Here’s a little trick I’ve used many times over the years but had forgotten to tell you about. ‘Don’t think I ever mentioned it before.

When dealing with the heavy vertical springs used in some brands of top load washers, there’s a simple way to ‘unload’ their tension to work on the machine’s snubber area, using steel electrical ‘handy boxes’. These are the surface mount boxes normally used to mount receptacles and switches onto a wall.

By tilting a washer’s tub away from it, stretching the spring, then inserting a box into its coil, the spring will remain stretched and can easily be unhooked.

If you break or cut off the screw tabs on the top and bottom of a box, it can be inserted into a spring either vertically or horizontally, making them even handier.

I’ve carried the same 3 of these modified handy boxes in my truck for many years (that’s why they look so ratty!), and have used them a lot. There’ve been just a few times I when wished for 5 rather than just 3, mostly on some of the older Speed Queen and Maycor/Admiral machines, but 3 will usually suffice.  

Here’s how they work (but with the springs hooked inside a washer, of course):

It’d been a while since I used this trick, but it saved me a bunch of time and hassle again recently on a Maytag ‘Dependable Care’ washer, which reminded me that I should share it with you.

Have fun, but be careful out there!
Dave

Pray for Obama
Psalm 109:8
 

Way back in November ‘04, I wrote an article on oven temperature calibration that I thought might be helpful right about now. The link is below… 

If your oven burns the cookies or always takes longer than Betty C. says it should, this article should help, especially with ‘analog’, non-electronic oven thermostats. 

Most electronic oven controls adjust, too, but the procedure’s different for each version, so you’ll want to check the owner’s manual for yours. Most newer manuals include it. And be sure to use an electronic, remote-sensing thermometer. They’re no longer expensive, and very handy for a lot of other jobs, too.  

http://www.DavesRepair.com/DIYhelp/oventempadj.htm

Hope that’s helpful, and that you and yours have a terrific Thanksgiving!

Warmly,
Dave Harnish
Dave’s Repair Service
New Albany, PA
www.DavesRepair.com

John 3:3

I’ve been a professional appliance service technician for 37 years as of December first, and two weeks ago I walked away from my first refrigerator ever, giving up in disgust. I think it’s time to retire and just concentrate on the website full-time. It’s nearly full-time anyway, and I’m having a *blast* helping you do-it-yourself’ers with your appliance problems. Not to mention how much fun it is staying up here on the mountain every day with Gracie, and not burning $3 gasoline.

A well-known ‘offshore’ brand, this beast refrigerator ’takes the cake’ for most ‘whistles and bells’. With a huge ‘motherboard’, nearly full-width keypad, all kinds of audio output, 7 thermistors sensing temperatures everywhere, 3 tiny low-torque 12 volt DC, variable-speed fan motors, and mostly metric hardware! And no service manual available anywhere that I can find. Amazing!

I’ve done electrical work all of my life, trained in and serviced electronics over the years, but this is really getting ridiculous. All this to refrigerate food?

I’ve mentioned this in a recent DRSNews issue, but if you’re buying, or recently purchased, a new refrigerator, budget for another one in about 5 years. I say that not to be nasty or cynical in any way, it’s just a plain, but sad, fact. They’re not lasting much longer than that. With their tiny lowest-bidder-sourced compressors, they use very little energy, but are filling up landfills fast!

Yep, think I’ll retire from in-home service. ‘Need more time to hunt, anyway.  

God bless,
Dave Harnish
www.DavesRepair.com

Nehemiah 9:6