Popular Mechanics: 25 Skills Every Man Should Know

[TheSlamma]

I have done all but

3
21
25

But I'm a damn good swimmer and the last 2 couldn't really be that hard.

 

[jjones]

There is only one skill required. Knowing the myriad uses of duct tape.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

1. Patch a radiator hose--Done
2. Protect your computer--Done
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized--Done with canoes many times
4. Frame a wall--Helped build houses
5. Retouch digital photos--have done, but not often
6. Back up a trailer--Done it
7. Build a campfire--Done it many times
8. Fix a dead outlet--Have wired up an entire house
9. Navigate with a map and compass--Done it many times
10. Use a torque wrench--Done
11. Sharpen a knife--Done
12. Perform CPR--Been trained
13. Fillet a fish--Did it a while back, but just don't like seafood much
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid--...and into... intentionally
15. Get a car unstuck--Done
16. Back up data--Done
17. Paint a room--Done
18. Mix concrete--Done
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle--Done, own one
20. Change oil and filter--Done
21. Hook up an HDTV--Done
22. Bleed brakes--Done
23. Paddle a canoe--Done (see #3)
24. Fix a bike flat--Done
25. Extend your wireless network--I could if I had a reason to go more than 20 feet.

 

[TXHokie]

All but 3:

3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - If you mean toss him a donut float, yes. But if I'd have to jump in water with out life jacket and pull up the 300lbs boater then no.
12. Perform CPR - Did this in highschool on a dummy. I'd give my victim 50-50 chance if I had to.
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle - don't own a gun

 

[crystal]

1. Patch a radiator hose - with duct tape?
2. Protect your computer - I brought extra large condom but they are still too small for my computer.
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - not likely since I will try to swim to shore first
4. Frame a wall - now why would I want to do this?
5. Retouch digital photos - so easy with MS paint I not sure why they mention it
6. Back up a trailer - asian driver.
7. Build a campfire - easily done with a lot of lighter fuel
8. Fix a dead outlet -
9. Navigate with a map and compass - GPS. It is 21st century
10. Use a torque wrench - ??
11. Sharpen a knife - wife's job
12. Perform CPR - Only to a hot lady
13. Fillet a fish - bone in always bring out more favor no matter the meat
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid - see 6
15. Get a car unstuck - not get stuck in the first place
16. Back up data - Easily done but decide not to since it takes up too much storage space
17. Paint a room - You need skill for this?
18. Mix concrete - seem like hard labor, I am sure it is someone else job
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle - no gun
20. Change oil and filter - Express oil change
21. Hook up an HDTV - How can you go wrong with this?
22. Bleed brakes - I like to survive the drive from A to B so I will leave this tasks to someone else
23. Paddle a canoe - skills for this?
24. Fix a bike flat - Once or twice
25. Extend your wireless network - not worth mention

 

[magomago]

here is what i have done and know ic an do...

if i think i can do it, but haven't tried it i won't list it




2. Protect your computer
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
16. Back up data
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

damn i got pwned in what i've done :x

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah, I can't believe changing a flat tire and jumping a car aren't on there. I'm one the only people I know who actually owns jumper cables.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Yeah, I can't believe changing a flat tire and jumping a car aren't on there. I'm one the only people I know who actually owns jumper cables.

I need to buy four sets of jumper cables. One to keep for myself in my car. One for my wife's car. One to 'loan out' that I'll never see again. And another one as a backup to my 'loaned out' set of cables.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Yeah, I can't believe changing a flat tire and jumping a car aren't on there. I'm one the only people I know who actually owns jumper cables.

It's not even so much own, but acutally carry in your car. I keep a set in my truck along with a first aid kit and a rudamentary tool kit. I bet less than 10% of people with a car that's newer than 10 years old actually carry jumper cables any more.

And I agree - the ability to change a tire should should be on there.

I think the "tech" ones like wirless networks and computer stuff were needlessly tacked on to make geeks feel better.

 

[Uppsala9496]

1. Patch a radiator hose - yes, have done this
2. Protect your computer - yes, have done this
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - have never had to do so, but I can (grew up boating)
4. Frame a wall - have never had to do so
5. Retouch digital photos - yes, have done this
6. Back up a trailer - yes, have done this
7. Build a campfire - yes, have done this
8. Fix a dead outlet - - yes, have done this
9. Navigate with a map and compass - yes, have done this
10. Use a torque wrench - yes, have done this
11. Sharpen a knife - yes, have done this
12. Perform CPR - have never had to do so
13. Fillet a fish - yes, have done this
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid - yes, have done this
15. Get a car unstuck - yes, have done this
16. Back up data - yes, have done this
17. Paint a room - yes, have done this too many times. I hate it!!!!!!
18. Mix concrete - yes, have done this
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle - yes, have done this
20. Change oil and filter - yes, have done this
21. Hook up an HDTV - yes, have done this
22. Bleed brakes - have never had to do this
23. Paddle a canoe - yes, have done this
24. Fix a bike flat - yes, have done this
25. Extend your wireless network - have never had to do this. I have set one up though...

 

[pontifex]

Protect your computer? wtf? this is something everyone should know, why men in particular?

maybe if it said "protect your computer...with a bowie knife!" or "protect your computer...with a sharpened stick!"


Back up data? again, wtf??? this is something everyone should know, why men in particular?

maybe if it said "back up data while your leg is being gnawed on by a tiger." or "back up data before the terrorists catch you in their compoud."

retouch digital photos? why is this such a useful skill, especially for men?

i agree, the list sucks ass

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Most of the computer-related stuff does not need to be known. There's someone you can pay to do it for you.

umm...most of the stuff on that list you can pay someone to do...

 

[Acanthus]

You always see survivorman out in the Ecudaor rain forest firing up his Adobe products on his WEP enabled WiFi network with a 1080P projector hung from a tree properly configured.

Who the fvck made this list?

 

[Phokus]

How the hell isn't CPR number 1?

 

[Hyperlite]

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose- Uh, duh.
2. Protect your computer- X2
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized- back to my ye old days of sailing... definitely
4. Frame a wall-2x4's+framing hammer+nails=of course
5. Retouch digital photos-in my sleep, though i still find it a pain in the ass
6. Back up a trailer-not quite in my sleep, but i've never hit anything
7. Build a campfire-shit, i breathe fire
8. Fix a dead outlet-just taught my mom how to do that last week
9. Navigate with a map and compass-havn't ever exercised that ability, but i could probably ressurect it.
10. Use a torque wrench-of course
11. Sharpen a knife-of course
12. Perform CPR- cer-T-fied!
13. Fillet a fish- dang been a while since i've done that too...thats about when i decided i didn't much like small-mouth bass
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid-depends on the vehicle, failed miserably once, succeded a few times
15. Get a car unstuck-oh goodness, lots of times
16. Back up data-yeah yeah yeah
17. Paint a room- of course
18. Mix concrete- i just read the instructions, wasn't rocket surgery
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle-ok, i can honestly say i have never dismantled a firearm. i'll have to work on that.
20. Change oil and filter- OK, just remember, when you have a Tahoe up on blocks, there is quite a bit of backpressure behind those 6 quarts of oil. aim accordingly.
21. Hook up an HDTV- oh snooooore
22. Bleed brakes-seen it done, never physically done it, but i think i could.
23. Paddle a canoe- wtf? is there really anyone so retarded they couldn't do that?
24. Fix a bike flat-ah, to be a kid again...
25. Extend your wireless network-CCNA, yo.

24/25?

 

[alkemyst]

where is ninja and bow staff? Dungeon Master ain't even on that list.

 

[Casawi]

Originally posted by: Alowishus
27. Hide a boner

HAHHA

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Yeah, I can't believe changing a flat tire and jumping a car aren't on there. I'm one the only people I know who actually owns jumper cables.

It's not even so much own, but acutally carry in your car. I keep a set in my truck along with a first aid kit and a rudamentary tool kit. I bet less than 10% of people with a car that's newer than 10 years old actually carry jumper cables any more.

And I agree - the ability to change a tire should should be on there.

I think the "tech" ones like wirless networks and computer stuff were needlessly tacked on to make geeks feel better.

Well...yeah carry in your car. I figure if you own 'em then you keep 'em in your trunk. I suppose not everyone does though (which defeats the purpose).

I can't count how many times I've had friends call me to come and jump them because I'm the only one who has cables, not to mention the many total strangers in parking lots who've needed help. I've even come up on two cars, nose-to-nose, hoods up, absolutely clueless as what what they were supposed to do next.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Phokus
How the hell isn't CPR number 1?

Even if the list were a good one I wouldn't put CPR at the top. Not only are you incredibly unlikely to have to perform it in your lifetime, but doing it wrong can make problems worse.

 

[daveymark]

they accidentally mixed up that list with things Jack Bauer should know how to do

 

[Linflas]

Dwell affects timing but timing doesn't affect dwell.

 

[Acanthus]

Christ people this isnt a myspace bulletin.

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Yeah, I can't believe changing a flat tire and jumping a car aren't on there. I'm one the only people I know who actually owns jumper cables.

It's not even so much own, but acutally carry in your car. I keep a set in my truck along with a first aid kit and a rudamentary tool kit. I bet less than 10% of people with a car that's newer than 10 years old actually carry jumper cables any more.

And I agree - the ability to change a tire should should be on there.

I think the "tech" ones like wirless networks and computer stuff were needlessly tacked on to make geeks feel better.

Well...yeah carry in your car. I figure if you own 'em then you keep 'em in your trunk. I suppose not everyone does though (which defeats the purpose).

I can't count how many times I've had friends call me to come and jump them because I'm the only one who has cables, not to mention the many total strangers in parking lots who've needed help. I've even come up on two cars, nose-to-nose, hoods up, absolutely clueless as what what they were supposed to do next.

most insurance has road side assistance or whatever, so it really isn't a big deal

tell your friends to quit being lazy and call roadside or get some cables

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: pontifex
Protect your computer? wtf? this is something everyone should know, why men in particular?

maybe if it said "protect your computer...with a bowie knife!" or "protect your computer...with a sharpened stick!"


Back up data? again, wtf??? this is something everyone should know, why men in particular?

maybe if it said "back up data while your leg is being gnawed on by a tiger." or "back up data before the terrorists catch you in their compoud."

retouch digital photos? why is this such a useful skill, especially for men?

i agree, the list sucks ass

+1. It's not really specific to men at all. Also most tasks are either trivial or just silly.

 

[Jugernot]

1. Patch a radiator hose - No
2. Protect your computer - Yes
3. Rescue a boater who as capsized - No
4. Frame a wall - Yes
5. Retouch digital photos - Yes
6. Back up a trailer - Yes
7. Build a campfire - Yes
8. Fix a dead outlet - Yes
9. Navigate with a map and compass - No
10. Use a torque wrench - Yes
11. Sharpen a knife - Yes
12. Perform CPR - Yes
13. Fillet a fish - Yes
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid - Yes
15. Get a car unstuck - Yes
16. Back up data - Yes
17. Paint a room - Yes
18. Mix concrete - Yes
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter - Yes
21. Hook up an HDTV - Yes
22. Bleed brakes - No
23. Paddle a canoe - Yes
24. Fix a bike flat - Yes
25. Extend your wireless network - Yes