What age did you get into DIY? And what was your first project?

It's funny, I didn't really get into DIY until I was in my late 40s - even though my Dad was brilliant at making anything and everything, and maintaining the garden.

He had a garage - that he built himself - in which every inch was covered with tools or things 'that might come in handy later'. He had jam jars full of screws and washers. He could mend a gearbox, lay a concrete floor and plant veggies. He loved pottering out in his garage to all hours.

I think when I was younger I just wanted to get out and have fun. Then I got a job. Then I had kids. And so it wasn't until my kids were grown up and had full social lives (and I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands) that I explored the idea of DIY.

I'd started collecting books and quirky ornaments from Op Shops. Then I got interested in Pinterest and liked the idea of the whole pallet furniture thing - but didn't think I had the skills to get involved.

And then four years ago during the Xmas break I made these shelves from scratch, inspired by a picture I'd seen online. My first proper project. Since then I've progressed to renovating caravans and absolutely love pottering in the warehouse, like my dad did.

So what's your story? How old were you when you started your DIY interest? And what was your first homemade cab off the project rank?

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JDE

I was blessed my father was the original DIYer if you wanted anything you made it yourself. He taught me well. I remember building a shearing shed with him when I was 12 and building Nanna's sleepout before that. Growing up in the country west of Dubbo if you wanted something done, fixed or couldnt afford it you did it yourself. Hence I dont remember a time when I wasnt doing DIY. I still take pride in my DIY and expect the final product to be as good if not better than a pro. I may be getting slower but its great to look at what you have created and save some money at the same time. JDE

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/11672#Comment_11672

@JDE What a great post. Really nice to read this. I wish I'd paid more attention to it all when I was younger. Like yourself, I had the best teacher available and didn't make the most of it.

My dad is back in England and I send him pics of all the projects I work on, and he always has a few comments. Would love to get back there and potter in the garage with him when we can travel again.

Jason

Great topic @Peggers. I always love hearing about where people got their passion from when I interview for our member profile stories.

For example, I tell @Tara86’s story fairly often when I’m talking about the wonderful Workshop community as people find it really inspiring.

Let me tag some other members to keep the discussion going: @ProjectPete, @Brad, @TedBear, @prettyliving

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/11677#Comment_11677

Thanks @Jason - me too. My passion for making things has really surprised me as I've got older. It's one of the only things where I totally lose track of time, forget to eat and drink (which is very rare!) and just get caught up in what I'm doing.

I'll check out @Tara86’s story, and would love to hear others.

TedBear

Great question Peggers. My dad was a DIYer out of necessity, like many others. I'm so glad I was born into a poor (financially only) household, because necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Dad had his bench under a tree, so I played with his tools as a child & learnt to how to derust & maintain them too, out of my own natural interest. First "project" I can remember was my brother and I building an underground cubby out of timber & corrugated iron, beneath the sand in our back yard. We paid a lot of attention to shoring it up, but at primary-school-kid level of engineering. My mother's reaction was disappointing, only mentioning that we could have been buried alive in there and demanding it be unbuilt. My first introduction to the Safety Officer role and the repercussions of not meeting building regulations and obtaining permits, I guess 🤔. Good lessons from both parents there. I am retired now, yet still have more on my workshop's to-do list than years left to do them, but I'm happy with that.

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/11678#Comment_11678

Thanks for such a great post @TedBear - I was laughing out loud at your mother's role as Safety Officer.

Likewise, my dad was a DIYer out of necessity. I guess it was that post-war generation, who had been conditioned by a lack of resources to make their own - or do without! I imagine Bunnings would have blown their minds back then! We're very lucky now.

I guess I just took my dad's DIY prowess for granted when I was younger. I assumed all dad's were like that. He came from a very poor working class background, but had done alright for himself by the time I came along. We did't have a lot compared to now, but we had enough. I do remember that we made some great toboggans together (I grew up in England)!

TedBear

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/68271#Comment_68271

One thing I have never made, but dreamt of, a tobogan... and of course the fun of using it. I didn't go to the UK until I was 40 years old, but I stayed around until winter, just so I could make a snowball and have a snowball fight. My cousin's wife got great delight from introducing me to the "sport" by smacking me in the back of my head with one unexpectedly. But still haven't toboganned.

Prawns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97035#Comment_97035

I helped gyprock/build wardrobes/verandahs with my dad as a young teenager working on his house. Then i bought my own house early 40's and from memory my first "build" DIY was a bar for my mancave (even though I hardly ever drink lol) Ive been doing alot of DIY repairs though like holes in walls, collapsed ceiling,cement rendering, roof leaks etc etc etc (does the list ever end when you own a house?? I swear I mark one thing off as "job done" and discover 2 more jobs that need doing lol)

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97035#Comment_97035

@TedBear The unexpected snowball to the back of the head is a tactic you learn young in England! My Dad made some top toboggans - curved wood sides with metal runners, room for two people and a rope for steering.

@Prawns A bar for the man cave is a great first project! And no, that list never ends!!

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/115149#Comment_115149

I think I was 4 and a made a model boat from scraps around the place, flat bottom because I had no idea anything was below the water line.

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/125408#Comment_125408

@Brad I think 4 will be hard to beat as an early starter!

Brad

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132310#Comment_132310

My Grandfather was a little pushy in that area. Maybe made worse by being the youngest.

ProjectPete

My dad can make, do and fix anything really. He's a fitter turner by trade, has better carpentry and metal work skills than most carpenters I've seen and has tickets/licenses for just about everything else. He has a 10x10m workshop at his place which is more secure than the house and is packed to the rafters with tools and materials. So naturally he does everything for himself and others when it comes to cars, houses and more. This gave me a huge opportunity as a kid to learn and while I have learned a lot from my dad since I was a kid, looking back, I wasted a lot of time/opportunity to learn even more. Kids will be kids though, right...

So I used to potter around with him making things or just handing him tools. I don't remember the very first projects but some of the memorable ones include floor tiling a whole house, brick paving a large patio area and building a fishpond.

Once I bought my first home I started building up my tool collection and doing odd jobs on my own including laminate flooring, small retaining walls, digging/installing soakwells. This laundry reno was probably my first DIY project worth sharing which involved a range of skills and really added value to my home. One DIY project that meant a lot to me was building my kid's first cubby house - it's nothing like the double storey one my dad built me with a slide, flying fox, fireman's pole, balcony area for a small inflatable pool, etc but it's enough for the space we had 😊

And from there I haven't stopped - laminate/engineered/hybrid flooring, tiled splashbacks, kitchen/bathroom renos, fake grass, concrete pool, decking, wall panelling and so much more. I even just finished a poolside cabana which i'll be sharing with this great community soon. I really enjoy the challenge and satisfaction/ride that comes from DIY, especially as I pass my knowledge and skills and to my kids.

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/11732#Comment_11732

@ProjectPete What a brilliant post - thanks so much for taking the time to write that.

Sounds so much like my Dad. I come from a naval working class city in England called Portsmouth. My Dad did an apprenticeship in the dockyard there, and then did night school to become qualified as an electrical and mechanical engineer. His passion was boats and he built a couple over the years from basic fibreglass shells. He also loved engines and made a pit in his garage. He also had a small steam engine he'd built himself that we used to put meths into and get going.

But he could do carpentry and building work.

And like you, my job was handing tools to him. And like you I wasted a lot of time and opportunities to learn more. But hey, I seem to be becoming my father in lots of ways a I get older - and these days I'm actually quite proud of that rather than dreading it!!

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/68308#Comment_68308

Absolutely @Peggers ! I now appreciate more than ever just how clever he is and how lucky I am to have learned from him. I take on pretty much any job these days, without experience but full of confidence and I haven't let myself down yet 😊

Quite timely actually, just yesterday one of my daughters (7 years old) made me feel very proud when she took on the challenge (with her mum) to assemble the new cot for our inbound baby because she "wants to be able to tell baby brother that she built it for him". I could've done it, quicker and easier, but she persevered for the sense of satisfaction she knows I get so often.

ProjectPete

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/68308#Comment_68308

Just posted the latest on my cabana https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Outdoor/Poolside-timber-cabana-build/td-p/51776

Peggers

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/97059#Comment_97059

@ProjectPete Great job on the cabana - looks amazing!! And how good that you're young daughter is following your lead - proud moment!

I've tried finding a pic of my Dad in his garage, but don't think I have one on my phone or laptop. I'll try and dig one out. I did find this pic though, which grabbed my attention as a recent addition to the garage last time I was home - it's a Hand Dryer that he installed to help clean up after jobs. Just gives an indication of the level he's got his shed up to! 🙂

Tara86

@Peggers I love hearing everyone’s DIY stories. The best part about DIY is that you are never to young or old to start. No one is to inexperienced to give it a go and you can tailor your projects so they are affordable.
As I’ve stated before I am a very late diy bloomer. Growing up my Dad was in the Navy and was very handy around home but didn’t do DIY. My previous partner was very unsupportive and wouldn’t even let me use the drill. So my first project was late 2016 when I was 31. My project was a hallway table made out of cedar fence palings . I used a handsaw, hammer and nails. I waited till my partner was away on a work trip as I was so nervous and had no confidence I could even do it. Figured if it was a big fail I’d be able to hide the evidence and forget it ever happened - thankfully it was a success in that it worked, looked good and my partner liked it. Obviously wasn’t the best or cleanest finish but it was enough to start me on this wonderful journey!!

JaneK

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/11842#Comment_11842

I'd love to hear about how @DIYgals got started given how prolific they've been recently.

Jane

DIYgals

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/68663#Comment_68663

Wow thanks @JaneK ! I don't think anyone has used prolific when describing our work before 🙂

DIY is something that Sarah and I have always been interested in. We have probably been doing DIY since our early 20's, but only started with smaller projects like painting, making smaller pieces of furniture etc. The great thing about DIY is the more you do and learn increases your confidence to attempt bigger and better projects! We have done some TAFE training to upskill ourselves also to move on to bigger and better things. Having some knowledge and experience in doing and making things yourself also helps with expectations when you do need to get specialised trades in too. 🙂

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