POLL: Do you have the ability to fix appliances.?
Question:Or do you throw them away, or get some one else to do it. For example, fridge-freezers, washing machines, toasters, hoovers,micro-waves. Even T.V's, computers,watches,your car, lawn mowers, garden tools etc. Just wondering?.
Answers:
Yes I try to repair everything from a light switch to a computer.
Mostly there is a way, but some products seem deliberately designed to foil the DIY amateur.
There are good reasons to try to fix things:
1. Saves money
2. Good for the environment
3. Boosts your ego if successful
4. You dont have to learn how to use a new appliance.
I find it distressing that so much good kit is dumped; this is completely unsustainable.
i do, i will do my best to fix if it doesnt work i havent lost anything, learned about something new to me
sometimes we manage to fix a watch or computer but on the whole it is more economical to us to throw it and buy new!! Example our microwave just blew it's magnatron.to replace it it will cost £38+labour. To buy a new microwave of the same power..£25 at the local supermarket....(shrugs).... is no economic argument these days to repair! Even garden tools you can buy from discount stores like Netto, Aldi, Lidl's for cheaper than you bought the brand new original one that now lies broken!!
i just get new ones or pay someone else to fix things. I tried playing with electronics in the past - it didn't go well!
I don't know much about electronics, but have a reasonable understanding of electricity to be able to fix some things.
An old black and white TV went wrong years ago, the channel switcher wasn't working properly, we sent it away to be repaired, it came back worse than it went out, so I hasd a look inside, ans saw they had removed the solder from the switch, and failed to re solder it, so I did it myself, and the TV still works.
As we buy things from jumble sales, it isn't worth paying for repairs So one of us will open it, and many times we can repair it, or patch it up.
We had a Ministry of sound portable digital radio, it went wrong after a year, it had cost £149, and was useless, it should never have gone wrong, I got it working but only by battery, and not as good as it should be.
I am reluctant to throw things away, but try to have them recyled when we have to get rid of them.
Easy to fix them - I married an engineer so I shout for him!
Admit that I can't be bothered anymore - if the cleaner breaks down, I just shrug and get out a broom, toaster dies - I was brought up toasting on a grill or a toasting fork over the coal fire, washing machine - could use the launderette and do it by hand, don't watch T/V so I'm not bothered if it works or not, never had a lawn mower during the war years and after, we always used garden shears. I would miss my computer for cheap fast communication with my daughter who lives in the Middle East, so I would probably have to send for a "proper man" to come and fix that.
I like your question because I happen to have thought about this. With cheap-asian imports, Walmarts,etc. it is often cheaper to buy something new than purchase parts and fix it yourself. I just randomly thought "pump for dishwasher" versus the cost of a new dishwasher to prove my point:
dishwaher pumps $100-$200:
http://www.google.com/products?q=%22dish...
dishwashers starting at $199:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor...
With the help of this wonderful Internet I think Its possible to fix almost all appliances that fail... Its just knowing how/were to get the information and then spare parts if needed... Plus its so satisfying to finish the job.
OH, and you can always ask on Y/Answers..
Anything Mechanical I will endeavour to repair, mostly successful.
Electronics I tend to steer clear of.
some things i can fix - its a matter of cost if it breaks and i cant fix i have to do without so i will have a go
yes to some extent
I try to fix them as i love taking things apart. Ive had quite a few sucesses. I never throw anything away without having a look inside first as it could be something simple.
I have a go before i buy a new one.Its worth the try...and i like a challenge lol.
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