It is a sign of the great enthusiasm with which I approach Christmas Day that I spent a significant part of this one repairing a handheld vacuum cleaner...
Having noticed a mound of dog hair on the stairs, I dug out the old handheld vacuum and tried to suck it up. No joy. The brushes were not turning.
With my vision, dismantling and cleaning things like this is, well, fun in its own way, but I know this particular beast. Stripped it down, cleaned it up, reassembled it and plugged it in. No joy. The rubber drive belt was knackered. Hmmm. Went online to look for a replacement. £80 ??? I am much too tight to pay that when I have a perfectly serviceable one that is only, well ... It went out of production in 1993...
A little googling and a shot in the dark and I boiled the belt (with some washing powder) for about 5 minutes. Rinsed it off in cold water and refitted it. It is now nice and tight and the brushes are doing their job. And all without opening my wallet!
The drive belt on my old record player is next up! ... and the feed wheels on that old printer in the attic ...
Have a wonderful festive period boiling your worn-out rubber objects!
Useful tip for those with hard-to-open wallets
Useful tip for those with hard-to-open wallets
ACCESS_POST_ACTIONSSignature: Phil White
Non sum felix lepus
Non sum felix lepus
Re: Useful tip for those with hard-to-open wallets
...a felicitous turn of events that your vacuum works again.
One of the highlights of my day included the Shark (vacuum) which my wife decided needed to be run on the first-floor. I jumped up from the other highlight of my day, reading Unoffendable by Brant Hansen, to move every obstacle from her vacuuming, a simple act, but one inspired, as I'd not thought of it before.
Oh, and making a "Danish Puff" for Christmas breakfast.
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One of the highlights of my day included the Shark (vacuum) which my wife decided needed to be run on the first-floor. I jumped up from the other highlight of my day, reading Unoffendable by Brant Hansen, to move every obstacle from her vacuuming, a simple act, but one inspired, as I'd not thought of it before.
Oh, and making a "Danish Puff" for Christmas breakfast.
Re: Useful tip for those with hard-to-open wallets
Phil White. When I was a lad there were a couple in the neighbouring village on whom I used to call. Mrs Oliver cooked, darned and sewed. Mr Oliver was always repairing, reusing, experimenting and I enjoyed being encouraged to take part. One day I called in on my way home from school and Mrs Oliver was having tea with a friend and my young ears picked up that the friend's husband had left her for his attractive, young secretary. I was upset as I didn't know couples split up. After the friend had left Mrs Oliver said to me, "That will never happen to Mr Oliver and me because we always look to repair and mend and love the things better for their repairs."
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Signature: tony
I'm puzzled therefore I think.
I'm puzzled therefore I think.
Re: Useful tip for those with hard-to-open wallets
Tony - that's such a sweet story. Thank you for sharing it!
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Re: Useful tip for those with hard-to-open wallets
Tony h.
I had a pair of mentors like the Olivers. Different as night and day, they worked together as you described. One of their secrets to happiness: when arguing, laughter and peace must ensue immediately after one of them brings-up a third family-member.
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I had a pair of mentors like the Olivers. Different as night and day, they worked together as you described. One of their secrets to happiness: when arguing, laughter and peace must ensue immediately after one of them brings-up a third family-member.
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