Homo fixensis

**~~Vkothii~~** · 03-28-08, 05:58 AM

How many of us are any good at fixing stuff?

Not being any good at techno is a definite disadvantage these days, but if something doesn't work, what do you do, take it back to the store? Throw it away?
Have you tried fixing stuff, and if so, what was the first "significant" item you repaired, and at what age?

In short, what's your "McGuyver index"?

p.s. This is a sort of really informal survey.

**cosmictraveler** · 03-28-08, 06:20 AM

I can remember working on my tricycle when I was about 4 years old.

**~~Vkothii~~** · 03-28-08, 07:23 PM

Yeah, but does your tricycle still work?

**Orleander** · 03-28-08, 07:27 PM

He hasn't been able to drive it since that humiliating drunken drag race with that Big Wheels kid.....2 mths ago.

**MacGyver1968** · 03-28-08, 07:42 PM

I would be a 10 out of 10 on the Macgyver index...hence my name. There's pretty much nothing I can't fix.

**shorty_37** · 03-28-08, 07:47 PM

When it comes to fixing anything like computers or electronics FORGET IT!!!

Now when it comes to fixing plumbing issues or some electrical stuff (example lighting or replacing light fixtures) I am not too bad. I am pretty handy at fixing stuff around the house. I have my own toolbox including cordless drill

**~~Vkothii~~** · 03-28-08, 07:48 PM

Specifics please, when did you "fix" your first electrical appliance, or petrol-driven device?

Your first engine rebuild, or major structural accomplishment (tree-house)?
Have you built any kind of equipment, say like a home-made telescope, or electronic instrument, like a multimeter, or a scope or logic probe, etc?

Do you know what a breadboard is, or how to bench test something, are you lingo-aware? As in: "I kluged it together", or "I MacGyvered it".

**MacGyver1968** · 03-28-08, 07:56 PM

I took apart my dad's drill at about age 7. I also used to help him work on a 1952 Chevy, which is a great engine to learn on.

I really didn't discover my own troubleshooting skills until after I got out of high school...I worked at a tanning salon, and the beds would always break, so I would fix them, and rather liked it....and so it began.

**sowhatifit'sdark** · 03-28-08, 08:00 PM

I could walk into the Eastern mixed woods naked and feed myself, build a winter livable shelter, make clothes, gather herbal medicinals, start fires, make rope and other very basic tools and, without catastrophic events, survive long term.

One we go techno I am a lot less useful. I can change a tire, fix some rather simple machines, do some carpentry - primitive furniture. But anything electronic or with a lot of small parts fagettaboutit.

**Repo Man** · 03-28-08, 08:04 PM

I've always been a fix it guy. It seems to run in the family. I taught myself to repair my bicycle because it cost too much to have the shop do it when I was a kid (we were poor). I got a hand me down computer in 2000 that was a pile 'o crap, so I had to rapidly learn. I now build and repair computers.

I've rebuilt transmissions, replaced the ring and pinion in my car's rear end, converted it to disk brakes, and I built an engine for it right here in my front room. I'm now working as an appliance repairman. I've worked as a copy machine repairman, bicycle mechanic, repaired wheelchairs and medical equipment.

**shorty_37** · 03-28-08, 08:05 PM

I built 2 fireplaces from scratch....no premade kit or anything...(here is one)

**MacGyver1968** · 03-28-08, 08:07 PM

I used a breadboard when I was in electronic school...haven't really used one since. I really don't prototype too many things anymore.

I use the verb "MacGyvered" regularly...but it has been my nick name since those early tanning salon days.

**MacGyver1968** · 03-28-08, 08:10 PM

That's some real nice work, there, Shorty. Just think, if business dries up...you could always work construction.

**cosmictraveler** · 03-28-08, 08:11 PM

I built this myself when I was very young...

**cosmictraveler** · 03-28-08, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Vkothii

Yeah, but does your tricycle still work?

Well , it would be very old, an antique by now but I really have no idea where it ended up.

**shorty_37** · 03-28-08, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by MacGyver1968

That's some real nice work, there, Shorty. Just think, if business dries up...you could always work construction.

HAHA that is the first one I tried in my house. The second one came out better.
Thanks not bad for a girl huh

lol

**cosmictraveler** · 03-28-08, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Orleander

He hasn't been able to drive it since that humiliating drunken drag race with that Big Wheels kid.....2 mths ago.

But I won that race hands down!!

She was even given a head start!

**shorty_37** · 03-28-08, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by cosmictraveler

I built this myself when I was very young...

Man you need to talk to nietzche he has an old Chopper in the garage that isn't running.

**cosmictraveler** · 03-28-08, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by shorty_37

Man you need to talk to nietzche he has an old Chopper in the garage that isn't running.

You should try to get him interested in working on it because you have much more input that I ever will. Sometimes people stop working on one thing because they have something better to do and with you being around him I'm certain you understand he can't do to many things and still keep you happy as well. There's a limit as to what your priorities are in life and you are his top one I'll bet!

**shorty_37** · 03-28-08, 08:28 PM

Well he was working on it. I was helping too lol Then he just got so frustrated and now it sits dead in the garage, for the last couple of yrs. I must take a picture of it. He bought it before Choppers became the "cool" thing again.