Maximum number of times you will fix something before you admit defeat and buy a new thing.

[slaphappygamer]

Please bear with me, the answer will vary widely depending on the thing you are fixing and your patience level.

I like to fix things. I may not know much about what the thing is, but I’ll research it, understand the basic idea of how it operates, and see if the task fits my skill level. I’m a pretty patient guy and I love puzzles. I can only imagine what it would’ve been like if I grew up with internet access. My family didn’t get internet until about 1996. Oh the things I could’ve fixed, or built, if I had the kind of access to information as kids these day do.

Anyhow, do you have a hard, set, number of times you will fix something before you just buy a new one? I value my time with my family and don’t like to drag projects out. I recently revived an electric scooter and am having much fun on it. I use to take my kid to school each morning. She loves it and even shows it off to her classmates. She is in elementary school. While fixing up this scooter, I was not under pressure to “get ‘er done” and could take my time. I worked on it in stages. Other things, such as a water heater or furnace, are more time sensitive. After researching those appliances, I realized that this was something I could do and wouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars and arranging appointments to fix them. I could even get them working the same day. The furnace just needed a reboot, it’s got an electric pilot ignition. The waterheater, I cleaned the thermostat and it worked for a day, then it went out again. I went to the hardware store and found the right part. Installed it and it’s been running just fine. If it didn’t work, I was going to call a professional. 3 times on a critical appliance is my max. On something less time sensitive, I’d give it more time.


Depending one the device and the time frame, when would you admit defeat? Please tell me a story.

 

[The Catboy]

It really depends on one what I am working on and the likelihood of being able to replace it. If it's something I can easily replace and doesn't cost a lot of money, chances are high that I will maybe spend an hour or two working on it. If it's something valuable, like a computer or smartphone or an old video game system, I tend to keep working on it until it's either fully repaired or to a point where I feel I can scrap it. I tend to buy broken stuff and repair it with the part of failed projects.

 

[GeekyGuy]

...Anyhow, do you have a hard, set, number of times you will fix something ...

I wish. I say there is, but with family, it seems impossible not to go back and try again.

Other shit, sure. But that's an instinctual thing. I don't keep a set number for any material things, really.

 

[AutumnWolf]

Depends

Electronics

Until I fix it or until I damage it further by trying to fix it (until it becomes irrepairable)

Other stuff

A few times, then I give up

 

[User154]

I don't have a number, I stop if one of the following conditions are met:

The thing is fixed.

I do not have the skills/knowledge to continue.

The thing requires components that are too expensive to make it worth fixing.

There is a high chance of causing further damage to a high value, essential item.

 

[JuanMena]

1

Until I fix it or until I damage it further by trying to fix it (until it becomes irreparable)

See? 1 time for me.

 

[FAST6191]

I offer 4 kinds of fix

1) We are way down deep in the middle of the jungle. Do it or die. Though more commonly we are on site somewhere, hold up is going to cost small fortune (fines/lack of bonus, time to get people back on site, overtime for those now forced to stay late... this thread is not about playing accountant), guess someone is buying a replacement for this thing that is about to die so others might live.

2) "Mate I get paid next ?, can ya get me through?"

3) Make it work again, do it right.

4) Blank cheque here, I want it to sing. Naturally my favourite if I am not feeling adventurous enough for 1) but rarely happens.

Where something falls on that scale depends upon how much I am going to do, as well as how much effort is going to be involved if something that is repaired has a consumable element to it. If something is coming back then we also get to consider whether it is a design fault that is causing the problem (someone cheaped out on capacitors, power supply, shock damping, clamping methods, materials...), user abuse (though that could still fall under design problem) or whatever else.
There is no limit as it were beyond something being truly beyond economical repair and no other value associated with it (sentimental, workflow related, downtime costs...) that would make me want to.

Re calling in a pro. My aspiration in life is to be able to eat any professional's lunch. That is to say anything day to day I should be able to do/carry the tools for, whether I can handle when it gets hairy is then more of what my baseline skills are (I am a way better electrician than I am a plumber as it were).

 

[impeeza]

I have a room fan which I have repaired more times I can remember, already changed the two motors, repaired the electronic board two times and changed the buttons.

If it ask for a new repair think I will repair it with out problem has been a good soldier!

 

[Viri]

One day I'll fix my counter top ice maker. It has been collecting dust in my kitchen. I know the motor is rusty, and a replacement is like 10 dollars.

 

[tech3475]

It depends on the circumstance, how I feel, etc.

In the case of a TV, due to pressure from others and shortages I did buy a replacement ASAP, but I also kept working on the damaged one and got it working. Took a couple of attempts though as the first try had a faulty part.

In the case of an ODD enclosure, the power brick seemed to be at fault and would have to had been destroyed to open it, since the other one was also on the fritz for a different reason I decided to just design my own to replace the two.

In the case of my Saturn, I suspect an actual IC is at fault after looking into it, buying a new PSU and doing a full recap, so I ended up buying a replacement.

In the case of my Mega Drive, both of mine had audio problems. After breaking 1 of 2 I did end up buying a relatively cheap replacement, but after I got some new tools some time later I went back to the other and realised the issue which I was able to fix (a faulty IC).

My Aunts last desktop was something I had been kludging for years and by the end was a slow awful PITA to deal with, eventually it started to give some hardware related BSOD but by that point I was so fed up and with the death of XP months away I wrote it off and told her to buy a new system. When I took it apart to strip it for parts, I found out the GPU was a mess of leaking capacitors, I was surprised it was as usable as it was.

 

[KingVamp]

When bending my USB cord doesn't charge my devices anymore.

 

[smf]

I know someone who kept repairing their digital alarm clock, eventually they gave up and decided to throw it away. But they decided to keep the power cord in case it came in useful. It was not detachable, so they had to cut through the cable.

They forgot to unplug it, it threw them across the room, tripped the power & took a chunk out of his wire cutters.

(this isn't particularly relevant to the question, but it was a great story).

 

[KingVamp]

I know someone who kept repairing their digital alarm clock, eventually they gave up and decided to throw it away. But they decided to keep the power cord in case it came in useful. It was not detachable, so they had to cut through the cable.

They forgot to unplug it, it threw them across the room, tripped the power & took a chunk out of his wire cutters.

(this isn't particularly relevant to the question, but it was a great story).

Did they turnout OK?

 

[smf]

Did they turnout OK?

They survived, but then moved to the states. So it's difficult to say.

 

[slaphappygamer]

When bending my USB cord doesn't charge my devices anymore.

Wow. You found the location of the fault. Sounds like it’s right at the butt of the connector. That’s usually where they go bad. I wouldn’t repair that. I’d get a new one. The time spent fixing that and knowing it’ll never be the same. You’ll continue to have issues. UNLESS, it’s in the middle of the cord, then it might be worth it.


@tech3475, keeping the old tv and getting a new one. That’s the best way to learn. When there is no pressure. A replacement has already been introduced. You are free to study and take careful time learning what, where, and why something has broke. Learning these three critical things will sharpen your skills.

@smf, my sister did the EXACT thing!!! She was about 7, or 6. She was little. She had grabbed scissors and cut a cord, I think for a radio. My mom saw an arc from the corner of her eye. We had many different kinds of scissors. My mom was in to sewing. My sister grabbed the Friskars, they had plastic handles. Thank goodness she grabbed those and NOT the all metal shears next to them. I saw the scissors afterward, and they had a burn mark where they made contact with cord. I love my sister, but she has had kinds of a death wish. I saved her from choking when she was little. Once was a chicken bone and the other was a marble. She must’ve been about 3, then 6. I’m 6 years older than her. Your story brought me back.

Post automatically merged: Apr 2, 2023

I have a room fan which I have repaired more times I can remember, already changed the two motors, repaired the electronic board two times and changed the buttons.

If it ask for a new repair think I will repair it with out problem has been a good soldier!

Hmm a fan, I think those are usually brushed motors. The brushes wear out before the other bits. I tried changing the brushes on my scooter that I saved. The brushes I ordered had a much thinner shunt and didn’t supply the same arc. They were cheap and I asked for a brushless motor for Christmas. Cheers on keeping it alive. You now have history and a great story with that fan. You should strip it and paint it. Give it a new chapter in life. I love stories like that. Great job!

 

[Veho]

Depends on how critical it is, how reliable it has to be, and how expensive it is to replace VS repair.
If it's some non-essential gadget or toy I will fiddle with it however many times it takes. I will repair my DS indefinitely. A kitchen appliance I can fiddle around with until I get bored or it becomes really inconvenient, only then will I replace it. But my work PC, for example, will get replaced immediately.

Did they turn out OK?

They obviously weren't all there to begin with

 

[SaberLilly]

it depends, if it something i can afford to mess with like my shoes, or a gameboy, i'll just mess with them until i can't feasibly fix them anymore, even if it takes 5, 6, even times, but if its something i can't afford, llike say my PC, then i replace it as soon as i can.

 

[impeeza]

I have a Leatherman multi knife which I have changed damaged blades and tips so many times what i believe is not the original one anymore.

I am thinking about the Ship of Theseus.

 

[hippy dave]

I have a Leatherman multi knife which I have changed damaged blades and tips so many times what i believe is not the original one anymore.

I am thinking about the Ship of Theseus.

Trigger's Broom.

 

[VinsCool]

Until there is no recovery possible anymore.
I am a very stubborn person who do anything to keep stuff alive for as long as I decide to do so.