The Bower's home DIY course: Level 1

Don’t call the experts: empower yourself to undertake your Home DIY projects by unlocking the skills and secrets of DIY with this hands-on 2-day workshop.

In this workshop, you'll 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.

2 x 5-Hour sessions on Sundays March 3 and 10.

Learning Outcomes

• 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.

Skill Level

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

Course Content

Day 1

• Safety and Housekeeping

• Work area preparation

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

• Basic DIY Toolbox contents and why

• Introduction to advanced tools

• Introduction to drills and drivers

• Practice in the use of the basic toolbox items

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

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

• Clean-up and disposal of waste

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

Day 2

• Putting it all together completion (grouting)

• Anatomy of a gyprock wall

• Hidden hazards (power, water, gas)

• Detecting hidden items (studs, power)

• Examination of the various anchors available to hang things on walls

• Patching a damaged (minor and major) gyprock wall

• Anatomy of the S bend and taps

• Change a washer/fix a tap

• Removal/attaching a flexi hose

• Solutions for working without a workshop

• 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.

Location

REDFERN The Bower Reuse & Repair Centre

107 Redfern St, Redfern NSW 2016 (entry via Turner Street, opposite of 23 Turner Street, from the rear of building)

Entrance to workshop

Workshop entrance is via Turner Street at the rear of 107 Redfern St. If the doorway is locked and/or unattended pls ring the doorbell on the left of the roller door.

Transportation and parking

Bower Woodworks is located within 5-minute walking distance of Redfern Train Station. Both metred and unmetered parking are available nearby.