Hah. I "fixed" a Dell laptop like that a few months ago. Tossed that sucker clear across my bedroom and BOOM! Fixed.
When using boot technology, the type and size of a boot makes a big difference. As for myself, I prefer the advanced 22 oz Estwing hammer method as opposed to the boot or 2nd story window formula for fixing all things technical. I do admire those who use a12 gauge with birdshot though. A bit loud but completely reliable.
Apparently that is how much of it is today. I've always disliked and distrusted car dealers since I worked at one when I was 17-18, along with various other stories about them from buddies. However, the Chevy dealer (Van Bortel Chevy) I took my Vette to kinda sticks above the crowd for numerous reasons. They are about 30 miles away from me and are one of the top Corvette dealers in the nation. Kitty Van Bortel owns several dealerships and she is well-liked and trusted around the area. They sponsor the Rochester Corvette Club which is one of the oldest in the nation. They will build your Corvette engine, tranny, suspension, etc. for racing -- so you have to assume they know what they're doing. My best friend took his Shelby Mustang to their Ford dealer some years ago, and was happy with them. He is the one that suggested them. They have four certified Corvette mechanics and I talked to the top two about my car. They were certainly sympathetic with the problem, but cannot diagnose the problem until it shows up again. So, here we are.
On the drive to the dealer: Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! *Can Not Duplicate* On the drive home: Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!
Followup On That POS: It seems to be a never-ending story - it's always something. After kicking the Dyson Filter/Humidifier/Cooler/Fan, the thing ran for about a day and a half and then quit again. I was about to take the sledge to it when better judgement kicked in and I called the Dyson service center in towards Boston. The Dyson guy told me what I already knew - the unit's water pump is a common problem and has been for some time. He then said he's got an inventory of new pumps, can replace mine instantly and have me on my way. Well, I drove there with my unit and, wonder of wonders, there were four other people in the shop with the same unit/problem. Fortunately, he had pumps for all us and it was a just a bit of paperwork and a quick pump swap - free of charge. The service guy was quite friendly, professional and helpful throughout. He even carried the unit back to the car for me, not that I needed him to. Kudos to him and Dyson for admitting they had a big problem and stepping up to solve it. Dyson is off my shit-list, for now, assuming the unit keeps running for longer than just a few months (i.e., today makes the third pump in less than 6 months of use).
Rant: It never ends. Another day, another product bites the dust. I spend a good part of the morning getting the Dyson fixed. Being on a "git er done" tear, I set about installing a Garmin dashcam 47W in the car. The initial install went swimmingly, the video worked like a charm and was able to download to computer. After checking that out, I set about pairing the dashcam to the iPhone via Bluetooth, as described in the manual. After an hour or two of trying unsuccessfully to get that to work, I contacted Garmin support via live chat. Was able to connect right away and went through a number of tests with him, after which he determined the unit was defective. Now I have to pack it up and send it back for a replacement. This is the third such product return/replace I've done in the last several months. Is there a pattern here (e.g., supply chain problems, inferior parts, deteriorating quality assurance, etc.)?
That sucks. The 47W is better than cheap entry-level, that's for sure. I wonder if there's a way to ascertain manufacture date just for your edification. I just bought a Garmin hand-held GPS. I use it for hiking property in Virginia. I hope I have better luck with it.
I'd bet you have good luck with your hand-held. We have 3 garmin GPS units, one each for the CX, Miata and GS motorcycle, all of which are over 5 years old. Not one problem with any of these. Aside from GPS, Garmin is noted for its quality flight instruments. In the case of the dashcam, their support turned out to be as good as I'd heard it was.
Long story short: Going to Harbor Freight and Northern Tool yields no better service than just going on the internet. And not only does the internet save you time and gas, you won't be angry, since you have no expectations to be dashed.
True, but, unless enough money is spent from buying from certain companies, shipping cost can be expensive and a Return a headache. And, sometimes, what is pictured, isn't what a person gets from ordering online. Have had that happen a few times.
I have used that technique on many an item and it works a lot of the time. I have had a blue toe more than once, not just from horses stepping on it.
I agree. That's why I went to the brick & mortar place: I wanted in-person advice and to be able to see what I was getting. Harbor Freight (1 1/2 hour round trip) carries all sorts of air compressors, air tools and air hoses (1/4", 3/8", 1/2"). But they only have 1/4" fittings. They have a wall full of 1/4" fittings. The high-end impact wrenches they sell require larger fittings, and I don't believe those wrenches come with them. I finally asked for help and the guy knew as little about it as I did (I don't blame him...no one can be conversant in their entire offering.) He tried to get me to buy a 1/4"air hose ("Look! It's on clearance!!!"), since he could sell me the fittings to go with it. I bought a 50' x 3/8" air hose since I was there because it was highly rated at a good price, and left without any fittings. Northern Tool (another 1 1/2 hour round trip in the opposite direction) was no better. They did have a HUGE compliment of fittings, but likewise had no one to help me walk through what I needed in order to properly connect my air compressor to an impact gun via a 1/2" hose. The woman who they sent over helplessly said "These things always confuse me," then for 5 minutes silently watched me pick through the pieces and lay them out on the floor, with me trying to envision exactly how they would fit. She finally drifted away...at some point I looked up and she was gone. I finally gave up because my eyes were glazing over, so thought I would at least buy the 25' x 1/2" hose they have in stock...except it's not in stock. The website says it is. But it's not. On my way out I remembered that I needed an extension for my 1/4" ratchet, so I grabbed one and headed to the register. There were 3 women working there, each one masked and wearing a Santa hat (Santa Clause Conquers the COVID, starring Pia Zadora) and all drifting aimlessly. One was playing with a printer, another was putzing with stuff on the counter, and no one was at the register or even looking at the group of customers who were milling around there as so many zombies. So I put the extension back and left with nothing except a bad attitude and a 45 minute drive home ahead of me. To make matters worse, both places had annoying music blaring. You know how you're trying to concentrate on something and loud music can make it impossible, and it just makes you frustrated & angry? H.F. was blasting out rap (like an auction that never ends), and N.T. was playing loud County Christmas music (did grandma really get run over by a reindeer? It sounds so suspicious), all while I was trying to piece together a bunch of fittings in an application I had no experience with and could not get the help that I drove all that way for. I wanted to scream at both of them to tone it down or turn it off. The sound of incessantly barking dogs would have been less annoying (unless they barked rhythmically or with a nasal twang.) I'm still trying to figure out how to Compressor>1/2" Hose>Air Tools, but that can wait until I decide to buy an impact wrench. There's not much on the web at the level of detail I need, and I can't find any local businesses that might be able to help.
@John Brunner can you change the manifold on the compressor to a larger fitting size? I have replaced manifolds, but I did not have a need for a larger fitting size. It seems that it would be possible though. You have not idea what shipping costs can be. I was going to order a small set of specialized tools for about $100 and weighed 17 pounds. The shipping cost was going to be $89 for that small package. This happens with companies who only ship UPS. We sometimes have shipping costs that exceed the cost of the items ordered. Generally speaking, I do not order from companies who cannot ship via USPS. For that reason among others, I buy everything I can from brick-and-mortar stores here, or via Amazon Prime. For the larger, heavier items that I must have, FedEx ground seems to be the cheapest even though it does not come by ground transport and flies in just like almost everything else. Air freight companies are also affordable for large items.
John: Good story, I can relate to all of it. If you really need help, go to a privately-owned hardware store and avoid the chains like the Wu Flu. We have a family-run ServiStar in town about 5 miles away and they are no comparison to Lowe's which is nearly 20 miles away. At the local one there is always at least one person on hand who knows every item they sell, how and where it is to be used. Good luck with that level of knowledge at the big box stores. People at the BB places are just earning a paycheck. At the other places you are usually dealing with either the owner or a relative of the owner, all of whom have a stake in making you happy. Freaking music, wow. I would tell them to shut it off or I'm leaving. Humanity is getting dumber when it gets to this. Most any type of documentary or non-fiction show on TV now has FOREground music. It used to be BACKground music, quieter than the narrator and non-intrusive. Now it's in your face so much, and overpowers everything else, that I usually go watch something else. It's too annoying. And people making their own Youtubes are also doing it. "We do it because we can." I didn't read everything about your air tools, but it should be pretty straightforward. Just regular pipe fittings, 1/4" I believe, use reducing couplings or bushings as needed. I have quick-disconnect on all mine.