The Bower's home DIY course

Empower yourself by unlocking the skills and secrets of DIY with this hands-on 2-day workshop.

In this workshop you will learn how to safely and economically undertake a number of small maintenance tasks around the home. Whether it’s an unfinished DIY project or you’re looking to take on some basic, satisfying home-fixes yourself, this course is for you.

By the end of this home DIY course, you will have:

• a solid understanding of general safety measures required when carrying out home DIY

• an understanding of how to select and use the correct use of drills and drivers

• the know-how to choose and use the right drill bits and fixings for a variety of applications

• an understanding of the basic concepts involved in timber-framed wall construction

• the know-how and skills to hang a shelf, tackle basic plumbing and the ability to install a pane of glass.

This course is suitable for beginners (18 years and over) with no prior workshop experience.

Course Content

Day 1

1. Safety and Housekeeping

2. Work area preparation

3. Introduction to and examination of different materials found in the home (natural, manufactured and hazardous)

4. Basic DIY Toolbox contents and why

5. Introduction to advanced tools

6. Introduction to drills and drivers

7. Practice in the use of the basic toolbox items

8. Cutting, drilling, fixing into various materials (woods, masonry and ceramics)

9. Putting it all together (measuring, marking, gluing, fixing, tiling and finishing)

10. Clean-up and disposal of waste

11. Question time (pick your instructor's brain about home projects)

Day 2

1. Putting it all together completion (grouting)

2. Anatomy of a gyprock wall

3. Hidden hazards (power, water, gas)

4. Detecting hidden items (studs, power)

5. Examination of the various anchors available to hang things on walls

6. Patching a damaged (minor and major) gyprock wall

7. Anatomy of the S bend and taps

8. Change a washer/fix a tap

9. Removal/attaching a flexi hose

10. Solutions for working without a workshop

11. Question time (pick your instructor's brain about home projects)

Accessibility

The Bower’s instructors are experienced at facilitating courses for individuals living with disability. Please let us know about any special requirements prior to enrolment so that our staff can prepare in advance.

Tools and Materials

Please bring any tools from home that you would like to use. The Bower will provide tools and materials. We ask that participants ensure that long hair is tied back, and appropriate footwear (closed shoes) is worn.

Please bring along the following PPE:

• Facemask

• Safety googles/glasses

• Earmuffs or earplugs.

Location

The Bower Reuse & Repair Centre. Workshop entrance is via Turner Street at the rear of 107 Redfern St. If the doorway is locked and/or unattended, ring the doorbell on the left of the roller door.