Poppy, the snow blower is probably still running because it comes from an era when everything was built to last, not be used briefly and then tossed out for something newer and shinier. That's probably the biggest problem with people these days. They want the newest, shiniest thing, and that's given the manufacturers carte blanke to make cheap, quickly replaced junk IMHO.
I once read a book about German POW's held in a communist country during WWII. They were "conscripted" to do construction work on the homes of some of the "politicos" outside of the camp walls. Almost immediately the town's folk approached them to barter for bags of cement. They would be replaced for sand. The Germans knowing that would result in inferior workmanship and their concrete failures would result in their unpleasant treatment, by the guards, they, would not participate in this underground economy. As a result, their workmanship was superior to the locals (who DID participate in the underground economy and thereby profited by it). This managed to make the Germans a sought after commodity. Their construction projects were built to last.
I am dishearted by the fact that so much of our (American) manufacturing is going over-seas to Communistic countries, but for the almighty dollar. The products are produced cheaper over there, despite the fact that the quality is not the same as the standards of 30 years ago. They are not built to last. It is incredible how cheap they are, both in price and quality. Thirty years ago, my cousin bought a air compressor with a 3 gallon tank for $325 from Sears. Currently, despite the fact that the cost of living has gone up, and the value of the dollar has gone down, the same (????) compressor can be bought for about $100. Huh??? Oh yes... no longer made in the USA, and not expected to last as long.
So, my friend, I agree, and dissagree. I think that the force behind the move to buy cheap junk is the otherwise high cost of living. People are looking to get by, perhaps, to squeek by. Are there pockets of products, where only the latest, newest, most cutting edge, coolest, fastest, most maximest products are the driving force for people to go out and buy? Absolutely! They however are bought by those in the top 5% income brackets, and kids, still living at home where the parents pay all the significant bills. LOL... maybe I am wrong.
Getting back on point... I hope that fixing that flashlight brought YOU some pride in your accomplishment, AND that while doing it that you were afforded the opportunity to teach a member of the younger generation how to do it.
Personally I scored in the top 3% of the nation in mechanical ability because my father took things apart and showed me how they worked or why they stopped working whenever something in the house failed. I try to do the same with my son and grandkids.
Kudos to you my friend :thumbsup:
