Reposting this XKCD#3233 because the bots over here have horribly wrong alt text.
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@OrdRadical @TeeCeeGee @intrepidhero @ai6yr
You've also gained the knowledge of how to fix the vehicle, which is very valuable in itself (and even the aches and pains can be worth it for the sense of achievement)
I do it as much because there's a 5 week waiting list for repairs at the decent repair garages (there's one literally next door to my workplace!) than saving money - and if I lived in a larger country or a house with more space I'd definitely have a full size workshop with ramps/lift (I've already got the book from the Australian chap about how to set up)
@vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr Absolutely! The way I look at it, I could pay someone $1,000, get my vehicle fixed, and that's it. Or, I can spend $1,000, get some shiny new toys, learn how to use them for multiple jobs, lock in future savings, AND get my vehicle fixed.
It's a no-brainer. -
@vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr Absolutely! The way I look at it, I could pay someone $1,000, get my vehicle fixed, and that's it. Or, I can spend $1,000, get some shiny new toys, learn how to use them for multiple jobs, lock in future savings, AND get my vehicle fixed.
It's a no-brainer.@TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr we installed a standing seam metal roof on our new building last year. In the end it was financially a wash with the cheapest quote we got, yet took us about 4 weekends. But in the process we acquired some tools, learned some skills and not only ended up with a really high quality result (no doubt better than the cheap quote) but now we know so much more for next time.
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@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
There are very few corporations controlling a huge number of brands. And other brands that order their wares from OEM makers, not their own factories, meaning you need to know the TOOL, not just the BRAND (HF is one example).
@W6KME
Glad to see Makita which is my tool brand of choice is all by itself.
@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero -
@TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero @ai6yr we installed a standing seam metal roof on our new building last year. In the end it was financially a wash with the cheapest quote we got, yet took us about 4 weekends. But in the process we acquired some tools, learned some skills and not only ended up with a really high quality result (no doubt better than the cheap quote) but now we know so much more for next time.
@matt @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero This is generally the case with construction projects. It was sad to see the quality of workmanship the contractors here doing our flood rebuild were trying to pass off... I was basically foreman and calling them out everyday on what they had done wrong.
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@matt @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero This is generally the case with construction projects. It was sad to see the quality of workmanship the contractors here doing our flood rebuild were trying to pass off... I was basically foreman and calling them out everyday on what they had done wrong.
@ai6yr @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero exactly. Especially when they just want to get done with yours and move onto the next job. In our case we wanted it done right. We used heavier gauge steel than some quotes. Double rolled seams that not all would have done. Backer rod to minimize oil canning. Details matter.
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@ai6yr @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero exactly. Especially when they just want to get done with yours and move onto the next job. In our case we wanted it done right. We used heavier gauge steel than some quotes. Double rolled seams that not all would have done. Backer rod to minimize oil canning. Details matter.
@ai6yr @TeeCeeGee @vfrmedia @OrdRadical @intrepidhero we had to change our well pump last week (our plans changed and we needed a pump with more head). Since we installed the last one, it was an easy job. Took a few hours from start to finish. We had all the tools to pull the old one, remove it, wire and plumb in the new one, drop it down, and shock the well. No contractors. No scheduling. No hassle.
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@W6KME
Glad to see Makita which is my tool brand of choice is all by itself.
@MissConstrue @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero@justin @W6KME @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
I took a metal sculpture class years ago at a community art center, and she recommended we own some power tools so we weren’t waiting to share the shop’s, and for a power drill to run wire brushes and really clean metal before and after welding, she said Makita. That drill has served me for 20 years, three houses and two tornadoes. Damn fine piece of equipment.
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@justin @W6KME @rberger @ai6yr @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero
I took a metal sculpture class years ago at a community art center, and she recommended we own some power tools so we weren’t waiting to share the shop’s, and for a power drill to run wire brushes and really clean metal before and after welding, she said Makita. That drill has served me for 20 years, three houses and two tornadoes. Damn fine piece of equipment.
@MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero I need to take a metal sculpture class....
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@MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @paul_ipv6 @intrepidhero I need to take a metal sculpture class....
@ai6yr @MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @intrepidhero
at one point in my life, i was taking a bunch of jewelry/goldsmithing courses. the surprise pleasure course for me was silver smithing. it had never occurred to me before to try it but it was way fun and satisfying.
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@ai6yr @MissConstrue @justin @W6KME @rberger @intrepidhero
at one point in my life, i was taking a bunch of jewelry/goldsmithing courses. the surprise pleasure course for me was silver smithing. it had never occurred to me before to try it but it was way fun and satisfying.
@paul_ipv6 @ai6yr @justin @W6KME @rberger @intrepidhero
Dallas has an Arts Center that has been around probably as long or longer than I’ve been alive. There is this astonishing crew of world class artists that teach classes in everything from photography to jewelry to glass blowing and metal sculpture. It’s always different classes, depending on who is free for six weeks to teach. The metal lab is amazing. Classes run from free for workshops to half a grand for stuff that requires a lot of in place equipment, like metal sculpture and glass work. I think I paid $300ish for six weeks of welding classes, which is a steal, considering all the oxygen/acet tanks I used. It’s a couple hours away now, but I’m gonna see if they have a pottery class anytime soon. I don’t know how to do that.
My friends in Denver and Boston report similar Centers, so maybe there’s one in a big city near you?
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@intrepidhero @ai6yr I have never opened a tool chest and found myself regretting having the tools inside. I don't think any tool I have ever bought proved to be a waste of money.
I can't do it today, but this weekend, I will dig into my "I have these but don't use them, children can borrow them" tool box, because I have a tool which none of us, including the airplane mechanic across the street, and the small block mechanic attached to my daughter, can figure out the purpose of.
I don't know when I bought it, or why. It may be an antique? I'm beginning to think it was formed by the particles of missing socks...if energy cannot be created or destroyed, then those socks turned into something, and it may be this tool. I'll try to get you a picture, so you too can be mystified.
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I can't do it today, but this weekend, I will dig into my "I have these but don't use them, children can borrow them" tool box, because I have a tool which none of us, including the airplane mechanic across the street, and the small block mechanic attached to my daughter, can figure out the purpose of.
I don't know when I bought it, or why. It may be an antique? I'm beginning to think it was formed by the particles of missing socks...if energy cannot be created or destroyed, then those socks turned into something, and it may be this tool. I'll try to get you a picture, so you too can be mystified.
@MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr Hoping to see a picture...this is one of my favorite passtimes, identifying antique tools.
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@MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr Hoping to see a picture...this is one of my favorite passtimes, identifying antique tools.
@W6KME @MissConstrue @ai6yr me too! I don't know much but I love learning about them.
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I can't do it today, but this weekend, I will dig into my "I have these but don't use them, children can borrow them" tool box, because I have a tool which none of us, including the airplane mechanic across the street, and the small block mechanic attached to my daughter, can figure out the purpose of.
I don't know when I bought it, or why. It may be an antique? I'm beginning to think it was formed by the particles of missing socks...if energy cannot be created or destroyed, then those socks turned into something, and it may be this tool. I'll try to get you a picture, so you too can be mystified.
@MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
" the small block mechanic attached to my daughter"
What an interesting description. 🥰 -
@MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
" the small block mechanic attached to my daughter"
What an interesting description. 🥰@Dougfir @MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
LOL.
i do admit i am now trying to picture how a large block mechanic and small block mechanic differ in appearance...
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@Dougfir @MissConstrue @W6KME @intrepidhero @ai6yr
LOL.
i do admit i am now trying to picture how a large block mechanic and small block mechanic differ in appearance...
@paul_ipv6 @Dougfir @MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr I look more like a slant six mechanic.
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@paul_ipv6 @Dougfir @MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr I look more like a slant six mechanic.
@W6KME @paul_ipv6 @MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr
My very first effort at doing mechanic stuff was changing the valve cover gasket on a slant six engine. My father in law bought me a ½ inch socket set because I had no tools whatsoever. -
@W6KME @paul_ipv6 @MissConstrue @intrepidhero @ai6yr
My very first effort at doing mechanic stuff was changing the valve cover gasket on a slant six engine. My father in law bought me a ½ inch socket set because I had no tools whatsoever.@Dougfir @W6KME @paul_ipv6 @MissConstrue @intrepidhero I'm afraid to ask about any of these (although I do know Chevy and big block go together). I (much to my youthful regrest) am a "take it to the mechanic" person because I did not have anyone to teach me how to fix engines as a wee lad.
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@Dougfir @W6KME @paul_ipv6 @MissConstrue @intrepidhero I'm afraid to ask about any of these (although I do know Chevy and big block go together). I (much to my youthful regrest) am a "take it to the mechanic" person because I did not have anyone to teach me how to fix engines as a wee lad.
@ai6yr @Dougfir @paul_ipv6 @MissConstrue @intrepidhero All the Detroit companies had two families of V8 engines, colloqially called small block and big or large block. There's no technical meaning. Slant Six was a "small" "economy" engine built by Chrysler Corp, an inline 6 tipped to the side to allow better hood clearance. They made about fifty billion over the decades. They were pigs.
Now you know
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@ai6yr @Dougfir @paul_ipv6 @MissConstrue @intrepidhero All the Detroit companies had two families of V8 engines, colloqially called small block and big or large block. There's no technical meaning. Slant Six was a "small" "economy" engine built by Chrysler Corp, an inline 6 tipped to the side to allow better hood clearance. They made about fifty billion over the decades. They were pigs.
Now you know
@W6KME @ai6yr @Dougfir @MissConstrue @intrepidhero
first car i ever drove regularly was a '73 dodge dart w a slant 6. first car i ever learned anything useful to do in way of repairs was an '85 honda civic. had a friend who was a honda mechanic, so i learned how to change filters, wires, plugs, oil. these days, i'm back to "take to good mechanic" since there's way too much stuff you need special diagnostic gear to be able to do much of anything.
