Your most used/useful skill set?

A forum full of men and women building and doing so many cool things, I thought some may benefit from hearing what skills you’ve found most useful (so the rest of us can learn them as well).

Welding, for example, changed my perspective of what can and can’t be done much more drastically than I thought it could.

So did sewing with a sewing machine as we’ve made a lot of custom sized and shaped compartments and bags and coverings over the years.

First Aid has come in handy. Don’t know a thing about fancy stuff but we can stop some bleeding and keep ya breathing and get ya to safety if need be haha.

What hard skills have you found most useful in life, and which of them do you encourage others to take the time to learn if they get the opportunity?


I want to get better with electrical as well as learn more about lathe work and 3D printers in the near future.

I’d also like to improve as a woodworker and learn leather work and engraving to add to my welding creations.

What have you found great to know, and what do you hope to make time to learn someday sooner than later?

I know there are other continual learners on here! Share your knowledge with us all!

 

At age 68 and soon to be age 69, patience is my most useful skill set. And the willingness to make mistakes and learn from them.

 

That’s a good point! Not sure you can learn any hard skill at all (let alone do much else in life happily) without the all-important soft skill you’ve added! Thank you!

 

Learning many sailing knots has been extremely useful off the water

 

Didn’t even think of that, but talk about life changer even though you wouldn’t think it until you use it.

 

I want to learn to weld. Not sure any classes nearby.

Electrical and plumbing. Saved many dollars over the years. Never any screw-ups, plus my work seems more efficient and tidy as I age............

Horticulture. Even took college classes as electives back in the day, just and interest since young. Comes in handy.

Patience and the ability to reason stuff out.

Lastly a person has to know their limits, and when it's better to get help.

 

I’ll trade you a crash course in welding for a crash course in electrical and plumbing!

 

Any day!

 

I struggled in school and learning how to learn isn't something I achieved until I was an adult. These books were important in turning me into a continual learner.

 

I do miss reading more often.

 

i never thought about it until just now, but i find customers most often are asking me to repair a shoddy previous repair job.

i guess identifying bad work is my most useful skill.

 

Hey, doing things right is as rare a skill as they come. Always pays off in the long run.

 

Basic home and auto repair, electrical, plumbing, construction, etc. Youtube has helped me quite a few times.

 

The only things I haven't been able to fix are the crack of my ass and a broken heart.

 

Buy a quality 120 volt MIG welder, scare up some scrap metal and have at it.

Learning to MIG easy and there is a great welding thread here on TW with great experienced guys always willing to coach fellows learning. Having a welder handy makes so many projects easier, 10 minutes of welding can replace a lot of drilling and bolting and often make a better job too.

EDIT: And to not have to kiss someones @$$ so they will do a 3 minute repair for you:
Priceless!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anything-welding.113957/page-1140#post-27212902

 

The ability to learn different things, just being mechanically inclined.

 

They say a fisherman can do just about anything. Probably true because you have to have patience.

 

Second this one, I've found I tend to be fairly adaptable to situations. Being in the Navy has also helped sharpen my mechanical skills, especially in Aviation where attention to detail is key.

On that note, attention to detail - almost to a fault, because now I'm paranoid of every little noise I hear on my taco....

 

Probably more of a Jack of all trades master of none (hard to master something without continual practice and dedication) Mechanically inclined and good at problem solving.

Ill tear into anything mechanical, engine based, Firearms, Wood working, plumbing, electrical. Long lineage of wood workers, craftsman, Boat builders, Inventors, handy men on the weekend. The expectation was to never pay someone unless you absolutely had to.

 

Basic carpentry, electric, plumbing, drywall work, and appliance/electronics/small engine repair are the only reasons why I can afford to live in a house. If I had to hire all that stuff out, I'd be one broke sucker.

Also, I make fire sometimes. Fire good.