Planned Obsolescence- "an article which refuses to wear out is a tragedy of business"

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Elmgrovegnome

Elmgrovegnome

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Dieter the Brock said:
Yes. All new and the vendor was just down the road. We got to know each other well.
We did use them pretty good to clear tons of cedar for hours and hours on end. But still — they broke all the time. Would up and stop working suddenly. We kept good care of them but to be honest most we hadn’t even had that long. Most of the time they were under warranty but a few times it was just like a month past.

I got this push weed whacker that was awesome though before I sold the place. I loved that thing for pastures.

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If you were using a Weed Wacker to clear brushy fields, then you were overwhelming them. The machine above is like a DR Trimmer. They are great as you say. The difference is in the size of the engine. Weed Wackers are designed to be used for residential work. The professional lawnmowers industry is their target customer.

I worked for the PA Conservation Corps years ago and one of our jobs was creating new forest trails. They never had a good working Weed Wacker. They had all brands and they were constantly in for repair. I kept arguing for a walk behind model, but they would approve the request. They kept paying for repairing weed hackers repeatedly. It made it difficult to get much done. Then one day they agreed to let us rent a walk behind trimmer. Our job was so much easier, faster, safer, and since the crew took turns controlling it, everyone was less fatigued. We eventually started renting one with blades. That thing was even better. It had an open front, so it was more dangerous but it chewed down saplings like butter.
 
Dieter the Brock

Dieter the Brock

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Elmgrovegnome said:
If you were using a Weed Wacker to clear brushy fields, then you were overwhelming them. The machine above is like a DR Trimmer. They are great as you say. The difference is in the size of the engine. Weed Wackers are designed to be used for residential work. The professional lawnmowers industry is their target customer.

I worked for the PA Conservation Corps years ago and one of our jobs was creating new forest trails. They never had a good working Weed Wacker. They had all brands and they were constantly in for repair. I kept arguing for a walk behind model, but they would approve the request. They kept paying for repairing weed hackers repeatedly. It made it difficult to get much done. Then one day they agreed to let us rent a walk behind trimmer. Our job was so much easier, faster, safer, and since the crew took turns controlling it, everyone was less fatigued. We eventually started renting one with blades. That thing was even better. It had an open front, so it was more dangerous but it chewed down saplings like butter.
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Yeah that’s it in a nutshell!
I figured this out only months before leaving the ranch. But I am planning on getting back to the ranch life here soon - this time Lexington area - and the first thing I’m doing is buying one of the push trimmer (maybe 2)
 
coconut

coconut

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Dieter the Brock said:
Yeah that’s it in a nutshell!
I figured this out only months before leaving the ranch. But I am planning on getting back to the ranch life here soon - this time Lexington area - and the first thing I’m doing is buying one of the push trimmer (maybe 2)
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So you used the wrong tool for the job? Now your experience with Stihl makes more sense. Next time Pete use a bulldozer instead of a chainsaw.:p


View: https://youtu.be/sKM4qBESzrA

View: https://youtu.be/fGkOOtd3GmY
 
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RamFan503

RamFan503

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coconut said:
Your inkjet printer was designed to fail but not in the way you might think.
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I have a friend and hunting buddy that is an engineer for HP. He was talking one night around the campfire about his meetings where the higher ups kept harping about how the printers they were making were too robust. In other words, they were telling them to find ways to make them fail sooner.
ozarkram said:
For me the problems have not so much been things wearing out too soon but instead not working from the get go. I purchased a Murray weedeater a few years ago.
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I bought a Weed Eater from Wally World and it never worked right either. Like fifty pulls to start it and then it was weak as hell. This was the planned replacement for my almost 30 year old Shindaiwa. Not so much.
coconut said:
I'm still looking for a good used older Toro since I expect to be disappointed with the MTD mower.
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Good luck. I bought a Toro commercial mower 32 years ago. Though parts are corroded away around the chute and I need to replace a cable, the thing still starts on the first pull. AIN'T NO WAY I'm selling it. But if you can find one, jump on it. Especially if it has the two stroke Kawasaki motor.

I have another mower - I think it may be an MTD - not going to go out and look. It's probably 3 years old and simply a POS.
FaulkSF said:
Most anything Wal-Mart
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True story. I used to buy a certain smoker for my restaurant at a store in Oregon called BiMart - Great stores. One day I saw it for $30 less at Wally World. I went to look at it and though it looked the same, it was about ten pounds lighter, the burner looked cheaper and instead of having a cast iron chip tray, it was this little tin pan. Wally world gets companies to make crap just for them so they can sell it cheaper than anyone while making it look like they are selling the same quality for less. They're not.
coconut said:
Ryobi is low end so I'd like to know which tools you have had good luck and how hard were they used? Black and Decker is a sad story. I still pick up the stuff from the '80s if I don't expect the tool to be used a lot. Their newer stuff is practically disposable.
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Ryobi is definitely considered low end. That said, I have had a Ryobi Router for 15 years that is my go to over my expensive older Porter Cable and I threw my B&D in the trash when I couldn't get $10 for it at a garage sale. Only used once.
LesBaker said:
I've never seen a WW that wasn't junk.
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I had a Shindaiwa for almost 30 years. Great Weed Wacker. I also used it commercially. It didn't look much different than any other little straight shaft but it worked great.
coconut said:
That is unprecedented in my experience. Assuming you are mixing to the correct gas to oil ratio perhaps you are not using 100% gas? I don't care what the manual says I only run or mix with 100% gas. I can't get past your "three chainsaws dead"! All bought new?
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I'm guessing you mean no ethanol fuel. I used to get that for my boat and then use it in all my two-stroke equipment. Very good point. Most 2-strokes are not designed to run ethanol. It eats the hoses and plastic parts. I spent $1500 repairing my boat motor before I found that out.
Elmgrovegnome said:
If you were using a Weed Wacker to clear brushy fields, then you were overwhelming them. The machine above is like a DR Trimmer. They are great as you say. The difference is in the size of the engine. Weed Wackers are designed to be used for residential work. The professional lawnmowers industry is their target customer.

I worked for the PA Conservation Corps years ago and one of our jobs was creating new forest trails. They never had a good working Weed Wacker. They had all brands and they were constantly in for repair. I kept arguing for a walk behind model, but they would approve the request. They kept paying for repairing weed hackers repeatedly. It made it difficult to get much done. Then one day they agreed to let us rent a walk behind trimmer. Our job was so much easier, faster, safer, and since the crew took turns controlling it, everyone was less fatigued. We eventually started renting one with blades. That thing was even better. It had an open front, so it was more dangerous but it chewed down saplings like butter.
Click to expand...
Not really true. I did weed abatement professionally for a couple years. We bought the larger Shidaiwa (no I don't work for them) weed eaters. They have handle bars and a harness. I would take one of those ANY DAY over one of those walk behinds. Walk behinds are great but WAY slower and barely useable on anything but flat land with no rocks.

And @Dieter the Brock - Screw the weed whacker. Get a couple goats. They eat anything and are endless entertainment. Especially if you get one of those fainting dudes.


View: https://youtu.be/we9_CdNPuJg
 
oldnotdead

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LOL I have a Browning High Power 9mm pistol my father bought in 1936 I believe. He carried and used it all during WWII and I carried it and used it in Vietnam, my nephew carried it in 3 tours in Bosnia, 4 tours in Iraq and 4 tours in Afganistan before he returned it to me. He laughed and said he probably fired it more than my dad and I. Had it barreled and that's about it.

My parents bought me a pair of shoes from Kinney's in the 50's. It was my only pair and wore it daily. The uppers finally wore out but the soles were like almost new!! Found out they quit making them like that a year after I got mine. LOL

My computer is ancient by computer years. I built a computer using an i3 CPU and MSI main board in 2010. The only thing I've changed is the hard drive and only because I wanted a faster main drive so I replaced it with a SSD. The original hard drive (Western Digital) still works and is in a USB enclosure for archive purposes. 9 years is an long time for a computer and it's what I'm using now.

I have a pair of Danner Boots I bought in 2006 and they are still fine. I wore them daily for about 10 years as my work boots.

I have a titanium frame for my glasses that I bought in 2003. I simply get new lenses put in. Obviously I wear them constantly and I'm rather tough on frames.

I think people decide things are obsolete because they desire to always have the latest and most chic of things. IMO cell phones epitomize this type of thinking. I have a Razr flip phone I keep in my car as an emergency backup phone. It works fine, I just needed a smart phone for my work. But I miss the flip phones convenience and size. I bought that in 2004 I believe.

Not everything is timed obsolescent IMO. If you are a discerning consumer and buy quality you can still find durable products.
 
RhodyRams

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I am amazed at how you guys think you can buy a tool at Walmart , Home Cheapo and Lowes and expect it to last... .

These companies and Home Cheapo will make a deal...HD will sell X amount of units for $z and advertise the snot out of it. I do all my tool shopping at a tool supply store... nail guns, mitre saws, circular saw etc...I will pay 50-75 more than at Home Depot, but I can guarantee it will out perform and outlast it's cheaply made counterpart


Off tools, lets go to plumbing fixtures...Kohler and Moen..good brands , right? 45 bucks cheaper at a box store than at a plumbing fixture store

take one apart... plastic fittings vs brass fittings.. is it worth the extra money? Figure out the time it takes you to go and buy a new faucet, remove the old one and install the new one.


vacuums... I have a Miele bought from a local store when we first moved to RI...$450 back in 04..3 dogs you need a good vacuum. Wife is on her 3rd Dyson from Home Cheapo with her cleaning business in 5 years, and she only does 5 houses a week




big box stores are a rip off.... dont waste your time or money at them
 
coconut

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  • #37
RhodyRams said:
I am amazed at how you guys think you can buy a tool at Walmart , Home Cheapo and Lowes and expect it to last... .

These companies and Home Cheapo will make a deal...HD will sell X amount of units for $z and advertise the snot out of it. I do all my tool shopping at a tool supply store... nail guns, mitre saws, circular saw etc...I will pay 50-75 more than at Home Depot, but I can guarantee it will out perform and outlast it's cheaply made counterpart


Off tools, lets go to plumbing fixtures...Kohler and Moen..good brands , right? 45 bucks cheaper at a box store than at a plumbing fixture store

take one apart... plastic fittings vs brass fittings.. is it worth the extra money? Figure out the time it takes you to go and buy a new faucet, remove the old one and install the new one.


vacuums... I have a Miele bought from a local store when we first moved to RI...$450 back in 04..3 dogs you need a good vacuum. Wife is on her 3rd Dyson from Home Cheapo with her cleaning business in 5 years, and she only does 5 houses a week




big box stores are a rip off.... dont waste your time or money at them
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I don't think anyone has been bragging about tools from Home Depot. For many people HD or Lowes is all they have if they need it fast. That is always driven by a new job or a tool wearing out. I buy old stuff that can repaired by me. I'm lucky there is a motor rebuilding shop in town that I can get parts, usually brushes will do it. For the average guy buying the battery powered tools is a huge waste of money. Look great, work great but the batteries don't last. Cheaper to buy a new tool. Again and again. Over time could easily pay for a small generator if a wall socket isn't available.

We had a Kirby vacuum which was really made well and could be worked on as the used/rebuilt market proves but upgraded to a central vac that can't be beat. If any dog or cat owner can have a central vac don't wait. Do it. You'll be amazed at the dirt you've been leaving behind. Don't go cheap on the power head either. I find Dyson and similar ones at thrift stores that still work great or just need a little cleaning. Usually for $5, sometimes less. Women like them because they are powerful, versatile and very lightweight and sadly always updated to a new and shiny look with a big advertising campaign to get them to buy a new one.:palm:
 
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