So ever since I have joined a research group as an undergrad, and my grad students found out I can fix things, they have been asking me to fix some broken down stuff.
First was something called an ELSD (evaporative light detection system) which was soldering a $20 part into a $15,000 machine. (first time trying to make something work with a soldering gun rather than ripping it apart)

Second was a HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography column), this machine was surprisingly simply to deal with, couple of bad bearings due to lack of lubrication. However because the bearings went, the valves and pistons broke. The valves were made from completely spherical polished sapphires and were $500 a piece(the valve and seat could fit on half a dime). The pistons, which are also sapphire, were $900 a piece(same length as a wooden striker match but three times the diameter), 3 valves and 1 piston later the machine now purrs like it should.

I'm just glad these parts aren't needed for my truck to work or else I think I might be screwed lol, but I was wondering what other weird things other blazer drivers have fixed, and what did it cost to fix them?

 

I fix all kinds of things; waterjet table was last. I bet you would like to watch the Ted talks. Look this up and check out TED: Ideas worth spreading

 

I don't do a whole lot of "fixing" anymore, I seem to have a destructive path behind me... but in the past I temp-fixed an outer tie-rod with a coat hanger, if that counts? lol

 

Gee... I aint done anything that exotic.

But I spent thirty years in EE/IT.. After designing a robo-caller and a dashboard radar detector, then got a patent for configuring printer interfaces by remote dialup.
Now I snake clogged drains part time.

 

My wife thought when we got married things would great, fixed her I did

 

I got the doctor to fix my woman when our twins were born on march 4th... Removal of 2 little spagetti like tubes, didnt cost a thing but its sure gonna save me alot from now on in...

I drive am RC Revo 3.3, like the skateparks but the concrete is soooo hard. I fix that little money pit quite often.

I fix almost anything i own when it stops working... Tv, cars, various electronics, xbox, nintendos, etc... With this thing called google it seems there isnt anything i cant deal with now

 

I fix almost anything i own when it stops working... Tv, cars, various electronics, xbox, nintendos, etc... With this thing called google it seems there isnt anything i cant deal with now

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X2 I cant stand when something's broken but I find it weird and frustrating that I cant easily fix my Blazer's fuel gauge, inoperative probably 8-9 yrs now (I bought it new in '99) They want NINE HUNDRED dollars and 2 days in the shop!
I know, I know, it's the in-tank fuel pump, but I fixed my other car's fuel gauge with NO tools, a $25.00 sending unit, and 10 minutes of time!

What is this miracle car you ask LOL - a 1972 MGB/GT ... child's play and rewarding to work on. A curse on GM for that sending unit design from hell.

 

Well you see, when you drive something that you can ride in with pride, you have to work to keep it around. JK It is a nice little car.

I wish it were that simple, but well, you know, stuff....

 

I hate having broken stuff as well. I will either repair, replace or just junk it. I have a pretty good track record of being able to take things apart and put them back together. I recently repaired my Auto X-Ray scan tool by soldering in hard wire to replace circuit board traces that were broken. The scan tool works as designed with on LED segment still out.