How do I get started in DIY at 15? (several hurdles)

[ayylmao]

I'm a nerd. My only skill is 120wpm. I'm extremely weak, but I brought it upon myself for never going outside. Oh well, I've realized my error and I'm still young enough to fix it. I've been preparing to branch out how I spend my days. I figured the best thing to do would be to learn some essential skills for later, and while it's still early on in my life. I really want to get into DIY, every type, it's kind of weird because while getting help is fine, paying someone to do something that seems easy enough seems... well utterly humiliating! I want to be able to do my own house work when I'm older, and I also want to get artsy and craft little trinkets and presents for people, and things in general (right now, I want  to build a hatched wooden display case, but I have no idea what I need or how to do anything related to that. Alot of things I want to do require me to learn all about sheet metal. Problem: I'm 15, and I live in an utterly shit neighborhood with absolutely nothing except homes and diners and bodegas. I've looked everywhere. Everything I've FOUND that I would take a visit and ask for some help- closed. Long ago. What happened?

Right now, I'd like to learn to make those wooden and metal trinkets and presents, and of course the display case. Granted, I have little room, but I'll find a way. Where can I look to get started that isn't a video on youtube? I have a serious problem concentrating when I have access to the internet, and my mind will wander and that video will be drowned out within 5 minutes. Happens every time, to the extent where I got a nice cheap computer to do school work on for $44 without internet access. Anyway, off topic. I really would prefer to study the topic, while having someone show me it as well. Kind of like a class, except... there are no classes for below 18s. So what can I do to get started? Help plox :D Thank you in advance

[Bracken_Joy]

Have you looked into Habitat for Humanity or similar community building projects in your area? I have found that volunteer experiences opened FAR more doors than anything else for me in my life.

I know Home Depot offers classes for *kids* for a bunch of stuff, but I'm not sure about teens. Worth looking into though!

Finally- get the word out! I did tons of DIY projects growing up because my relatives always knew I was game. Deck being built? Sure, I'll jump in! I learned a lot this way. If you're a fast learner, even if you're starting out just fetching nails, you'll progress very quickly.

[AlanStache]

Second on HH.

Also talk to some of your teachers, presumably they know you are not stupid :-) and might know someone looking for a extra set of hands or a company willing to take on an intern. 

[lthenderson]

Not sure if they still offer things like this but when I was in high school, I took shop classes that taught me how to work with wood and metals. I also volunteered to help around town on various projects and spent lots of my time looking over the shoulders of others and asking questions. Habitat for Humanity is one of those places that encourage that kind of learning.

Youtube is a fabulous place for learning how to build things but if you have a hard time focusing on that, I would suggest you try books. I have dozens of how to books on many different types of areas, from working on bicycles to building your own cabinetry. I like books because they generally give you methodology in doing things yourself so you aren't reliant on other's designs to build something truly unique. They are also handy because I can take them out to the workshop with me open to the page I need versus a computer where I keep having to replay the section of video over while trying to do what it is describing. Books are easy to find versus looking for that video I watched three years ago on that particular subject.

The best advice I can give you is to start going to estate auctions advertised in your area to get quality older tools at a cheap price. They won't have all the bells and whistles but will get you started without breaking the bank. Once you get going and through using those tools, know what you want feature wise in new tools, you can start replacing them as needed. It saves you buying expensive tools only to realize after a few uses you didn't need that feature and should have gotten one with those features.

[I'm a red panda]

Another vote for Habitat for Humanity.

I also learned a lot of very useful skills building sets for theater.

[JumpInTheFIRE]

Another vote for shop classes if your school offers them.  The class will provide the tools and know-how to get you started on the path of DIY self-reliance.  I still kick myself for only taking wood shop when in high school, we also had a metal shop program that would have given me a great basis in welding instead of just muddling through like I do now.

[Bracken_Joy]

Another vote for shop classes if your school offers them.  The class will provide the tools and know-how to get you started on the path of DIY self-reliance.  I still kick myself for only taking wood shop when in high school, we also had a metal shop program that would have given me a great basis in welding instead of just muddling through like I do now.

Do any schools still offer shop? I graduated high school nearly a decade ago and they barely even offered art and music anymore, much less shop.

[grantmeaname]

Where can I look to get started that isn't a video on youtube? I have a serious problem concentrating when I have access to the internet, and my mind will wander and that video will be drowned out within 5 minutes.

Here's the obvious solution to your problem. Watch five minutes of video at a time, if you can only focus for five minutes. DIY projects are easier than most tasks to break down into smaller parts. Pick the thing you want to do, watch one step, do it, and then go back for more.

[SeanMC]

I agree with trying to volunteer or find classes, but you might not have access to that where you live or I can see why liability concerns mean you won't get hands-on experience.

It sounds like it might be best if you could find some sort of mentor or someone willing to have you "apprentice" - so you can learn from someone with experience and pitch in. Absent that, even a peer with the same interest is someone you can work on joint projects with and figure it out together (so you're not just watching youtube).

This kind of mentoring is the thing some people get through relatives, others from frequenting a "local" hardware store (Where they still exist), etc. If you have craft fairs or local markets where people sell the stuff they make (even seasonally), find the people making the things you like and get to know them, express your interest in learning how to do it.

If you are isolated and need to go online - Can you find people in the "maker movement" online? Through forums or meet-ups, unless you are really geographically isolated, you should be able to find other people interested in both DIY and crafts who live somewhat near you. Then offer your help in exchange for learning how to do stuff. 

[Papa bear]

From a few of the threads you have posted before, you need to stop labeling yourself.  You can be and do whatever you want to do.  Quit hiding behind the "nerd" label and excuse. 

Start tinkering with things.  You can go to a thrift store and buy things, deconstruct, and then rebuild them.  Anything you do now will help your skills long term.  You seem to like computers; go build one out of used parts off of Craigslist.

Go out and talk with people about your interest.  You might run into a lot of people with similar thoughts and who could use a partner, even just to hold a flashlight.


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[Nickels Dimes Quarters]

I admire your willingness to learn how to be self-sufficient. Good for you. And I agree that you really do need to ditch the labels and stop limiting yourself and your potential.

Look for projects around your home and ask if you can start doing minor repairs so that you can learn. You can check out books from your library and start accumulating basic tools. Start small and easy, then work up to larger projects so that you don't get discouraged. Like others have said, volunteering is a great way to learn new skills. Some communities have groups who go out to homes of seniors and disabled and do repairs or clean up. Meet others who have these skills and who will mentor and help you. Most people are more than willing to share their knowledge with others who genuinely want to learn.

NDQ

[bradne]

As others mentioned, your school would be the easiest.  When I was in high school I took auto shop (3hrs a day as a senior) and Vocational Ag (2 hrs a day as a senior) where I learned a lot of welding and metal craft.  I took woodshop and drafting in jr. high also.  I know is not nearly as popular today as it used to be.  The local high school (that my daughter attends) still has auto shop but I don't know how much hands on it is.  They do have a pretty impressive robotics class/club that builds all sorts of electronic robots (all sorts of hydraulics/electronics etc mixed in).  If you have something like that, I would look at getting into it. 

A buddy I had one time told me that his high school had a building trades course that basically taught every phase of house building wiht a lot of hands on (I believe the class actually built houses).  That school was back in New Hampshire if I remember right.   That would be an excellent course for someone to get into.  Unfortunately we as a country do not emphasize trades anymore so they are taught in schools less and less (that is a rant for another time). 

Even without classes, start tinkering and figuring out how things work.  I don't recommend taking apart your mothers washing machine to see what makes it tick, but youtube is a fantastic resource.  I wish I had it as a reference when I was your age. 

[Joe Bladi-Blada]

Regarding home/auto repair: Just start - you'll be teaching yourself; "learning how to learn". Develop a strong curiosity about how things work.

[Usual legal disclaimer here]- short version: Don't hurt yourself or anyone else. Take your time; make sure you can put back together anything you take apart. Don't mess with gas or electricity unless you understand what you are doing.

Here are some things to start with that are relatively easy to fix:

Toilet  - (I know, I know, just hear me out :) Seriously, take the lid off the tank, and look in there and see how it works. Find the inlet hose and the shutoff valve that should be on the pipe coming out of the wall. Next time one of your toilets run you can learn to adjust the float or replace the works yourself. Not glamorous, but one of the first things any homeowner (or renter) needs to know.

See if you can trace how all the plumbing is laid out in your house (cold/hot water, drains). Do the same for forced air heating or A/C. Find your electrical panel (fuse or breaker box).

Bikes are a great place to start. If you have a bike, can you fix a flat tire? Can you see how the brakes and shifters work?

Next time someone throws away an old bike or lawnmower (or lamp or anything else that interests you), take it home and take it apart. See how it works. Feel free to mess with it all you want. You can always put it back out to the curb.

You get the idea. Be careful and have fun. Start saving for a basic set of tools.

[Stagleton]

Get an old scooter, take apart the engine and put it back together. Do small easy projects go build up confidence;  change oil.

Also, if u want to learn about cars, study for ASE tests. Anyone can take them; you don't need auto mech school; same thing prolly for other trades.

Also, commit a certain amount of time to learning what u want. Google 10000 hr rule. U can be pretty good at 10 things in 1000 hours f eks.; use the time while u have it.

[Dicey]

+3 on limiting the labels.

An electrician I once hired told me he decided to become one because when he was a boy, he wanted to know where the voices on the radio were coming from, so he took it apart. As it wasn't his, he had to quickly figure out how put it back together properly, and so he did.

This tale is my gift to you. Find free things (ask around, use freecycle). Take them apart, put them back together. Go to garage sales and buy old, but sturdy tools. Little risk, potentially big reward. Also, YouTube is your new favorite teacher. There's a lot you can learn for very little money if you take off those self-imposed shackles and get going! Best of luck to you.

[Basenji]

Good for you on being interested in learning skills. I wonder if you could offer yourself to help neighbors. For example, although it's not so skillful, raking leaves and shoveling snow. Then talk to people and see what they need done. Old lady down the street needs some small tasks done? Guy working on his car, ask if you can help. Basically, an important adult skill is learning to meet people and find out what they need and how you can help. Good luck and update us!

[arebelspy]

I'm a nerd. My only skill is 120wpm. I'm extremely weak, but I brought it upon myself for never going outside. Oh well, I've realized my error and I'm still young enough to fix it.

Besides the DIY part, this jumped out to me--it may be good to look into some basic workouts you can do from home, and perhaps try running or some other types of exercise, to start building your body up a bit more.

Good luck!

[Papa Mustache]

You have access to a computer, learn 2-D/3-D CAD. Build a DIY rapid prototyping machine.

http://librecad.org/cms/home.html

All FOSS!

http://www.freecadweb.org

Wikipedia has some interesting articles about these two projects.

CAD -> rapid prototyping -> projects or repair parts -> marketable skill so someday you can move away from your neighborhood to someplace that appeals to you better.

Also: mix those sitting projects with periods of exercise such as bicycling.

http://www.amazon.com/PK80-2-Cycle-Engine-Performance-Bicycle/dp/B00B0GCZ3I

Don't know if where you live if you can ride something like this. Where I live, nobody cares. Just don't be annoying. Make expeditions to area libraries and start browsing the collection. Mix in visits to:

http://makezine.com

Learn the difference between quick fixes and quality repairs. People will pay for the latter.

Am so glad your generation has the internet. Endless possibilities on the web. Alot of us grew up with guidance (sometimes flawed) from our elders. Sometimes nobody knew what a person wanted to learn and the library didn't have a book that explained the mystery.

I still crave that heady feeling of learning something really new and interesting. Linux delivered that buzz for a long time for me. So has carpentry and cars. So has travel to unfamiliar places far from home (living overseas courtesy of the US Navy).

Don't know anything about you but I'm really excited for you being motivated to learn!!!

[Stagleton]

Also, that's pretty great 120 words at 15. Programming could be something you'd like and it's free to learn online and you can couple that with DIY and building stuff. Arduino is cool, and you can make projects with things that do something and couple that with sheet metal work....