Since I was a teenager, and because we didn't have a lot of money, I always bought or salvaged broken things, so and therefore, with the experience of years, I repair absolutely everything except humans and animals and I buy less than one new device per year (not even ...)
So I have little or no failure, but it happens and I'm interested in knowing what's going on with you and ESPECIALLY sharing experiences of failure or success.
So I have little or no failure, but it happens and I'm interested in knowing what's going on with you and ESPECIALLY sharing experiences of failure or success.
My son did NOT repair the CD player in a 1990's car he purchased. The player was Alpine made for Porsche. A frequent complaint was capacitor failure, probably due to heat. Turns out that when the player was examined some of the electrolytics fell off the board due to heat stress and failure of the pad. Well, 30 years later should have been expected. Thus not repaired.
A big Denon AV receiver from late '90, former top the line model. Intermittent fault. Dozens of analog inputs and outputs, more than 10 PCBs inside, hundreds of small value THT electrolytic capacitors and 20+ ribbon cables with a extimate combined total of 1000+ electrical contacts. I clearly stated to the owner that even if I may be able to repair it now, it will never be dependable again. The owner then tried to fix it himself with a contact cleaner spray and a wooden stick as last-ditch measure, but only managed to get a slight jolt by touching the +55 and -55 rails at the same time. He brought the amplifier back to me to dispose of. The amplifier is now sitting in the corner, a sad reminder of the danger of overengineering, and a warning not to be tempted by the latest shiny, button-filled objects.
An Apple Magic Mouse II with a dead battery, after I succesfully got it open I found out that there only 3rd party replacement batteries so it's in the bin.
Thanks Apple, for caring so much about the enviroment.
Thanks Apple, for caring so much about the enviroment.
A pair of old Crown reel-to-reel machines.
One dates to 1959(tube model)
The other is a 1968 model.
Both have major issues, worn heads, bad motors, missing parts, etc.
Restoring these old buzzards would run more than $1000 each, and still result in sub-standard performance.
Not worth the trouble in my opinion, just metal for a shredder.
I believe they came from the bi-yearly radio fest in Kutztown Pa.
One dates to 1959(tube model)
The other is a 1968 model.
Both have major issues, worn heads, bad motors, missing parts, etc.
Restoring these old buzzards would run more than $1000 each, and still result in sub-standard performance.
Not worth the trouble in my opinion, just metal for a shredder.
I believe they came from the bi-yearly radio fest in Kutztown Pa.
My neighbor brought them to me to inquire if they could be worth anything.
He sometimes brings me junk since he is not adept at choosing equipment.
Besides, he's already got a Technics RS-1500US and an Otari 5050 that I restored and overhauled for him a few years ago.
20 years are more than most today consumer devices will last, but in reality that kind of all-in-one amplifier had become obsolete and less desirable much earlier, due to digital formats and new AV surround concepts. For the same amount of money, a more modular approach would have lasted longer, be more easily serviceable, and some components would be still in use today. But few stores would have given up on a quick and easy sale of a expensive, high-margin item.
I did not repair my Audiolab 8000C preamp, which stopped working about a year ago. I still have it and still intend to attempt to repair it though...
(My 8000A integrated amp, now some 40 years old, is still in almost perfect working condition, HA.)
(My 8000A integrated amp, now some 40 years old, is still in almost perfect working condition, HA.)
For the same amount of money? Was that true back then? Now it's really not, if you want the most advanced audio and video formats. The AVR with the amps will generally cost the same as the AVP without. In principle the modular approach is the better one, I agree, assuming costs are close.
Massive Engineering failure today! 🙁
My good friend Lorna was yakking today that her bike, which has sat in her garden for a while, needed some work. Tyres were flat. 🙄
I happen to have a bike pump, so offered to help. Alas, I had to change the rear inner tube as the work expanded with difficulty. This involved disconnecting the brakes and considerable oiling work on the rear chain and wheel nuts.
Anyway, I tested my work with a brief run down the street. All absolutely fine.
Off Lorna went. Only to return an hour later sadly pushing the bike. What had gone wrong? The back wheel had slipped sideways.
Courtesy says I can't mention to Lorna that the average UK bike is designed for a maximum of 18 stones or about 120 Kgs. The back wheel nuts had slipped.
Lorna is a hefty woman. Probably exceeds 18 stones. Maybe I should swap bikes with her. I possess a much stronger one myself! I am a mere 12 stone. And does anybody notice if you ride a girl's or men's bike these days?
My good friend Lorna was yakking today that her bike, which has sat in her garden for a while, needed some work. Tyres were flat. 🙄
I happen to have a bike pump, so offered to help. Alas, I had to change the rear inner tube as the work expanded with difficulty. This involved disconnecting the brakes and considerable oiling work on the rear chain and wheel nuts.
Anyway, I tested my work with a brief run down the street. All absolutely fine.
Off Lorna went. Only to return an hour later sadly pushing the bike. What had gone wrong? The back wheel had slipped sideways.
Courtesy says I can't mention to Lorna that the average UK bike is designed for a maximum of 18 stones or about 120 Kgs. The back wheel nuts had slipped.
Lorna is a hefty woman. Probably exceeds 18 stones. Maybe I should swap bikes with her. I possess a much stronger one myself! I am a mere 12 stone. And does anybody notice if you ride a girl's or men's bike these days?
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My ARC Classic 150 has a problem with the tube saver circuit, can't get the parts even from ARC, they even claim not to have the component selection criteria any longer.
We bit the bullet & let some people stay in our rental duplex in the off-season the other day...Of course down here we're in winter & I had to fire up the gas heater...no go, I tried to change out the thermocouple, which is a common failure...the old one wouldn't budge, rounding off the flats...time to call "The guy". He tore the whole unit down & applied flame-heat at the fitting to change out that thermocouple , now it stays lit!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rick...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rick...
So for my part, it is life that has given me a lesson.
Like any good handyman, I have a lot of equipment and I like to have quality equipment.
So I bought myself a last generation Makita brushless 125mm 18v angle grinder which worked for 2 years before it went up in smoke
Rotor and stator burnt even though I never force it, I blow a blow to it regularly, in short, given the price of all the OEM Makita parts (perfectly available and without problem, which is always appreciable) so I I bought a broken down Makita 18v classic angle grinder for €10, I changed the entire brush holder and the brushes for the modest sum of €17 and it works perfectly. Some time later, I found the same one at the recycling center with only the plastic cap of the power button missing...
I have thought for years that our civilization is divided into two branches, those who will continue to consume and throw away without thinking or seek to understand, and those who will (at least) try to understand and repair.
I also have a few "corpses" in the closet, including a Harman Kardon Citation 24 which has resisted me for 20 years and which I go out from time to time to try to repair without success. 🤷♂️
Like any good handyman, I have a lot of equipment and I like to have quality equipment.
So I bought myself a last generation Makita brushless 125mm 18v angle grinder which worked for 2 years before it went up in smoke
Rotor and stator burnt even though I never force it, I blow a blow to it regularly, in short, given the price of all the OEM Makita parts (perfectly available and without problem, which is always appreciable) so I I bought a broken down Makita 18v classic angle grinder for €10, I changed the entire brush holder and the brushes for the modest sum of €17 and it works perfectly. Some time later, I found the same one at the recycling center with only the plastic cap of the power button missing...
I have thought for years that our civilization is divided into two branches, those who will continue to consume and throw away without thinking or seek to understand, and those who will (at least) try to understand and repair.
I also have a few "corpses" in the closet, including a Harman Kardon Citation 24 which has resisted me for 20 years and which I go out from time to time to try to repair without success. 🤷♂️
Designed a model railway DCC controller.
Had to buy in DCC loco with sound to test loco sound functions worked ok.
All worked except F5 to F8.
Couldnt work out why so purchased a Hornby DCC controller and the sound doesnt work with that either.
So have to assume loco has a fault in regards F5 to F8
Had to buy in DCC loco with sound to test loco sound functions worked ok.
All worked except F5 to F8.
Couldnt work out why so purchased a Hornby DCC controller and the sound doesnt work with that either.
So have to assume loco has a fault in regards F5 to F8