The Coffee House

[smoke665]

Morning Rant!!!!! The water inlet valve on our dishwasher developed a small drip. No problem I pulled it off and called our local appliance parts store.Yes they had it in stock, and I could pick it up for only $60 including tax. That didn't sound right for this little plastic toy of a valve. Quick check on fleabay found the same OEM valve from an appliance parts vendor in Texas for $14 including shipping.

I always try to buy local before I go to the internet, but this is just ridiculous. I'm starting to think that the internet isn't putting brick and mortar stores out of business, greed and stupidity of the store owners is putting them out of business. My son had a similar experience this week on his A/C unit. The fan went out on his condenser. The HVAC repair company quoted him $800 to replace. Since it's a relatively simple fix, he ordered the motor and capacitors for less than $90.00 and is putting it on himself. Seriously, I believe everyone is entitled to fair wage, but where do you draw the line on fair and raping your customer???? Thankfully my son grew up in a mechanically inclined environment and paid attention to the things I taught him.

 

[table1349]

Canon shooters beware of cheap equipment available.

Auburn police investigating heist at Cameragraphics

I hope they catch them.

I hope they catch them.

I do as well, this is one of the very few remaining brick and mortar photography stores in the entire state.

Personally, deep down in side there is a little part of me that hopes they don't. Well not right off.

There are some pretty curvy roads in Alabama, and well, if they were to get spotted, decided to run from the law and just by chance happened to slip of the roadway on one of them curves into say a big ole tree, then they might have themselves a nice long time in the hospital to think about what they did. Sometimes experience is the best teacher.

 

[table1349]

Morning Rant!!!!! The water inlet valve on our dishwasher developed a small drip. No problem I pulled it off and called our local appliance parts store.Yes they had it in stock, and I could pick it up for only $60 including tax. That didn't sound right for this little plastic toy of a valve. Quick check on fleabay found the same OEM valve from an appliance parts vendor in Texas for $14 including shipping.

I always try to buy local before I go to the internet, but this is just ridiculous. I'm starting to think that the internet isn't putting brick and mortar stores out of business, greed and stupidity of the store owners is putting them out of business. My son had a similar experience this week on his A/C unit. The fan went out on his condenser. The HVAC repair company quoted him $800 to replace. Since it's a relatively simple fix, he ordered the motor and capacitors for less than $90.00 and is putting it on himself. Seriously, I believe everyone is entitled to fair wage, but where do you draw the line on fair and raping your customer???? Thankfully my son grew up in a mechanically inclined environment and paid attention to the things I taught him.

I feel your pain. More and more folks these days can't fix a good cup of coffee much less fix something mechanical. That means more suckers out there for the greedy who have either the parts and or the know how.

 

[smoke665]

That means more suckers out there for the greedy who have either the parts and or the know how.

And even the manufacturers get into the game. Every day you hear about a recall, but what about the ones you don't??? Last year the ice dispenser on our big expensive side by side quit working. When I took it apart I found one of the little plastic ears that held the lever to actuate a micro switch had broke. Quick google search reveled there was known problem with a weak part, but once it was out of warranty the manufacturer wouldn't cover it. A replacement plate (same design) was close to a $100, and would likely fail again. Little redneck engineering and scrap from the shop I was able to redesign and fix their broken part. I fully expect it to last forever now. I just don't understand how businesses can continue to operate like they do.

 

[table1349]

Why? The answer is simple. Most people can't or won't make most of the things for themselves, plus they still want all the conveniences of life. The manufacture's know this and they know that they are still going to keep right on selling their products. No one wants an ice box these days and no one wants to deliver ice so in the long run you are stuck.

 

[pixmedic]

The wife is doing some commissioned work for autism awareness. It's a hooded towel.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[tirediron]

That means more suckers out there for the greedy who have either the parts and or the know how.

And even the manufacturers get into the game. Every day you hear about a recall, but what about the ones you don't??? Last year the ice dispenser on our big expensive side by side quit working. When I took it apart I found one of the little plastic ears that held the lever to actuate a micro switch had broke. Quick google search reveled there was known problem with a weak part, but once it was out of warranty the manufacturer wouldn't cover it. A replacement plate (same design) was close to a $100, and would likely fail again. Little redneck engineering and scrap from the shop I was able to redesign and fix their broken part. I fully expect it to last forever now. I just don't understand how businesses can continue to operate like they do.

Yep... 'few years ago the family bought Dad [what we thought was] a very high-end floor model drill press for his new shop. He called after a few months and said that the table wouldn't raise or lower properly anymore. This is especially odd since he rarely changes the table height. We estimated that the table had probably travelled less than 10' in total over the period of four-ish months.

Removed the table and found that teeth of the small spur gear that acts on the rack were worn to half or less of their depth across about 2/3 of the face and that the shaft on which the gear was mounted had almost 1/8" play at each end. Given how little movement the gear had, I was astounded at the wear. I removed it, ran a file across it and found that it was only slightly harder than warm butter.

Bought a new gear from the manufacturer ($25), hardened it in the forge to about RKc 49, machined two bronze bushings for the shaft, and presto... works like a charm and has for over ten years. The manufacturer would have been happy to replace the gear free of charge, all I had to was ship the complete drill press back to them.

 

[limr29 2]

The wife is doing some commissioned work for autism awareness. It's a hooded towel.

View attachment 138913

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

That's beautiful work, and not just the the towel itself. Give Mrs. Pix a hug.

 

[limr29 2]

Hey hosers. The end of Day 2 of professional development. In the train on the way home.

 

[snowbear114 46]

Well, my little gift to myself is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. It's not really a big deal, but I'll post snaps when it's here.

The big fire is still hot-spotting away; we have a high nozzle streaming water onto the roof. I heard the initial investigation is leaning towards "accidental" cause, but it will be a few weeks before we know any details. Structural integrity is still in question.

A new contractor is starting in the office on Monday. He is actually taking the place of the guy that left a couple of weeks ago (I am an added feature). He will have to sit with each of us, to see what goes on, and I'm first . . . I guess I have to behave myself.

 

[JonA_CT]

Didn't take many pictures today, even with my phone.

It doesn't mean I didn't get to see the importance of photography though. I spent 2 hours in the Holocaust Museum today. That place flat doesn't work without photography, and large amounts of it. There is an entire section of photographs made by a family of Eastern European Jews who focused on rural life. The portraits are beautiful, and it's amazing to me that they were all saved. It was so strange to see Hitler live and in color, for that matter.

After lugging my D600 for 9 miles today, I understand the appeal of your Fujis.

 

[snowbear114 46]

Didn't take many pictures today, even with my phone.

It doesn't mean I didn't get to see the importance of photography though. I spent 2 hours in the Holocaust Museum today. That place flat doesn't work without photography, and large amounts of it. There is an entire section of photographs made by a family of Eastern European Jews who focused on rural life. The portraits are beautiful, and it's amazing to me that they were all saved. It was so strange to see Hitler live and in color, for that matter.

After lugging my D600 for 9 miles today, I understand the appeal of your Fujis.

Going there is a very emotional experience; especially the shoes.

 

[snowbear114 46]

I really need to stop playing "chase" with Zoe. She went to jump into a box, but there was something in it that startled her. She shifted direction in mid-air and came down on top of my foot.

Of course, her claws were out and she has gained a few kilos (heavier than a pound - felt like 20) so I have three good sized scratches. I had to unfold a 4x4 to cover them. Good thing she's cute.

 

[smoke665]

Why McDonald's Workers May Not Be Entitled to $15/hr

In a hurry this evening so we went through the drive through on the way home. My wife was driving, so she did the ordering, as we pulled up to the speaker. Now my wife is the epitome of the graceful southern woman, who does not get flustered, nor speak ill of others.

Wife: I'd like two Big Mac Meals and two Diet Cokes, please
Order Girl: Pepsi?
Wife: Ok diet Pepsi then
Order Girl: I'm sorry but we don't have Pepsi, would Coke be ok
Wife: (holding temper), yes that's fine
Order Girl: Ok two regular Cokes
Wife: (Teeth clenching) I said DIET COKE
Order Girl: Ok that's two Big Macs and two DIET cokes, that'll be $$$$ please drive to the first window.
Wife: YOUNG LADY!!!!
Order Girl: Yes Ma'am
Wife: I told you from the start I wanted MEALS.
Order Girl: Oh
Speaker goes dead and we sit, and we sit, and we sit
Wife: YOUNG LADY ARE YOU STILL THERE?
Order Girl: Yes Ma'am we're trying to figure out how to change your order
Speaker noise in the background we hear multiple people trying to explain to the girl how to cancel and re-enter the order. Finally multiple heads prevailed and we think they've got it.
Order Girl: Ok Ma'am I have two Big Macs and two diet Cokes
Wife: I WANT MEALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Order Girl: Oh I'm sorry I meant meals, that'll be $$$$ please drive around
We drive to the window, and the lo and behold here is the Order Girl
Order Girl: that's two Big Macs and two diet Cokes
Me & Wife: IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE MEALS!!!!
Order Girl: That's what I meant.

When we pulled to the second window, couldn't help but look to see if Abbot and Costello were behind the counter!!!

 

[jcdeboever]

Why McDonald's Workers May Not Be Entitled to $15/hr

In a hurry this evening so we went through the drive through on the way home. My wife was driving, so she did the ordering, as we pulled up to the speaker. Now my wife is the epitome of the graceful southern woman, who does not get flustered, nor speak ill of others.

Wife: I'd like two Big Mac Meals and two Diet Cokes, please
Order Girl: Pepsi?
Wife: Ok diet Pepsi then
Order Girl: I'm sorry but we don't have Pepsi, would Coke be ok
Wife: (holding temper), yes that's fine
Order Girl: Ok two regular Cokes
Wife: (Teeth clenching) I said DIET COKE
Order Girl: Ok that's two Big Macs and two DIET cokes, that'll be $$$$ please drive to the first window.
Wife: YOUNG LADY!!!!
Order Girl: Yes Ma'am
Wife: I told you from the start I wanted MEALS.
Order Girl: Oh
Speaker goes dead and we sit, and we sit, and we sit
Wife: YOUNG LADY ARE YOU STILL THERE?
Order Girl: Yes Ma'am we're trying to figure out how to change your order
Speaker noise in the background we hear multiple people trying to explain to the girl how to cancel and re-enter the order. Finally multiple heads prevailed and we think they've got it.
Order Girl: Ok Ma'am I have two Big Macs and two diet Cokes
Wife: I WANT MEALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Order Girl: Oh I'm sorry I meant meals, that'll be $$$$ please drive around
We drive to the window, and the lo and behold here is the Order Girl
Order Girl: that's two Big Macs and two diet Cokes
Me & Wife: IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE MEALS!!!!
Order Girl: That's what I meant.

When we pulled to the second window, couldn't help but look to see if Abbot and Costello were behind the counter!!!

Lol, funny story... I haven't had McDonalds in 4 months. That was 60 lbs ago. Not one donut either. Talk about transformation in eating habits. I have replaced the big Macs with ham, turkey, or pastrami on oatmeal bread, donuts replaced with fruit or cold vegetables. I hated it at first but have grown to like them. I just bought new belts, and pulled out the jeans and kakis from a salvation army bag that I never got around to dropping off. I am going to get down to 190 by the end of the year.