Replies

1. 
   DanH | Apr 24, 2007 11:11pm | #1

   Habitat for Humanity, or any number of work trips run by churches, etc. Many are repair, but some are all new construction.

   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
1. 
   Doogue | Apr 24, 2007 11:37pm | #2

   Good option and a worthy one at that. Thanks. However, being already a participant in HFH, I don't feel like I can much by way of instruction or overview. Sure, plenty of lessons to be learned "just doing", but with HFH the goal is primarily to build the house, not explain the process. To that end, still looking for whether or not other have heard of these camps?

1. 
   DanH | Apr 24, 2007 11:48pm | #6

   Go back to high school. There are a few high schools that have construction "shop" classes. Fargo ND, for instance. Some community colleges and vo-techs may have worthwhile classes as well.Or, get with Habitat or some such group and help organize one as a money-maker.(Plus I'm sure there are plenty of folks around here that would be glad to teach you, if the price is right. ;) )
   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

2. 
   DanH | Apr 24, 2007 11:49pm | #7

   And (choke) there are always the Homer classes at Home Despot. Probably way too basic for you, though.
   So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin

2. 
   Stilletto | Apr 24, 2007 11:38pm | #3

   Sounds almost like a union apprenticeship.  But that takes a few years in each trade. 

    

    

3. 
   Shep | Apr 24, 2007 11:39pm | #4

   What Dan said.

   I got involved with Reach workcamps last summer. The kids did the majority of the work, but the adults couldn't just slack off, either.

4. 
   VTNorm | Apr 24, 2007 11:47pm | #5

   Check these guys out.  http://yestermorrow.org/

   I was supposed to attend a weekend plumbing workshop but it was canceled due to a schedule conflict...I have no other first hand experience.

   -Norm

1. 
   Doogue | Apr 25, 2007 12:02am | #8

   Thanks, Norm - that is pretty cool.

5. 
   Piffin | Apr 25, 2007 12:32am | #9

   http://www.yestermorrow.org/

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

6. 
   ruffmike | Apr 25, 2007 04:52am | #10

   Don't know where you are but Berkeley Ca. has a running workshop for novices and diy's in home remodeling.

                               Mike

       Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.

1. 
   wrudiger | Apr 25, 2007 05:53am | #13

   http://www.bldgeductr.org/

1. 
   ruffmike | Apr 25, 2007 06:47am | #14

   That's it. I've never been involved, have you?                            Mike

       Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.

1. 
   wrudiger | Apr 25, 2007 06:55am | #15

   I haven't either.  I've heard they're good though, especially for novices, and are not into hack jobs.  Only hearsay though.

7. 
   oldfred | Apr 25, 2007 05:13am | #11

    

   Check this site :  http://www.shelterinstitute.com/

   They've been running these courses for over thirty years. 

    Started out doing energy efficient home design and timber framing, but I think they now include stick framing as well.  Good over-view.   

   Nice store too.   If you're a sucker for beautiful woodworking tools, leave your wallet home.

    

1. 
   Doogue | Apr 25, 2007 05:45am | #12

   beautiful - thanks oldfred! I'll definitely leave my wallet at home. ; )

8. 
   jjwalters | Apr 25, 2007 04:47pm | #16

   Find an old guy (like me) in your neighborhood and give him cash money for one on one lessons.......I would do it......and you would learn more and better than any of those expensive camps your talkng about.....

   The old apprentiship way is still the best way IMO........I've taught a lot of guys who labored for me ........to later become owners of their own companies.

    

1. 
   remodelman | Apr 25, 2007 05:21pm | #17

   Buy a fixer upper that really, really needs work.....like a new kitchen....and lots of structural problems......and has racoons living in it.

   Move in. You'll figure all of it out sooner or later.

   I'm kidding, but pressure is an exeptional teacher. And since you live there, the sub-par quality work becomes quite obvious.

   I did, am doing this still, with years of remodeling experience and it's still a huge challenge, but I have a friend that bought one in worse shape than mine....had NO building experience at all.....just got married...and the wife was pregnant. That is pressure. That was 5 years ago and his house is almost 100% and it's beautiful....and he's still married...and they had another kid.

   Needless to say the guy is an exeptional person.

1. 
   Doogue | Apr 25, 2007 05:39pm | #18

   Great ideas, gents. Apprenticing is a great way to go. As far as buying the fixer upper, I definitely want to do that. Keep those ideas coming.

9. 
   brownbagg | Apr 25, 2007 06:18pm | #19

   you want to learn constuction, build your own house without no help. you will learn everything about construction real quick. From fiance to code