I'm a handyman - but curse you, sprinkler

I was never interested in home repair jobs until I became a homeowner. Then, out of necessity because of the high cost of repairs, I bought a home maintenance manual and a large toolkit on sale – 100 tools for $39.99.

I knew I had some capability because when I was 11, my mortise and tenon joint earned me second place in carpentry. Over the years, through practice, trial and error, I have mastered most household repairs. It’s satisfying to save money, but perhaps even more so to bask in the admiration of friends when boasting of my achievements, and to lord it over others who don’t even know a Robertson from a Phillips.

My wife Ena is appreciative of my work, but my efforts come with limitations. First, I am slow. Slow to get around to beginning a job, slow in execution and slow in completing the final 5 per cent. To me, Michelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel represents a quick paint job. Second, I am reluctant to ask for assistance. I like to be independent. As a result, some jobs can remain pending longer than Ena’s tolerance level.

Take the sprinkler system in our garden. Recently, one of the runs refused to work, an important one covering a large bed with shrubs and perennials. I opened the control panel to inspect the terminals. I jiggled the wires on the offending terminal No. 5 to check for loose connections, but it still didn’t work.

Then I remembered that a few months earlier I had removed some old junipers from beneath the front window and had unearthed the sprinkler system cable. Perhaps I had broken it.

It seemed the only solution was to run another cable underground from the garage to the control panel on the far side of the house, a distance of some 15 metres. This was too much for me to undertake.

I reported my findings to Ena, who suggested: “Why don’t you call in the company that installed the sprinkler system?”

I called but they never bothered to come and I let the matter drop, fearful of the cost and hoping some divine intervention would restore the water flow. In the meantime, Ena was forced to use the hose, which is heavy and time-consuming to move.

One day she asked, “Why don’t you call Martti?”

Martti is my daughter’s father-in-law. He loves nothing better than fixing things and being surrounded by parts – the more parts there are the happier he is.

Now, Martti is a fine fellow and we get along well, but I bristled at my wife’s suggestion. There was my pride to consider. And besides, I thought, what could he do? The sprinkler needed a new cable and that was that.

Apollo Precision Tools DT0773N1 - Home Toolkit | Full ToolKit For ...

Apollo Precision Tools DT0773N1 Home Toolkit . home appliances such as screwdrivers, pliers, hammers and a complete equipment is in need in one house, with a complete range of simple equipment will facilitate the work of your home such as repairing wood cabinets and your unique wooden chairs. Apollo Precision Tools DT0773N1 with all the answers here and all the paraphernalia that you really need to support all the work you will do. let’s look at the specifications of the product Whether you’re hanging pictures in your new home or assembling a television stand in a dorm room, this kit puts everything you need for light- and medium-duty projects and repairs at your fingertips. Organized in its durable carrying case for quick and easy access, the tools are readily available so you get the job done without scouring through a toolbox.

Equipped with a box cutter, a rechargeable cordless 4.8-volt screwdriver, a measuring tape, a level, a putty knife, and more, this all-in-one kit features 135 tools that get you up to speed for moving in, fixing up, moving out, and everything in between. Each tool in the kit is engineered with a special heat treatment and chrome plating for long-lasting, corrosion-resistant performance. When not in use, the tools are housed securely in an exclusive blow-molded case that is designed for protection against wear and tear.

The tools feature an easy-grip design for comfortable use, while their lightweight, compact size makes them ideal for those who find larger tools too cumbersome. In fact, the entire kit weighs only 7.7 pounds, making for convenient storage and easy portability.

The kit’s lively pink color scheme adds fun to those humdrum home repairs and makes it a stylish gift for do-it-yourselfers who appreciate a little creative flair. And if you’ve ever lent a tool to a neighbor and never seen it returned, you’ll be delighted by the distinctive look of these tools, which makes them so easy to identify.

4.8-volt cordless screwdriver, with a UL recharger, also a one hundred fastener set, 18mm utility knife, ten 1-inch bits, CRV (1/8-inch , 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch 1/4-inch, PH1, PH2, PH3, PZ1, PZ2, PZ3), ten 1-inch bits-CRV (T10, T15, T25, T27, T30, 1/8-inch, 5/32-inch, 3/16-inch, 1/4-inch), 8-inch scissors, 8oz claw hammer, four screwdrivers (Phillips No. 1, No. 0, slotted 2.4mm, 3.0 mm) UL electrical tape, 6-inch long nose pliers, 9-inch plastic magnetic level, 12-foot 5/8-inch measuring tape, 6-inch adjustable wrench, 2-inch putty knife.

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