Yes you could call. But if you want to get handy and reap the rewards, read on. DIY is doable in Abu Dhabi
When it comes to acronyms, DIY is definitely not one of the most well used ones in the UAE.
We understand. We really do. Most of us live in flats. We don’t have access to a garage. Power tools are expensive and if you move, you’d just end up selling them anyway. It’s just easier to call someone else to fix this or build that.
Okay, fair enough. DIY and expat living do not necessarily go hand in hand.
DIWhy?
But wait! It doesn’t have to be that way.
What if we told you that you don’t necessarily need a garage to be handy? It will cost you less than you think and will almost certainly lead you to saving money in the future. You can also start with a very basic tool kit that can increase as your tinkering and pottering instinct evolves.
Not nailed down the desire to DIY just yet?
Then note that it can help boost your brainpower with active problem solving and lead to some illuminating self discovery as you (hopefully) uncover some natural talents you didn’t know you had. Also, knowing you can rely solely on yourself – even if it is just for the odd job around the house – can boost self-esteem.
“Doing things yourself and making things is fun,” Ismael Touq, general manager at creative community hub and facility TechShop Abu Dhabi, tells Abu Dhabi World. “You can solve your own problems without having to depend on someone else.”
“The benefit of DIY is also that it allows you to just be creative, to bring ideas that you have to life and learn more about materials and tools.”
The knowledge gained and experience of being able to solve problems with a few tools is something that’s been an essential part of human development over centuries.
“It’s in our nature to be makers. It’s in our DNA, it’s what sets us apart from other animals: we make things, we use tools and we create,” adds Ismael.
“In the industrial environment we live in, lots of things are mass produced and we’ve lost the sense of how things are made, we’re out of touch and it’s good to bring back the relationship we have with materials and be involved in making.
“We can play with materials, and the more you work with materials and tools the more you understand about the work that goes in to making products and there’s so much more satisfaction when you make something than to just go somewhere and buy it.
“So why wouldn’t you want to try it?” asks Ismael.
Getting started
You could go it alone. Or you could learn from the experts. Here are some options:
TechShop in Al Zeina is a great place to start. Even during the summer the team is running a host of exciting classes. Some are more on the expert end of the scale with laser cutting and etching, as well as 3D printing, but there are plenty that will help start you down the road to DIY dominance. For instance, we like the sound of the basic metal workshop; starting project – a bottle opener. Want to know how to build your own shelf, before installing it yourself? The hand tool basics workshop, which is being held throughout August, is perfect for you. Visit: techshop.ae