Oh, ALSO...
One of the things brought to me was a toaster that wouldn't stay "down", but otherwise worked fine. This is a semi-common problem - I had another #toaster with the same problem at the last Repair Cafe.
And this one... the manufacturer secured the bottom base to the chassis with Torx screws (fine) ... but SECURITY Torx screws. If you're not familiar with these, they're regular Torx screws but there's a pin that sticks up in the middle of the fastener head, so regular #Torx drivers won't go into the head. You need special #drivers with a hollow bit to go over that pin.
Now, I have "security" Torx drivers because fuck you, you don't get to lock me out of something that belongs to me [1], but this is ridiculous. It's a CDN$40 two-slot toaster, not some #unobtainium magic technological wonder. It's one great "Up yours!" from the #manufacturer to the #consumer and the #environment.
Name-and-shame time: it was a Black and Decker (they can pay me if they want me to use their vanity typography to refer to them). This is another of those brand names that maybe used to mean something, but now is just marketing. There are a *lot* fewer #factories making toasters than there are brands selling toasters. They just tick boxes on an #OEM's feature list to get "their" product.
[1] It's easy to get the drivers these days, so they don't have much effect, but when they first came about almost no one had them, so it was a major pain in the ass.
Not sure the wires were supposed to melt and smolder during those 15 seconds. But it worked! 🚬 🪫 🔥 🔌 Leaf Blower is blowing quietly once again!
Black and Decker Battery Not Charging - Reset To Fix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtDH5S5DmMY
#DIY #Saturday #DocBrown #BlackAndDecker #Battery #LawnChores
Small #kitchen #appliance #review:
We've gone through a number of coffee makers over the years. Nothing fancy; just automatic-drip makers. The water here is hard on them, and I work at home, so we make coffee at least twice a day, every day. I've worn out units from most of the big common brands (#ProctorSilex, #BlackAndDecker, #Cuisinart, #HamiltonBeach, maybe others).
My most recent one packed it last week, after "Cyber Monday", so selection in stores was pretty limited. I wasn't ordering online because everyone was giving week-out delivery estimates at that point, and we weren't waiting a week for #coffee.
I ended up buying one from a brand I'd never heard of before, #Tru (which they style as TRU). I looked up the company; apparently, it's a US family-owned company. Still made in China, I believe.
And damn if this thing isn't designed and manufactured better than most of the ones I've worn out over the last 25 years. Much better and less annoying user interface, better layout of the water reservoir and grounds holder, more rigid, and yet more compact than others.
And it's one of the least expensive ones out there, around CDN $30.
If it holds up to use, I'll definitely be looking for this brand again the next time I need a small #KitchenAppliance.
Did my own black friday a bit early... splashed some money on US stocks: #WarnerBros #Discovery #Intel #AT-T #Pfizer #Stanley #BlackAndDecker #HarleyDavidson. Old brands rule.
Just a small rant about non-repairable consumer goods.
Almost all small electronics have a PCB at the heart of the unit. My toaster-oven has died after a short 2.5 year life. The problem seems to be the PCB.
When you are buying a Toaster Oven, remember that Black & Decker does not sell replacement parts.
At least I can responsibly recycle this dead toaster oven.
Black+Decker Home How-To Guides Book Bundle is here! #sale #blackanddecker #book #education #plumbing #carpentry #diy #bathrooms #repair #homerepair
https://fullsteamahead365.com/2024/06/23/blackdecker-home-how-to-guides-book-bundle-is-here/
C.
Retro Librarian
WishOf.Me
Pablonius Monk 🇺🇦
Pulin Kothari, MD
Aaro Koskinen
Dave Thacker
Bill Loguidice
Daniel Bönnighausen