My mother's microwave oven blew up last week - so I headed over to a friend's warehouse where he has started a business selling scratched and dented returns for the big chain stores. Found her a nice black Kenmore, just what she wanted. It only cost me $15.10, new and unopened in the box. It will set on her counter. Job 1 done!

But I had mission creep - you know how these weekend jobs go. For the past year we had been using the microwave out of my camp trailer in the house. The big monstrosity of an microwave oven that was built into the cabinet above our electric oven died, and we had been unable to find a replacement.

30 years old, over sized, with trim rings and sheet metal all built into a single steel encasement built into the cabinet for both ovens. All year Liz has visited every store in Fresno trying to find one that would plug the hole in her cabinet. One shop offered to rebuild the existing microwave for $300, but when we went that route he could not get the parts.

I had given up, and planed to replace both the electric oven and the microwave with a new built in unit, and to have that part of her kitchen cabinets redone by a good carpenter as her Christmas.

But I found a huge microwave/convection oven, and it was almost the right dimensions. I don't know what a convection oven is, but from the reactions of the ladies it is a good thing. It was not cheap - cost $91.30 with some minor dents to the case, but he agreed to take it back if it didn't fit.

I went in this morning and cut some braces, broke out some sheet metal screws, and mounted it in the hole. Sort of a customize by crunch, with a 2 pound sledge and a long chisel. It fits nice now, and seems to work.

Her trim rings will not fit, but I can use some wood molding on the front of the cabinet. My neighbor owns a cabinet shop and he thinks he can match the oak raised doors of the existing cabinet, with the door of the microwave replacing the panel of the cabinet door. Should look to be a factory built unit when he is done. Best of all, my total cost was only $91.30 versus the $1500 I expected to pay.

Even better, this is the first project in over two years that I can be proud of, and will have actually finished!

Now if I can get the old girl to start cooking again. . . . . .

 

Lol...I'll bet she'd love that last remark.

Good news is by my calculations, you have $1488.70 to spend on yourself now

 

$1,488.70 for your own project now.

 

I like you guy's math - but don't forget I still need to do her Christmas -- she will not remember this good deed past Thanksgiving.

How come a woman will remember forever every bad thing you ever done, but quickly forgets any good?


btw, used the convection oven today - well worth the extra expense!!!!

 

That is why the He gave them the name WOMEN

 

Nice .... I hope my new water heater only costs $91. Lol .... It's the repipe that's going to cost me.
That's scheduled to take place this Friday. Wish me luck.

Glad to hear this all worked out so well for ya.

 

It is a tough decision that most of us make before we fully understand what is at stake.

You can save major bucks, and have things the way you want them, if you do your own home repairs. But the first time you show the ability, you are a home slave to any idea - weird or wise - that pops into your wife's little mind. She even lends you out to her friends!!!!!

I got lucky in a step-son interested in finish, with some skill. He is also a contractor's building supply salesman with a lot of friends in the business. We have given him a full set of tools and profession power saws over the years - he keeps his mother happy!

As to the way they like to lend you out - I made the rule early that I would trade work for sex. Somehow after that discussion, her friends do not need my services!

 

Ain't that the truth .... In my case, if I can do the job, I generally get it assigned to me. My wife can dictate how the job can be done without running up the bill very much.

Haven't been able to work out that same trade exchange you have yet.

Looking forward to a lot of rainy day project in the near future.

I just want to take the motorhome to the beach for one weekend and relax and watch football games / movies with my birds and wife. However, that will have to wait it looks like.

P.S. Check out the post count.... He, he, he......

 

Reminds me, you need the book:
How to Rebuild Big-Block Ford Engines by Steve Christ. It covers only the FE and FT series.
http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-BIG-BLOCK-FORD-ENGINES/dp/0895860708/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-5185829-7320421?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193746871&sr=1-1

It was written in 1989, but remains the best authority on this series of engines. I will show you my copy if you want, but do not want Mike's greasy finger marks all over it!

 

I had a copy of that book. Very informative. Unfortunately, my son took it with him to Iowa. Left me with the truck, but took the book. Somehow that seems wrong.

 

I'll pick up a copy of that book. I'm sure it will come in handy soon enough. Thanks !!!

 

Wow Clint, nice buy on the two microwaves! Does the guy have any scratched double door Maytag fridges? We've been looking for a while and it looks like the best price is about $795 It would make a good road trip, Jag

 

I called him - my name is down for a washer/dryer set as ours is so old. The problem is that the builders and those who own a lot of rental and apartments are already on the list. They buy all they can sight unseen.

He gets a couple of big fridges a month - and there are 50 names ahead of us. But you (me) are on the list. Cost depends on what he pays, but he seems to think a good sized side by side will go $150 to $200.

Mostly he is wholesale only - but he is open one day a week for the locals to shop. Payment in full and if you have a problem with it you will need to work with the manufacture direct. He will plug it in and make sure it works, but that is all.

 

Thanks Clint, sounds like a super deal. John