D
Don Y
Guest
On 12/28/2021 3:32 PM, Spehro Pefhany wrote:
Our frig is on rollers. They are made of plastic and develop flat spots,
cracks, etc. Insanely expensive (for a simple cylinder of plastic
with a hole bored through the axis). But, without them, moving the
frig is a PITA (as it would scratch the surface of the floor tile).
Big markets tend to encourage the availability of spares. Even if
the OEM stops supplying them, someone will often step in and
provide a drop-in alternative.
John Robertson (?) can attest to the viability of *developing* drop-in
replacement parts for his target market. Despite appearing a niche,
it is obviously big enough to justify his efforts!
On Mon, 27 Dec 2021 22:16:58 -0700, Don Y
blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
It wouldn\'t be uncommon to find a spare part for a major appliance
at 20+ years, here.
Did you know there\'s a couple little pieces of plastic at the bottom
door hinge in Kenmore fridges that makes the door close the last few
inches? It wears out and becomes smooth and the door has a tendency
to stay open a bit more than the magnetic seal can grab.
Easily available as a repair item from the parts suppliers, kind of
stupid expensive ($20 US or so) but not the sort of thing that\'s
easily 3D printed or otherwise.
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71j2XGi1wjS._AC_SL1500_.jpg
I think ours is 20+ now. Ice maker still works, no issues.
Our frig is on rollers. They are made of plastic and develop flat spots,
cracks, etc. Insanely expensive (for a simple cylinder of plastic
with a hole bored through the axis). But, without them, moving the
frig is a PITA (as it would scratch the surface of the floor tile).
Big markets tend to encourage the availability of spares. Even if
the OEM stops supplying them, someone will often step in and
provide a drop-in alternative.
John Robertson (?) can attest to the viability of *developing* drop-in
replacement parts for his target market. Despite appearing a niche,
it is obviously big enough to justify his efforts!