in which I make it worse by trying to make it better

On Tuesday, I decided to vacuum. As one does.

Given that I knew that the vacuum needed to be taken apart to remove some object that was blocking the beater bar thingy, I gave myself an extra ten minutes and found a screwdriver. And then had to find another screwdriver when I discovered that two of the screws were in recessed holes that the first screwdriver was too big for.* 

I figured that the object in question had come from a kid's room and was of the Lego/Polly Pocket type of toy. I was wrong. It was a six-inch** drywall screw, which had not only jammed all of the mechanics but had also lodged in such a way that it burned out the little wheel that the beater bar spins on. Yes, that's its technical name.

Because I am a problem solved, I tried to unjam everything with an even more substantial screwdriver, pliers, and a can of WD-40.***

An hour later, I'd successfully broken all of the parts I could get to and ordered new ones.

And had a mess that I needed to vacuum up. Oh, irony.

--------------------------------

* Write your own naughty joke here.

** ish.

*** Scott calls this "the last refuge of the dammed." He is not wrong.

Comments

[Laura]

Sometimes easier to get a new vacuum. Your determination is admirable and wow, a 6" screw.

[Laura]

I really meant to say "Wow.... a 6" screw!?" :)

[ellen]

Yeah, that's what often happens when I have to break out the screwdrivers. Don't feel bad, I think modern appliances are not built to be especially robust. All those plastic parts.

[Heidi]

For what it's worth ... I love my Dyson, should you get to the replace rather than repair point.

[Adrienne]

FWIW - the screw was more like 2". But when you reach the point where you just want to smash everything with a hammer, your (well, my) ability to gauge size goes out the window.

And I still may be getting a new vacuum. Since it was already broken, tho, it was worth trying to fix. I think.

[anj]

wow. and um.... wow.. Your ability to be determined is a character strength.. Always remember that.

I find that vacuums are just not up to real rigorous baloney nowadays. Sue and I decided to buy a dyson when we got a 40% off chance to do so. We then completely cleaned and sold the older model for a pretty far price. SO once you fix this, you can sell it if you want.

[Sil]

This why the Boy needs to clean up his everyday language. There are times that strong, undiluted words are needed.

[kmkat]

I mourn the fact that every time I vacuum I end up taking the thing apart to some degree. If the bag isn't full, I break the belt. If the belt doesn't break, the hose gets blocked.

The problem surely is not that we have 2 long-haired cats and 2 long-haired dogs and 1 long-haired woman. And that I vacuum quarterly.

[Carol]

Been there done that!
The one I worked on is in the garage, looking really sad.