I'm wondering how many CS'ers collect parts for their machines? Robert Pirsig wrote a book, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' in which he divides people into 2 types, Classics and Romantics. (the book is an on-the-road monologue, or as he calls it, Chautauqua, during which he espouses some pretty interesting views) Classics are those who enjoy the journey, who like to understand the nuts and bolts of how what they are using actually works. Romantics are more the destination types. the ones who don't really care what is inside the box, provided it works. When it doesn't they are much more inclined to get a new box than to open it and see what's up.
In my IT career, IMO most MAC users are Romantics and a fair percentage of PC users are Classics. (don't get me wrong, there are many PC users who are Romantics and there are some MAC users who are Classics and a lot of PC Classics have moved from Windows to Linux) You can pick a Classic because we will have extra bits for whatever machine he uses. There will be special tools for delving into it, or extra filters and pump parts etc.
I've got a defunct 6910 for that exact reason, plus a drawer of spare parts just in case - be a while before I could afford a new EM7000 or similar. I've got 3 brand new seals (in the days before I realised most seals are being replaced to fix a problem that isn't seals I bought one for mine and a week later saw 2 for 2/3 the price I paid for one so I got them) a group collar, 2 x relays and a diode, and an extra flat 'washer' to go above the seal. (which fixes the problem most people change their seals for - group handle locking further right)
Plus I have the spare machine. When we get back from a few days away I'm going to hook it up with my bits (it came without tank, tray etc.) and see how much of it really works - the guy told me it was in service when it got replaced, but figure I'll know what is salvageable when it is running)
So, I am wondering, how many of us CS'ers are Classicals? How many hoard or seek out parts so they can do repairs or improvements? And how many would rather pay someone x hundred dollars to PID their machine (I have no idea what PID'ing costs so don't attack OK?) than buy the bits and do it themselves? How many could look at a pile of parts from their model on a bench and say, 'that's the pump, that's the steam boiler, that's the pressure valve etc?
In my IT career, IMO most MAC users are Romantics and a fair percentage of PC users are Classics. (don't get me wrong, there are many PC users who are Romantics and there are some MAC users who are Classics and a lot of PC Classics have moved from Windows to Linux) You can pick a Classic because we will have extra bits for whatever machine he uses. There will be special tools for delving into it, or extra filters and pump parts etc.
I've got a defunct 6910 for that exact reason, plus a drawer of spare parts just in case - be a while before I could afford a new EM7000 or similar. I've got 3 brand new seals (in the days before I realised most seals are being replaced to fix a problem that isn't seals I bought one for mine and a week later saw 2 for 2/3 the price I paid for one so I got them) a group collar, 2 x relays and a diode, and an extra flat 'washer' to go above the seal. (which fixes the problem most people change their seals for - group handle locking further right)
Plus I have the spare machine. When we get back from a few days away I'm going to hook it up with my bits (it came without tank, tray etc.) and see how much of it really works - the guy told me it was in service when it got replaced, but figure I'll know what is salvageable when it is running)
So, I am wondering, how many of us CS'ers are Classicals? How many hoard or seek out parts so they can do repairs or improvements? And how many would rather pay someone x hundred dollars to PID their machine (I have no idea what PID'ing costs so don't attack OK?) than buy the bits and do it themselves? How many could look at a pile of parts from their model on a bench and say, 'that's the pump, that's the steam boiler, that's the pressure valve etc?

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