The Wealth Of Nations by Adam Smith. Feels like I'm back in economic study again. Only this time, the teacher is hot and she's my girlfriend. Business study has never been so fun. Ahem. I also brought a new pocket square just because my old black one vanished. ETA: Fixed a phone error...
Bought a temp controller for my fan forced heater. I can either fork out another $120-150 for a new one as even though the heater and fan works for at least two years, the mechanical thermostat plays up before a year (there's considerable metal fatigue in the usual spot, thus the heater either drops really low or heats the room up too much) The electronic thermostat is $60 and can be remotely controlled by a smart device, and it can control both a heater and aircon separately, and can have the temp range set as low as 0.3 C +\-, far more precise that the mechaincal thermostat, thus saving power. This will work well on me aircon this summer as my room is tiny and the next level up aircon is too strong and it has trouble maintaining an optimal temp, either the aircon is overkill or it too has a crappy thermostat system.
Also bought this on eBay... Spoiler: pic ...it's an old Stanley alloy adjustable miter box. Just wanted to see what's it's like and have fun restoring it. It was way cheaper and in far better nick that the same item from other sellers.
I have this same issue with a beloved heater that produces a 'soft' heat with a lower fan speed. The thermostat is the same bi-metal make-break contacts. Turns out they are like 'points' in an old distributor - dirty from the arc ionizing particulate on the contacts. A simple gap-file cleans them up and they are good for another few years, depending on dust conditions. My beloved heater is still in service after 15 years for this simple maintanence. You mention lawn mowers, petrol tools, chain saws, etc. I'm betting you have that diamond file in your toolbox even now I think it counter to your philosophy to service-reuse-recycle when possible. You could even snatch a thermostat out of another appliance. That bi-metal lasts for decades, so I think the quick fix is a better choice than $60. A/C is another wooly beast, entirely.
If you hit yardsales or anywhere you can get your hands on pre 60's equipment, you may be able to find a thermostat with a mercury switch in it. Infinitely more reliable than the points, but for obvious reasons is definitely something you'd want to be careful with.
A new mouse. Being dyslexic, keyboard commands are a no-go, so I go through mice like crazy. The one I've been using since March is already wildin' despite installing a new battery and cleaning the lens, so it's about to get kicked to the curb. So far the the cheap Logitchs have lasted longer than this one I paid more for.
The work tools: (I may have already posted some of these) Mitersaw: Like the vintage Stanley one, but with builtin 550mm blade and far more precise. Saves me firing up the dropsaw or circular saw with future homemade square guide for small tasks. Will see if I end up keeping it or not. Was as cheap as free (and never used) and in the vicinity of the drill press so I snagged it. Spoiler Wood vice: Have to replace crappy wood tops. I'll either use it as is or rip it apart for parts to make my own vice. The metal windy parts are the must haves for homemade vices. Spoiler Dropsaw: Pristine condition for age; may have to replace bearings. Only fired it up once and within the loudness I sensed there was an extra noise; easy to fix. Spoiler Benchgrinder: Old but mechanically pristine; took ages to stop after giving it a test run, thus bearings still like new, and disks in unused condition. Spoiler Drillpress: 30cm ruler to show size. Needs slight restoration. There's plenty of homemade drillpress vids on YT, but they all use a powered hand drill; I'd rather a heavy solid drillpress. Spoiler
The wife just bought her annual tickets to Trans Siberian Orchestra. It's sort of become a tradition- 6 years running, and she saw them twice before I got dragged into this.
eBayed some different KZ model ear buds the ATR, ED4 and ED9. I currently run the KZ ATE. All models are under $30 delivered, and are highly rated for budget earbuds. I'm trying the other models 'cus I'm impressed with the sound and build quality of me ATEs, and would simply like to see what their other ones are like for sound and fit, as I mostly use these while riding and I use a small metal aligtor clip to keep the cable secure down my back. They're also much older models, thus if they turn out to be good value, I'll stock up on them as they'll one day be unobtainable. Overear sports neck mount phones are becoming obsolete and I used to stock up on my Sennheisers, so doing the same here.
A rocking chair. Niece says I'm, quote: "Too young for this shit" but hmph, that brat doesn't know anything.....
Rocking chairs rock, as do hammocks and swinging seats. I recall in my early youth in the tiny village up North Queensland, in the barren yard of the house we just moved into. The only initial nice thing about the backyard was a lush tree wih tiny oval leaves (can't find pic of one) which my dad hung a single rope swing on. Useless for swinging due to single rope, but oh so nice for twirling in circles, of which I'd do so for hours at a time. Possibly part of the reason for my alleged brain damage I thought I had for decades due to struggling to make sense of human life. "Never underestimate the healing power of a swinging cane chair." - Alexander Stillwater
I agree with your thoughts on the matter, but in this point, it all depends on how the mechanical thermo is built. Spoiler: tud... My theory is the one in the heater is two different types of metal stuck together, thus one expands at a different rate than the other thus causing it to bend thus creating the on\off mechanism. If this is the case, the metal has fatigued and is irrepairable. Also, not point salvaging therms from dumped heaters as they too may have faulty therms. I originally looked at buying spare parts, spare therms are expensive and also only last a year. Also, is the therm in my heater servicable, in that has it been designed to be taken apart. I haven't looked, though most mass-produced stuff nowadays is designed to be unserviceable. I'm sure this would not be the case with a very old therm heater. I chose the electronic plug in therm due to no mechanical parts and high quality, 2yr warranty. Plus it can run my A\C as well. It's an initial high cost, but I've decided to go this way to see if it's cost effective over a long period. I've initially forked out $60, but I can retain the heater for many years, so that's recycling.
So I continue to watch 'making stuff at home' vids for ideas and inspiration. I have a bunch of old dirty files that have no handles; Spoiler: tud... I didn't do any precision work so I rarely used them. Now I have some good gear they'll be used more often so I need handles; I have no interest in being ripped off by buying new from the hardware or even on eBay, I think they're overpriced. So I've decided to make a wood lathe using a power drill, then came across a vid of a vertical lathe using a drill press. A more solid and powerful option as the power drill ones seem too weak to me. I wasn't keen on the vertical stance on the drill press, seems awkward to hold the tools that way...then as I kept searching I came across a bloke using a 90 degree drill attachment for his home made drill press lathe. Here's what I bought. So now in the top of my projects list is my horizontal drill press lathe. Aluminium casing, steel shafts, I'm getting the steel keyed chuck version. Device is rated at 25Nm of torque, so that's strong enough for small projects. And folks tend to speak favourably about the build quality and strength. And there's another drill press for sale for similar price and better brand, but it's in Hobart, an expensive 3\4 tank of fuel away, so no point going down there unless I have other things to buy, as I do need a decent cordless drill and router as the last of the expensive tools.
I just bought the first book/ebook in the Dresden Files series, because I'm told I'm wayyyy the fuck behind on a good series and also because James Marsters is my first love.
All viable solutions, but I already have a drill press. Spoiler: rant... The better brand same sized drill press in Hobart, he's not responding, so either sold or another late responder. Would like to own it and make the current press the spare. For future projects, I'll continue to look out for stuff thrown out at the tip that have decent strength motors. 240v AC, like bench grinders, air compressors, washing machines n dryers, even large food kitchen appliances. For DC with variable speed control, Treadmills are the holy grail. Been researching cordless drills for about a week. All the future projects will be greatly aided by having 2 cordless drills, especially when some projects will require inside and outside locations at the same time. Spoiler: rant... Been looking at new and 2nd hand, frustrated at the $ of new 18v, and the $ for batteries if I went 2nd hand drills, and all 2nd hand drills I've seen look like they've had a hard life. I do prefer at least GC 2nd hand over reasonable cond. Near completely ignorant of cordless, during my research I've found out for the light work I'll always do, new technology 12v is more than adequate for me. After lots of review and spec research, I'm going for this kit, which comes with 6yr drill and 3yr battery warranties. https://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-12v-2-0-4-0ah-2-piece-combo-kit_p0036 583 True that there's better quality (user based reviews) brand kits around the same price, but they don't come with 2 & 4Ah batteries, and the 2 n 4 is perfect for me. Plus the AEG has a steel gearbox and even some of the better brands only run plastic cogs. Though AEG is classified as 'industrial\professional grade' as opposed to 'home user grade' of some of the other brands in my price range, reviewers do rate the AEG as home user quality, and it's why 18v is more expensive as they're more for heavy duty professional use.
I feel almost obliged to buy myself something, as I'm now earning and can afford stuff for once, but at the same time I no longer feel the need for all that retail therapy.
Yeah, it's kind of funny how once you feel more financially secure, suddenly retail therapy isn't a necessity. I earn way more now than I did before, but I generally buy less. Strange phenomenon.
Perhaps one reason being - when something is out of one's reach it's desired more. Spoiler: rant... Or - if financially strapped, one feels down, thus one counteracts the pain by owning something perceieved as valuable, thus temporarily relieving the pain. For you said, 'therapy', and that does ring so true for many folks I think. Doing something to alleviate any soul suffering, though of course, it's a bandaid and will never actually resolve any soul issues. Also if one is materially minded, one will tend to acquire material possessions as a sign of weath, thus signifies one is doing well in life and will feel good about themself.
