Who fixes things anymore?

I belong to an interesting email group that discusses old tools. It's called "Old Tools". Most of the discussion has to do with a type of vintage Disston handsaw or what thread size is used for the tote screw on a pre-war Stanley #4 1/2. But sometimes the discussion moves into laments about how people don't fix things any more, know how to make things, grow their own food, or fix their own plumbing. Shop classes are being eliminated from school programs all around the country. And most of the products we buy today aren't made to be fixed - they're just made to be thrown away. Case in point - there are more TVs than ever, but how many repair shops do you have in your city? You just throw them out when they stop working.


The running track on our treadmill occasionally starts slipping, and when this happens I go get the instruction manual to tell me which way to turn the little screws to tighten the track. But sometimes that's not enough, and more difficult adjustments have to be made. I did some research on the internet tubes and, in the spirit of Old Tools, decided to take this on myself.


For the benefit of those at home who would like to turn over a new leaf and start trying their hands at treadmill adjustment/repair, here are some notes on what I learned when I popped the hood.












I took the liberty of labelling the parts with my own layman's descriptions to help the novice ease into this complicated machine.
Part 1: Power transformer - steps down the voltage from the plug to a suitable voltage for the drive and incline motors, as well as the electronic control panel.
Part 2: Circuit board which controls the display and responds to button presses/requests from the user.
Part 3: Wires
Part 4: This controls the incline. Do not stick your fingers in the gears. Trust me on this.
Part 5: Wires of a completely different color.
Part 6: Remember how Hi-C used to come in those big cans and you'd punch two triangular holes in the top, one to pour out of and one to let air in? This looks just like one of those cans.
Part 7: Large rubber band which attaches to the Hi-C can and the front treadmill axle. Also keep your fingers out of there.
Part 8: Big bolt that M held onto with a wrench while I pushed on the Hi-C can with my foot and turned the other bolt with a ratchet.
Part 9: The inside of a treadmill is really dirty, but it's not regular dirt. It's completely black. Like space dirt or something.


Now it's running fine, and I put it all back together. Ready to take a merciless beating by its barely-in-shape owners.


I think we can all learn a thing or two about fixing things ourselves. And just remember - many plumbers, electricians, and handymen make a good living by fixing the mistakes you make when you do it yourself. So don't be afraid to tackle that leaky roof or sparking 220V dryer outlet - the service economy can really use your money.