DIY forums?

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Yeah I do a bunch of DIY carpentry and plumbing at my house. Last year I replaced a bunch of rotted structural members in back of my house. I had to hold up the one side of my house with basement jacks while I cut out and replaced the stuff. I probably saved myself $1000 - $2000 dollars.

I also tried doing some pipe sweating myself and after several leaks I finally called the professionals. I hate plumbing!
 
John Valdes said:
Hey, I even learned how to charge my own car AC system. I had been paying $100.00 bucks a year. Now that I have the dispensing hose and gauge it now cost's me $8.00.
Why put a new evaporator in an 8 year old car that only needs charging in the spring. My neighbor showed me how to do it. And I showed him how to install his new generator.
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John:

R-12 or R-134A? There are tough laws regarding working on R-12 systems. You can't release R-12 into the atmosphere as done in the past.

I've repaired my 1981 install HVAC system three times but it's always been electrical issues but by law, I can't work on the refrigerant part of it.

I'm a machine repairman, so automotive mechanical work is about the same. I have a few diagnostic tools like a OBD-II scanner and two automotive type scopes(DSO).
 
I frequent an outdoor site that has a thread dedicated to DIYers sharing info. I don't have a problem with this until they get into the electrical information. What I see in print can be scary when you think that the person asking might take the advice. Many times I can tell by the nature of their questions that they don't belong doing the work and most likely will not have it inspected and this is unnerving. What's worse is that some of the advice is coming from fellow tradespeople. I have questioned why any person in the electrical trades would try to offer advice of this nature over an internet forum without any real knowledge of the competency of the installer or the complete scope of the project.

For example, in one thread the author was asking how to supply power to an out-building and ELECTRICIANS were trying to offer information. From the discussion it became quite clear that it would impossible to offer valid information without knowing a lot of detail about the project and yet they were "helping". It makes one wonder what they helped them with in the end. Did they just help this person create a safety hazard?

Bob
 
Hmmm....ok...you can't govern advice but without many of us giving it I can only image the issues some people would get themselves into. I give out alot of FREE advice on my sites.....and do so without SNUBBING a nose at the person asking because as an educator I feel that if they are asking they really need to know and I dont mind giving it to them for free as it is done here all the time to fellow professionals.

Now I will OPENLY say I have inspected plenty of "Electricians" who I would say some DIYers I know could do a better job....but thats another inspectors story all together......

I dont care if someone wants to do their own electrical work as they have every right, now if they come for advice and it is given and they dont listen or try to do something they still dont feel comfortable with even after they have been informed is well......Assuming their own RISK....because they are probably going to try it without the advice so anything we can do to RAISE the possible level of understanding is a bonus.
 
Electron_Sam78 said:
Yeah I do a bunch of DIY carpentry and plumbing at my house. Last year I replaced a bunch of rotted structural members in back of my house. I had to hold up the one side of my house with basement jacks while I cut out and replaced the stuff. I probably saved myself $1000 - $2000 dollars.

I also tried doing some pipe sweating myself and after several leaks I finally called the professionals. I hate plumbing!
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I hear you about the soldering part of plumbing. Thats why I used CPVC. The hot water line is so crooked. I should have used a strap on every rafter. I wish I had hired a pro to do it in copper but what is done is done.

The refrigerant I used is not 12. The hose and can are designed so that you cannot put the wrong stuff in. The connector at the low side will only accept the newer gas. It's like a quick connect. The number 12 has a different connector. :smile:
 
The point is that we don't give DIY advice here because we are anti DIY, as many of us have DIY projects of our own.

There is no DIY advice here because Mike Holts so chooses. Period. It's his nickel and that's the way he want it. If you PM a poster with a DIY question and choose to help him outside of this forum, than it's your business.
 
I also know a One-man-shop guy who's work slowed down, so he took a day job at HD. They pay him a little more than JW wages to order material, cut wire, and give DIY advice. The advice part is the hard part, as most customers have their mind made up before they ask.

"Whaddaya mean I can't bury a 14/2 Romex only 3" deep to feed power to my 50 amp Hot Tub?
 
beegee said:
I stumbled on one the other day and saw electrical advice being giving out to Do it yourselfers. I replied, and hinted that maybe it wasnt the best thing to be giving out electrical advice to amateurs, and they jumped all over me! Isn't there some kind of law or something that prohibits giving electrical advice to these people?
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That would be a good place to advertise.
 
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