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Nileyears 71F
2362 posts
12/3/2019 3:22 pm
Are you a DIY?

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Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/3/2019 3:27 pm

And another one's gone!


MrsJoe 76F
17309 posts
12/3/2019 3:43 pm

At least you knew what to look at and how to check it and will have no difficulty in putting in the parts needed.
When our freezer stopped freezing, it was no longer under warrantee, but I called the dealer because they also service what they sell. The service call wasn't expensive, and neither was the circuit board that needed replaced. The serviceman was a doll, he showed me how to replace it myself so he didn't have to come back and charge us for another service call.
I used to do a lot of my own repairs, but Joe had already given up on that when we got married. I still did what I could, but slowly and surely, I've had to rely on others to do things.


Be a prism, spreading God's light and love, not a mirror reflecting the world's hatred.


Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/3/2019 7:13 pm

    Quoting MrsJoe:
    At least you knew what to look at and how to check it and will have no difficulty in putting in the parts needed.
    When our freezer stopped freezing, it was no longer under warrantee, but I called the dealer because they also service what they sell. The service call wasn't expensive, and neither was the circuit board that needed replaced. The serviceman was a doll, he showed me how to replace it myself so he didn't have to come back and charge us for another service call.
    I used to do a lot of my own repairs, but Joe had already given up on that when we got married. I still did what I could, but slowly and surely, I've had to rely on others to do things.
I was an electronic technician for 15 years before I went into business for myself and got out of it. Not that I didn't like the work, just wanted a change of pace. You don't forget how to do this stuff and how to troubleshoot. You're lucky to have a decent dealer who stands behind what he sells, that's awesome. The men that replaced my water heater were really nice, and they'll back this heater for 6 years. I bought this fridge from my youngest who needed a bigger fridge, she had it for a year, I've had it for 5, so way past it's warranty. I suppose I'll get to that point that one day I will no longer be able to do this kind of stuff, but not yet, maybe a couple more years left in me.... I hope?


Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/3/2019 7:28 pm

    Quoting sparkleflit:
    Sounds like you know how to think logically.....I bet that has served you well your whole life......
I wouldn't say logical, it's more like common sense with a touch of logic. When I think of logical, I think of Mr Spock, or my ex.


LeafReport 73M

12/4/2019 2:11 am

Oh my. I can relate in so many ways. Water heater goes....on a Sunday of course. It was miracle I actually got someone to do the work. He says he'll go to Lowes and pick up one and be there in 2 hours. I thought this is annoying but no point in complaining. It went downhill from there. He opens the garage door and say...Ohhh I didn't know you have an Apollo system. Well it looks like a regular water heater to me. Nope...the kind I needed cost 985 dollars! Then a week later, on Easter Sunday with company for dinner the garbage disposal goes and leaks all under the sink and onto the kitchen floor.


LeafReport 73M

12/4/2019 2:25 am

Yes, I am a DIY person...now. I took up woodworking in retirement and now I build furniture. I've learned a lot and I'm proud of how far I've come. This summer I built a complete bedroom set for my daughter and it came out great. But there is one area I will NOT tackle....car repairs. That has tested my patience too many times and only one what SHOULD be rather minor repairs. NEVER EVER EVER take a door panel off...LOL

I was a computer systems analyst by trade so I'm not afraid to do research and tackle something new. What's the secret? Three things...first, scour Pinterest on a regular basis, take advantage of excellent Youtube videos and/or get free advice from Home Depot. Lastly, practice if you can first and you won't believe how many fantastic new tools are out there.


Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/4/2019 9:10 am

    Quoting LeafReport:
    Oh my. I can relate in so many ways. Water heater goes....on a Sunday of course. It was miracle I actually got someone to do the work. He says he'll go to Lowes and pick up one and be there in 2 hours. I thought this is annoying but no point in complaining. It went downhill from there. He opens the garage door and say...Ohhh I didn't know you have an Apollo system. Well it looks like a regular water heater to me. Nope...the kind I needed cost 985 dollars! Then a week later, on Easter Sunday with company for dinner the garbage disposal goes and leaks all under the sink and onto the kitchen floor.
When those dang water heaters go, they don't care what day it is! Why is that? The repairman didn't ask what you had before he picked up a new one? That was one of the first questions I was asked so they could pick one up on the way here. Water heaters aren't cheap anymore, mine was $800 plus the installation, so over a thousand by the time it was all said and done. Garbage disposals, mine did the same, not during a holiday dinner though, didn't replace it, put a drain pipe in. Haha, we see these things happen in the movies, and they're funny, but not when it happens to us in real life!


Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/4/2019 9:28 am

    Quoting LeafReport:
    Yes, I am a DIY person...now. I took up woodworking in retirement and now I build furniture. I've learned a lot and I'm proud of how far I've come. This summer I built a complete bedroom set for my daughter and it came out great. But there is one area I will NOT tackle....car repairs. That has tested my patience too many times and only one what SHOULD be rather minor repairs. NEVER EVER EVER take a door panel off...LOL

    I was a computer systems analyst by trade so I'm not afraid to do research and tackle something new. What's the secret? Three things...first, scour Pinterest on a regular basis, take advantage of excellent Youtube videos and/or get free advice from Home Depot. Lastly, practice if you can first and you won't believe how many fantastic new tools are out there.
Wow, you build furniture, that's pretty darn awesome! I'm not into creating furniture, but have built chicken coops, lol, does that count? Who likes car repairs? I have done a lot of repairs on my vehicles, but never the heavy stuff, that goes to the mechanics. I have put in alternators, starters, have done my own tuneups, replaced fan belts, wiper blades, etc... see, all small stuff, but pulling out an engine just is not ever going to happen! I've never been into making furniture, thought about it, I'm impressed by those that do, like my old neighbor, beautiful furniture I've seen him create from his own hands... yes, I'm impressed.


Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/4/2019 9:36 am

    Quoting  :

Oh my gosh, Bijou, you have some funny little stories, you should write blogs about them, share with everyone.

So, have you figured it out yet? How the can opener works? I have to know what kind it is so I can see what you are talking about.

I watched a video the other day of a teenage boy who was given a manual can opener and was asked to open several cans. After a minute, or two, he still hadn't figured it out. Too bad we can't share those here, it was really funny.


looklook 84M
3925 posts
12/4/2019 9:55 am

No, I am not a DIY person though I tried to be one all my past life. You can however portray me as a failed DIY person! I am however happy to learn that you have finally found exactly what you were looking for at Amazon. Therefore, I feel like salute your tireless efforts!



Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/4/2019 8:57 pm

    Quoting looklook:
    No, I am not a DIY person though I tried to be one all my past life. You can however portray me as a failed DIY person! I am however happy to learn that you have finally found exactly what you were looking for at Amazon. Therefore, I feel like salute your tireless efforts!


Hi Looklook, how are you doing? Well, I know a lot of people who aren't do it yourselfers, it's not a big deal, those who aren't have other talents we don't. Thank you for the salute! Cheers!!


Nileyears 71F
4206 posts
12/4/2019 9:24 pm

    Quoting sparkleflit:
    Well, what is "common sense" but logic......I was the go-to DIY person every place I've worked.......I remember working at a day-care/out-of-school program and the kids were promised pizza for snack, but the oven stopped working.....Now, I had never repaired an electric oven before, but it seemed logical that opening the oven door and looking inside would be the first step.....The children were very interested and I got a flash-light and we examined it together. We found a break in the element, where it had melted. I found the breaker cabinet, still with the children at my heels and switched off the electric to the oven, then searched the oven for how to remove the element....it was easy....it was made to pull right out.......With the element out of the oven, the children examined it and we talked about how it works........I phoned the repair place and he told me he needed a number and where to find it.....again the children helped and we had soon ordered the right element and had it delivered......The kids didn't get pizza that day, but the next day, I waited for the kids to get there to plug in the element and turn it on.....they all had to hold their hands out to feel the heat......then we made pizza and they said it was the best pizza they ever ate and we saved a bunch of money on a repair-man....We had many fixit adventures after that, fixing broken wagons and toys etc and the kids loved it..........I don't like the term "common sense because it's so vague, but whatever it is, kids gobble it up if given the opportunity.
Hahaha, if you knew my ex, who was very logical, you might understand what I mean, very intelligent when it came to circuitry, but dumb in his daily life. The term common sense can be vague when you throw in several meanings, but I keep it simple by thinking of it as being more of a natural instinct, something not all people are born with.

I think that is wonderful that you got all the children involved in the oven repair, and then to continue with fixing other things, what a great way to get their interest.