My old drafting table lamp finally gave out mid-project last night

Everyone says to just buy a new LED panel, but I spent two hours fixing the old fluorescent ballast with parts from a junk drawer. It's working again, but is this just delaying the inevitable upgrade? What's the oldest piece of gear you're still keeping alive?

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3 Comments

mark_cooper6mo ago

My 1998 CRT monitor is still running on spite and replacement capacitors. The upgrade will come when I can't find parts at the thrift store. Until then, fixing it is the whole point.

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uma_webb286mo ago

Man, I feel that. My old car is held together by stubbornness and duct tape. I replaced a door handle with a zip tie last month. At this point, I'm just curious to see what gives out next, the engine or my will to live.

6

mason8476mo ago

That monitor is almost 30 years old. Is fixing a blurry screen really worth the time you spend hunting for parts? It seems like you're just avoiding buying a cheap modern screen that uses way less power. What happens when the tube itself finally dies, you can't thrift that.

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