My grandfather likes to bust my chops about not being capable of fixing pipes or faucets or regular household tasks of that nature. The thing is, I never had to do those things before and there’s no way to learn the skills until they’re needed.

I like to think that I’m somewhat handy. Breaking and ruining things is part of the learning process, right? =)

Installing a shower in a basement bathroom? build a base out of 2×6’s to keep the piping above the cement floor, place the shower base on top and get it all centered, then realize the basement ceiling is so low that the shower walls are too tall and even if you cut down the height, your head would have to go between the floor joists so you don’t hit it. luckily there’s no ceiling down there

And the new “wall” behind the shower where the piping goes is built out far enough that you lean against its edge when using the sink. But that’s okay. we’ll cut down the wall and stick the shower head pipe through the shower wall at about knee height and since we have some hose here we can run the shower head up to the top.

That shower never got finished. The copper piping was partially completed, but the last time I went to empty a cooler into the shower so the ice could melt and drain away I discovered the water leaking out from under the wooden base and had to mop it all up.

Some people should just admit defeat and call in the professionals. When I finally buy my own house I’m going to remember things like this and make sure my basement bathroom has a shower already or at least is tall enough to accomodate one.

And electrical wiring. hoo boy. most electrical outlets are placed low on a wall, I assume to hide the outlet and cables behind other not-so-tall objects that may be placed there. My father prefers the outlets at chest height. It saves a few feet of wire and means less crouching when installing them.

It’s not that he’s incapable of it - it’s just that I actually enjoy it and find it relaxing. He would be seething after a few setbacks, and I’ll be saying “I wonder what’s causing that!”

Different folks, different interests. I’m sure my grandfather (who owned a trucking company and had an awesome basement workshop) would’ve put me to shame.

Well, thanks dad for the given knowledge!

To the question at hand, as I get older and fix stuff around the house, I’m catching up with Dad a bit, but he still beats the pants off me in knowledge (and the ability to fake it when he doesn’t know).

He’s got the lead today, but I think over the long run I will be more handy as long as I work at it.

That said, our interests are also different. Where he would rather pay someone to work on his car, he does all his own landscaping - even about to hit 70 this year, he still does all of the plantings around the house, etc. etc. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve had neighbors tell me how nice the house looks, etc.

On the other hand, I’d rather wrench on my own car than pay anyone to do it - but landscaping - forget it. I did a stint a few summers in High School and never again. Hate it. So I’ve tackled some stuff he hasn’t dared on my car - and he’s tackled stuff out in the yard that I won’t go near.

Neither one of us is much into the furniture making, etc. But I am hoping to get into that with some time.

I will say this though. According to my mother, I know more than the old man knew at my age; but as already stated, the old man keeps learning new tricks. I can’t seem to keep up. And he has all the cool toys. I just have a circ saw.

I’m much handier building things and repairing things (from umbrellas and computers to houses and furniture).

I think it really comes down to interest with us.

Where I think I have the edge is in anything automotive (he hates working on cars), electrical (he’s never studied the theory side of things so he ends up intimidated), or nerd based.

And stereos and 802.11g? No problem. I’ve got my own data center and music studio to boot. I’ve got 5 Battery backup units so most of that stays up even during a power outage.

I still think my dad has me beat on general woodworking design. I tend to over-engineer things.

Dad had the full skill set of make it, make it do, or do without that goes with growing up in the depression. My handiness is guided more by possibilites than necessity. There is enough abundance in my life that failure IS an option. I can try things that are rather experimental without serious loss if things don’t work out.

I’m pretty handy, though not handier than my dad.

I’ve got a bit of an unusual background here. I’m an aerospace engineer by training, and an Information Security Consultant by trade; but I build my own furniture, fix everything around the house that doesn’t require a license etc…

My dad on the other hand is a master stonemason with 35 years in the trade. I’ve got him beat on electrical and electronics work, and carpentry, but the rest I couldn’t touch.

I managed to acquire the skills the old fashioned way, in a manner of speaking…

My first real job was in my uncle Carls furniture restoration shop; where I learned cabinetry, finish carpentry, and finishing.

When there wasn’t enough to do in the finishing shop I worked on my cousins (and I’ve got a lot of them) framing, drywalling, painting, and electrical job sites.

I was never going to be a tradesman (I started engineering school at 16, went from there to the Air Force; and then into information and physical security consulting); but it was a good collection of useful skills that I enjoyed; and that earned me good money for a teenager.

Thing is, I’m a typical Boston Irish Catholic. My father is a master stonemason. My cousins and uncles are roofers and framers and painters and electricians. The rest of my family are lawyers, cops, teachers, and criminals.

I learned at their feet so to speak; and it has stood me well, in building everything from furniture, to significant portions of my own house.

I guess a lot of folks don’t have that same opportunity anymore though; which is too bad.

That said, there are one or two things I know a bit more about than he does. He called me when he was setting up a home theater, for example, but I consult with him on cabinetry.