As today seems to be the day for off topic threads, I’m interested what you have learned how to do courtesy of YouTube or other ‘How To’ videos/sites. I posted the other day about fixing the car thanks to online help and then on New Year’s Day our washing machine decided to stop spinning. A quick Google showed that the carbon brushes may be worn out, one YouTube video later and I knew how to remove them. ‘Worn out’ was a bit of an understatement so for £11.99 new brushes were ordered on Amazon, delivered next day thanks to Prime and a load of washing is merrily spinning around right now. What things have you been able to do that you couldn’t before? Useful stuff or hobbies.
One thing I do is change watch batteries. Some jewellers charge north of £30 to change a battery, and sometimes you're without your watch for 2 or 3 weeks, as they say it "has to be pressure tested". There are smaller shops who will do it while you wait, but it can still cost a tenner or so. The batteries themselves cost a few pence, and you can order a set of tools from Amazon for a few quid.
I love my tool set. Literally cost about £3 from Amazon and has everything in it. I was quoted a ridiculous amount to change 2 batteries, once was around £25 and the other about £65 in a Radley watch and, as you say, had to be sent off so we did them both ourselves. Took some fiddling with the Radley one but got there in the end. I don’t care if it’s no longer waterproof, I would never wear it near water anyway.
On a related note, watch out for the water resistance ratings on watches. Years ago I bought one that was rated to 10m. I thought that meant it could be taken to a depth of 10m, so I used to swim with it on. Eventually it stopped working. I returned it for repair under guarantee, which was carried out free of charge but when I collected it there was a harshly written note and a bag of tiny rusty parts which had been replaced. Since then, like you, I ignore the ratings and keep well clear of water with my watch. It's a quite bizarre rating system which is asking for trouble, as I found out the hard way.
The monster-in-law had no heating one morning a couple of weeks ago and was about to phone the plumber. I looked on YouTube, 'how to re-fill pressure on a Combi boiler', literally a 1 minute job, pressurized and radiators working fine. Unfortunately she now thinks I'm Handy Andy.
Great for doing my own car repairs. Have done EGR valve on my Insignia, suspension parts on my old Astra, loads more, all based on watching youtube vids. They also have the opposite effect too, convincing me that certain jobs are not possible for me to do.
It used to be that topping the pressure up dilutes they rust retardant in the system. Keep at it and you end up with a knackered boiler. I’m no plumber in fact f’in useless at most things but your warned so check it out. Must be something on YouTube -
Going off at a tangent, a few years ago I had my watch battery replaced at Timpsons and paid £15 for their Lifetime Battery service. Since then I've had two replacement batteries at no cost.
I laid a patio last year. The YouTube videos were invaluable, not only for the basics, but also full of helpful tips, do's and don'ts, etc. Mrs Goat is well impressed.
Doesn't that rely on you keeping the same watch for your lifetime though? Straps always go on mine, on the glass gets scratched or whatever. I changed my battery 3 years ago using the tools from Amazon and a pack of 30 watch batteries for a few quid and it's still going strong. I'm certain I'll replace the watch before I get through more than one more battery change (which I'll do myself for free anyway).
It does. I have a little Timpsons card with my watch make and serial number on it. I have the same watch that my wife bought for me years and years ago. Mind you, I dont often wear a watch, mostly it only goes on my wrist for official outings and special occasions. Mostly my phone tells me the time if I need it.
I’ve fitted a new screen to an IMac, IPad and an IPhone. A new screen on a laptop. That lot makes me look clumsy, I’ll point out only the phone was mine. I learned to wallpaper as a kid, but not having done it for a few years, I had a brain fart and couldn’t remember how to paper into a window reveal. Rear brake disks on my old car. The odd cocktail recipe I am one of those people who’ll have a go at most things, I draw the line at plastering.
Yes it's the same watch but mine was a 21st birthday present and still.going strong almost 30 years old. Must have easily had 4 or 5 batteries at least for the 12 pounds the guarantee cost at the time. Recently it stopped working and they gave it a good clean and it's as good as new again. Have to say I'm a fan of Timpsons.
I use YouTube regularly to learn how to play songs on guitar, cook certain recipes, and keep my Italian up to speed. I also find when I buy things, that the product guides are often the last thing manufacturers spend money on. There are usually a couple of pictures with arrows pointing in different directions and no actual words of what you are supposed to do. There's usually someone who has been in your predicament and has put a 'how to' video on YouTube, like recently when I was bamboozled by a telescopic hedgetrimmer.
Done a few small plumbing and electrical jobs using guides on YouTube. And used it quite a lot to double check a lot of random jobs at work too.
YouTube has saved me a small fortune. If I can't do a particular job I find a video and if I'm confident I can do it, I do. I only pay trade to do really big jobs or some electrical work - I don't like to take any chances with electrics.
I’m the same and even with the jobs I know I can’t do, I like to have diagnosed the issue and know what steps need to be taken so I’m not taken for a ride.
