That "matching the pace" part reminds me of something my buddy Dave found out the hard way. He kept snapping drill bits trying to go too fast through steel until an old machinist told him to let the bit do the work, and now he swears it's like the metal guides the tool.

Four hours of work just for it to lock up after two hours? Man, that's brutal. I've bought used tools off Craigslist before but nothing that critical. A boiler feed pump is something you'd think would be built tough, but they're usually worn out for a reason when somebody sells them cheap. Bet that seller knew exactly what he was doing too, dumping a dying pump on you. At least you got the experience out of it, even if your wallet took the hit. Next time, you're better off spending the extra cash for something with a return policy.

Hard disagree though. That corner piece was probably the only one that even remotely looked like it could go there, and your wife just got lucky flipping it over. Happens all the time where a piece fights you for a bit but then clicks in if you just force it right. I've definitely jammed pieces where they didn't quite match the picture but the shape was perfect, and after a little elbow grease they were fine. Did you actually try matching the colors from three feet back or were you just staring at the one spot?

@oscarb71 know that feeling. Buddy of mine tried to fix an old Canon AE-1 last year and used a regular Phillips on the rewind knob screw. Totally rounded it out in about two turns. He was so mad, had to drill the whole thing out. I told him about JIS bits but he didn't listen. Now he keeps a set in his toolbox for any camera work. Cheap lesson in the end, only cost him the price of a new knob.

Yeah, "knocked me sideways" is exactly the right way to put it. I've had that feeling a few times where you read something about a piece and it just stops you cold. There's a painting at a local gallery I walked by dozens of times before I read the artist's note about painting it while their kid was in the hospital. Now I can't even look at it without tearing up a little. You're totally right that the bio is where the real story lives, it changes everything once you know. It's kind of humbling honestly, realizing how much I probably miss because I'm just skimming the surface.