way to do the more severe peaks safely. Had to have somebody come in and do those. Cost me a bunch, but it was less than the hospital bills would have been.

 

[rScotty]

I was just sort of kicking some ideas around the other day and it occurred to me that although I know why I do it, I don't really know why other people do their own maintenance and repair work.
It could be for completely different reasons & now I'm curious..

So.... so you work on your own machinery? Why? Any exceptions?
rScotty

Well, that quote above was the original question, and it's said to be careful what you ask....you just might learn something you didn't expect.

And 30 some messages later, what I didn't expect to find out was that the guys who do their own maintenance and repair work all seem to be older guys...sometimes much older.

That sure wasn't the case when I was a kid. Back then, it was the young folks who you found most often fixing things up so they could have something that worked - cars, motorcycles, tractors, boats, tools.
And it was the older folks who as a group were more likely to buy new cars & tractors.

It seems that this thead is saying that things are reversed today.
Now it's the youngsters buying new and if anyone is buying used and doing their own mechanical work it is the oldsters.

I wonder what turned things upside-down?
rScotty

 

[Texasmark]

Reading the replies preceding this reply pretty sums up my reasoning.....and I tackle big jobs too and finally have the tools to work alone and get-r-done.....the 2400 purchase is just one example...That little sucker just does the trick.

Yesterday I was pulling the window air conditioner's out for cleaning. Come out from the outside so I pulled up to the side of the house lifted the bucket, slid them in and away I went to the shop area for cleaning...much better than standing on a ladder trying to balance 50+# ACs and get down off the ladder. On cleaning out mower decks of wet, spring grass, just hook a chain to the front, lift 'em up, clean and done deal, can clean out anywhere in the yard so there is no pile of wet, gooey clippings to deal with......in my shop with the screw type mower lift like before. List just goes on and on.

 

[Shaneard]

Well, that quote above was the original question, and it's said to be careful what you ask....you just might learn something you didn't expect.

And 40 some messages later, what I didn't expect to find out was that the guys who do their own maintenance and repair work all seem to be older guys...sometimes much older.

That sure wasn't the case when I was a kid. Back then, it was the young folks who you found most often fixing things up so they could have something that worked - cars, motorcycles, tractors, boats, tools.
And it was the older folks who as a group were more likely to buy new cars & tractors.

It seems that this thead is saying that things are reversed today.
Now it's the youngsters buying new and if anyone is buying used and doing their own mechanical work it is the oldsters.

I wonder what turned things upside-down?
rScotty

Computers, technology, games, kids aren't outside as much as they used to be and don't care what dad/grandpa are doing out there.

I went to a farm equipment consignment auction about a month ago and there was more equipment there than I've ever seen, a lot of smaller 3 point and fast hitch items. I was talking to an older farmer friend of mine and he said I tell you why, the dads/granddads and dying and the kids don't care anything about raising a garden. It's to much work, kids these days don't want to do physical work.

 

[MossRoad]

Well, that quote above was the original question, and it's said to be careful what you ask....you just might learn something you didn't expect.

And 40 some messages later, what I didn't expect to find out was that the guys who do their own maintenance and repair work all seem to be older guys...sometimes much older.

That sure wasn't the case when I was a kid. Back then, it was the young folks who you found most often fixing things up so they could have something that worked - cars, motorcycles, tractors, boats, tools.
And it was the older folks who as a group were more likely to buy new cars & tractors.

It seems that this thead is saying that things are reversed today.
Now it's the youngsters buying new and if anyone is buying used and doing their own mechanical work it is the oldsters.

I wonder what turned things upside-down?
rScotty

Really old people have come to the conclusion that it's not worth the hassle of having something not running, trying to figure it out for yourself, back and forth to get parts, tools, etc.... VS they have the financial means to have someone else to repair it in a timely manner.

Current generation of people that work on their own stuff either enjoy it, think they are saving money, or don't yet have the financial means to afford having someone else do the work.

Younger generation coming up doesn't have a computer diagnostic terminal that'll interface with the new stuff, so they're screwed as to ever working on their own stuff.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have been following the conversation with interest. For many years I did all my own mechanical work right from 16 yrs old. Couldn't afford to have it done, and even back then the quality of work done by others was unpredictable. Rebuilding engines, transmissions, differentials, I did not out source anything. And of course I did the routine maintenance myself. I enjoyed doing it too. But for the last 15-20 years (I am an oldster) I get it done at dealerships I trust. Ford, Subaru, and Kubota. I have not bought any other brand of anything for a long time. These have been utterly reliable. With repect to routine maintenance, I have had too many other interesting things to do. After decades of changing filters and oils and brakes etc I guess I have had enough. So the mechanical stuff gets out sourced now.

 

[cat fever]

All minor stuff I do myself because it's done right and saves me the money. Engine work or transmission work I would take in. Although my brother is a heavy equipment mechanic (mining equipment) and I could get his help now that I live closer to him.

 

[WranglerX]

Well, that quote above was the original question, and it's said to be careful what you ask....you just might learn something you didn't expect.

And 30 some messages later, what I didn't expect to find out was that the guys who do their own maintenance and repair work all seem to be older guys...sometimes much older.

That sure wasn't the case when I was a kid. Back then, it was the young folks who you found most often fixing things up so they could have something that worked - cars, motorcycles, tractors, boats, tools.
And it was the older folks who as a group were more likely to buy new cars & tractors.

It seems that this thead is saying that things are reversed today.
Now it's the youngsters buying new and if anyone is buying used and doing their own mechanical work it is the oldsters.

I wonder what turned things upside-down?
rScotty

We have become a disposable society and very few of the young have the vocational skills ...

Dale

 

[Diggin It]

Well, that quote above was the original question, and it's said to be careful what you ask....you just might learn something you didn't expect.

And 30 some messages later, what I didn't expect to find out was that the guys who do their own maintenance and repair work all seem to be older guys...sometimes much older.

That sure wasn't the case when I was a kid. Back then, it was the young folks who you found most often fixing things up so they could have something that worked - cars, motorcycles, tractors, boats, tools.

It seems that this thead is saying that things are reversed today.

I wonder what turned things upside-down?

It's the same people. Those younger do-it-themselfers back then are now us older do-it-ourselfers.

Too many of today's younguns never learned to do those things. That's partially why so many skilled trades are hurting for new talent.

 

[oosik]

That's what I see at the dealership where I bought the Power Wagon. The service manager(s) are young. Good with computers and a whizz when dealing with the public. The mechanics are all older - don't talk much - grunt a lot - fantastic at getting the job done. However - one younger mechanic. He runs the diagnostic equipment. Attaches the printouts to the work orders for the mechanics.

You tore it apart - fixed it - put it back together when you were young. No reason to do otherwise now that you are more "mature".