Thread: My "Ron-like" father-in-law.....

Originally Posted by sheerluck

It's very difficult to say anything. As soon as I do, my wife gets upset, and I cop an earbashing. So I have to keep the peace.

This is me keeping the peace.

Good Luck. At least your letting of a bit of steam. And we can all share in your pain. Hang in there.



Gary

Originally Posted by p38arover

Having just seen this thread, I take exception to it. It implies I wreck everything.

That's not true, I buy it already broken (and I got some more this week)

The title may give that impression Ron, but the first line explains all.

Where you are unlucky enough to constantly buy broken stuff, my FIL converts the good stuff into broken stuff. Perhaps he moonlights around various factories, as a quality control tester, and you are just unlucky enough to buy all the items he's tested!

Originally Posted by p38arover

What sort of engineer was your FIL? I'd ban the beggar from using any of my tools regardless of the wife's views. Suggest to her how she'd feel if he ruined her best kitchen appliances or knives. That he aspires to Heath Robinson is pretty scary!

BTW, banning him from the workshop may result in an earbashing from your wife this time but it won't, hopefully, be ongoing whereas ruining good tools will be.

My Dad was an engineer and he was extremely skilled with tools (he started as a mechanic, then fitter and turner, and then did mechanical engineering). I learned a lot from him.

He was a general mech engineer - looking after pretty much everything except airfield equipment, motor vehicles and aircraft (separate trade training).

Up to about 10 or so years ago, I had no issue whatsoever with his abilities and did learn from him, it is just unfortunately age catching up. His motor skills, eyesight, reactions and general thought processes and planning abilities are nowhere near what they were, which is why we only give him little jobs to do now. Even 5 years ago I would have been quite happy letting him start work by himself on some of the repairs that I am doing around the house. But now, we have to pull him back with "it'll be easier with two of us". Meaning "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH IT UNTIL I'M ON HOLIDAY, YOU BODGE IT MERCHANT".

The kitchen is my domain too, by the way. I'm chief cook, but not bottlewasher. He touches my knives.....I'm still keeping the peace.