Bullhunter
Global Moderator 
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445 
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 5, 2015 16:45:23 GMT 9
I retired from the USAF in 1995. Took it easy for awhile and applied for a service manager position at a local home appliance store. I was ask if I could manage people & equipment well. I told them the I was a maintenance production superintendent and managed aircraft maintenance, mechanics, and equipment- all in a safe manor.
I was then asked if I thought I could fix a dryer so it would dry clothes. I replied that I made jet aircraft fly around the world so a dryer would be no problem. I was hired.
I spent 10 years working there. The experience was good and I fixed lots of appliances, which has helped me greatly with our home appliances which I have overhauled many times instead of purchasing new ones.
Recently our dishwasher (Stainless Steel Kitchen-Aid) has started making noises and doing a poor job of washing. So, I disassembled the pump assembly and discovered quite a few parts the should and need to be replaced. I'd done the hundreds of time in the passed at the store and a few times on our dishwasher at home. Well this unit was 20 years old. I need about $150 in parts then my labor, leak check, and reinstall in the counter. Then I got to thinking. A unit 20 years old needing work again, maybe its time for a new unit with a warranty. So I elected to purchase a new one this time.
Got a nice deal on a stainless steel dishwasher today at Home Depot. Check prices & sales at Lowe's, Sears, and Home Depot. I like Home Depot and went back and showed them photos of the lowest priced same model that I found. Couldn't get the military discount because theirs was already on 10% sale. But I said, "Sears sale is $35 lower than your sale price. The girl said she could not match the price because Sears uses different model numbers for the same appliances and the policy is match model for model. I said, "Well, that is very good, but can the manager OK an exception?" The reply was, "Yes but rarely." I asked her to call the manager and tell him, "We spent almost $15,000 this past summer with Home Depot to replace our roof on our house & garage, and I'd really rather keep doing business with Home Depot." He said yes and we got another $35 off.
I'll remove the old one next Friday and the new one will be delivered Saturday. I'll install it and do an OPS and Leak check. Then sign of the "Red-X".
Anyone else still using their maintainer skills?
|
|
Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Feb 6, 2015 1:47:54 GMT 9
Gary, for many years I used my maintenance skills, beside wiping bugs off of windscreens and grunting, to repair vehicles, appliances and things around our houses.
I have done lots of repairs on washers and dryers, including repairing timers and heating elements.
However, it has become far less cost effective for me to do most things on my car or on appliances.
For one thing, all the electronics on board, even appliances, make it impossible for me to check things, as I don't have the multiple thousands of dollars equipment to do so.
I even quit changing the oil, as it is not much more to have it done, than if I were to do it, if I include labour, which I do.
Our original equipment dish washer was doing a lousy job, a Maytag that came with our house.
I did some checking and felt it was not worth doing any extensive repairs.
I began to do research and found the best buy was a Bosch, a model exclusive to Lowe's.
We went and looked at it, decided it was the one we could use, and began the process.
Not only was it on sale, but Lowe's gave me the 10% Military Discount.
I had them install it, they had a free installation promotion going on, and haul off the old one.
When our neighbor's home got hit by lightning last year, the current spike knocked our our dishwasher.
Called Lowe's and they had a Bosch repairman come out to see what was amiss.
He said the control board, buried in the outer shell, had burned out, and he replaced it under the warranty.
The control board would have cost nearly $300, not including labour.
My old multi-meter would never have been able to determine the problem.
Jim Too
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Dlugosh on Feb 6, 2015 3:50:48 GMT 9
Bull,
I have the same DW as you. I pulled it apart to clean the garbage chopper screen (for the umpty umph time) yesterday so I still have some "5" level skills.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 12, 2015 2:37:39 GMT 9
Bull, I have the same DW as you. I pulled it apart to clean the garbage chopper screen (for the umpty umph time) yesterday so I still have some "5" level skills.
My DW model # is KUDI01ILBL5 do you need any parts off it for future needs you think? You just need to cover the shipping.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 12, 2015 2:44:49 GMT 9
Jim, I agree with you on quite a few issues. I rarely change my own oil and filter anymore as I use the special coupons ranging between $14.95 to $19.95, heck you just about pay that much for 5 quarts of oil and a filter. then there is the stress of trying to get to the damn filter.
I've worked on this Dishwasher several times and with its age figured, time for a new one. I could fix it again and maybe next year the motor or computer goes out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Dlugosh on Feb 12, 2015 4:16:01 GMT 9
Thanks for the offer Bull, but if I need parts this piece of junk is gone!
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 12, 2015 13:40:25 GMT 9
Thanks for the offer Bull, but if I need parts this piece of junk is gone! Well, if you got 20 years out of your DW like I did, its no piece of junk.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tom Dlugosh on Feb 13, 2015 4:38:55 GMT 9
Bull,
Your right, we have had it for quite a few years, but had to have a repair man out quite frequently to clean that little screen. That is until I retired and had time to tear it apart myself. I guess I shouldn't complain. Things could be worse.
Tom
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 17, 2015 14:53:59 GMT 9
Have used my ladder most of the time. I guess this will be a DSV write-up now.
Currently I hurt from my shoulder all the way down to my left bottom rib. Likely going to hurt bad tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Feb 18, 2015 3:25:05 GMT 9
From the picture of the wooden hand hold, it must have really done a quick snap and you did a quick plunge to the grass. 
Hope you have a big tube of Ben Gay to ease the pains.
OUCH!
Jim Too
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 18, 2015 12:53:05 GMT 9
Felt better today than I thought I would. Just stiff and a few pains when I get up or down. Could have been much worse I guess.
|
|
|
|
Post by adart on Feb 24, 2015 8:48:15 GMT 9
I went into the electronics repair after 33 years as a bio med tech. Used to repair vcr's,tv's,cd players. But now with flat screen TV's and the such haven't dabbled into the new stuff much. A few of the older folks still use my repair shop but not like years a ago. Guess I'll retire my dvm and scope and repair grandkids toys. Hope your feeling better Bullhunter. I slipped on ice in Dec. and racked my back and leg up. Still acts up some.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 24, 2015 15:45:33 GMT 9
Still hurting. We to see our doctor and he left early so we saw a PA. She said my lungs sound good and I likely have deep tissue injuries.
Have a new problem that I have no maintenance skills for. Had a window shatter on our deck door. Should be replaced by Tuesday.
Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Feb 25, 2015 0:07:57 GMT 9
Still hurting. We to see our doctor and he left early so we saw a PA. She said my lungs sound good and I likely have deep tissue injuries.
Have a new problem that I have no maintenance skills for. Had a window shatter on our deck door. Should be replaced by Tuesday.
Weed eaters do a job on tempered glass...... Who sneezed after it crazed like that?  ? |
|
|
|
Post by adart on Feb 25, 2015 9:03:33 GMT 9
Bullhunter, WOW what happened to the door?
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Feb 25, 2015 16:54:35 GMT 9
We have no idea what happened to the door. But, it was fixed today and we are happy. Just hope it never happens again. Hate those unexpected expenses.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jim on Feb 25, 2015 23:44:41 GMT 9
We have no idea what happened to the door. But, it was fixed today and we are happy. Just hope it never happens again. Hate those unexpected expenses.
|
|
Bullhunter
Global Moderator
318th FIS Jet Shop 1975-78
Currently: Offline
Posts: 7,445
Location:
Joined: May 2005
|
Post by Bullhunter on Mar 2, 2015 14:26:39 GMT 9
I do recall a week prior a chair fell and glanced off it. A dog that we were fostering seen the cat and ran into the window. Could be a cause. Shatter a week or so afterwards?
|
|
