Hi All
Top tip, with us being such a throw away society these days and electrical goods just lasting the warranty, when the go wrong I strip them for useful fixings before i take them to the skip or for roadside collection. Washing machines/ dishwashers are great as they are mostly stainless fixings hose clamps etc, even a dvd player has heaps of self tappers etc
Another tip if you have kids give them a few tools and let them do it, this way you keep the missus happy cause your occupying the kids, kids are busy therefore you can get on with your own projects, and all the time they are building your supply of bits up 

Hi Graham, 
Like your self I have an engineering background and totally agree.
It also teaches them hand skills enabling them to work with tools.
Three out of four of mine are bankers, airline cabin managers and fitness instructors..no engineering skills here.
However I still love them.
Already trying to influence the grand kids...ages 8 months and 5 months with my wife's help.
Today she made and sewed up a play mat featuring Ford racing V8 supercar material.  
Start early and you should have them for life.
 
 
 
  

I used to do this as a kid, it's how i found out what a capacitor is! 

karlyoung

I used to do this as a kid, it's how i found out what a capacitor is! 

Not the hard way I hope!