Jack of all Trades...

"Jack of all Trades"

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.

-Robert A. Heinlein

A few weeks ago, as I was replacing some capacitors in a television, I mused that, as preppers, we strive to be a "jack of all trades," having a bit of knowledge of all sorts of subjects outside of our daily jobs or careers. A fair list of subjects we are expected to know includes first aid/minor medicine, gardening, hunting and/or fishing, rudimentary mechanics, preserving foods, cooking, self-defense (including the use of firearms and/or primitive weapons) starting fires, and navigating. And I'm probably missing quite a few. 

Occasionally I come across a list of the "X" number of things everyone should know. A couples of examples: "50 Things Everyone Should Know" (with links to articles on those topics) from Marc and Angel Hack Life; and Popular Mechanics' list of "100 Skills Every Man Should Know". I don't know if it is possible, let alone desirable, to know all of the skills of any of these lists. However, we can collect a set of skills for some necessary tasks, and keep reference materials for others.

I like to collect various "handyman" books that I see at library sales or yard sales. Typically, I have found these books at such sales to vary between 50 cents and $1. Reader's Digest has published several books that provide the bare-bones basics of certain topics that are useful. I have Reader's Digest books on Crafts and Hobbies, Home Improvements Manual, New Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual, New Fix-It-Yourself Manual, The Family Handyman Helpful Hints and the Back to Basics book. I have a couple other general home repairs books; and a high school shop textbook covering the basics of metal and wood working, electronics, and drafting. Of course, I also have books on gardening, and certain other specialized topics. And YouTube has proved to be an invaluable source of information as to particular repairs or projects. For instance, last year, our washing machine began acting up. My wife found a YouTube video that allowed us to diagnose the problem, order the particular part, and make the repair ourselves. It certainly was cheaper than buying a new washing machine.

Of course, with this, you should have a basic set of tools and a place or toolbox to store them. What tools would make a good beginning tool kit could be an article by itself. The handyman books generally will list a basic set of tools and supplies you should keep on hand for basic repairs, as well as some tips on maintaining and using the tools.

Obviously, unless you expend a great deal of time and effort on developing a hobby or skill, there are projects that should be left to professionals. But everyone should be able to do some basic electrical repairs or improvements around the house, basic plumbing repairs, be able to paint a room, etc. I would add to that list sewing, but I'm being a hypocrite, barely able to make emergency repairs to a button (although I sewed up a suit jacket sleeve on my mission). My wife's hobby is sewing and quilting, so I guess--as a household--that topic is well covered.

Anyway, when you are at yard-sales or library sales, keep an eye out for these types of books. And don't be afraid to try your hand at making repairs.