Anyone else a tad like myself?
All enthusiastic about making things look fab but not really into the doing of any sort of DIY at all?
Well, DIY projects are a great way to express creativity and feel a real sense of accomplishment (if you have more get-up-and-go than I do obviously)...
But before you jump into a project it's wise to know the basics.
It's one thing to have a vision in your head, but it's different when it comes to actually picking up those power tools and chopping things up.
Here are 4 essential DIY tips for beginners to help you get started...
Know Your Skill Level...
When it comes to DIY, you might not be a beginner at everything - you may be an expert in some areas and a novice in others.
When working on your project, make sure that you know your skill level and recognise the things you don't know anything about.
For example, if you've never used a table saw before but want to cut wood for a project, learn how to use the tool before starting the project.
If there's something that intimidates or frustrates you, learn more about it or find someone who knows more than you do to help out.
It's easy to get frustrated when learning something new when just getting started with DIY projects, but if you're patient and willing to learn, it'll pay off when it comes time to completing your project.
Get the Right Materials...
Before you start your project, you must have the appropriate materials. It doesn't matter if you're going to be painting a picture, building a bookshelf, or installing a fence - this is an essential step in the process.
Materials will depend on what your project entails.
For example, if you're renovating a boat, you will need to use the correct marine sealant such as sikaflex 291, or if you're putting shelving up on walls, you need to have suitable screws to ensure the shelf is secure on the wall.
How to Measure...
Before starting any project, you must know how to measure suitable materials - this will help when it comes time to buy materials.
Depending on where you live in the world, there are different units of measurement for length and area used throughout the country/world.
For example, in North America, they use feet and inches while European countries use metres and centimetres.
For areas like diagonal lengths in square footage, multiply side lengths together
(for example 12 x 12 = 144).
Here are some common measurements are listed below with their equivalent values in different units of measurement:
1 inch = 2.54 cm
1 foot = 30 cm
1 metre = 3.28 feet
1 yard = 91 cm
Know What You Can Handle...
Before you start a project, it's essential to set a budget and time-frame.
You might have the best intentions, but it's easy to get overwhelmed when you realise how much time and money is involved if you don't know what you're getting yourself into.
For example, building decking from scratch can take about 120 hours, depending on the size of your deck.
In addition to the time spent on construction, things like wood sealant and nails will add up in cost.
It's also essential to think about unforeseen problems that may arise during the construction, such as needing a permit or hiring professionals for things such as concrete work.
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