Springing from my other thread about DIY shows, I know we all attempt some of these things we see on the shows. I'm wondering what DIY you've tried and failed? Or been so overwhelmed you quit after an onslaught of choice words.
What DIY projects have you totally failed at?
- Thread starter dmm26
- Start date
Life in general, career advancement, getting rich etc.
This will be an interesting thread.
Once I tried to replace the rear shoes on my car. Easy right? I've replaced rear drums and shoes on previous cars, but this time it didn't work out so well. I got all the parts replaced, and for the life of me, couldn't get the drum back on. In the process, I tore up the new shoe, had to then go get another set, put them on, and called a buddy over to tell me what was wrong with the car. He couldn't figure it out either (made me feel better). Ended up having it towed to the mechanic and spending much more money and time than I intended.
Once I tried to replace the rear shoes on my car. Easy right? I've replaced rear drums and shoes on previous cars, but this time it didn't work out so well. I got all the parts replaced, and for the life of me, couldn't get the drum back on. In the process, I tore up the new shoe, had to then go get another set, put them on, and called a buddy over to tell me what was wrong with the car. He couldn't figure it out either (made me feel better). Ended up having it towed to the mechanic and spending much more money and time than I intended.
DIY home taxidermy. 
Actually, I don't think I have ever failed at a home project, tho I came close to giving up on a fireplace tile surround--but only because my back went out. Still finished the project, tho.
Actually, I don't think I have ever failed at a home project, tho I came close to giving up on a fireplace tile surround--but only because my back went out. Still finished the project, tho.
A notable one for me is that I was to construct, for a friend, a personal observatory for his telescope. We managed to build everything but the sliding apparatus had to be modified and the roof had more pronounced peak because the table saw used wasn't able to cut the required angle. It works but we still haven't finished roofing and some side paneling still needs to be done. Not the end of the world but it's been over a year already.
Don't get me started on the 9 year long shower stall fiasco.
Don't get me started on the 9 year long shower stall fiasco.
Just about everything involving measuring and cutting wood.
I've achieved moderate success limiting myself to small-ish boxes (mainly chassis for my DIY stereo gear) made with hand tools - but even here, if looks the slightest bit complex, I have a friend at work do most of the cutting.
As and aside, the sound of most power tools really bother me, so I doubt I will ever own any outside of a drill.
Now when it comes to electronics, I am a god - never had a smoking component or even a blown fuse on any project.
I've achieved moderate success limiting myself to small-ish boxes (mainly chassis for my DIY stereo gear) made with hand tools - but even here, if looks the slightest bit complex, I have a friend at work do most of the cutting.
As and aside, the sound of most power tools really bother me, so I doubt I will ever own any outside of a drill.
Now when it comes to electronics, I am a god - never had a smoking component or even a blown fuse on any project.
Building an outhouse. It always smelled for some reason
Building a darkroom in my garage. Never could get it 100% light proof. Allays some pinhole somewhere.
Building a darkroom in my garage. Never could get it 100% light proof. Allays some pinhole somewhere.
Last edited:
My first attempt at making shelves (about 20 years ago)....I don't think there was a single true right angle anywhere on the 3 shelves or brackets, so it was "slightly" squint. I thought I could live with it, fixed it to the wall, loaded the shelves and then left the room. Heard an almighty crash and returned to find that the rawl-plugs I'd used obviously weren't the right type for old plaster and Victorian brickwork! 
I've since bought a decent square and spirit level....and learnt how to use them
I've since bought a decent square and spirit level....and learnt how to use them
I fiddle with DIY electronics. I can usually get things working - but not always the first time I apply power. I've had several projects start smoking on the bench. No fires and I have been able to keep my hands out of the high voltage so far.
Soap bubbles... I bought some glycerin with the idea of using in in shave cream and making soap giant bubbles with my daughter. Well, several internet recipes and bottles of dish washing liquid later, no satisfactory results. Oh, I get the occasional bubble that floats around forever and you can catch on a wire, but most of the bubbles die as soon as the break away from the hoop.
- Thread starter
- #11
Ok so it seems these are all rather small failures. How about some big ones?
I'll start it off. So a friend of mine and I had to put windows in his basement AFTER it was built! I know what your thinking, how the heck does a house get built with no basement windows in it? I thought the same thing. Anyway so we had to dig down about 5 feet on either side of the house for the wet saw to fit and attach to the outside basement wall. It took forever in winter but we did it! The guy came and attached his saw cut the openings but he wasn't about to cut all the way right through the electrical and drywall (Note: basement was finished inside as well!)
So openings cut it's up to us to finish the job and break through the drywall and hope we don't cut a wire in the process. My buddy tells me to go inside and watch as he forces a flat piece of steel through the drywall to "see where we are" so I'm standing inside waiting for this piece of steel to come though,... I can hear him hammering away at it when all of the sudden POOF! no lights in the basement! So I go outside and tell him "Uh dave,.... there's no lights dude. You chopped a wire" After a ton of cursing a few cigarettes he calmed down. We ended up putting the project off till the next day and drank out sorrows away.
Eventually we got everything sorted out but that was a day from hell!
I'll start it off. So a friend of mine and I had to put windows in his basement AFTER it was built! I know what your thinking, how the heck does a house get built with no basement windows in it? I thought the same thing. Anyway so we had to dig down about 5 feet on either side of the house for the wet saw to fit and attach to the outside basement wall. It took forever in winter but we did it! The guy came and attached his saw cut the openings but he wasn't about to cut all the way right through the electrical and drywall (Note: basement was finished inside as well!)
So openings cut it's up to us to finish the job and break through the drywall and hope we don't cut a wire in the process. My buddy tells me to go inside and watch as he forces a flat piece of steel through the drywall to "see where we are" so I'm standing inside waiting for this piece of steel to come though,... I can hear him hammering away at it when all of the sudden POOF! no lights in the basement! So I go outside and tell him "Uh dave,.... there's no lights dude. You chopped a wire" After a ton of cursing a few cigarettes he calmed down. We ended up putting the project off till the next day and drank out sorrows away.
Eventually we got everything sorted out but that was a day from hell!
Similar threads
