seasprite Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Just got done replacing the heating element on our dryer because after 20 years it had enough and burned out. Witch got me thinking, I wounder how many people still work on there own household appliances and what ever else needs repair. So how many of you work on your own stuff or hire out to have it done? I try to do everything my self I know some things I,ll have to hire out because of laws and license to be able to buy the parts but if I can I will take a stab at it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue109 Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 When something breaks I usually use some google fu to see if its something I can handle. Tier 2 is to call in the father in law who can fix anythin...or has a buddy who can. I bought all new appliances with my house and got the super extended warrantee deals. I should be good for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 I fix most of my own stuff. But I refuse to mow my own lawn, and there isn't a chance in hell of me changing my own oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatshooter Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 I fix my own stuff. I figure, why should I pay someone else to have that kind of fun? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Pretty much do everything myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Ido it all.Except chage the oil.I used do all car stuff,not anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seasprite Posted June 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I fix most of my own stuff. But I refuse to mow my own lawn, and there isn't a chance in hell of me changing my own oil. Ido it all.Except chage the oil.I used do all car stuff,not anymore. I still change the oil but I do know underneath work is getting harder to do. Knees seem to be the limiting factor right now. Working up top isn't bad yet but starting to lean towards unforgiven in the not anymore stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seasprite Posted June 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I fix my own stuff. I figure, why should I pay someone else to have that kind of fun? I have to agree there is something about fixing something thats broke and getting the since of accomplishment and a job well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 with the oil change, its just that it only ends up saving me a dollar or two by the time I have to drive somewhere to get rid of the old oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 ^^^^^^^ that turned out to be the kicker,getting rid of the oil.Working on my knees sucks.Getting down is easy it's the getting up that blows.That what happens when you get to be an old dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texas30cal Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 I have been living in my house since 94 and the only things I have hired out were the roof and the well pump. My late 1960's era maytags are super easy to work on. The only things I don't do automotive are rebuilding automatic transmissions, and anything on these new vehicles that involves removing the entire dashboard, I would rather take a ass kicking than spend that much time standing on my head swearing at a car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 I am a fixer or know someone who is I figure all the money you save just gets more gun parts it is good motivation.... :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planeflyer21 Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 I have a basic formula for determining if I'm a fixer or not. (my wages x time for task completion / available cash) = Y worthwhile effort (professional's wages x cost of smashed replacement parts/my wasted time) Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 Some things I attempt. I usually spend twice as much and take three times longer than hiring someone or just buying something new to replace. While I enjoy the lessons I learn....I really can't afford to keep effing things up. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripledeuce Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 I do a cost/benefit analysis. Most of the time, I just replace the dam thing. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgecrusher Posted June 26, 2013 Report Share Posted June 26, 2013 I'm usually all in for DIY stuff, unless its cheaper for me to hire and learn, aka not wrecking a bunch of expensive stuff figuring it out, or scaring the neighbors with aggressive language more suitable for a drunken boxing match Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 I get the occasional honey do but its gonna be on my time my physical day job keeps me from doing the home work. <thumbsup> no more oil for me either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 I usually fix my own stuff. It all started with me being such a picky bastard that the only way stuff got done to my satisfaction was to do it myself. Now that I'm older it isn't so much that I'm picky, now it's more me being a cheap bastard! I have quit doing my own oil changes though. I don't get up off the ground very easily these days and trying to dispose of the old oil is a pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted June 27, 2013 Report Share Posted June 27, 2013 Hard to bother changing your own oil with as cheap and easy as they have made it. Though, you still have to deal with morons not replacing washers...not adding the right amount of oil(my diesel takes more like 15 than the 12 it said in their book...I guess it's too hard to check when you're done), and other bonehead moves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONTANA308 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Ya I fix anything simply automotive oil changes for sure except on my new power stroke voids warranty if a shop doesn't do it. Home stuff I'll google or you tube and see if any info out there then will decide. As far as home remodeling I hire that shiv done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seasprite Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 I usually fix my own stuff. It all started with me being such a picky bastard that the only way stuff got done to my satisfaction was to do it myself. Now that I'm older it isn't so much that I'm picky, now it's more me being a cheap bastard! I have quit doing my own oil changes though. I don't get up off the ground very easily these days and trying to dispose of the old oil is a pain. I'm the same way and it started when I took the Mrs. car in to get fixed and they never got it right finally got a refund and went and bought a repair manual and haven't looked back since, although there might of been a few choice words along the way. After all these the thing that sucks the worse is my knees, giving me fits when I have to do something so in another 10-15 years I might not be able to do the same work that I normal do now and thats going to suck to have to pay somebody to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKSHEEP Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 I try to repair most everything, I don't mess with major home A/C or major auto repairs. I had a rat invade my wife's car last year,that bastard chewed wires everywhere then went up the air intake and made a nest from the air filter. From there he found his way into the a/c ducts and made that his latrine. Tearing out the dash was more than I wanted to deal with so I took it to the dealer and they relieved me of $800.00 One of my biggest pet peeves is the automatic lid locks on washing machines, all my life I have bypassed those fukers. I'm a grown man and if I want to open the lid while it's washing by god that's what I'm going to do! NOT ANY MORE! I was pissed off with my fairly new (cheap) washing machine late one night so I yanked the lid open& broke the switch thinking that I'll just bypass it real quick (wrong) but some ahole rocket scientist designed a new magnetic switch that can't be bypassed. There's a special place in hell for that bastard >:D >:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planeflyer21 Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Magnets bypass magnetic switches. We used to bypass them (out of sheer necessity) on various CNC machines. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Or just remove the switch and use old fashioned wire nuts (or butt-splice) in it's place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted June 30, 2013 Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 I fix every thing or rebuild it . Because when I'm done , I know it was done right . Except stupid , I can't for the life of me , fix that ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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