SIGforum
Yeah, that's right, I am Mr. Fix It.

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/9500030924

August 16, 2017, 10:03 PM
P-220
Yeah, that's right, I am Mr. Fix It.
Ok, those of you who know me, know that second only to my Step-Dad, I am the least mechanically inclined person on planet Earth. There is no disrespect to my Step-Dad, he will freely admit such. although not related by blood, we share the inability to fix shit.

Our approx. 20 yr. old Maytag Atlantis clothes dryer was making a noise. Sure enough, one of the three baffles had worked itself loose.

Ok, this is probably going to be a $100-$150 service trip for the Appliance Repairman.

I know, I forgot to post a plea to Appliance Brad.

Today, I decided to look to see if there was a YouTube video for this repair.

Sure enough, there was a video and I was feeling quite capable.

Remove six screws, lift the top, tighten the baffle, reinstall the six screws and you are done!!!

So easy, even Steve can do it.

Thank you You Tube.

Ok, what's next?


Niech Zyje P-220

Steve
August 16, 2017, 10:37 PM
XLT
I think your ready to overall an engine. Wink
August 16, 2017, 10:38 PM
sigmonkey
Well, there is this little trouble between the Jews and the Arabs in the middle east, if you have a few minutes...




"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
August 16, 2017, 10:59 PM
Balzé Halzé
The secret to fixing stuff really only comes down to one thing...

...Having the courage to really attempt to fix it in the first place. Many times you'll find that you're much more capable than you realized. It's the fear of really tearing something apart and not knowing if you'll be able to put it back right again that holds a lot of people back.


~Alan

Acta Non Verba
NRA Life Member (Patron)
God, Family, Guns, Country

Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan

August 17, 2017, 01:32 AM
furlough
Exactly.

This is how I started building my own computers years ago. It was before YouTube, but there were guides to be found in magazines. I sucked it up, bought a bunch of parts and made it work. Now I could not imagine buying a pre-built PC.




This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears above ground he is a protector.
Plato
August 17, 2017, 01:53 AM
dsiets
quote:
Originally posted by P-220:
Ok, what's next?


Probably a toilet or faucet. I wade in carefully, take my time, and usually come out ok.
If a hammer can't fix it, it's an electrical problem and I run.
August 17, 2017, 04:13 AM
L90814
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Well, there is this little trouble between the Jews and the Arabs in the middle east, if you have a few minutes...


I guess the caveat is the problem must be reasonably repairable....
August 17, 2017, 05:40 AM
HayesGreener
Dang! Can you make fire, too? Wink


CMSGT USAF (Retired)
Chief of Police (Retired)
August 17, 2017, 06:59 AM
gjgalligan
quote:
Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
The secret to fixing stuff really only comes down to one thing...

...Having the courage to really attempt to fix it in the first place. Many times you'll find that you're much more capable than you realized. It's the fear of really tearing something apart and not knowing if you'll be able to put it back right again that holds a lot of people back.


It is also the reality for many.


Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking.
August 17, 2017, 07:31 AM
Muddflap
I've started taking pictures as I go. The phone's always handy, and works great.

Two hours, or two days, later when you're putting the gizmo back together, and you can't rember if the blue wire was on the top or bottom, look at the picture. It's almost as good as having a manual.
August 17, 2017, 07:43 AM
220-9er
Complex mechanical tasks are usually just a series of simple mechanical tasks, done in the correct order.
With the resources available on the internet, there is no reason most people can't do basic repairs around the house.


___________________________
Avoid buying ChiCom/CCP products whenever possible.
August 17, 2017, 08:30 AM
JohnV
Great job man! I know the feeling all too well. I'm not very mechanically inclined either. Sure wish I was. It also didn't help that my dad is a banker so he didn't know how to fix anything either. Haha. I also heavily rely on YouTube University to fix issues I come upon. Recently, Appliance Brad helped me with some part of my refrigerator that broke and I had to replace. I was nervous! But it turned out easier than I had imagined and as a result, saved me a service call.





Posted from my iPhone.
August 17, 2017, 08:37 AM
Jimbo54
It's not the disassembly that is the challenge, it's the reassembly that messes me up. The taking pics is good idea.

Jim


________________________

"If you can't be a good example, then you'll have to be a horrible warning" -Catherine Aird
August 17, 2017, 09:11 AM
David Lee
Back in 1982, I thought it a good idea to rebuild the 4 barrel off my beautiful Chrysler New Yorker. I got a kit and a spot it my Uncles' shed to work. Part way in, I cracked the plastic main body of the darn thing.. Eek

Thank the Lord a Holly 650 dual feed was affordable back then. Adaptor plate and tri flo air cleaner aboard, she sounded like a Police interceptor. Never do that again.
August 17, 2017, 12:06 PM
Chris42
As a kid I had Tonka trucks, Lincoln logs, erector sets and tinker toys. Then there were broken clocks, lawn mowers and appliances. Take them apart, break them, fix them, throw them away and start again.

I have become a shop teacher. Can do woodwork, metalwork, electricals, plumbing, engine repairs. Live in a home my wife and I built. Pretty good workshop in the basement.

It is simple to state that early life influences later life.

Then again, it is almost never too late to start. Find a mentor.

What I wonder about is what these kids today are going to do for employment in 10-15 years. The kids physically engrossed with their video games.
August 17, 2017, 12:39 PM
darthfuster
quote:
Originally posted by P-220:
Ok, those of you who know me, know that second only to my Step-Dad, I am the least mechanically inclined person on planet Earth. There is no disrespect to my Step-Dad, he will freely admit such. although not related by blood, we share the inability to fix shit.

Our approx. 20 yr. old Maytag Atlantis clothes dryer was making a noise. Sure enough, one of the three baffles had worked itself loose.

Ok, this is probably going to be a $100-$150 service trip for the Appliance Repairman.

I know, I forgot to post a plea to Appliance Brad.

Today, I decided to look to see if there was a YouTube video for this repair.

Sure enough, there was a video and I was feeling quite capable.

Remove six screws, lift the top, tighten the baffle, reinstall the six screws and you are done!!!

So easy, even Steve can do it.

Thank you You Tube.

Ok, what's next?


With Vise Grips, duct tape and some gauze pads, a guy can fix almost anything... Big Grin



You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier
August 17, 2017, 04:43 PM
Aquabird
That is how it STARTS.


NRA Life Endowment member
Tri-State Gun collectors Life Member
August 17, 2017, 06:57 PM
PCWyoming
Not a auto mechanic but I have shown the children how to check oil, engine coolant, and brake fluid levels.
Daughter was getting ready to drive ½ way across state. She was checking the oil level in her car and her 3 year old comes out and says "We need Grandpa".
Made my day.

PC
August 17, 2017, 07:09 PM
Icabod
quote:
Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:
The secret to fixing stuff really only comes down to one thing...

...Having the courage to really attempt to fix it in the first place. Many times you'll find that you're much more capable than you realized. It's the fear of really tearing something apart and not knowing if you'll be able to put it back right again that holds a lot of people back.


This + 1



“ The work of destruction is quick, easy and exhilarating; the work of creation is slow, laborious and dull.
August 17, 2017, 07:28 PM
Rightwire
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Well, there is this little trouble between the Jews and the Arabs in the middle east, if you have a few minutes...


When you're done with that there is this really messed up place called California that needs fixing




Pronoun: His Royal Highness and benevolent Majesty of all he surveys

343 - Never Forget

Its better to be Pavlov's dog than Schrodinger's cat

There are three types of mistakes; Those you learn from, those you suffer from, and those you don't survive.