Fix or Toss

[ruf-porsche]

Do you fix things around the house or do you toss them and buy new?

I'll start, fixed the microwave by replacing the magnetron. Repaired the clothes dryer, replaced a bad circuit breaker, and try to fix any problems with the BMW or Porsche or Lotus(s).

Repair two laptops that I got for under $40, and repaired digital cameras that I gave to the neighbor kids as Christmas gifts an assortment of Ipods that I also gave to neighbor kids as Xmas presents.

[equality72521]

I try to fix first. If I can't fix it I replace it. Sony DVD player, new power supply= $28

[crustychief]

I replaced a 28 cent switch in the ceiling fan yesterday. Last week I repaired the electrolux cord winder for free avoiding the 125 dollars for a new one the shop quoted Mrs. Crusty. Helped one of the sons get his priorities straight.... oh, can't toss him yet so I guess I HAVE to fix him for now.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Generally I try to fix. As a general rule, I try to not buy "throw-away" crap and instead go for stuff that will last and/or otherwise not require throwing away in short order. In other words, I consider life cycle costs and tend to gravitate towards the "better" stuff.

I've had good luck fixing/repairing a lot of things but I occasionally get a stumper - case in point I have a bread maker that snapped a drive belt several years ago and I've been trying that long to source a replacement one! But I'm weird like that. I can't justify tossing it and buying a new one for $100 when I know that someone out there has a perfectly good replacement belt that will cost me about $1.00.

[Dueller]

I tend to fix and repair...last week a two different lamp switches, a compound miter saw power switch, before that replaced thermostat in clothes drier and power cord on washer, etc.

Now if I can just figure out why I'm not getting fire to BMW 525 fuel pump, I'd be a happy camper

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I think it works like this:

Pre-1995 Porsche 911 = "fix" type
Post-1995 Porsche 911 = "replace" type.

That goes for the cars too.

[crustychief]

@ Dueller, impact switch?

[jyl]

I used to fix myself more, but now so busy that willing to pay to have someone fix. For instance, icemaker on fridge is kaput and will be having someone come fix it. I've gone through the troubleshooting stuff online and can't figure it what is wrong, figure 4 hours puzzling over it was enough.

I try not to toss, but struggling to balance against packrat tendencies that has the house littered w/ clothes we no longer wear, tupperware that has lost its lids, old magazines and books, peripherals for long-dead computers, outgrown kids toys, etc. One of these days I'm going to rent a mini-dumpster and bulldoze a big pile of crap into it.

[legion]

I weigh my experience and knowledge against the cost of paying someone else to fix or buying a new one. Remember, I did have my 944S catch fire after doing some fuel system work. There's a lot of stuff I don't know how to do, the cost of failure is too high, or my wife won't let me attempt.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by Dueller

I tend to fix and repair...last week a two different lamp switches, a compound miter saw power switch, before that replaced thermostat in clothes drier and power cord on washer, etc.

Now if I can just figure out why I'm not getting fire to BMW 525 fuel pump, I'd be a happy camper

Imobiliser relay? Did someone push the code on the OBC? What year is your 525IT? I have the Bentley manual and can check why the fuel pump is not getting any current.

[Z-man]

I generally fix things instead of replacing them. Some examples:

- Garage door - replaced belt drives, springs, rollers many times
- Snow blower - repaired chain, belts, drive mechanisms...etc.
- Gutted many a toilet.
- Fixed many leaky faucets
- Repaired many cabinet faces/handles in our old (soon to be redone) kitchen.

FWIW, I kept my 27" RCA TV for the past 20 years. About 15 years ago, the tuner on it went, so since then, I've been using my VCR's tuner! (Finally got an LCD TV this month!! Whoo Hoo!)

-Z-man.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally Posted by jyl

I used to fix myself more, but now so busy that willing to pay to have someone fix. For instance, icemaker on fridge is kaput and will be having someone come fix it. I've gone through the troubleshooting stuff online and can't figure it what is wrong, figure 4 hours puzzling over it was enough.

I try not to toss, but struggling to balance against packrat tendencies that has the house littered w/ clothes we no longer wear, tupperware that has lost its lids, old magazines and books, peripherals for long-dead computers, outgrown kids toys, etc. One of these days I'm going to rent a mini-dumpster and bulldoze a big pile of crap into it.

Had the same problem with our Sub Zero Refrig. Turn out Mrs. Ruf turn off the ice making feature. This is after I brought a new valve and a new ice maker. Oh well I'm keeping it as a spare.

[legion]

Originally Posted by Z-man

I generally fix things instead of replacing them. Some examples:

- Garage door - replaced belt drives, springs, rollers many times

I replaced my garage door opener when it broke two years ago. The sprocket was stripped was no longer reliably turning the chain. I decided to replace it because it was winter and sourcing a new sprocket would take longer than my wife would tolerate, and it would make it easy to steal anything from my garage.

Now the garage door itself...The previous owners did not believe in maintenance. I've replaces most of the hinges and the pullies (I have side springs). I tightend down most of the bolts, adjusted the track, ground down spots where bolt ends protruded into the track, added extra bracing to the track (it used to sway back and forth), and retensioned the springs (something you can safely do yourself on a side-spring door).

[Tim Hancock]

I attempt to fix everything and usually succeed if it is mechanical in nature, sometimes I fail if involves circuit boards however. I will spend hours whittling a part out of scrap steel or aluminum on a milling machine to replace a 2 cent plastic part that broke on a $10.00 toy of my nephews. Yeah, I know it does not make sense, but I enjoy the challenge of making old stuff work like new again (unless it is an Audi which I will never own again ).

I have a bunch of cars that were old and high mileage when I bought them. All are good drivers, most have been re-painted at least once by me. For at least the past 15 years, I have not paid anyone to do any kind of service or repair on any of my cars except for changing tires, balancing wheels and turning rotors on occasion. One of these days I will pick up a tire mounting machine and a balancer so that I may be forever free from having to pay numbnuts to screw up my perfectly restored wheels.

[Heel n Toe]

I try to fix stuff when I can. I don't do appliances, though... also haven't replaced a water pump in a long, long time, either... getting lazy about some things, I guess. Still do all our oil changes.

Minor stuff like a cracked radio knob or split heat/A/C knobs on Miz HnT's Camry gets the JB Weld treatment... the Scot part of my ancestry just won't let me pay $10-20 for a 25-cent piece of black plastic.

[JMPRO]

I really hate to pay people to fix something I know I can do myself. Most of the time I have done that work or service and know how long and what it takes to fix it so I am really mad when I see the labor bill. I am more mad lately as I am {in my old age} getting too lazy to fix everything myself. My justfication is that I worked for 45 years so I could afford to pay someone else to fix it. I did my time, let them do theirs.

[stomachmonkey]

Fix it if I can.

Unfamiliar things I will usually make the call based on how easy/difficult the initial dismantle is.

[911boost]

I fix.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I attempt to fix. If that doesn't work I ask advice from this board on how to fix. If that doesn't work I toss.

I don't toss much. I usually repair, decide I wasn't thrilled with the appliance in the first place, buy a new one and give the repaired item away or sell it on craigslist. Sure I spend more that way but what else is there to do? I enjoy repairing things and also enjoy new toys.

[Laneco]

Fix. I had the same hair blow-dryer for 27 years. It was on it's 3rd or 4th power cord when it decided to randomly start electrocuting me through the case... tossed it then.

My husband, Steve, can fix pretty nearly anything. Good thing too with this economy!

angela