Things That Work – Things That Don’t

[AKBeemer]

We have all come across something that surprises us by how well it works; or conversely something that under performs. Tell us what you have encountered in each category.

Something that performs beyond expectations is the SoniCare toothbrush. :bow You know the one that vibrates at high frequency. Been using it for over a year and when I have my teeth cleaned the hygienist can’t find anything to remove.

Something that disappoints…. Gortex. When I was in the service we used the word Gortex to signify a lie or when someone said something that was obviously a load of BS. If you depend on Gortex to keep you dry you’re gonna take a bath.:cry

[GlobalRider]

We have all come across something that surprises us by how well it works; or conversely something that under performs.

What works: my Toyota and Honda

What didn't work: my Ford

How true...
http://www.treehugger.com/20081209-the-bailout-****ty-cars.jpg

[osbornk]

What works: My 2 BMW motorcycles

What doesn't work: My bladder and prostate. I get roto-rooter surgery on 2/16/09 so I can pee again and get this stupid catheter removed. TURP surgery is not something to look forward to.

[nhbmw]

What works: My 2 BMW motorcycles

What doesn't work: My bladder and prostate. I get roto-rooter surgery on 2/16/09 so I can pee again and get this stupid catheter removed. TURP surgery is not something to look forward to.


Count your blessings...
I had the whole effing thing removed last April, to avoid the big C. Rode the RS the day after the catheter was out just to celebrate. It hurt but felt good, if you catch my drift. :)

[Rich]

We have all come across something that surprises us by how well it works; or conversely something that under performs.

My wife has three W-2's this year.

I only have one W-2 this year.

Does that count? :)

[AKBeemer]

My wife has three W-2's this year.

I only have one W-2 this year.

Does that count? :)

Size matters.... that's what counts.:brow

[GSTom]

I have been very pleased with every specialty use tool I have purchased from Snap On. Also the same with Ed Korn tools. I have always wanted to get the special factory tools for BMW bikes and aircooled VWs that I have seen in the shop manuals. Instead, over the years I have ended up with bloody knuckles or other injuries from trying to use standard tools to do a specialty job.

[MLS2GO]

My Ford Products have been awesome. No major problems and I have owned at least 12 over the years. I bought one Japanese produced car and it was trash. Different strokes for different folks. Doesn't make me right or wrong, but it's what works for me, and I believe that was the question.

[criminaldesign]

I think one of the coolest things is the freaking iPod.
I have the shuffle which is smaller than a match book and when compared to walkmans in the day. Batteries always dying, flipping the tape or listening to the one CD for the umpteenth millionth time. This small thing carries like 300 songs.

I like my music.

Over than that, I'm not impressed.

[108625]

Something that disappoints…. Gortex. When I was in the service we used the word Gortex to signify a lie or when someone said something that was obviously a load of BS. If you depend on Gortex to keep you dry you’re gonna take a bath.:cry

Agreed. The worst is the Gortex boots, I've never been issued a pair that didn't turn into foot-rotting sponges at the first sight of moisture. Which reminds me...

Wool. There's a product that works.

[Manfred]

What works - these loud horns (dual TM80s): http://www.hornsplusauto.com/

What doesn't work - government control over the economy or any industry.

[rbertalotto]

What Works.............FastPass........GPS.........Spri nt Internet card for my LapTop.......Technic Spyder Jacket..........First Gear Air Pants...........That little cot that Whitehorse Press sells

What doesn't work...........Me, currently :) ,

[KGT1200]

What works:

Duct Tape for bandages

Charcoal lighter fluid for fireplaces

Ear plugs for snoring

Exercise for depression

Over easy Eggs, Peanutbutter, ketchup and whitebread for sammiches!

Vienna Sasuages in the can for tank bag food



What does not work

My Brother in law

Sears brand jeans

cheap tire guages

shurefine sodas

Gutter guards (at my house, anyway)

[GlobalRider]

My Ford Products have been awesome. No major problems and I have owned at least 12 over the years.

At least 12 over the years? :confused:

How old are you...12 x 15 (years of service from each) + 17 minimum driving age = 197 years old?

[GlobalRider]

Something that disappoints…. Gortex.

True!

Highly overrated.

[From MARS]

What works:


Over easy Eggs, Peanutbutter, ketchup and whitebread for sammiches!



Your kidding, right?:brow

Tom

[KGT1200]

Originally Posted by redclfco
What works:


Over easy Eggs, Peanutbutter, ketchup and whitebread for sammiches!



Your kidding, right?:brow

Tom

The overeasy egg has to be a tad runny to blend the flavors together. Salt, pepper to taste, I prefer mine with a splash or four of tabasco sauce!

Chunky peanut butter is best AND if you wrap it up in saran wrap for 15 minutes before consuming it sort of "cooks"the wonderbread into the rest of the ingresdients!

[PAULBACH]

What works - Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting glues. Sometimes it works too good

Doesn't Work - plastic tape. Good for awhile and then ... falls apart

[GlobalRider]

What works - Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting glues. Sometimes it works too good.

I started cracking up since my imagination ran wild reading that.

Give us some instances of "works too good" or are your fingers glued together and you can't type. :laugh

I'm amazed as to how well it bonds skin and not what I am trying to glue.

[Jfixit]

How about the Brinkman charcoal smoker, 60 bucks and puts out fantastic food that nearly cooks itself.

[PAULBACH]

I started cracking up since my imagination ran wild reading that.

Give us some instances of "works too good" or are your fingers glued together and you can't type. :laugh

I'm amazed as to how well it bonds skin and not what I am trying to glue.

Here is an unusual use:
Cyanoacrylate glue's ability to resist water has made it popular with marine aquarium hobbyists for fragging corals. The cut branches of hard corals such as Acropora can be glued to a piece of live rock or Milliput substrate to allow the new frag to grow out.

Its original use was in Veterinary practice to find up cuts and slashes in hides.

One small drop does cover a lot of territory. One should be careful to wear those throwaway gloves. Experience keeps a dear school but ...

[PAULBACH]

How about the Brinkman charcoal smoker, 60 bucks and puts out fantastic food that nearly cooks itself.

Sounds great especially at a time when society wants everything faster. How long does it take to turn out a load of beef ribs?

[jdmetzger]

What works: All of my Ford trucks (I haven't had 15, but all the ones I've had have been rock solid), BMW motorcycles, T-Mobile cell phone service, HTC cell phones, Northwest airlines (I'm so sad they are becoming Delta), Marriott hotels, Leatherman multi-tools, Caribou motorcycle panniers, Ted Porter's Beemershop, Arai helmets (to name a few), Google Android on my cell phone, Olympia riding gear

What doesn't work: Sprint Cellular, any Kia product, any Nissan product, many generic duct tape brands (too weak/thin), my health insurance company, the turntable in my GE microwave, "hylomar" for sealing Airhead cylinders to the engine block, Windows Mobile on a cell phone... probably lots more...

[kourt999]

WORKS:

-87 Volvo 240 DL wagon, 220K miles, all original

-85 BMW R80, 107K miles, all original

-my Aerostich products (2pc RoadCrafter, various accessories, courier bag)

-my Apple products (iPhones, MacBooks, AirPort wireless and Time Machine backups)

...plus lots of other little things like NyQuil, cast iron skillets, Benchmade knives, Kryptonite bicycle u-locks, the 3KW solar array on my roof, my rice cooker, a good straw cowboy hat, SmartWool socks...

DOESN'T WORK:

-Windows Vista

-cheap sunglasses

-abstinence-only education



kourt
Austin, TX

[MLS2GO]

You asked:

At least 12 over the years?

How old are you...12 x 15 (years of service from each) + 17 minimum driving age = 197 years old?

No I am 57, my wife is 61 and our daughter drove on us until she was out of college. I had some company cars in there on two year leases. So we have about 101 years of driving. In Missouri the driving age is 15 and half for a permit and 16 for full license. We also had some "fun cars" old Mustang 4 wheel drive and the like and have had as many as 4 cars at a time. You may like keeping your cars 15 years we don't.

[GlobalRider]

You may like keeping your cars 15 years we don't.

Understandable if you get bored of them or if they're unreliable.

I hang onto them as long as they are reliable, which has always been the case except for that new Mustang I had for a year and a half and the nearly new Ford Capri I had previous to it.

Although a student of mine tried to talk me into a Toyota, silly me...I believed the Ford slogan of the time "Quality is Job 1". Also reminds me of the door sill emblem of the GMs I used to rent: "Mark of Excellence". LOL Notice that those who really have quality in place don't have to advertize it; they let the consumers decide that with their wallets.

[rmeisen]

Originally Posted by redclfco
What works:

Over easy Eggs, Peanutbutter, ketchup and whitebread for sammiches!


The overeasy egg has to be a tad runny to blend the flavors together. Salt, pepper to taste, I prefer mine with a splash or four of tabasco sauce!

Chunky peanut butter is best AND if you wrap it up in saran wrap for 15 minutes before consuming it sort of "cooks"the wonderbread into the rest of the ingresdients!

It says MN on the profile, but I'll bet thar's a little bit of the south in that man....:D

[AKBeemer]

Originally Posted by redclfco
The overeasy egg has to be a tad runny to blend the flavors together. Salt, pepper to taste, I prefer mine with a splash or four of tabasco sauce!

Chunky peanut butter is best AND if you wrap it up in saran wrap for 15 minutes before consuming it sort of "cooks"the wonderbread into the rest of the ingresdients!

I'm confident I speak for tens of millions of people across this great land when I say, Yuuukkk!!!!

[osbornk]

Something that performs beyond expectations is the SoniCare toothbrush. :bow You know the one that vibrates at high frequency. Been using it for over a year and when I have my teeth cleaned the hygienist can’t find anything to remove.

I got one from my daughter for Christmas and I totally agree.

[Peter_Krynicki]

I still play cassettes that I know for sure are 26 years old. I have newer ones and occassionally one will stop un-winding and once one came off the spool, but these suckers are bullet-proof. CDs are more convenient but these little things continue to amaze me.

I have a Macintosh tuner that I bought in '74 that has been fixed once, but otherwise works fine.

[KGT1200]

Originally Posted by redclfco
What works:

Over easy Eggs, Peanut butter, ketchup and white bread for sammiches!


The over easy egg has to be a tad runny to blend the flavors together. Salt, pepper to taste, I prefer mine with a splash or four of Tabasco sauce!

Chunky peanut butter is best AND if you wrap it up in saran wrap for 15 minutes before consuming it sort of "cooks” the wonder bread into the rest of the ingredients!
It says MN on the profile, but I'll bet thar's a little bit of the south in that man....:D


My Dad's hunting camp recipe...He drew his first breath at 8300 ft. just outside Aspen Colorado!

I get it my taste from him!:D

And because of this thread, I'm going home tonight and whipping one up!



BTW, the other thing that works FOR EVER is my Marantz 2230 receiver built in Sun Valley California in the early 70s. I reconditioned it once, and replaced bulbs, but it still kicks out the tunes just like in 1972!

[cheesewhiz]

My vintage 1976 JC Penney digital alarm clock/radio.
It's been in use non-stop since purchasing (How many jobs has it woken me up for?)

G Whiz

[108625]

Maybe it's because you guys use a cheap Chinese imitation?? Does the label really read "Gortex"??
It should read "Goretex"!!!

Made in America, government issue. We were probably wearing the stuff before you could buy it. Just like kevlar, underarmor, and many other "innovations".
Goretex, or gortex, or whatever you want to call it, didn't cut it. Most of my issued gear was made in the USA; ironically, the sling on my M4 was made in Viet Nam.

Things that worked: my OD wool sweater, wool socks, leather boots, my field jacket.

Things that didn't: Goretex, polypropylene and underarmor both worked but were either flammable or melted to your skin, and sadly, a lot of our body armor.

[jdmetzger]

Understandable if you get bored of them or if they're unreliable.

I hang onto them as long as they are reliable, which has always been the case except for that new Mustang I had for a year and a half and the nearly new Ford Capri I had previous to it.

Although a student of mine tried to talk me into a Toyota, silly me...I believed the Ford slogan of the time "Quality is Job 1". Also reminds me of the door sill emblem of the GMs I used to rent: "Mark of Excellence". LOL Notice that those who really have quality in place don't have to advertize it; they let the consumers decide that with their wallets.

That's what I've been doing buying my Ford vehicles. They are the only US manufacturer that hasn't required bailout money, so far. :)

[RICHO2006]

This year, the blade on my John Deere don't cut it,

The snow thrower for the John Deere, however works like a dream


Richo

[GlobalRider]

They are the only US manufacturer that hasn't required bailout money, so far. :)

They handed money out up here as well.

Why is it some need bailout money and Toyota, Honda and others don't get any? I said it before, the top dogs & CEOs need to get paid $500K a year and the past ones need to get fired. Would you pay someone in the millions that then needed bailout money. Hell I can run that outfit better and without a degree.

I'm not for any bailouts, period. There is no incentive to pull up your socks. They'll end up in another situation just like this one in the future and say..."not to worry, we'll get bailed out again". My tax dollars hard at work.

[26667]

My 2002 Toyota Echo. About 140 K and unbreakable, roomy, ez to drive, great mpg.

My 30 year-old Magneplaner MG1 speakers ($500 in 1977 seemed HUGE. They're about 10X that now) Very accurate.

That SAENG stealth edging stuff. In some applications, not all, remarkably effective, especially for its size (I'm not connected in any way w SAENG Corp)

Wellbutrin. Not a high. I just feel like "myself" again. (I was starting to feel like my dad)
Lipitor. From TCL 210 to 152. I might live long enough to go for a ride w my son.
(I don't own stock in either of those pharmeceutical co's, other than perhaps as part of a mutual fund. Honestly DK)

Yoga. After all these years I feel stronger and calmer. (Don't just go to one class and judge from that. Get a tape, try different teachers, be patient w yourself. On long rides you'll be glad you did.)

[hlothery]

What works: my iphone, my titanium knees, and my Crestor for cholesterol.

What doesn't work: my heart without Amiodarone. :D



Gettin' old sucks.:doh

[BubbaZanetti]

i'll advocate for CLR POWER PLUMBER here, it works great, you'll never buy another liquid chemical cleaner as long as you live.


i got nothing that don't work, srry d00ds

[pffog]

..................................

Wool. There's a product that works.

The sheep agree by a vote of 100:1 (Darwin took a day off)

[jdmetzger]

How could I forget...

What works: Sham-wow.

:D

[SIBUD]

What works:

Remington 870 pump 12 gauge. Mine is over 30 years old.

My children.

My marriage.

What doesn't:

Cheap tools.

Both my wife and I haven't worked for 6 years. :nyah

The search function for posts made in the Tavern. :sick

[RoboRider]

Works: Wii video game: amazingly cool toy.

Doesn't work as well as it should: Cell phones--how many times have you had a call dropped??? They are calculators, cameras, games, etc., but I just want mine to be a darn PHONE!

[geoelement]

I'm confident I speak for tens of millions of people across this great land when I say, Yuuukkk!!!!

Oddly enough I think I am going to try this for breakfast! (maybe not the wrapping it up part).

[Mark II]

What works: Glock pistols, Benchmade and Victorinox knives, my BMW F650GS, iPod, and my Tilley hats and clothing. My 1997 Subaru worked fine right up to the day I killed it (transmission gave up quite spectacularly while going to work one morning early last year, 220k+ miles, all original).

What doesn't work: my Triumph Tiger (recently sold as a 'project' bike).

[From MARS]

What works: the flush mechanism on my toilet.

What doesn't work: The thought of eating what Redclfco described.:sick

Tom

[jdmetzger]

Works: Wii video game: amazingly cool toy.

Doesn't work as well as it should: Cell phones--how many times have you had a call dropped??? They are calculators, cameras, games, etc., but I just want mine to be a darn PHONE!

You might want to change carriers - I can't recall having a dropped call for quite a long time (years).

[jdmetzger]

What works: the flush mechanism on my toilet.

What doesn't work: The thought of eating what Redclfco described.:sick

Tom

Are these two things somehow related? :p

[From MARS]

Are these two things somehow related? :p

Directly!

[xp8103]

What works:

Tax cuts, every time they're tried

What doesn't work:

Anything advertised on TV for $19.95! :D

[jdmetzger]

What works:

Tax cuts, every time they're tried


Really? Didn't we have some tax cuts already, and the economy is still going down the tubes? :scratch

[hlothery]

What works:

Tax cuts, every time they're tried

What doesn't work:

Anything advertised on TV for $19.95! :D

But wait.........

There's more............:D

[RoboRider]

You might want to change carriers - I can't recall having a dropped call for quite a long time (years).

Hey Josh, I have Verizon and they are the best yet. But I think the problem is location. I live in North Carolina, and when I see pigs and cows, the cell phone towers are far and few between. In the city, no problem. But even cell phone calls I receive on my land line often get dropped, or cut out, etc. It is a fantastic technology, but needs work to be perfected.

Even on I 95, south of Richmond, VA, heading towards NC, calls drop all the time. That amazes me; load the interstate up with towers, please!

Robo

[AKBeemer]

What doesn't work:

Anything advertised on TV for $19.95! :D

Billy Mayes is not going to be happy with you....KaBoom!!!!

[RandyB]

Made in America, government issue. We were probably wearing the stuff before you could buy it. Just like kevlar, underarmor, and many other "innovations".
Goretex, or gortex, or whatever you want to call it, didn't cut it. Most of my issued gear was made in the USA; ironically, the sling on my M4 was made in Viet Nam.

Things that worked: my OD wool sweater, wool socks, leather boots, my field jacket.

Things that didn't: Goretex, polypropylene and underarmor both worked but were either flammable or melted to your skin, and sadly, a lot of our body armor.

Rinse your Goretex twice and it'll work. Wool rules, polypro drools.

There is a product, IIRC it's called Revivex, that works wonders on Goretex.

Body armor is great. Some bad, but same with anything. It certainly gets fixed faster than some private sector motorcycle final drives I could name....

Works:
Big Agnes sleeping pads.
Poncho liner.
MSR multi fuel stove

Doesn't work:
My brother in law.
Paxil
Bailout plans

[Rod Sheridan]

Things that work......My new Hammer A3-31 jointer/planer, wow does it work well.

Things that don't work........My bank account now that I've developed an addiction to BMW bikes and Austrian wood working machinery (See above line).

Regards, Rod.

[henzilla]

Billy Mayes is not going to be happy with you....KaBoom!!!!

But wait! that's not all you'll receive if you call NOW

[henzilla]

works:

having two lifts now:clap
heated gear
new tires on wet roads
fridge in the shop

not so much:

sarcasm on the forum at times:nyah
my satellite internet when it's foggy or rainy
my ex-wifes ability to "share" daughters wedding expenses

[GlobalRider]

What doesn't:

Cheap tools.

Some twenty years ago I came up with...

Poor people can't afford to buy junk and rich people don't.

Thats why I believe in the buy quality, buy once (or for life) mentality.

[SCQTT]

Northwest airlines (I'm so sad they are becoming Delta),

Tell me about it.


I'm a millionair with NWA. At least 4 trips to Aisa a year. This Delta thing is going to suck. They have already started cutting back on Worldperks stuff.

[lancew]

Works:

Another vote for the iPod (never suspected how much I'd love it)

Turkey Fryer - it's so fast and easy I feel like I'm cheating

[rinty]

works:

my Toro two stroke snowblower

doesn't work:

my power washer, which I left in the garage last winter...:banghead

Amiodarone...hlothery

Hugh: this stuff can cause verticillata in corneas, as I'm sure you know.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, Rinty,
What's a "snowblower"? What is it used for? I think I'll go for a ride while I await your answer.:evil

[AKBeemer]

Hi, Rinty,
What's a "snowblower"? What is it used for? I think I'll go for a ride while I await your answer.:evil

You are a very mean man.

[rinty]

I think I'll go for a ride...PHMarvin

Every area has its riding season, including Texas.:D

[RandallIsland]

What works: my K, positive goals, smiles, any cheap car that runs and lots of reading

What doesn't work: is fleeting

[glenfiddich]

Hi, Rinty,
What's a "snowblower"? What is it used for? I think I'll go for a ride while I await your answer.:evil

We love snow up here because it keeps the riff raff away. :heart

What works:
A gun dog trained with patience and love
Livestock spending the winter in the meadow BELOW the driveway
A one-third scale trebuchet to fling dog poo into the woods

What doesn't work:
All season radials in snow and ice
Cell phones in very hilly rural areas

[PHMarvin]

Hi, Rinty,

Every area has its riding season, including Texas.:D


That's why, come June or July, I'll come visit you or some of your Northern bretheren in, say, Nova Scotia, to get out of the 40C+ heat. Of course, it's a dry heat!

[rinty]

...I'll come visit you in...Nova Scotia...PHMarvin

UnigoBob's already beavering away on the Salty Fog.

Didn't realize El Paso is low humidity; that certainly helps.

A lot of this is just depends on what you're used to, and we're not used to heat, so unless I have to I won't ride at anything much more than about 80.

But I can imagine how nice it is in the Hill Country in February...

[PHMarvin]

Hi, Rinty,


But I can imagine how nice it is in the Hill Country in February...

I guess it is, but I really don't know. I've never ridden in the Hill Country except passing through. It is about 800km east of me. I'd love to ride there, but it would take about 8 hours just to get there and another 8 hours to get home.

[AKBeemer]

Hi, Rinty,
I guess it is, but I really don't know. I've never ridden in the Hill Country except passing through. It is about 800km east of me. I'd love to ride there, but it would take about 8 hours just to get there and another 8 hours to get home.

I had forgotten what a small place Texas is. :brow

[gogreen]

2001 Chevrolet Impala with 357,000 trouble free miles/congress spending $1 TRILLION on PORK

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/rallyprojacket.jpg
What works. It works since it does everything as advertised. Lots of generous sized pockets, wind and abrasion protection. I like the window cuff on the left which makes a very good place to store an E-Z pass.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Misc%20Stuff/rallyprojacket.jpg
What doesn't work!

It doesn't work since all the small buttons, pulls and loops break easily under pressure. I was amazed when zipper pull broke the third time I used the jacket. Replaced it with a loop of copper wire. Not pretty but functional

[rinty]

Replaced it with...copper wire...PaulBach

Paul:

You can buy zipper pulls at outfitter places.

That's quite a surprising result, with a quality BMW piece.

[CaptainR12C]

What definatly does not work - VERIZON. What a PIA this company has been in my life. Overbilling, sneaking xtra charges, internet service down and techs not available for 3 days. Is paying $1,200 a year worth it just to communicate?????

Anyone else frustrated with this oversized out of hand company?????

Cell reception is fine, it's the other stuff that's really F R U S T R A T I N G.

[PAULBACH]

Paul:

You can buy zipper pulls at outfitter places.

That's quite a surprising result, with a quality BMW piece.

Hey, Thanks for the tip. there is such a place nearby.

[henzilla]

Hey, Thanks for the tip. there is such a place nearby.

I was gonna be a wise-ass and say the copper loop will cause your EWS ring to short out:D

[RandyB]

I was gonna be a wise-ass and say the copper loop will cause your EWS ring to short out:D


One more thing that works: An Airhead.

[xp8103]

Really? Didn't we have some tax cuts already, and the economy is still going down the tubes? :scratch

Josh,
The tax cuts from 2003 are NOT the reason we are in the mess we are now.

[kgadley01]

What definatly does not work - VERIZON. What a PIA this company has been in my life. Overbilling, sneaking xtra charges, internet service down and techs not available for 3 days. Is paying $1,200 a year worth it just to communicate?????

Anyone else frustrated with this oversized out of hand company?????

Cell reception is fine, it's the other stuff that's really F R U S T R A T I N G.

I dumped Verizon 4 years and 1 month ago. yes... I remember exactly when I dumped them. I went with Cingular who was bought out by AT&T. I have nothing bad to say about them. The Areas where I have coverage is much, much better. But what works for me, may not work for you...

[RandyB]

I dumped Verizon 4 years and 1 month ago. yes... I remember exactly when I dumped them. I went with Cingular who was bought out by AT&T. I have nothing bad to say about them. The Areas where I have coverage is much, much better. But what works for me, may not work for you...


Wait'll you travel out West....

Downside of the merger? 3500 jobs cut in Little Rock. Sigh....

[GlobalRider]

Just remembered....

What works: Shout Stain Remover for cleaning my Aerostich suit.

What doesn't work very well: anything computer related.

[GlobalRider]

One more thing that works: An Airhead.

+2