tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post6440648982950627336..comments2024-03-25T15:17:04.488-07:00Comments on Captain Capitalism: Repair, Never ReplaceCaptain Capitalismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620212946121617985noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-32888820938503269082013-04-12T09:20:34.473-07:002013-04-12T09:20:34.473-07:00Followed your advice. Printer broke last Sunday. P...Followed your advice. Printer broke last Sunday. Printer head died. New printer head 100$, new printer 150$.<br />Bought another broken printer on E-bay for 4$, 20$ for fuel and 3 hours driving to pick up the printer from some guy in sheep-shagger village. <br />2 minutes to change printer heads and everything works just fine.<br />As a bonus set of almost full original ink cartridges worth about 45$<br />And feeling of manliness and accomplishment - priceless ;)Sithicushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05304571339570235666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-70284734069198205612013-04-08T05:49:58.032-07:002013-04-08T05:49:58.032-07:00Dude, what the Hell are you doing to your XBoxes t...Dude, what the Hell are you doing to your XBoxes to break so many?<br /><br />Ive owned one since release day and use it pretty much daily (watching videos as well as playing games) and Im only on XBox number 2. And a large part of getting number 2 (other than the red ring of death on no 1) was to get a new controller, bigger hard drive and HDMi on the newer model.<br /><br />But, apart from that.. Yes valid point about learning how to fix things.Apollonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-19393728201039270772013-04-06T14:23:47.882-07:002013-04-06T14:23:47.882-07:00Youtube is da best when it comes to building and m...Youtube is da best when it comes to building and modifying AR's and 1911's.<br />They're much easier to work on than cars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-43021971080207903632013-04-04T11:46:49.066-07:002013-04-04T11:46:49.066-07:00i grew up with a father who was and still is a DIY...i grew up with a father who was and still is a DIY. he taught me and my brothers how to lay cement, put up sheet rock, lay wood flooring, change the oil, change a flat tire, change headlights and signal lights as well as changing a cars cooling fan. Even some plumbing and electrical work. And now i work and fix computers as a trade. <br /><br />It always surprises me on how people will not take the time to learn how things work. most would take it to someone like me and pay through the nose. I cannot tell you how many times people sell their desktops or laptops for nothing because they think it does not work. Most of these i get for free and most of the time i'm able to figure out the problem and bring it back to life. At times reselling them again on the internet.<br /><br />You Tube is the best thing since the internet started. I cannot tell you how many times i ran into a problem with a computer i could not figure out. You tube will show you how to fix it step by step. I also Google the problem and hit the computer forums and read. If its a problem i can guarantee you someone already published a solution on Google.<br /><br />Learn to properly use tools! Use your brain for something other than filling it up with bullshit. The way the economy is going you gotta learn how to make things last longer. If you can do this then you are already way ahead of the game. Blinding Buddhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04436378165335234294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-27032042636655374512013-04-03T20:23:23.189-07:002013-04-03T20:23:23.189-07:00Funny you should bring this up - I recently had a ...Funny you should bring this up - I recently had a failure on a piece of equipment I love: specifically, one of the heads on my Grand National cracked from the exhaust valve of the number 3 cylinder. Theoretically, I could learn to repair this by attempting to weld the seam. However, after spending hours tearing the engine down to the block, I think I'll just order pocket ported heads and some new go-fast bits . . . When you work 70 hours a week, there are limits to the things you can do on your own . . .Maxhttp://www.fuckinginappropriate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-7564663766353235412013-04-03T13:37:54.934-07:002013-04-03T13:37:54.934-07:00Not knowing the difference between RAM and DRAM wo...Not knowing the difference between RAM and DRAM won't break your computer. Indeed, as long as reasonable care (along the lines of "don't drop things") is taken, and you take care to ground yourself against static buildup before handling the guts (if you live in a place with humidity so low that this is a problem), the worst plausible outcome of trying to fix it yourself is that it fails to get any better than it already was. Likewise changing oil.<br /><br />I mean, you can break stuff through malice, or outright stupidity...but most goods are pretty resilient against plain old garden variety "I haven't learned this yet" ignorance.lelnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600824544185328505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-1668395701872563472013-04-02T20:59:06.486-07:002013-04-02T20:59:06.486-07:00Alas, in my older age I've had to be a bit mor...Alas, in my older age I've had to be a bit more selective in the manly arts of do-it-yourself.<br /><br />I no longer can do roofing and have quit doing heavy construction work that requires a lot of strength and stamina due to congestive heart disease.<br /><br />Unfortunately, as time goes on, I'm doing less and less DIY and relying on contractors. Sigh.<br /><br />BTW - It's not just fixing stuff, when my kids were in 4-H, I think I learned more about raising animals (pigs, chickens and rabbits) than the kids did. When the world as we know it collapses, I think a small flock of chickens and a few pigs might be a good thing to raise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-13255098102949006202013-04-02T20:52:54.387-07:002013-04-02T20:52:54.387-07:00Whenever I need something, the first thought that ...Whenever I need something, the first thought that crosses my mind is: "I wonder if I could build that myself." I have done it many times, from home repair, to auto repair, to computer repair, to just building shit I need. I only call a repairman as a LAST resort.<br /><br />I bought my sons full tool sets for their 18th birthdays, and insisted they learn how to fix a toilet, hang drywall, change the oil in their car, etc. I'm just a good dad that way.<br /><br />Joke:<br /><br />A lawyer is having a huge party at his home on a holiday weekend, and his toilet stops up. He calls the plumber to fix it, who advises him that he can come to do the repair, but the price will include a markup for the holiday and the weekend. The plumber arrives, fixes the toilet, and hands the lawyer the bill. The lawyer sees the charge, chokes, and sputters: "I don't charge that much, and I'm a lawyer." The plumber replies: "Yeah, I didn't charge that much when I was a lawyer, either."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-91998160900695993742013-04-02T20:38:43.643-07:002013-04-02T20:38:43.643-07:00Agree and have done it virtually my entire life. ...Agree and have done it virtually my entire life. Every time you do something you learn what not to do, what to do and various ways of doing it, some good, some better.<br /><br />Oddly enough, when my coworkers have troubles with appliances and cars, they come my way - it's almost as if I'm the Al Borland of the department. <br /><br />Before the days of the internet, I used to buy books and still buy some. I have a building construction book which covers everything starting with use of tools, then from preparing a building site to doing drywall, a finish carpentry and cabinet-making book that takes over from there and an electrician's book. <br /><br />I still have a complete set of factory service manuals for a car that I no longer have - that was absolutely wonderful in explaining diagnostics and how things actually works - that applies to more than just that make and model of car.<br /><br />Having friends with complementary skills (and tools) is also very helpful. Renting some of the low use, high cost tools is becoming more popular and available.<br /><br />I think doing it yourself is a big win.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-24718135824201818912013-04-02T20:11:03.173-07:002013-04-02T20:11:03.173-07:00It is highly unlikely you will destroy your engine...It is highly unlikely you will destroy your engine by changing your own oil. The worst thing you can do is cross-thread and strip the drain plug boss in the pan. Guess what? There are kits to rethread the boss to a bigger size and insert a threaded steel liner so you're out of pocket maybe $100 but you will learn how to repair stripped threads. I guarantee you will never strip another thread after this lesson.<br />Always use heavy-duty jackstands or ramps and make sure the parking brake is set and the rear wheels chocked, unless you can bench press a Chevy. Never use a power tool to install anything!!<br /><br />The best thing you can do for a young boy is buy him an old dirt bike that doesn't run, tools and a manual. Stand back and offer advice only if he's totally stuck. Extra points if you sabotage the ignition system so he has to learn basic electronics as well. He will learn to read and comprehend technical manuals and troubleshoot systems which are valuable skills. Second he will learn that work earns rewards.<br /><br />Biggest tip for the do it yourself mechanic. Always bring cash to the junkyard. The last BMW alternator I bought was offered to me for $75 cash, no receipt or $100 + sales tax and a receipt if I paid by debit card, my choice. <br /><br />Al_in_OttawaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-50360106566208180822013-04-02T19:02:43.713-07:002013-04-02T19:02:43.713-07:00I've had the same pair of shoes for the last 2...I've had the same pair of shoes for the last 20 years. Allen Edmonds. Cost a lot of money, but when they wear out the company will rebuild them. It's not free, but it's a lot cheaper than a new good pair of shoes. Theoretically you could only buy one pair of shoes and wear them your entire life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16046202647270439670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-34087399643169359882013-04-02T16:21:28.527-07:002013-04-02T16:21:28.527-07:00I was always taught the phrase:
"Worst thing...I was always taught the phrase:<br /><br />"Worst thing you can do is break it worse."<br /><br />Many times I had a broken item that was scrap, and when I was finished with it, it was still scrap.<br /><br />But I learned a lot in the process.<br /><br />And the attempt cost me nothing but time.<br /><br />Of course, sith some things you can kill yourself, so a little bit of knowledge is a good thing, but as you say, YouTube. Forums too, can help. B https://www.blogger.com/profile/10586046436233366155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-34150202450210160232013-04-02T16:21:19.396-07:002013-04-02T16:21:19.396-07:00I was always taught the phrase:
"Worst thing...I was always taught the phrase:<br /><br />"Worst thing you can do is break it worse."<br /><br />Many times I had a broken item that was scrap, and when I was finished with it, it was still scrap.<br /><br />But I learned a lot in the process.<br /><br />And the attempt cost me nothing but time.<br /><br />Of course, sith some things you can kill yourself, so a little bit of knowledge is a good thing, but as you say, YouTube. Forums too, can help. B https://www.blogger.com/profile/10586046436233366155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-70618018964337681982013-04-02T15:22:39.083-07:002013-04-02T15:22:39.083-07:00My attitude has always been, what exactly do you h...My attitude has always been, what exactly do you have to lose repairing something yourself. stuff is already broke, what you gonna do, make it broker?aerodawgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-74093064724883492462013-04-02T14:56:07.765-07:002013-04-02T14:56:07.765-07:00Bought my 14-year-old son an $8 original Nintendo ...Bought my 14-year-old son an $8 original Nintendo the other day. He followed the youtube videos to open it up and clean it up and get it working.<br /><br />He sold it for $60 and we split the profits, since it was his second original Nintendo.<br /><br />Lessons in repair and economics there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-92233653414183968332013-04-02T13:02:32.595-07:002013-04-02T13:02:32.595-07:00My dad would always say "you can't hurt s...My dad would always say "you can't hurt sh*t", meaning "it is already broken, so what do you have to lose".<br /><br />And YouTube is EXCELLENT for showing one how to do stuff.Scotty Terrornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-14986227229681741472013-04-02T12:30:48.349-07:002013-04-02T12:30:48.349-07:00In regard to fixing xbox-es, my brother did that s...In regard to fixing xbox-es, my brother did that solder and heatsink thing. It bought it a few more weeks and died again. In the end, we just bought a new one. The big difference is we're only on the second one. Also the first one we got it free (Bing once did a point promotion system and if we got enough, you can spend it on things like an Xbox), but that's beside the point.<br /><br />The ability to fix your own stuff is a useful skill. I rely on Youtube quite a number of times to look up stuff to build and/or fix things. Written instructions just don't cut it. <br /><br />That said, my view that the important thing is knowing how to do it. There are moments that spending the money is better. A few months ago, my car needed an oil change. Being a novice, it would take me forever and I was on a time crunch. Then there's the fact its friggin 10 degrees and windy outside. I threw my hands and went to Valvoline and was out in 10 minutes. <br /><br />I don't regret it.Dreamernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-85288360562538270972013-04-02T10:34:54.129-07:002013-04-02T10:34:54.129-07:00Have you considered playing older consoles in emul...Have you considered playing older consoles in emulators?FSKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11903396202330950362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-8612350364818498062013-04-02T10:30:12.338-07:002013-04-02T10:30:12.338-07:00Along the same lines, be willing to pay extra for ...Along the same lines, be willing to pay extra for a well made product. $10 boots will have to be patched and repaired almost upon purchase. $100 boots (where the extra money goes into the quality of the product, rather than a brand name) can last years with minimal care.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-31942033365479926232013-04-02T10:26:40.302-07:002013-04-02T10:26:40.302-07:00This is something I've been thinking about jus...This is something I've been thinking about just the past few days. As you point out the tax system and poor economy each create incentives to do less than pure specialization. Add to this the wealth of information easily available on the internet and you have a very disruptive force. You mention Youtube, but the other excellent source for anything you want to learn is forums. Whatever you want to learn, there is a whole community of people who figured it all out and are willing to walk you through it if you are halfway serious. <br /><br />On repairing PCs, my advice would be to try building your next PC (using forums and youtube to learn). You can't beat bargain basement pre built PCs for cost, especially if you want Windows. However, when you build your own you can pick and choose not just the specs but the sources/warranties of the components. Most PCs have a 1 year warranty, but most ram you purchase has a lifetime warranty and most CPUs have a 3 year warranty. Plus if it breaks you already know what is inside so it isn't a mystery to troubleshoot.Dalrockhttp://dalrock.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-23887067929188236772013-04-02T08:39:31.441-07:002013-04-02T08:39:31.441-07:00Absolutely. YouTube and search engines are great t...Absolutely. YouTube and search engines are great time savers and great ways to, if not learn new stuff, at least how to get something done.<br /><br />Now, here's what we all should do. Pick something you're good at. Search it out on YouTube. If the videos you find do it better than you did, you just improved a skill. If not, make and post your own video and help others improve their skills.Southern Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13915391021447107219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-1911827971047503922013-04-02T08:04:21.943-07:002013-04-02T08:04:21.943-07:00Excellent!
Right on!
Nailed it!Excellent!<br />Right on!<br />Nailed it!Tim Znoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-66299064626831249522013-04-02T07:32:22.722-07:002013-04-02T07:32:22.722-07:00One caveat - if it involves electricity, natural g...One caveat - if it involves electricity, natural gas, or raw sewage, you might want a professional.<br /><br />There are certainly electrical jobs you can do yourself, but the bigger the job, the bigger the risk.Hot Samhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10848778804406692799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-87641294663658491242013-04-02T07:32:09.052-07:002013-04-02T07:32:09.052-07:00Yes and no Captain,
I am in agreement with you, b...Yes and no Captain,<br /><br />I am in agreement with you, but depending on the task, hiring out may be more cost/time effective.<br /><br />Certain tasks/repairs, can be done much faster & better by experienced people.<br /><br />My rule of thumb is if it's messy and complex and a one-time thing, hire it out, otherwise buy the good (not the cheap or the perfect) tool(s) ) and have at it. Accept the first time you do it it you will probably be much slower and not quite as nice as having a pro do it.<br /><br />Generally the price of the tools will pay for themselves within one or two iterations. <br /><br />I'm laying a wood floor right now,(Staple-nailer and aircompressor - not cheap, but I have several rooms to do in the next 10 years) it's not rocket science, and I'm sure I am about 17x as slow as a pro. Oh well, I'll save no money one the first room.<br /><br />The important thing is to not get in over your head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-77292258570341448362013-04-02T07:21:54.075-07:002013-04-02T07:21:54.075-07:00I've built computers from scratch and repaired...I've built computers from scratch and repaired cars. It's not all that hard. And I've saved a lot of money.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16046202647270439670noreply@blogger.com