Fix-It Basics Fix-It Guides
Fix Anything |
Repair Stationary Things |
Repair Mechanical Things |
Repair Electrical Things |
Electrical Tests |
Repair Hybrid Things |
Warranties |
Parts & Materials |
Tools |
Safety First! |
Plan Your Project |
Disassembling Things |
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What's
wrong with it? That's the first big question in fixing broken things.
Any broken things! It doesn't matter whether it's a door chime, a barbecue grill, a child's toy, or a computer printer. Figuring out what's wrong with it is the most important task. Once you know what's wrong with it, you're well on the way to fixing it--or making an informed decision not to.
Stationary things don't move on their own. In fact, if they move they may be broken. Fixing them can be easy.
Mechanical things move. Technically they are machines. They convert one form of energy into another. If you know what your broken mechanical thing is supposed to do, you can probably fix it.
Electrical things are devices that convert electricity into another form of energy. These include large and small appliances, computers, telephones, lighting, and a lot more. Troubleshooting electrical things is surprisingly easy.
You can perform several simple electrical tests on all kinds of electrical things around your home. All you will need is one or more of three inexpensive testers: a continuity tester, a multimeter, and/or a circuit tester.
The largest category of things is: hybrid. That is, many things in our lives combine stationary (clothing) and mechanical (zipper), or mechanical (food mixer) and electrical (power). However, by looking at every thing by category you can more easily figure out what's wrong and decide how to fix it.
Before tearing something open to fix it, consider whether it's really the manufacturer's problem or yours. Many consumer items carry a limited warranty that the item will function for at least the specified time after the consumer buys it new.
Once you've figured out what's wrong with a household item, how are you going to get the parts to fix it? Fortunately, many parts are standardized and interchangeable. You may be able to pick up many of them at a nearby hardware store.
A
tool is any mechanical implement that cuts, turns, grabs, attaches, or provides some other useful function. To fix things around your household you'll need at least a few basic tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, drills, and pliers. There are additional tools for specific jobs, such as a toilet plunger, level, clamps, paint brushes, caulk gun, etc.
Safety is a very important part of fixing anything. In one infamous example, technicians decided to find out what would happen if they tried to run the system with the various safety mechanisms defeated--at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Fixing your toaster won't start a mushroom cloud of nuclear waste, but it can hurt you if you don't apply some common-sense safety rules:
No matter what you're fixing, you can save time by spending some time on planning. Once you've figured out what's wrong with it, gathered the parts and tools, and planned when and where you'll fix it, the repair is more than half done. The actual repair is relatively easy.
Disassembling things is an important part of repair. You'll want to be able to reassemble an item properly whether it's done today, tomorrow, or once you've found some parts a month from now. Here are tips for smart disassembly:
Occasionally you won't be able to or won't want to fix it yourself. That's okay. There's help available. When should you consider hiring someone to fix something for you?
Can't Find It?
Can't Fix It? Recycle It! Learn more at Earth911.com.
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Fix-It Basics Fix-It Guides
