The Home Improvement Thread

[washing machine]

Very cool wease.

I replaced the flywheel of my mower recently. When I replaced it, the thing still wouldn't start. After a little troubleshooting, I learned that you want the flywheel to scrape against the metal near the spark plug. I had intentionally adjusted things to not do that at first. It felt great to not spend money at a shop.

[wease]

Nice

[Chris_H_2]

i had 3 gallons of gas for the mower that lasted me all year last year.

[E.H. Ruddock]

I have an electric mower. No gas needed. Thanks Obama!

[Strat]

Electric mowers forever.

I want to get new kitchen counters. What kind of cost am i looking at?

[wease]

I have an electric mower. No gas needed. Thanks Obama!

High five!

[washing machine]

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, and if you've chosen electric over gas after experience with both then I'm not talking about you, but I generally have a mild distrust of someone who chooses "easier" technology.

I'd say the same in a gas versus charcoal grilling thread, or any either/or option that lets you choose something with less maintenance.

I realize that's a bad/flawed way to think, but I'm saying it out loud because that's what we do on the red mosquito forum.

[E.H. Ruddock]

You are right, I should probably sell the e-mower and go get a horse and some goats.

[E.H. Ruddock]

Also, an electric mower isn't "easier". It has the same moving parts as a gas mower, just no gas. If something breaks down on it, I'd venture to say it would be harder to repair than a gas mower.

[wease]

My main reason for buying the electric last year was that no one around me had a gas mower in stock. I do still have my riding mower, but my yard is almost too small for it. But I do like the electric mower.

[Strat]

Also, an electric mower isn't "easier". It has the same moving parts as a gas mower, just no gas. If something breaks down on it, I'd venture to say it would be harder to repair than a gas mower.

Cord can also get in the way! what a pain!

[washing machine]

You are right, I should probably sell the e-mower and go get a horse and some goats.

Also, an electric mower isn't "easier". It has the same moving parts as a gas mower, just no gas. If something breaks down on it, I'd venture to say it would be harder to repair than a gas mower.

I didn't say it was rational. An electric mower is easier to start, I'd wager. It takes a real man to pull a mower cord, after all. You can bet your ass my gas powered mower is self-propelled though. I'm not a luddite!

Your goat joke brings up a good point though. I read something once about this that stuck with me, I think it was in Eat & Run by Scott Jurek. In a chapter, he talks about running with the Tarahumara who famously wear minimal sandals made from tire rubber and can run long distances for hours at a time. It's a way of life for them. The minimalist running movement likes to hold this tribe up as the gold standard ("see, these people don't need fancy shoes so neither do you!") but in the section he's quick to point out that if better shoes were widely available to these poor, remote people in northern Mexico, they'd chuck the tire sandals quickly. One mustn't embrace inefficient technology just because it's "harder" and somehow more virtuous.

Still, there's something I can't put my finger on that bugs me about the type of person that defaults to modern life's conveniences without giving the more complicated (and often more interesting) stuff a fair try. Maybe mowers is the wrong angle to go about this, but hopefully I'm making some sense.

[Strat]

You are right, I should probably sell the e-mower and go get a horse and some goats.

Also, an electric mower isn't "easier". It has the same moving parts as a gas mower, just no gas. If something breaks down on it, I'd venture to say it would be harder to repair than a gas mower.

I didn't say it was rational. An electric mower is easier to start, I'd wager. It takes a real man to pull a mower cord, after all. You can bet your ass my gas powered mower is self-propelled though. I'm not a luddite!

Your goat joke brings up a good point though. I read something once about this that stuck with me, I think it was in Eat & Run by Scott Jurek. In a chapter, he talks about running with the Tarahumara who famously wear minimal sandals made from tire rubber and can run long distances for hours at a time. It's a way of life for them. The minimalist running movement likes to hold this tribe up as the gold standard ("see, these people don't need fancy shoes so neither do you!") but in the section he's quick to point out that if better shoes were widely available to these poor, remote people in northern Mexico, they'd chuck the tire sandals quickly. One mustn't embrace inefficient technology just because it's "harder" and somehow more virtuous.

Still, there's something I can't put my finger on that bugs me about the type of person that defaults to modern life's conveniences without giving the more complicated (and often more interesting) stuff a fair try. Maybe mowers is the wrong angle to go about this, but hopefully I'm making some sense.

THis is an interesting hill to stage your battle on, thats for sure.

I get it - its why i rather listen to Vinyl records. Same principle!



I dont think they make gas mowers small enough for my yard. Im electirc all the way. Someday i hope to also drive an electric vehicle and install solar on my roof.

[Strat]

Or backpacking, for a number of years I thought it made me a more "real" backpacker because I went with a minimalist/lightweight approach. however, im old now and it fucking hurts. Give me all the comforts I can fit. Ill gladly lug the extra weight.

[washing machine]

Bammer said it best in the grilling thread: "I've put in enough time on the charcoal grill to earn the right to use gas." I find that to be a fair stance.

As long as you have some sort of reasoned approach when making a big purchase, you're okay in my book. It's the unthinking consumers that I'm really railing against here.

[Strat]

gas guzzling texan!

[washing machine]

One day I am going to PM you about how your recurring stereotypes of my upbringing as a Texan, and Texans in particular, are very narrow-minded.

[Strat]

One day I am going to PM you about how your recurring stereotypes of my upbringing as a Texan, and Texans in particular, are very narrow-minded.

PROVE ME WRONG COWBOY

[washing machine]

ok

[Strat]

ok

Spoiler: show

You know this is just joking and banter, right?