Maker Movement / Mending Things

Hi, It’s great to see people trying to repair things, but as Technology moves on it seems longevity is no longer in the manufacturers mind and everything is electronic so generally faults are components or control boards or such like. So it’s a case of bin it and move on.?

HI, Keep it up, but sometimes it's hard to accept that something is just not worth repairing any more. I'm happier with electrical things and computers (Retired IT developer/analyst.consultant and electrician) I'm hoping electronica will become more repairable - just replacing the battery in a phone can be a challenge with all-glass phones.

I'm looking for a phone with a replaceable battery, the best bet seems to be the PinePhone, or some of the really cheap Chinese ones (XGody phones are a bit basic but most still have replaceable batteries).

Oh, and I'm 'playing' with my new toy (A 3D printer) and the required software to design (Sketchup and OpenSCAD) and prepare the design for printing (Cura). There are several sites that offer ready made files for printing (Thingiverse.com is huge and all the things are free to download and use. Other sites are available).

I feel inspired reading some of the stories, as a non-technical person that works with technical people (at the IET) I have gained enough confidence to do some minor make do and mend things.  Since lockdown started I have changed two switch plates (light switches), fixed the oven, ordered spare parts for the kettle and diagnosed a fault with a heater that I had to return (but got replacement for as it was missing bits).


My inner engineer now looks at things and sees if it can be fixed, or if I can reuse it :)

Hi, I do have a 3 year warranty on a Kettle and an Espresso machine as we live in a very hard water area, and previously had kettles' elements burn out after less than a year, our previous kettle only lasted a few months.. I also replaced the espresso machine under the warranty when the thermostat failed and the machine became alarmingly hot.

David, I never have extended warranties, as you say they're not worth paying for.

Hi Dave a new machine is the correct way to go, I followed on from my father in having ‘cover’ on the machine but if you take the cost of this over the number of years we paid it I reckon we could have had a new machine every 2 years! By upgrading you are saving money as the new machine is more eco-friendly.

Failed washing machine pump. It's not the bearings, it was not at all noisy. Anyway, the machine was over 9 years old, and probably the motor would not last much longer. If it were only 4 or 5 years old I'd attempt a repair. I've spent too much time effort and money keeping old electrical thinks limping smi-reliably along. Anyway, for the sake of domestic harmony it was more diplomatic to agree to a new machine.over-ruled attempts at repairs.

What failed in the pump? There is generally nothing else apart from bearings, seals etc. What exactly is wrong?

Moving on... My washing machine's pump failed, after 0ver 9 years use. Guess what? Spares are no longer available as the machine is over 5 years old. Anyway, I'd be dubious about repairing it even if a new pump were available, as the motor can't be far behind. I wish they published MTBF times for these components as mine are probably way paste that by now.