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“DiWHY”: 81 Times People Tried To Do It Themselves, Failed Miserably, And Learned Their Lesson (New Pics)
Funny,FailsAPR 27, 2026

“DiWHY”: 81 Times People Tried To Do It Themselves, Failed Miserably, And Learned Their Lesson (New Pics)

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DIY is an excellent way to put your creativity and tools to good use, all while saving a bit of money. That is, of course, assuming you know what you’re doing. When you don’t, you’re more likely to end up with the opposite: a waste of time, effort, and cash.
Oh well. At least DIY disasters have a place where they can truly shine rather than just fade into shameful memory. That place is the subreddit r/DIWHY, and below we’ve collected some of the most hilariously bad fails to ever grace it.

#21 I Made Headphones With A Water Pump That Produces Continuous Natural Rain Sounds

A man in glasses and headphones with showerheads and buckets over his ears, a perfect example of DiWHY.
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13points

#22 The Sink In The Mens Room At A Local Winery

A DiWHY example: a metal basin filled with rocks serves as a sink, next to a silver faucet.
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13points

When it comes to projects that can go genuinely wrong in a dangerous way, experts are pretty consistent about which ones to hand over to a professional.

Electrical work, plumbing beyond the basics, and gas line modifications are all areas where a mistake can cost far more in time and money than hiring someone would have, according to Nicole Hamil, a self-taught DIYer who spoke to Southern Living.

#23 Many Questions For This One

A Tesla Cybertruck with a homemade, DiWHY style rear camper conversion and a ladder rack, on a highway.
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12points

#24 Next Listing: Hand Converted Into Stump

A DIY DiWHY jigsaw converted into a table saw, mounted on a wooden stand. A dangerous home improvement fail.
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12points

#25 Six Time

A DIY wall clock with misplaced numbers and words, indicating a failed attempt at installation.
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11points

The same logic applies to anything involving asbestos, lead paint, or mold, all of which carry serious health risks and are best left to licensed professionals. 

Structural changes like removing walls or altering a roofline also fall firmly in that category, since getting them wrong can compromise the integrity of your entire home.

#26 Fascinating But Why

A two-headed, colorful teddy bear, a DiWHY example of a handmade stuffed animal for $20.
10points

#27 Cowboy Hat Conversion

A cowboy hat converted to a baseball cap with scissors, knife, and glue on a table, a DiWHY craft gone wrong.
10points

#28 “Cute” New Way To Save Baby Teeth Just Dropped!

A framed DiWHY art project of a cartoon face with a wide-open mouth to save baby teeth.
10points

At the end of the day, safety comes first, and everything else follows from there. If you have the time to do your research and a realistic sense of your own abilities, DIY can be a genuinely great experience. 

And if it doesn’t go perfectly? Well, that’s what experience is for.

#29 Rip The Antique Globe Underneath All This

A pink DiWHY disco ball drinks cabinet, a DIY project, sitting on a wooden floor, for sale.
10points

#30 And What Is The Name Of The Game That Is Played Here?

Aerial view of a quirky, L-shaped sports court next to a red court and parking lot. DiWHY design.
9points

#31 Tell Me You Smoke Cigarettes Without Telling Me You Smoke Cigarettes

A hand displays DiWHY cigarette-themed acrylic nails, with some burnt ends. A unique, self-made fashion statement.
9points

#32 They Could’ve At Least Cleaned The Keys First

A DiWHY picture frame made from repurposed keyboard keys, displaying a photo of Steve Jobs holding an apple.
9points

#33 The “Infrared Sauna” My Dad Made

A DiWHY example: two red heat lamps suspended over a bathtub, highlighting a homemade setup.
9points

#34 I Don't Think Another Coat Is Gonna Fix This

A silver-painted dressing table with a three-panel mirror, a good example of DiWHY furniture.
8points

#35 Teeth Brushes

A set of very dirty, used Colgate toothbrushes for sale for $20. A perfect example of a #DiWHY fail.
8points

#36 I Don’t Even Know What To Think About This

Handcrafted DiWHY chopsticks made from branches and sold for $60, a prime example of a failed attempt.
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8points

#37 Probably Already On Here But Anyways:

A DiWHY moment: a metal grilling rack with raw meat placed over a gas stove with active flames.
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8points

#38 Superfans Only

A DiWHY John Wick shower handle next to a regular one. This DIY attempt shows ingenuity, perhaps not perfection.
8points

#39 The Glitter Is Not Sealed. It's A Sink Made Of Sandpaper

A colorful, unconventional DiWHY sink with brown, black, white, and green patterns, highlighting a DIY project that failed.
7points

#40 Definitely Won't Flip Over On Tight Turns

A black "DiWHY" car with oversized tires and a spare on the trunk, driving on a highway.
7points
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