The first couple of break downs happened last fall. I was going to cut my grass for the last time in late October. The forecast for the next day was for snow. I was trying to start the lawn mower motor and all of a sudden the rope went limp. Yes you guessed it. The rewind spring had broken. Under the weather conditions I quickly put the lawn mower away and said , "I'll attend to this next spring."
Just a few days before the lawn mower crashed, I had put winter tires on my car and had to adjust the air pressure. My air compressor wouldn't work. Since it was cold and late in the season I said, "I'll attend to this next spring."
In the winter my thermostat crashed, my CO 2 detector died and my microwave oven ceased to work. I dealt with these three things when they happened.
So it's now spring and time to deal with my other two problems. I checked the air compressor first. I first checked the fuse and it was fine. Then I checked the switch and it was dead. So I replaced the switch and away it went. I turned the switch off and then on and the compressor would not start. I discovered that the air pump needed lubrication. So one thing repaired. That air compressor was a pretty sick puppy.
I started with my lawn mower. I took it apart to make sure that it was the rewind spring. Yes the rewind coil was in several pieces. Now since this lawn mower is very old, I had to work pretty hard to find parts. When I found a part , I didn't like the price , but that was the only choice. I had replaced a spring 12 years ago and decided to do it myself again. The Internet is a great help. I want to check with the technician before I proceed because there are a number of methods that can be used to change the spring. I want to get his advice,
So you notice that I don't have a picture to show the lawn mower running. That will have to wait until tomorrow.
Is anybody else as stubborn and cantankerous as I am and insists on fixing things on their own?
Wow when it rains it pours. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to fix things on your own. I respect that!
ReplyDeleteI thought bad things were to come in threes!
DeleteI must disappoint you, I am not that handy at all. I can repair things with a needle and a threat but that is all...
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm helpless with a needle!
DeleteI don't fix complex electrical things. They tend to spark or catch fire.
ReplyDeleteWell , I have tackled a few electrical things. I install
Deletelight fixtures and other easy things.
My husband is this way. Fixes just about anything that breaks down. It's a good thing, really, because we don't need to replace things often; he simply repairs them.
ReplyDeleteWe do tend to throw things away instead of fixing things.
DeleteI fix things best with a hammer, never been much a wrench man. I do give it a try and then realize why my mechanic sends me a birthday card for all the business.
ReplyDeleteWell, carpentry is a great skill to have! You could fix all kinds of wooden things with a good hammer!
DeleteWell, I can't say that I wouldn't have been tempted to buy a new lawn mower. But then again, I'm not a stubborn guy like some people I know. :-)
ReplyDeleteI just thing we throw away far too many things that could be used.
Deleteyou made me laugh, but at least you're handy and stubborn! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also slow too. I take a long time to fix things.
DeleteWe fix some things..my husband is a wiz with most older things...new stuff is so poorly built now a days in our disposable society. The electric start on our snowblower broke again..seems it does that every winter. It is on the list.
ReplyDeleteCarry on Repair Man Red:)
I agree we throw away too many things that could still be used.
DeleteI'm not mechanically inclined and seldom fix things, but it's great to see grass near you that isn't covered in snow.
ReplyDeleteYes, things are changing here. We have many hours of sunlight so plants keep growing almost all day.
DeleteOh Yes - you sound just like my other half! He can usually fix anything, and most of the time prefers to do it himself. A few years ago we wanted seamless gutters installed on our house. the guy and his crew came - and just followed the roof line instead of grading them to run downhill a bit toward the downspout. The water just lay in them in several places. So Don took them all down and redid it himself.
ReplyDeleteI'll never understand why eaves trough installers know nothing about slopes!
DeleteIt would be wonderful to have a handyman about the house! Most of the tools are mine, I do the outdoor work.
ReplyDeleteI just spent a couple of hours powerwashing the front walk. Lots of fun.
My man hires people. He has no choice!
My daughter is an excellent handy man. Her work keeps her too busy lately to do what she used to do. She needs Dad to be her assistant.
DeleteP.S. 3 phoebe eggs, so far. We are traveling to Vancouver for my son's wedding on Wed., I'll be sorry to miss them!
ReplyDeleteYou will have an awesome time with the wedding.
DeleteYou are a rare bird. You remind me of my father and somewhat my brothers. My husband is of the school, if something breaks, go looking for a new one!!
ReplyDeleteWe throw away far too much stuff that could still run. My lawn mower is from 1971.
DeleteNope - I have way too many frustrations in my life, and I'm not mechanical. I do admire your patience and skill in being able to fix things. You may be stubborn, but I suspect you enjoy the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with success - way to go!
ReplyDeleteAccomplishment is a good way to put things.
DeleteSometimes we appreciate the opportunity to buy something new. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not a big shopping fan!!!
DeleteYou have green grass to mow! Yeah! :)
ReplyDeleteYep, repair things on our own, and keep parts from old equipment too!
Yes, imagine that...green grass. Yes, lots of little things come in handy when repairing things.
DeleteMy husband has sat in his chair tonight reading the manual for our Cub Cadet riding mower. It is smoking again and the battery was dead when he went to mow. Always something!
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm impressed. Most men , including me, are famous for not reading the book.
DeleteNope. I'm not though both my sons who worked on the neighbors farm learned the being handy business. Rather than follow my dad around as a teen I followed my mom wish to take piano lessons and practice a lot..... thus today I call the service dept per whatever needs fixing. :)
ReplyDeleteOn the farm ,I was not the mechanic. My brother was the mechanic.
DeleteI try to fix as many break downs with our machinery as possible. As you found with the recoil spring, parts are very expensive, and labour charges on top are the icing on the cake. Your mower looks like a good one. Metal body?
ReplyDeleteIn your business, fixing some things means the difference of making money or not making money.
DeleteMy hubby fixes most all things we have. I think if one has the knowledge it's the way to go. You spend a lot of money in labor costs if someone else fixes it.
ReplyDelete
DeleteBoth places I phoned wanted forty bucks to install this spring.
I'm not, but my beekeeping mentor definitely is! I am envious of people who are so handy! Love your old lawnmower.
ReplyDeleteGood gosh! You are determined and yes, as Knatolee said..."handy". My husband is also almost as determined as you are. He did eventually hire a lawn service like all our neighbors.
ReplyDelete