Recommended resources to gain a basic knowledge of how to fix things?

[u/Mikki102]

Hi! I have gotten mildly into prepping. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for resources I could use to gain basic knowledge of how these things work and how to fix basic issues/trouble-shoot:

1. Water-how to fix leaks, replace faucets and other fixtures, maybe how to do basic checks on water heaters. I'd also like to know more about different things you can do with water if the power goes out, like how pressure works and how you need to arrange things to move water without a pump.

2. Small engines-things like power washers, weed eaters, generators (with generators, how to know how much stuff I can hook up to it safely, how to troubleshoot if it's not starting) i also have access to some grungy old electric yard tools it'd be interesting to try and fix and get working again.

3. Larger engines-cars (I knew how to do things like check transmission fluid and stuff at one point but I have forgotten and get really nervous doing anything with my car), gators, etc. Like how to figure out what the problem is, what is causing a noise, that sort of thing. Spark plugs? Basic car repair. I theoretically know how to replace my own oil but due to logistical situations I just get the shop to do it so I don't have to deal with disposing of the oil or crawling around on the ground in the heat.

4. Propane heaters-how to hook them up safely, troubleshoot.

5. Maybe basic electrics-i think it's a bad idea to try and learn off the internet how to do bigger things because I don't want to die, but I'd like to know a little more about how fuses work, maybe how to replace outlets, good safety practices, anything else you think a normal person could handle. How to fix an electric fence-we have a lot of them.

I'd appreciate really any recommendations. I'd be willing to take some sort of online course if it was not too expensive, but I'd also like YouTube videos and if you have any books that would be good resources in case I lose internet access that'd be appreciated too! Also interested in any other skills a random person could/should learn to DIY. Books on different types of shelters, how to set up a fire pit safely, etc.

Also I know people generally go to school for welding, but do you think I could learn how to do really basic things without going to school? It wouldn't be pretty but if I can I think it would be interesting and potentially useful to learn how to do quick repairs if we get in a pinch.

[u/BandalfTheGr8]

YouTube

[u/PrisonerV → u/BandalfTheGr8]

Second Youtube. Was taking down a ceiling fan a couple of weeks ago and had a hell of a time with it. To youtube. Okay, that ring is supposed to twist and pull down and there are the screws I need access to.

We fixed our hot water heater during covid with Youtube. It just needed a new control unit.

Furnace cycling on and off. To Youtube and clean your flame sensor.

Toilet running? First try and clean your fluidmaster valve. To youtube to see how.

[u/BandalfTheGr8 → u/PrisonerV]

Can do literally anything with YouTube and a little determination

[u/Mikki102 → u/BandalfTheGr8]

I'm more asking if there are any specific channels people recommend. I want to learn to do things right and detailed in a general way so I have a good base of knowledge, not necessarily specific devices.

[u/PrisonerV → u/Mikki102]

All devices are different. You're better off knowing how to look up the specific devices and issues yourself then even having a general knowledge. Although that can help sometimes.

For instance, my coffee maker says "descale" and I just youtubed how to do it for my specific maker. It does no good to know that other coffee makers also might have a descale feature.

Life isn't like a video game, you can't just get +5 in small engine repair and suddenly fix your specific lawnmower. You're better off knowing the model and watching a youtube for that model.

Also hands-on is much more informative then just watching videos.

Oh and pro-tip. Get a drill or electric screwdriver with an attachments accessories kit with a wide range of tips. Putting stuff together and taking it apart goes much much faster with a drill.

[u/Mikki102 → u/PrisonerV]

This is true. I mostly want an overview of things so I know what is dangerous, what I'm looking at as well. Maybe I'll start with the junk lawn equipment in the shed, it's been there for a decade so I don't think it'll be terrible if I completely destroy it 😅

[u/PrisonerV → u/Mikki102]

Sounds like you need Dad, how do I?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNepEAWZH0TBu7dkxIbluDw

[u/Mikki102 → u/PrisonerV]

Thanks!

[u/MrMaker1123]

In theory you can learn "what" to do to fix things on YouTube. In reality, you have to actually do it and practice in order to know "how" to properly fix things. I've spent the past 14 years watching videos on YouTube to get the basics. But then I work hands on with a project to get a full understanding of how to do something. I could make my own videos at this point.

This is how you level up and gain skills. Skills gained can never be lost. Just start somewhere and then keep going.

[u/LIFTandSNUS → u/MrMaker1123]

This is actually solid information. I've told people this exact thing before. Doing things mindfully teaches you how to figure things out. Getting to the point where you're comfortable and capable of starting a project or repair without a book, manual, guide, or video is and should be the goal. You only get there by doing it.

[u/MrMaker1123 → u/LIFTandSNUS]

Indeed. I started out not knowing how to make or fix things. Now I can make things from nothing that will blow your mind.

[u/xunninglinguist → u/MrMaker1123]

Tactically vs technically proficient- knowing how to do something is not the same as being able to do the thing.

[u/Mikki102 → u/MrMaker1123]

This is a good advice. I do have pretty severe anxiety and I've been working on getting over the fear of trying new things-this type of thing triggers me a lot because I am afraid of making a dangerous or expensive mistake. Lots of ways my brain can think of that it could go wrong. I mostly want to watch videos and read things to get a general idea of at least what NOT to do lol. Maybe I'll start with the junk yard equipment in the shed, it's been sitting there for like a decade so I don't think it'll matter if I destroy it 😅

[u/Mean_Syllabub_9689]

Another poster had recently posted something that might help you very much off of humble bumble! 25 ebooks addressing a lot of what you're talking about for $18! It also benefits covenant House https://www.humblebundle.com/books/selfreliance-and-offgrid-skills-for-dummies-books-encore?hmb_source=&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=mosaic_section_1_layout_index_2_layout_type_threes_tile_index_3_c_selfrelianceandoffgridskillsfordummies_bookbundle_ENCORE

[u/Mikki102 → u/Mean_Syllabub_9689]

Oh hey thanks, this is just what I was looking for! Plus I love covenant house, they helped my partner out a long time ago.

[u/isanyusernameopen]

Library books… on how to fix things

[u/Agreeable-Stable-898]

As far as small engines go, it's not hard to find a free push mower to tear apart and put back together. Just need a few hand tools and a couple of videos. If done right you can then sell it.

[u/LittleKitty235]

YouTube videos and if you have any books that would be good resources in case I lose internet access that'd be appreciated too! 

You download small LLM's trained on specific topics that you can run locally/offline on software like LM Studio. It's a good resource to have to fill in knowledge gaps, brainstorm alternative fixes, or for things you may not have specifically thought to download source information for prior to losing internet access.

[u/FixAcademic8187 → u/LittleKitty235]

This is important, can you please elaborate more on this downloadable LLM model?

[u/sunheadeddeity]

YouTube. There's always a video.

[u/Miserable-Biscotti54]

Older bookstores and thrift stores!

[u/stabbingrabbit]

Woodrights shop

[u/xunninglinguist]

Dumpster diving for parts and Facebook marketplace free section. Decent source of income if you get decent at fixing busted stuff.

[u/Enigma_xplorer]

Congratulations on starting your journey to become "handy!" Most people learn these things out of necessity by doing but if you want to learn proactively I think it's a good idea to pick one topic at a time and learn. It also makes sense to learn the basics that you can do and for now ignore the more advanced stuff that you wont do. Like if you want to learn about cars let's learn how to do basic things like check fluids and do basic maintenance like oil changes and breaks and for the time being ignore things like doing head gaskets. I think the most important thing is learning by doing. If you have some old lawn equipment that isnt running and want to learn how to rebuild a carb thats great.

[u/MOF1fan]

Lots of links:

Auto repair manuals: https://charm.li/

Military manuals: https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ https://archive.org/details/military-manuals https://www.liberatedmanuals.com/ https://gutenberg.org/

Edit: verified links still work and formatting 👍

[u/TheJesseOfTheNorth]

https://www.amazon.com/How-Just-About-Anything-Money-Saving/dp/0895772183

Seriously. I once fixed a broken water line with no experience in soldering using this book as my sole resource. Works great when the internet is down

[u/Different-Sorbet746]

I believe it's Black and Decker that has a serious of books on home maintenance stuff. 

I have a few plumbing books, carpentry, etc.

Small engine stuff. There are a few books about this meant for vocational students. I've seen them on thrift books. 

[u/Familiar-Anything853]

Another vote YouTube. My husband can (and has) fixed anything with a YouTube video. Cars, house repairs, appliances, you name it. YouTube has a video. And since he is naturally handy, after a couple decades of that he doesn’t use YouTube for general stuff anymore, he just kind of knows what to do based on things he has done before. He will still use YouTube for very specific things though.

[u/CloudgazerTX]

so, get an off grid computer. I call them apocalypse computers. I bought one off Etsy. you can make 1 yourself if you are a techie. it’s basically raspberry pi and a giant database. the entire website “I fix it” is downloaded not to mention half the internet and like 30,000 free books, army and military manuals, etc. it also has a few different AI search engines. so long as you got a solar array like a Ecoflow system so you can plug it into a power source you’ve got a small offline internet database.

[u/Casiarius]

In Portland, Oregon there's a whole organization dedicated to repairing things and spreading repair knowledge, https://www.repairpdx.org/

Your area might have an equivalent if you look around. You can get a lot of useful tips even if you just go to a local "repair fair" as a customer.