Can't resist ~ if it's broke, I tear it apart to find out why ~

[GaNewChick]

I found this Kirby vacuum cleaner on Craigslist for free, not far from the house. The lady said it wouldn't power up. Now ~ I'm one of those that if it won't work, I HAVE to break it down to find out why. In the third picture, that piece is suppose to be one solid bar that runs through the inside of the motor and attaches to each side of the outside, connecting the wires that run the on/off switch. I'm taking it tomorrow to see if I can get a new part and hopefully

it will run.

Does anyone else do this. I've broken down radios, lawnmowers, weekeaters, chainsaws, just about anything that quits running ~ I have to know why.

My husband response ~

Throw it away and buy a new one.

 

[Southernbelle]

Yes, me too!

The dog chewed the fan cord in the living room and DH was all ready to toss it. No way - it was a $40 fan!! I repaired the damage and set it up on my side of the bed to blow cool air just on me. DH was a little ticked - he wanted it back in the living room, but I figured it was mine now, since he was going to trash it.

Vacuum cleaner repair was part of my early childhood education. I love taking apart vacuums!

 

[ems_chick]

machines im horrible at... now people i can fix but nothing mechanical! you surely do have a talent that i wish i had!

 

[boaz]

I have a Yamaha 4 wheeler that needs taking apart. Do you make house calls?

 

[debilorrah]

My son. His room used to be filled with parts and doodads from all kinds of things.

 

[Holly O]

My Theory: What? am i going to do... Break is more! It's already broken ...lol

I love to figure things out!

 

[GaNewChick]

Quote:
umm yea, if I can load it in the back of my truck and take it home with me once it is running.

 

[GaNewChick]

Quote:
Exactly!

 

[PeepsInc]

My neighbor gave me a 2 year old, $1800 47 inch flat screen becouse the repair guy told him "it was one of 2 parts. The first part being $250. If that dont work it will be $500." He got mad and bought another new TV. I got the part for $55 on ebay,& It works. I still never watch TV.

 

[StupidBird]

taught the kids to be just like me in that...#1 has boxes of "parts" and can cobble a computer together in a breadbox, #2 does household/yard machines, but tends to be like dad...took the weedwhacker apart 3 weeks ago and the parts are still strewn across the workbench. That's ok, #1 bought me a replacement at a garage sale for $5.
Their first "repairs" were the vacuum cleaner: clogs, broken belts, etc. At two years old, #2 found a screwdriver and carefully tightened every switchplate in his room until they broke.
I love fixing things, and yes! If it is already broke and considered a total loss, its fair game for total dissection! When I was a teen, family was tossing a hair dryer; I begged it for my "sketches", dissected it carefully, drawing each stage in great detail. I had the parts carefully arranged over the bed, floor and desk. Dad saw this and got on a rant (hey, you were gonna throw it out!), so I fixed the kinked wire, reassembled it and it worked fine for years. I can't fix motors or circuit boards, but so often its just a loose connection or assembly fault that its worth checking.
PS after an early childhood electrocution (wasn't my fault, honest) my bratty little sister charged me a quarter to turn on or plug in anything for years.