Nothing like a little...
by Todd on Jun 2, 2008 10:23 PM CDT
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Earlier this evening, after chatting with OTS for a little while and making some plans for future posts, I headed to the kitchen to fix myself some dinner where I was promptly greeted by an awful squealing noise and the smell of burning rubber coming from my washing machine. After draining it and flooding my kitchen floor while removing the soaking wet clothing, it was apparent that the washing machine was no longer "spinning" or agitating the clothing and the awful squealing sound and accompanying scent meant only one thing: the drive belt was either hung or broken entirely. So I set about disassembling the washer and, sure enough, the belt was just about frayed in half, and it had jumped off track and hung itself inside the motor. Cursing loudly, I was able to cut it free and promptly headed to Lowes to purchase a replacement belt, only to find that a) Lowes does not carry drive belts for washing machines, and b) the guy who works in the washer/dryer department at the Widlwood Lowes is quite rude. When I couldn't find a belt I asked him if they carried any, and he gave me a look as if to say "only those stricken by poverty and alcoholism would attempt to repair their own washing machines!" So no more Lowes for me, but should Brian Cook every need a gig outside of blogging, I know just the place! But don't worry, friends, this tale does have a happy ending. After I left there I despaired over the necessity of waiting until tomorrow to find an actual repair shop that stocked such items, when I realized I could probably find exactly what I needed at Auto Zone. They didn't fail me, and I was once again doing laundry at my own leisure. So yeah, all that is to say not a lot of blogging got done last night but look for some good posts from both OTS and I over the next few days.
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Surviving!
Damn straight Todd, Hell and water all over the place wasn’t gonna stop you from washing them jeans! Way to go my good man.
Oh, I hate it when those retail folk give you “that look”. I went to a local hardware store recently and asked a Customer Service Representative where I might find any badass metal files (for sharpening the blades on my neighbor’s she’s an 70 year old gentle-lady “Push Lawnmower”, it’s very old-school and the rotating blades were rusted and dulled). He took me halfway around the store to show me power mowers???? I talked to his Manager and told them a few things. I gotta phone call a few days later, the Manager told me he’d be stocking “Hand Tools” for the rest of the month.
I commend you on your resiliency, tenacity, and go-get-’em-attitude! I enjoyed your post. And Jr. video. Made my morning.
I was just surprised...
...that someone who works at a HARDWARE STORE was so shocked that someone might actually come in to purchase items needed to fix the things that they sell. Apparently repair work to them means buying trendy light fixtures and paying someone else to put them up.
Not shocking...
Years ago, traditional hardware stores sold mainly tools to fix things, and the according pieces and parts to go along with the tools to get the job done.
Nowadays, though, the mega hardware stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have completely revamped the traditional business model for hardware stores. These days, hardware stares mainly sell final products - appliances, fixtures, etc. - and then tools marketed to, and designed for, professional contractors construction workers. In fact, these stores today make huge amounts of money based on delivery and installation of products; in reality that is where they make a large portion of their money, the profit margins from that business activity are massive.
Bottom line, if you walk into one of these stores as a do-it-yourselfer just looking to get the job done, expect some odd looks from some “experts” wondering why in the hell you aren’t calling a professional.
by outsidethesidelines on Jun 4, 2008 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Shoulda never lemme buy those metal files!
You can do a lot of things with dopeass files. I bought 5 that day. Had to. And when you have files at your disposal. . . . .they sure do come in handy, for A LOTTA things!
My tale doesn’t have as good an ending as yours. I ended totally screwing up Mrs. Jamieson’s mower. (shoulda just bought a dopeass metal brush and some 3-in-1 oil instead. I filed that sh_t outta them blades. So much so, they hardly touched the cutting bar and couldn’t be properly adjusted from that point forward. Cutting bar? What cutting bar? that’s what I said, in the end). Long story short. . . .Craigslist! Saved my ass! Got her a new Scott’s reel mower for $15- AND it CAME with a sharpening kit and blade compound!
Seriously, dude! When I found out “how involved” this whole blade sharpening experience ACTUALLY was. . . lemme put it this way, I’m a categoric retard.
I lived vicariously through your ending, anyway. That’s what I was shooting for, and you brought it home to me. Thanks a bunch.
(pssst: if you EVER need a file, you know who to call. since that one day, I NOW keep a “mini-file” in my soft-side tool bag- this mini-file is circular like long ass pen, but has a hole-punch end to it. i’ve since. . . .yup, yup, . . sharpened the crap outta the hole punch end and it’s now. . . a friggin’ tight sharp point. hell yeah!)
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