DIY – It’s Still Thriving?
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I think one more benefit of the “DIY” movement is that people who have given it an honest try are a bit more respectful of real craftsmanship and a bit less tolerant of cheap excuses. You’ve been there, done that, there’s dirt under your fingernails, a splinter in your thumb, scratches in your hide and sweat in your eyes. From then on when you see something that “just works” and lasts for generations you have a better understanding of what that takes. You also know that MDF isn’t “real wood” and a 16 penny nail isn’t the same as a mortise and tenon joint.
Whenever I visit a new area in the UK, I search out old hardware shops. A few still exist, but they are disappearing. Often they have very old stock and you can still get things that are no longer made, or are better quality.
I once fitted a gas fire, was told how to by a qualified gas fitter. Later when it was being serviced by a close to retirement old school gas fitter, he said, looking at how it was fitted he must have done it in the past. I didn’t tell him the truth, but it did make me feel good.