by Sue D.
Member since:
December 16, 2006

women and power tools

October 14, 2007 04:52 PM EDT
views: 61 | comments: 27

 

I grew up in a totally dysfunctional home, which is a whole other story, but I was never really taught how to do the most basic repairs.  I saw that Home Depot has workshops for women. The current one is teaching women to use basic power tools.  Has anyone attended these workshops?  Was it something you enjoyed?  I am thinking about attending one.  It is not that I have a sudden urge to use a power tool, but I would like to expand myself a bit.  I know I am smart enough to make some of the repairs around the house, if I was just taught what to do. 

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Comments: 27

Peter G. Oct 14, 2007, 5:07pm EDT
women and power tools are sexy :)
Cheryl W. Oct 14, 2007, 5:17pm EDT
Hey, Sue. I say go for it! My daughter is 22 and wants to learn how to work on her car herself. She just got through changing the oil and the spark plugs. It was so funny seeing my normally prissy girl walking around covered in grease. She says she loves doing it.....:)
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Oct 14, 2007, 5:30pm EDT
I have gone to some of these workshops. I went to one on hanging wall paper and one on basic carpentry. You really do learn a lot for a short period of time. The classes are pretty small. Here, only four or five people attend them. I say go for it, too.
Corina Carrasco Oct 14, 2007, 5:37pm EDT
Do it! I think every woman should be able to make at least the basic repairs. I grew up with three older brothers and a father that all worked around the house and on their cars. So I learned to use a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, and other basic tools. I know how to do a lot of stuff around the house. As a single mom for the past 15 years, I have had to do it all or pay to get it done and most often I don't like to have strangers in my house so I do it myself. As far as cars, when I got my first one in 1975, I learned to do my own tune up and oil change. Of course cars are now more difficult for the consumer to work on but if I can do it, I will.

There's a great degree of satisfaction in being able to say that you did something yourself.
Heather W. Oct 14, 2007, 5:40pm EDT
You should do it. My husband is a carpenter/furniture maker and you would think I'd know how to do simple repairs by watching him, but no, I leave that up to him. I really should learn though.
J F. Oct 14, 2007, 5:49pm EDT
You should go. Never hurts to know how to do things on your own.
Michelle W. Oct 14, 2007, 6:28pm EDT
There is nothing wrong with a woman using power tools or working on her own car. It saves a lot of hassles and rip offs!
Amanda T. Oct 14, 2007, 6:35pm EDT
I say go for it. I really enjoy doing alot of the fix up things around my house without my husband's help. It makes me feel good that I can do it myself!
Teresa L. Oct 14, 2007, 7:20pm EDT
Go for it.
Even if you don't end up doing your own repairs around the house, you will learn how to communicate with the people whom you hire. I'll never forget the look on the face of a guy I hired to do a job that was too big for me... I asked how deep and far apart the deadmen would be placed. He began talking with me about the project instead of talking around me.
I loved the feeling I got the first time I used my miter box correctly!
LeeAnn D. Oct 14, 2007, 7:42pm EDT
Where did my post just go? I got rerouted to my sign in page. ???

Anyway....
Go for it. It's always good for a woman to know how to use power tools. Never know when you will HAVE to use them. I mean, single if you're single, you won't have to ask your neighbor, brother, friends husband to fix something. It's good for a woman to be self reliant on knowing how to use these tools and be able to do things for herself instead of always having to rely on a man. Not meaning to take anything away from men.
Also, it's good to know how to change your own tire or your own oil and filter, too.
Jennifer P. Oct 14, 2007, 7:49pm EDT
I am aware of these classes but have never attended any of them. I have no idea how to do anything around the house except change a light bulb. Guess I should problably get around to taking one of these classes too.
Bo Dashus Oct 14, 2007, 8:22pm EDT
They won't teach you how to become skilled in the use of the most important tool of all. Only Bo can teach that.
Sue D. Oct 14, 2007, 8:39pm EDT
What ever do you mean Bo?
Beth S. Oct 14, 2007, 10:22pm EDT
Power tools scare me, they are loud and sharp and not user friendly! Let us know how it goes! :)
Jo C. Oct 14, 2007, 11:18pm EDT
I've always wanted to attend those workshops. I'm a little nervous about power tools, though.
Sue D. Oct 15, 2007, 1:48am EDT
I saw my father cut his hand on the power saw. I had to go with him to t he emergency room. It scares me a bit too, but I think you need to be a little afraid to be safe.
Jimmy _ Oct 15, 2007, 2:04am EDT
I must apologize because I laughed when I read the tittle.

I have observed that women have more common sense than us men and are less likely to risk life and limb with some of these tools.
Elsie Duggan Oct 15, 2007, 3:00am EDT
I wish I had paid more attention to how my husband fixed things around here, because I could use that knowlege now, I know I wrote about my VCR, but there are many more things I wish I knew how to do, you know stuff men do, go for it Sue, I bet you would love it and who knows you might be good at it, even power screw drivers, and drills which we have, are mysteries to me.
Bonnie S. Oct 15, 2007, 12:01pm EDT
I say go for it, and have fun : )
james r. Oct 15, 2007, 3:16pm EDT
i agree with peter g! my wife knows that i like her in a tool belt, or using my tools, and now she takes them, uses them, and either she puts them where they dont belong, or she puts them away dirty!! any way on to your question....knowledge is power,(yes, that old saying....but its true.), the classes should teach you safety, and it should give you a sense of freedom, and accomplishment, and pride, and it saves you money!!
go for it!!
Sheila Deeth Oct 15, 2007, 6:51pm EDT
Sounds great. Go for it.
Hollie ~TNR Works~ Oct 17, 2007, 4:35pm EDT
I saw that Home Depot ad, unfortunately I won't be able to attend. You should go, then come back and report your new found knowledge! :-)
wiaka's just ... curious Oct 17, 2007, 6:34pm EDT
They have a hands on program here in California that is very good. It is worth checking what they do for your area. I enjoyed the one here and I already know some basics.

Blessings
wiaka's just ... curious Oct 17, 2007, 6:37pm EDT
My father always said repect the tool you are using and use common sense. I think this has been one of my most valuable rules.

Blessings
Palmer B. Oct 20, 2007, 5:43pm EDT
When I first joined the military, I got 2 questions right on the mechanical section of the ASVAB. What did they do, they made me a mechanic. I love knowing that I can fix stuff myself. It's very empowering, although the guys are usually intimidated-lol. I love power tools.
rainne chandler Dec 26, 2008, 6:17pm EST
i havent been but i think they are a great idea for anyone to learn a new trick

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