How adept are you, mechanically?

[stanman13]

I don't know where to put myself on a numerical scale, but I've been working on all sorts of mechanical things since I was a kid. Started out on bicycles, and still tinker with those for fun. I've always done my own maintenance on vehicles. Was a certified auto mechanic, but I've let that lapse as I haven't done it professionally in many years since I became an engineer. I've worked on motorcycles, mowers, Jeeps, tractors, cars, and whatever. Saved myself a lot of money over the years by not paying myself labor. Of course as a homeowner you get to work on all sorts of other mechanical systems as well.

This year marks the first time in my life I've ever bought a brand new mower. This Cub Cadet is replacing a 91 Simplicity Broadmoor which I'm retiring because the deck is getting to be too far gone with rust. I'll be doing all the maintenance on it myself.

 

[PTmowerMech]

I just moved myself up from a 1 to a 3 today.
Repaired a craftsman blower carb yesterday. It was actually too old to mess with. But I wasn't busy.
Anywho, customer brings it back today and says "It won't start."
I primed, it, choked it and pulled it. Cranked first pull.

Talk about lucky.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

what did the customer say?

 

[PTmowerMech]

He thought is was his fault. His kids made fun of him.