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What are some must have knowledges as head of household?

3,706 578 December 28, 2022 at 08:26 AM
So I'm a late bloomer. I'm also getting into a relationship where we are both seeing long term potential in. It got me thinking, there are some things I have never had to deal with that would come in handy, as in I'd love to be more of a handy person with things, and I am not.

What are some must knows? And where would you recommend I learn it? Basically things where I can provide more value in the relationship, but not even that, for myself most importantly

For example

Changing a tire - what tools, any all in one kit to always be ready and be a life saver in this situation for the partner?
Fixing head lights - yes, im sure i could get some kudos here too
Plumbing work - anything specific that one can do having the right tools?

Anything else?
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> bubble2 8,066 Posts
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LC2
12-28-2022 at 10:17 AM.
12-28-2022 at 10:17 AM.
Quote from executivedealer :
So I'm a late bloomer. I'm also getting into a relationship where we are both seeing long term potential in. It got me thinking, there are some things I have never had to deal with that would come in handy, as in I'd love to be more of a handy person with things, and I am not.

What are some must knows? And where would you recommend I learn it? Basically things where I can provide more value in the relationship, but not even that, for myself most importantly

For example

Changing a tire - what tools, any all in one kit to always be ready and be a life saver in this situation for the partner?
Fixing head lights - yes, im sure i could get some kudos here too
Plumbing work - anything specific that one can do having the right tools?

Anything else?
Let's start with the most important stuff. Do you know what a flange is?
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DC
12-28-2022 at 03:28 PM.
12-28-2022 at 03:28 PM.
Quote from executivedealer :
So I'm a late bloomer. I'm also getting into a relationship where we are both seeing long term potential in. It got me thinking, there are some things I have never had to deal with that would come in handy, as in I'd love to be more of a handy person with things, and I am not.

What are some must knows? And where would you recommend I learn it? Basically things where I can provide more value in the relationship, but not even that, for myself most importantly

For example

Changing a tire - what tools, any all in one kit to always be ready and be a life saver in this situation for the partner?
Fixing head lights - yes, im sure i could get some kudos here too
Plumbing work - anything specific that one can do having the right tools?

Anything else?
There are tons of how-to vids on youtube that you can check out.. chances are someone else has needed to do it and posted a vid of them doing it.

So lookup Changing a Tire for the model car you drive.
Same with changing a headlight.
Get A basic metric and SAE socket set and set of wrenches.
A Ryobi (home depot)4-5 piece cordless tool set that has a Drill, Impact driver and saws.
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DrLax
12-28-2022 at 03:37 PM.
12-28-2022 at 03:37 PM.
If you have assets get a good prenup. Skills you can pick up as needed.
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LC2
12-28-2022 at 10:39 PM.
12-28-2022 at 10:39 PM.
Quote from DC :
There are tons of how-to vids on youtube that you can check out.. chances are someone else has needed to do it and posted a vid of them doing it.

So lookup Changing a Tire for the model car you drive.
Same with changing a headlight.
Get A basic metric and SAE socket set and set of wrenches.
A Ryobi (home depot)4-5 piece cordless tool set that has a Drill, Impact driver and saws.
You forgot plumbing.
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VorlonFrog
12-29-2022 at 06:39 AM.
12-29-2022 at 06:39 AM.
Ordinary hammer and a pair of pliers go a long way. Get slip-jaw (Channel Lock) pliers after that. Add a set of screwdrivers, then socket sets as described by DC above.

Plumbing is relatively easy. First, learn where is your whole-house shutoff valve. Then the shutoff valves beneath your sinks and toilets. These are critical when things begin to leak (and they will). Replacing light bulbs is easy enough. Replacing a light fixture or switch or ceiling fan is a bit more. With electricity, there is a hot or mains or power wire, a return or neutral wire, and a ground wire. Turning off the right circuit breaker in your electrical panel means you won't shock yourself when replacing anything.

If you prefer a hold-it-in-your-hands / dead tree book, drop a few bucks on this book [amazon.com]. Its value is HUGE in that it explains a lot of common issues in very clear detail.
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> bubble2 35,346 Posts
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DC
12-29-2022 at 07:45 AM.
12-29-2022 at 07:45 AM.
Quote from LC2 :
You forgot plumbing.
And Electrical. :zap!:
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CyanPencil512
12-29-2022 at 08:39 AM.
12-29-2022 at 08:39 AM.
Quote from DC :
And Electrical. :zap!:
Good call.

Multimeter.
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Joined Nov 2006
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LC2
12-29-2022 at 11:27 AM.
12-29-2022 at 11:27 AM.
Quote from DC :
And Electrical. :zap!:
You can go without electricity. You cannot go without a toilet.

OP should learn:

- How to stop a toilet from running.
- Learn why condensation on a toilet is bad.
- How to replace a flapper and fill valve.
- Determine whether to throw his back out or call a plumber when the flange breaks.
- How to install a new faucet.
- How to replace a rusted sink pipe if necessary.
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DC
12-29-2022 at 11:34 AM.
12-29-2022 at 11:34 AM.
Quote from CyanPencil512 :
Good call.

Multimeter.
The Hazzard Freight $~10 meter isn't a bad choice to get started.
Don't have to bust out the big bucks and get a Fluke right out the gate.
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calistyle
12-29-2022 at 01:33 PM.
12-29-2022 at 01:33 PM.
Quote from executivedealer :
Plumbing work - anything specific that one can do having the right tools?
Get a good plunger like a Korky Beehive for when one of you clogs the toilet. Most other plungers are garbage and don't work well.
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ikonoklast
12-29-2022 at 02:13 PM.
12-29-2022 at 02:13 PM.
Buy quality stuff (tools, fixtures, furniture, flooring, anything etc), it will pay for itself in future frustration saved. Quality may mean paying more upfront, but it does not have to be expensive. I think you can skimp on things you rarely use but high-use stuff should be quality!

The wife just bought some standing lamps and I know they will break, heck one of them was defective out of the box. The good news is the lamps will break soon and I won't have to look at the POS lamps. The bad news is more trash for the landfill. Oof.
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Last edited by ikonoklast December 29, 2022 at 02:17 PM.
Joined Aug 2003
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ikonoklast
12-29-2022 at 02:15 PM.
12-29-2022 at 02:15 PM.
Quote from calistyle :
Get a good plunger like a Korky Beehive for when one of you clogs the toilet. Most other plungers are garbage and don't work well.
Hi, I got your message, but your inbox was full. Thanks for the false b-day wish!

Hope you are doing well! Peace
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calistyle
12-29-2022 at 02:19 PM.
12-29-2022 at 02:19 PM.
Quote from ikonoklast :
Hi, I got your message, but your inbox was full. Thanks for the false b-day wish!

Hope you are doing well! Peace
Thanks! I hope you are doing well too! hug
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VorlonFrog
12-29-2022 at 05:01 PM.
12-29-2022 at 05:01 PM.
What DC says about the BarHor Freight $10 multi-meter [harborfreight.com] is true. I've had my $7 meter from them for years, and it's pretty much all I need. Changed the two small batteries in it just once in all the time I've had it.
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