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?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark_cooper19d 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.

uma_webb2818d 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.

mason84717d 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.