What's made you grumpy today?

[porta]

There’s quite a few western car makers struggling with supply chain…was talking to a mate of mine who’s been waiting for a ‘combined’ electric window switch for his Audi 8 etron (?!?) three weeks now…seems it’s not like the old days wehn we just went to the compound and robbed it off a stock car…I hear there’s a few makes with battery issues

 

[StevenRB45]

Given the other week it took Stellantis 10 days to find a wishbone for a C3 it's not even the complicated bits that have problems...

I like the car, but the company is becoming increasingly annoying to deal with with dealership closures and supply chain problems meaning any breakage is a song and dance under warranty.

 

[Steveetee55]

Just having get up and go to work with numpties who find weird and wonderful ways to destroy garden machinery apparently theres a bloke or blokess called mr or mrs nobody who's wrecking it all! 43 years of work life is ultimately getting to me 4 years left on my mortgage left then excuse my french but f**k im done with it

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Just having get up and go to work with numpties who find weird and wonderful ways to destroy garden machinery apparently theres a bloke or blokess called mr or mrs nobody who's wrecking it all! 43 years of work life is ultimately getting to me 4 years left on my mortgage left then excuse my french but f**k im done with it

Oh yes, abused garden machinery, makes the abuse suffered by cars look like a minor problem! I find a typical statement made is "this or that machine broke" - No, it didn't. You ran over a large rock or didn't stop the engine before pushing it across the road and over a couple of kerbs, which has resulted in the crankshaft now being bent! Or, "The hedge cutter is blunt". Oh yes? and it's got nothing to do with the way I saw you sticking the end of it into the ground at the bottom of that hedge yesterday or the wire netting buried in the hedge which you cut through with the machine?

As you'll know if you're familiar with some of my posts, I moved away from involvement with the garage trade aged 50 and spent the last 15 years of my working life in horticulture/garden maintenance. Because of my background I found looking after the machinery relatively simple compared to trying to "sort" cars so took over the maintenance and repair of all our machines. This resulted in me becoming someone who was known locally as a chap who "knows about" lawnmowers, leaf blowers, strimmers etc and consequently a small number of neighbours, relatives and friends would, infrequently, come to my door in desperation after the workshop had declared they either couldn't repair their machine or declared it beyond economic repair. You can imagine what I ended up trying to repair were some pretty "sorry" examples of the genre. Very many of these had reached this stage because absolutely no maintenance had been done, sometimes for years, commonly lack of oil changes on 4 stroke petrol mowers was a big part of it - the owner having just topped it up from time to time, often with entirely unsuitable spec oil. It never fails to astonish me how these simple wee engines continue to struggle on despite the most terrible neglect. One thing I have noticed of late is that with many now being electrically powered, they seem to be lasting longer before failing, but when they do people are tending to just scrap them rather than repair. In fact, it's been a couple of years now since I've looked at anything other than a machine used in the extended family - which considering my decrepit physical condition is probably a blessing!

Oh, and by the way, hang on in there. Retirement is pretty good. But, as with everything, you only get out of it what you put in.

 

[Steveetee55]

Alway being asked to repair mowees strimmers chainsaws, worst is cricket clubs with machinery that hasnt been service fir years worse was a ransomes mastiff, the oil was like black single cream consistancy had tap the filter off with hammer and chisel, it ran like a rolls royce when oil was changed surprised it ran at all in the 1st place

 

[Steveetee55]

Oh yes, abused garden machinery, makes the abuse suffered by cars look like a minor problem! I find a typical statement made is "this or that machine broke" - No, it didn't. You ran over a large rock or didn't stop the engine before pushing it across the road and over a couple of kerbs, which has resulted in the crankshaft now being bent! Or, "The hedge cutter is blunt". Oh yes? and it's got nothing to do with the way I saw you sticking the end of it into the ground at the bottom of that hedge yesterday or the wire netting buried in the hedge which you cut through with the machine?

As you'll know if you're familiar with some of my posts, I moved away from involvement with the garage trade aged 50 and spent the last 15 years of my working life in horticulture/garden maintenance. Because of my background I found looking after the machinery relatively simple compared to trying to "sort" cars so took over the maintenance and repair of all our machines. This resulted in me becoming someone who was known locally as a chap who "knows about" lawnmowers, leaf blowers, strimmers etc and consequently a small number of neighbours, relatives and friends would, infrequently, come to my door in desperation after the workshop had declared they either couldn't repair their machine or declared it beyond economic repair. You can imagine what I ended up trying to repair were some pretty "sorry" examples of the genre. Very many of these had reached this stage because absolutely no maintenance had been done, sometimes for years, commonly lack of oil changes on 4 stroke petrol mowers was a big part of it - the owner having just topped it up from time to time, often with entirely unsuitable spec oil. It never fails to astonish me how these simple wee engines continue to struggle on despite the most terrible neglect. One thing I have noticed of late is that with many now being electrically powered, they seem to be lasting longer before failing, but when they do people are tending to just scrap them rather than repair. In fact, it's been a couple of years now since I've looked at anything other than a machine used in the extended family - which considering my decrepit physical condition is probably a blessing!

Oh, and by the way, hang on in there. Retirement is pretty good. But, as with everything, you only get out of it what you put in.

I do quite a few battery powered husky and stihl chainsaws and hedgetrimmers mainly snapped castings resulting in wires bei g torn out, also lads at work try to cut thick branches with hedgetrimmer as i tell them the clue is in the name hedgetrimmer not chainsaw lol

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I do quite a few battery powered husky and stihl chainsaws and hedgetrimmers mainly snapped castings resulting in wires bei g torn out, also lads at work try to cut thick branches with hedgetrimmer as i tell them the clue is in the name hedgetrimmer not chainsaw lol

I haven't yet been asked to work on an electric anything. Must say they don't interest me like the petrol powered stuff and, as I do this sort of stuff mainly for it's recreational value these days, I think I'll stick to ICE devices. I wouldn't touch anything mains powered anyway. I'd do it if it belonged to me though!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

On the grumpy scale: New resident came to the block of flats at the end of the road a wee while ago, noticed him because he drives a quite elderly Skoda estate, but also rides a bike which he keeps in the back of the Skoda. A couple of times I've "nodded" to him as he passes but had no response. A few days ago I was walking up the path beside the flats - on my way to get more "pills" from the chemist - and I noticed him getting the bike out of the back of the Skoda. I continued walking up the path and, moments later, he passed me wobbling spectacularly as he groped in his pocket with one hand whilst holding on to the handlebars with the other. He quickly withdrew his hand with the car keys in his right hand which he then directed backwards over his shoulder, still looking to the front, so would not see if the lamps flashed or not - and I didn't hear a "blip" either. A wee bit strange I thought and very trusting of the technology. Yesterday morning I was up early as we were collecting grand children (school half term so we have them for the day) and as I pulled the bedroom curtains aside I noticed the Skoda driving past. From my elevated bedroom window vantage point I could see he was steering with his left hand at 12 o'clock on the wheel - Why do people do that? - and holding a conventional mug by it's handle with his right. This effectively rendered his right hand unusable. Also, being a conventional "builder's mug", I very much doubt it would be possible to locate it in a holder on the dash? Having dedicated cup holders in modern cars has always puzzled me. A few years ago I asked a policeman friend about drinking from a container whilst driving and his reply was that it definitely constituted a distraction which might be interpreted as being not fully in control of the vehicle and lead to additional charges if a contributory factor in respect of an accident.

 

[Steveetee55]

I haven't yet been asked to work on an electric anything. Must say they don't interest me like the petrol powered stuff and, as I do this sort of stuff mainly for it's recreational value these days, I think I'll stick to ICE devices. I wouldn't touch anything mains powered anyway. I'd do it if it belonged to me though!

Sadly most garden equipment is slowly going electric we have battery powered chainsaws blowers strimmers hedgetrimmers we trialled electric ride on mowers 2 years back they were that were not that good also a husqvarna hybrid diesel ride on was tried that broke down 3 times in one week, haven't seen one since, its a sign of the times most horticultural manufacturers are working on electric/hybrid stuff, think by the time they have sorted the teething problems i will probably be retired, im doing a course after christmas training to work on electric equipment the company are paying for it so be rude not too

 

[The Panda Nut]

Tyres needed for Pandabird 3. But, a 2nd visit to my supplier and his quote reduced. 2nd pair of Vector all seasons going on tomorrow. the old tyreshave little wear but are 9 years old and cracking between the tread lines. 85£ EACH. Im ok with that all fitted and balanced. No internet required. 165 65 14 are too small " no demand we dont stock them".

What is it about needless excess and unecessary size do they think is good. Apart from big profits on massive tyres that is....

I will be much happier with a set of 4 but grip seems to match the standard Panda Goodyears very well.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I was forced foryears to use Regional Purchasing Organisations. Rarely they got something cheap. Most lines were 30% to 150% or worse more than I could easily negotiate. The private sector in FM business was even worse. Paying 10 timrs local prices. The difference was that when I passed a sensible deal to purchasing they accepted it and brought it in across the group. As I specified the products they knew they were correct for the job. I never worked out why it was so odd. Easier to stick with who you know. A whole heap of issues relate to inexperience of those procuring goods and services. You must know the business and the maret your in. Purchasers did all the motions but did not realise the ramifications of something being useless. Like most things, get the right tool for the job, get decent quality. Buy wisely buy once. Avoid breakdowns, accidents and downtime. Pay a fraction more on occasion. A well dressed comfotable workforce gets more done. A split pair of trousers or boots might cost 3 men 2 hours down time going off to get replacements. Simples.
People tendering work, for example, with no experience are a menace. But hey ho promote the teenagers. They can make it all right with the internet. Then get hammered with extrasand day rates. LOL