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Malingo

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#139381 6-Feb-2014 21:01
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I'm keen to get stuck in to a bit of DIY and do more than knock the odd nail in or drill a few holes. Does anyone know of any good DIY courses( weekends or evening) in the auck area?

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DarthKermit
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  #981537 6-Feb-2014 21:34
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No I don't. What DIY topics are you interested in learning about?

There are plenty of people on here willing to offer a bit of advice on DIY.




Whatifthespacekeyhadneverbeeninvented?




Malingo

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  #981540 6-Feb-2014 21:40
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Just a bit of woodwork.

SepticSceptic
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  #981738 7-Feb-2014 11:43
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There was a couple of articles in a local paper about DIY Sheds, and they have retirees, ect willing to teach, or assist. One is in Forrest Hill, Auckland
www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz, and menzshed.org.nz

Haven't checked out myself, so YMMV



gundar
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  #981742 7-Feb-2014 12:01
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SepticSceptic: There was a couple of articles in a local paper about DIY Sheds, and they have retirees, ect willing to teach, or assist. One is in Forrest Hill, Auckland
www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz, and menzshed.org.nz

Haven't checked out myself, so YMMV


Hi

I was the co-ordinator for Men Shed Hamilton for a few years and highly recommend this type of environment. Some sheds have community working bees - other peoples work, other peoples tools, other peoples material and some offer exposure to tools and resources in their sheds to help you learn. Some sheds have working bees for members so you can get some help making a raised planter within reasonable company on the weekend, that kind of thing. The websites above will help you find a local chapter/club or you can contact local community services to find out what is available.

Another popular option is to contact the big hardware stores (Mitre10, Bunnings, Placemakers) - they often have DIY nights where you can learn a specific skill, like tile a bathroom, sharpen tools etc.

My biggest hints, based on expereince - start small, stick to ONE project at a time (until completion) and plan as much detail as possible until you get confident.

Good luck!

Malingo

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  #981765 7-Feb-2014 12:27
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Awesome, thanks for the good quality responses guys. I'll get onto the mensheds as a start, and then feedback on success (obviously dependent on my own capabilities as I'm sure the guys in these sessions would be pretty experienced).

Spot on -  I might do a planter box first to keep the wifey happy.

ubergeeknz
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Vocus

  #981766 7-Feb-2014 12:30
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Check out Bunnings and/or Mitre10 Mega.  Both run workshops on the weekends for various DIY projects.

gundar
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  #981771 7-Feb-2014 12:37
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Malingo: Awesome, thanks for the good quality responses guys. I'll get onto the mensheds as a start, and then feedback on success (obviously dependent on my own capabilities as I'm sure the guys in these sessions would be pretty experienced).

Spot on -  I might do a planter box first to keep the wifey happy.


A planter is an easier first project. You can start small (herbal garden for kitchen sill) and get it done in a day or a few beers and also get away with 'off-cuts' rather than purpose bought wood.

In and around Hamilton there are a few, smaller, independent sawmills that will supply cheap untreated timer and I'm sure there will be a few in Auckland. I have many a weekend, bright and early scoured the industrial areas for 'free pallets' as a source of cheap wood. Your local men's shed will be able to help you with this type of project easily and all you'll need are a few nails, a hammer, a saw and a measure tape, so it's not even an expensive project to boot.

Good luck.

If you are into visualising your creations rather than winging it, I suggest Google Sketchup, I have used this for many a project simple and complex to help me work out exactly how much timber, nails, paint etc. to buy. While you are drawing up your planter, you will almost certainly, mentally, devlop better ways to cut, assmble or scale your project.

 
 
 

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).
Malingo

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  #981781 7-Feb-2014 12:50
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I have a slightly more ambitious project eventually, and thats to create the potjie pot holder for my 50cm weber.  Its steelwork and involves welding.  For those that are interested, there may be a good potjie meal n it for you if I get any assistance on this ! :-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potjiekos


https://cdn.geekzone.co.nz/imagessubs/blog47ede0a9b06b30caf4116774bc0a56f6.jpg 



ubergeeknz
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  #981785 7-Feb-2014 12:56
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http://gcc.co.nz/courses/general/welding-gas-and-mig-beginners/ try that one, great course, did it some years ago.  Should be able to take your work along and do it during the course itself.

Buzz Bumble
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  #982055 7-Feb-2014 18:40
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I've never really looked at them properly, so I don't know how easy / good / "tutorialy" they are, but the Living magazine section of the Herald on Sunday always has a DIY project page which builds a variety of things. There's probably also a DIY area on the Herald website with back copies of the articles.

You might also want to check the "Night Classes" at your local high schools (some are run at weekends rather than nights). I know most of the North Shore high schools still run them, but some schools stopped providing Night Classes when the government stopped funding them.

SepticSceptic
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  #988932 17-Feb-2014 15:01
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Malingo:

Spot on -  I might do a planter box first to keep the wifey happy.


Better still, teach the wifey to make the planter box - my partner managed to make a fairly impressive planter box first time round. Circular saw, sander, drills n hammers, even figured out how to make a straight edge for the lumpy ends of the palings - they are not all that square.  Just needed me to make sure she didn't inadvertently lop off a finger.

The sides of the planter box was made from rough-sawn fence palings from Bunnings, and the internal supports, etc, were battens from the local farming supplier.

russelo
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  #989009 17-Feb-2014 16:18
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http://www.selwyncomed.school.nz/course-catalogue/11-home-garden-diy


From the site:

Home Garden DIY

Learn how to maintain your car, make your own body products, design your interiors, choose the right plant, restore furniture, or design a garden. Practical and theoretical classes available at Selwyn Community Education based in Kohimarama Auckland. Save money in the long-term by investing in these DIY, Home and Garden courses.

Regs
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Snowflake

#989337 18-Feb-2014 00:22
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how about a 12 week full-time intensive course that immerses you into all aspects DIY, all at no cost (except, perhaps, to your sanity and dignity):

http://www.tv3.co.nz/Apply-to-be-on-The-Block-NZ-season-3/tabid/3078/articleID/96779/Default.aspx

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