tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post4801544805456448182..comments2024-03-26T00:14:00.509-07:00Comments on Crunchy Chicken: Refurbishing the oldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-4500032666988367232010-05-07T11:13:30.472-07:002010-05-07T11:13:30.472-07:00This story actually gave me a happy smile because ...This story actually gave me a happy smile because I love it when people can repair the old but good things they have and are happy with them.<br />I spend a lot of money on my shoes (relatively speaking) but I take good care of them and repair them (or rahter: have them repaired) when necessary and they last me a long time.Sonjanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-22583828760372803582009-03-11T22:42:00.000-07:002009-03-11T22:42:00.000-07:00We installed a new central vacuum system last year...We installed a new central vacuum system last year, and I'm pretty satisfied. Prior to that, we were using an excellent 30-year-old metal canister vacuum that finally could not be repaired any more. I put a lot of thought into what I would replace it with, and I settled on the built-in because it has a LIFETIME warranty, it is totally repairable, it has no bags or filters, and I fully expect it Correnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02337679065167216222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-15249545542296114852009-03-11T22:06:00.000-07:002009-03-11T22:06:00.000-07:00We once knew a guy who weekly gathered dryers and ...We once knew a guy who weekly gathered dryers and washing machines from the curbside trash. He'd open them up, clean them out, fix them and sell them. Most of the dryers only needed to be cleaned out. Most of the washers only needed a few small plastic parts. He kept a lot of machines out of landfills and made money doing it.<BR/><BR/>My grandparents only buy Panasonic because a repairman Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-43757149512130927942009-03-11T14:06:00.000-07:002009-03-11T14:06:00.000-07:00When I accidentally toasted a mouse recently, the ...When I accidentally toasted a mouse recently, the general expectation among friends and family was that I would immediately be buying a cheap new toaster. People are so squeamish these days :)<BR/>It was an expensive toaster in the first place, and it still works fine, all we had to do was clean the crumb tray. Mind you, if we'd cleaned the crumb tray out more often, there wouldn't have been a Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-28877078260166564862009-03-11T08:16:00.000-07:002009-03-11T08:16:00.000-07:00Fix it! At least try to. Our coffee pot died las...Fix it! At least try to. Our coffee pot died last year and we tried as hard as we could to fix it ourselves (couldn't because we couldn't find the correct heating element - despite having access via my hubby to wholesale parts shops) and then we couldn't find anyone to fix it. None of the screws were of uniform size either. The gadgetry folks want us to buy new - its a conspiracy! :)<BR/><BRangiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10580426976030683874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-76019184035079904922009-03-10T14:20:00.000-07:002009-03-10T14:20:00.000-07:00I tend to fix things when they are broken, whether...I tend to fix things when they are broken, whether it is ripped clothing, my dishwasher, or rebuilding my computer because the motherboard died and my husband is more than willing to let me. :) Not only do I like doing the DIY around the house, and for neighbors I'm their HandyM'am, but it's a great hobby that gets me away from my professional life at the computer. Not to mention the ecological Lisa Nelsen-Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13731962631056727458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-68229488171866266782009-03-09T12:16:00.000-07:002009-03-09T12:16:00.000-07:00Heh.. I'm picking our vacuum cleaner up from the r...Heh.. I'm picking our vacuum cleaner up from the repair guy today. <BR/>I saved this vacuum out of a dumpster 3 or 4 years ago. It had a few years on it already before it landed in the dumpster. It's a decent enough Hoover, with good filters and no bags. New enough to have a HEPA filter, but I'm not sure when those became common.<BR/>Last month the main suction hose fell off. My hubby and I Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03994844081172979101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-80680631218302853812009-03-09T11:52:00.000-07:002009-03-09T11:52:00.000-07:00How funny that we're both dealing with vacuum clea...How funny that we're both dealing with vacuum cleaners at the same time. I had my grandmother's early 1940s Electrolux when I went to college. After a couple years, it was having some problems so the Electrolux rep came out and gave a pretty convincing argument for upgrading. I had that vacuum for almost 20 years before replacing it 3 years ago. I found an Electrolux at Fry's - with a HEPA Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16304420774638468362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-14753882246750368742009-03-09T09:00:00.000-07:002009-03-09T09:00:00.000-07:00We had a great vacuum that was old but in need of ...We had a great vacuum that was old but in need of some modest repair. We gave it to a friend because she had no vacuum and bought one for us. MISTAKE!!!! A year later we were looking for a vacuum because the one we bought was simply too cheap to even function properly. I spent a lot of time researching and we purchased a Miele for quite a bit of money. So far it works greats and I hope it has Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-39252191071232781142009-03-09T08:08:00.000-07:002009-03-09T08:08:00.000-07:00Okay, I'm sitting here in pair of socks that have...Okay, I'm sitting here in pair of socks that have multiple "darnings." I'm definitely in the "fix it" group :).<BR/><BR/>And my husband is VERY handy. So, he's a "fix it" kind of guy. <BR/><BR/>As for the vacuum, my goal is to get rid of all of my carpets so that I don't need a vacuum. With several children and dogs and cats inside the house, if/when electricity is not so available as it is Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04642417312794814066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-18473976228140852122009-03-09T06:45:00.000-07:002009-03-09T06:45:00.000-07:00I'm getting pretty good at fixing appliances aroun...I'm getting pretty good at fixing appliances around my house - like the washing machine that I gave instructions on how to fix on my blog about a month ago. It seems that everything around my house is dying this year. <BR/><BR/>Vacuums seem to be one of the worst offenders when it comes to breaking. I currently have several in my home that others have given up on as ever working well, and I Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-83279896045134580142009-03-09T02:59:00.000-07:002009-03-09T02:59:00.000-07:00Those patent screw patterns are annoying. My hubb...Those patent screw patterns are annoying. My hubby bought a whole set of screwdriver ends just so he could undo things. He tends to replace most of what he removes with standard issue ends - its just easier!<BR/><BR/>viv in nzknutty knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00325560883289908412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-83456291849420683602009-03-08T18:06:00.000-07:002009-03-08T18:06:00.000-07:00As an admitted basement tinkerrer (tinkerrer?) the...As an admitted basement tinkerrer (tinkerrer?) there is one thing that I've noticed changing over the years: parts ain't parts anymore.<BR/><BR/>When you are working on older appliances, screws were uniform. Parts were the same across different manufacturers and products. It was easy to run down to the hardware store and get something that worked. Now, every part is custom designed. That pipe Buckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885809053657026847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-50163410538153290642009-03-08T17:56:00.000-07:002009-03-08T17:56:00.000-07:00We had to replace the washing machine last year - ...We had to replace the washing machine last year - couldn't get the parts to mend it again. Mind you, it was over 30 years old. My cd player is also 30 this year and the rest of the system dates from around 1978. The newest appliance I own is around 3 now. Those old things just lasted better.<BR/><BR/>I do admit owning a George Foreman grill thingy but it won't be discarded just because the non knutty knitterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00325560883289908412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-29471520864742747062009-03-08T17:22:00.000-07:002009-03-08T17:22:00.000-07:00Reading all these responses, I'm struck by the rea...Reading all these responses, I'm struck by the realization that people are unhappy with the products they are forced to buy -- forced in the sense that there are no alternatives.<BR/><BR/>How do we impress on manufacturers that we would prefer products that can be repaired? <BR/><BR/>Why isn't sustainability a selling point? Why don't we as consumers demand that our appliances are able to be Buckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09885809053657026847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-37169591404295078512009-03-08T16:53:00.000-07:002009-03-08T16:53:00.000-07:00I would repair, but hubby would be first in line t...I would repair, but hubby would be first in line to ditch it and buy a new one. He is the one who it is all about spending, not me.<BR/><BR/>Say it with me girls, Thrift shops and consignment shops are our friends.Redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04689263509227953924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-26597662520950533792009-03-08T16:04:00.000-07:002009-03-08T16:04:00.000-07:00We fix stuff if we can. Recently our dishwasher s...We fix stuff if we can. Recently our dishwasher sprung a leak. It turned out to be a 1/4" square gasket that cost $2. I totally recommend repairclinic.com (I'm not affiliated with them in any way and am not trying to spam/sell, it's just good). Might be able to help with your fridge issues. :-)Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10188526636270417095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-35212964165702603612009-03-08T15:47:00.000-07:002009-03-08T15:47:00.000-07:00I have to say, after 6 years of using our 1960's c...I have to say, after 6 years of using our 1960's central vacuum cleaner, we broke down and got a Dyson b/c the dog hair situation around here was beyond bad. The old vac just didn't clean well enough, and it was a problem for our allergies and my asthma. We got to a point where we were either going to have to get a good vacuum specifically designed for animal hair, or realize that fur and Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16603700427096296937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-31670996163512199112009-03-08T14:27:00.000-07:002009-03-08T14:27:00.000-07:00We try to fix things as much as possible. We also...We try to fix things as much as possible. We also hate the vaccum situation so we are in the process of pulling out our carpets. I would much rather use a broom, dust pan, and a mop then the cheap plastic vaccums out there!The Doodle Family (As Authored by Kimberley)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04493685837397561202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-40248767329082364182009-03-08T14:26:00.000-07:002009-03-08T14:26:00.000-07:00WOW, you are so good at coming up with a post when...WOW, you are so good at coming up with a post when my DH and I are discussing the same thing! I wear Earth shoes almost all the time (that is, all the time when I actually have shoes on), and one pair met my mom's dog and now has a large defect at a seam... my husband is irked that I'm more willing to spend $25-30 to fix it than to replace the pair all together. He's tired of my motto, nay Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08273431755984995387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-21551281019307724812009-03-08T14:16:00.000-07:002009-03-08T14:16:00.000-07:00I am a big beliver in Make Do and Mend, and I am a...I am a big beliver in <A HREF="http://robj98168.blogspot.com/2008/10/make-do-and-mend-challenge.html" REL="nofollow">Make Do and Mend</A>, and I am a proponenet of adding a fourth R to the mantra Recycle, re-use, Re-duce- I want to add Repair to it.I hosted a challenge back in November. I just think people need to get back into the mode of fixing things. As much as I love new things I think Robj98168https://www.blogger.com/profile/12449968557883132353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-16397074505682215702009-03-08T13:38:00.000-07:002009-03-08T13:38:00.000-07:00I'm a friend of Roomba, but I have to admit it's p...I'm a friend of Roomba, but I have to admit it's plastic like a Barbie toy - and rapidly biting the dust (ahaha) after only two years. I'm used to vacuums that lasts at least ten, so I'm a bit disappointed (I'm not sure if this is due to the fact I live in Sweden - companies are cutting costs everywhere). On the other hand it gives us the perfect excuse to take it appart and tinker with it.Rosengeraniumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14240843576840257964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-75244216168063476752009-03-08T12:19:00.000-07:002009-03-08T12:19:00.000-07:00a few months ago my shredder up and died. it wasn...a few months ago my shredder up and died. it wasnt that old and i wanted to get it repaired. couldnt find a place. when i called the company their response was "oh, those are too expensive to repair, we'll send you a new one." but i dont want a new one! i want to fix the one i have... "why would you want to do that when you could just have a new one?" :::sigh::: 5 days later the new one Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-91362707349592974272009-03-08T11:38:00.000-07:002009-03-08T11:38:00.000-07:00I'm cheap - and a yankee so I would rather repair ...I'm cheap - and a yankee so I would rather repair any day - <BR/>and we have a ton of vacumes that live here.<BR/>His mine and ours - I refuse to let mine go - unless I find a needy home for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1542806651392353413.post-86752312881747999122009-03-08T11:00:00.000-07:002009-03-08T11:00:00.000-07:00Our microwave touchpad bit the dust too, but it wa...Our microwave touchpad bit the dust too, but it was an issue with a fuse (as is it usually is), not the touchpad itself. I found some instructions online for replacing and asked my boyfriend to give it a try.<BR/><BR/>In the end, the casing didn't fit back on properly, so you can see into the glowing innards when it is on( where the casing bows), and sometimes the 1,2, and 3 buttons don't work, laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14299420943796924888noreply@blogger.com