Yeah, but you didn't have to leave the house, which is worth a lot.

sometimes it's not about solving the immediate problem, but about making sure it doesn't happen again.

(literally "fixed" my alarm clock this week after it's plug broke off in the outlet by giving it a $10 right angle plug that won't be under any significant strain.)

I fix stuff when it's harder than buying a new one just because it's rewarding. I guess the guy in the picture embodies that feeling but I don't picture it that way, it's just how I was brought up. Same reason I make meals instead of ordering doordash.

I personally designed and 3D printed a case to hold 4 rechargeable batteries, so I could charge them with 5 Volts from a USB cable, instead of buying a new charger.

Fun Fact: this ruins the batteries. Gave up on designing myself and downloaded a design for a battery-adapter (plastic shell + 1 screw that makes small battery fit in big devices). My stockpile of small batteries then lasted me 2 months before I finally bought a charger and new rechargeables.

True. It isn't always about a cost/labour analysis. Sometimes I want to repair something to learn how to do it. Sometimes I want to repair something because even though 'my time is valuable', I hate the idea of throwing out something I know will rot in the landfill for a thousand years. Sometimes I'm just attached to the thing and afraid I won't find a replacement that is as good (which is often the case).

I hate our throwaway culture, it's good to know how to fix things even if it isn't technically 'cost effective' to do so.

Doing stuff against planned obsolesce and throwaway culture are much more meaningful than recycling.

If you are a hobbyist, you can break them in to components and build something new. Preferably something that doesn't burn your house down or electrocute someone. Stay under 50V.

Repair > replace.

It's not just about how much money it costs.

It’s not about the money - it’s about sending a message

Hell yeah brother.

I legit contracted with an OEM over Alibaba to make a custom piece of glass to adhere to the new LCD screen to replace the broken screen in my wife’s Playdate.

Though in that case it was like $150 total.

When you can't earn money, then, time isn't money, Money IS Money! Sure that device costs $5 to replace, but with those two hours that you weren't earning cash, you saved $5 that you can spend on whatever your heart desires. When you aren't earning, save.

There's lots of costs that don't show up in the 5$ value. Considering limited resources, the value in human lives tied with pollution, the pollution you are not generating during the two hours of hobbying...

I think the math checks out most of the time.

I see someone owns a 3d printer.

IMO, building your own devices/fixing is just plain more fun

I still have my CRT TV still open due I do not have the time to buy a 16v capacitor. Has been like, 2 weeks now. Wow. I need to fix it

Nothing more satisfying than making something that cheaper, and also exceed the quality of buying ready-to-use product.

CAD, EDA, IDE, and correct toolkits to the rescue!

EDIT: In case someone want to delve in hobbyist/maker/diy world, here are some useful stuffs that available free:
3D CAD:
Freecad - FOSS 3D CAD software that available cross-platform.
Autodesk Fusion - Not so great alternative but servicable, Free plan have certain limitation.

EDA:
KiCAD - Designing electronic project has never been so easy. This one far superior than Autodesk Eagle crap.
EasyEDA - Free online and desktop EDA software that can be used for alternative.

(Microcontroller) IDE:
VSCode/Codium + PlatformIO - Most affordable, off-the-shelf controller are programmable with PlatformIO and enough for most average joe projects. Arduino IDE may be superior for newcomer but I recommend this as you have more leeway in which framework and board you can get out of single extension for Text Editor.

Toolkits:
Digital Multimeter - Most common electronics can be troubleshoot'd with digital multimeter to identify the problem.
Cheap E-Bay caliper (or any cheap caliper) - For most DIY project, cheap digital caliper are enough to measure dimension unless you really need 3 digit precision.

I just like fixin stuff. It's why I got a 3d printer and I'm learning CAD.

I would rather spend 8 hours banging my head against a wall than spend 10 dollars on Amazon to order a replacement part lol

Everyone here fixing stuff with 3D printers while I am here struggling how to sew up wool silk leggings in a way that keeps them elastic and fighting for my life with darning

I personally prefer to break a slightly broken device further

I mean it's not that crazy if it saves you a trip to whatever store.

Going to a single place to replace something can take an hour so we can subtract that. Getting paid $5 an hour for a fun activity is also an absolute steal.

I've gotten shit for taking apart the filter screen on my toilet's filler and cleaning out the sediment when I could just spend $20 to replace it. It's really not even that hard once you figure out the trick for spreading the clips holding it together. They really didn't want this to be user fixable.

have you heard of Solarpunk?

It’ll be faster next time.