I pulled a Whirpool washer out of the garbage once that had a bad two stage agitator. It was back in a time when I was broke AF, so rather than paying to take my clothes to a laundromat, I set it up in the yard, filled it with a garden hose, and only did half loads 🙂 Eventually, I found out the part was 5 dollars to repair it, but by then I was moving and leaving it behind.
I bought this house 17 years ago....
And the old 1984 Maytag Washer/Dryer left here is still going strong.
It was purchased new by the previous owners of my house, and survived heavy family loads for decades with no servicing.
A few years back, the dryer needed a new gas valve solenoid that cost me $8.
And its belt-tensioner needed a relubing that took me less than an hour to do.
The washer never needed belts or anything, it's fine.
Friends of mine who bought new machines, even expensive models, have had to replace them after only a few years, sometimes several times.
That's their money and choice.
The 1971 Kitchenaid dishwasher in my kitchen runs like a champ too - spotless dishes always.
I believe the drain pump was replaced in 2002 long before I moved in.
The 1985 GE refrigerator also works like a charm - I've no need to replace it.
Oh wait..... a few weeks ago the interior bulb burned out - I popped in a new one.
And the new, fancy, and expensive washers, fridges and dishwashers that my friends and neighbors have bought have all needed service - circuit boards, malfunctioning icemakers, etc..
Yes folks, I like "living in the past".
Even though some people laugh and put that term out in an attempt to discredit people like me.
Ya know, I have a spare washer, an apartment-sized portable Kenmore (by Whirlpool).
Direct-drive, no belts, with that two-stage agitation thing.
Used it for years, then the "ratchet dogs" began to slip, the upper vanes of the agitator didn't do their job - and for a few dollars I replaced them.
I've stored it in the basement "just in case" as a backup, but the old Maytag never gives me grief.
Thaty's exactly what the problem was with the one I found - The rachet dogs weren't racheting.
How... does your w... I totally understand you but is your significant other okay with with this? I say this respectfully because first : I live in the past too, except for the internet, and second I didn't know how to word it in a way I could be "careful" (politically correct and all that JazSHI@#z)
BTW congrats on keeping those things running, that's awesome. I still use my Dad's 1985 craftsman jigsaw. My stereo is predominantly equipment from the early eighties (recent, IMO). Love keeping old things running.
It's a common problem after doing thousands of washloads.
Not a big job nor costly to remedy.
There's also a motor-to-transmission "link" or coupler, if it's a direct drive transmission, that can eventually break.
But it's a cheap part, easy to get, easy to install.
My dad is still using his 1983 Kenmore dryer... The bearings, rollers, and guides are all bitched, but it still works... He'll use it till it dies, then buy a new dryer most likely. My father would not think to put money into something so old. He drives a 1999 Buick - It will be replaced the next time something big breaks but it only has 160000 kms on it LOL
He'll lease a new car. He just turned 76 so how long will he drive? In Ontario, at 80+ years old, they retest you every year.
He'll lease a new car. He just turned 76 so how long will he drive? In Ontario, at 80+ years old, they retest you every year.
JUST last week, I had to repair the front storm door latch.
Replaced the rotted wood in the frame behind the aluminum flashing so that the spring-loaded pin assembly was anchored solid.
THAT STILL HOLDS!.
However, some old geezer idiot today YANKED hard on my LOCKED storm door and now BROKE the locking latch on the door!
He wanted to know if I want my front lawn mowed.
I told him NO..... but are you going to pay for breaking my LOCKED storm door handle?
He tells me it's NOT his problem.
I told him to get the hell off my property.
WHY don't people use the DOORBELL instead of yanking on doors?
Now, as if I don't have enough things to do, I gotta shlep over to the hardware store and buy a whole new door handle/lock!
like this one....
Replaced the rotted wood in the frame behind the aluminum flashing so that the spring-loaded pin assembly was anchored solid.
THAT STILL HOLDS!.
However, some old geezer idiot today YANKED hard on my LOCKED storm door and now BROKE the locking latch on the door!
He wanted to know if I want my front lawn mowed.
I told him NO..... but are you going to pay for breaking my LOCKED storm door handle?
He tells me it's NOT his problem.
I told him to get the hell off my property.
WHY don't people use the DOORBELL instead of yanking on doors?
Now, as if I don't have enough things to do, I gotta shlep over to the hardware store and buy a whole new door handle/lock!
like this one....
def works,istarted turning of the below for 1 month during the day whilst at work (a month ago)
dab radio alarm clock
microwave
sky box
make sure tv not on stand by(its a 65" one)
hi fi digital tuner
printer(this continuosly does cleaning excercises etc)
making sure pc is turned off and not left in sleep mode
last month electric bill £19 less
Modern TV's should be really low power consumption in standby, many are under 0.5 watt but some don't behave as they should depending on any apps and so on that get loaded onto them. Sony Android TV's are one that have come in for criticism.
My electricity use would frighten you 😀
Mum's cooker.
Knob came off.
Held on to D section shaft by a bent spring clip.
Trouble is, there's a spring behind the knob that pushes the dial into position.
So the spring is also trying to push the knob off.
Tightened (ie re-bent) the spring clip so it holds for now.
She says I did similar repair a few years ago (I don't remember).
Told her a repair man would have scrapped the cooker as
a) he cannot do a repair that might result in a recall a few months down the line.
b) he would therefore have to replace the knob which is likely to be NLA.
c) therefore cooker scrapped.
Knob came off.
Held on to D section shaft by a bent spring clip.
Trouble is, there's a spring behind the knob that pushes the dial into position.
So the spring is also trying to push the knob off.
Tightened (ie re-bent) the spring clip so it holds for now.
She says I did similar repair a few years ago (I don't remember).
Told her a repair man would have scrapped the cooker as
a) he cannot do a repair that might result in a recall a few months down the line.
b) he would therefore have to replace the knob which is likely to be NLA.
c) therefore cooker scrapped.
Replaced the condenser fan motor on my central AC.
Not because it failed, but because the shaft was severely corroded and looked like it may snap.
Bearings also not too smooth anymore either. Better safe than sorry.
Not because it failed, but because the shaft was severely corroded and looked like it may snap.
Bearings also not too smooth anymore either. Better safe than sorry.
WOW!
My average electric bill is about 275 KWH winter/spring, to summertime levels around maybe 400 KWH.
I would have done that, but put a small bit of epoxy inside the knob to lock the shaft inside.
By the time the cooker fails, it's time to toss it for a new one, and prep the new knob the same way.
The last time I had to pay for electricity, I ended up with a 500$ bill for 2 months of electric.
My average bill was about 300$/month that year (then I moved to another All Incuded apartment).
Indeed, If I moved from here (rent went up and electric is hardly ever included anymore), I wouldn't be able to afford to live in Toronto anymore or basically anywhere else in Southern Ontario.
My average bill was about 300$/month that year (then I moved to another All Incuded apartment).
Indeed, If I moved from here (rent went up and electric is hardly ever included anymore), I wouldn't be able to afford to live in Toronto anymore or basically anywhere else in Southern Ontario.
Holy bejesus!
That's insane!
My monthly costs here in Philly are way lower.
Granted, others here pay much more likely due to being sloppy and mindless about things.
Just to make you jealous...😉
Landline phone including Verizon Fios internet = $40
Electric = $45 to $75<-(summertime AC use)
Gas = $25 to $130<-(winter heating)
Water = $35
No mortgage, home is paid off.
Right now, I am paying 1248$ for rent. This includes water, heat, electric, underground parking, and the other building amenities like fitness centre, pool, tennis court, propane barbeques (free propane). They will want 120$ extra for using an air conditioner for the summer, too.
Then there's Bell. The total was 607$ last month, but I anticipate it'll be 29$ higher now since I upgraded the internet speed.
Canada is known for expensive utilities though.
That 300$/month for electric covered two window shakers in the summer, a block heater in the winter, two computers on 24/7, lots of halogen lights, and lots of cooking in the oven.
Then there's Bell. The total was 607$ last month, but I anticipate it'll be 29$ higher now since I upgraded the internet speed.
Canada is known for expensive utilities though.
That 300$/month for electric covered two window shakers in the summer, a block heater in the winter, two computers on 24/7, lots of halogen lights, and lots of cooking in the oven.
