Fix NES controllers yourself

Fix NES controllers yourself

The iconic Nintendo NES controller tends to be fairly reliable, because it’s a simple design. It’s much less prone to breaking than, say, the joysticks that came with an Atari 2600. But the controllers can still wear down over the decades. Fortunately it’s easy to give them a tuneup. Here’s how to fix NES controllers yourself, with simple tools and household cleaners.

Read more

How old is retro?

How old is retro?

Retro seems to be one of those words whose meaning has changed as I’ve gotten older. It’s a vague term that means it’s not old enough to be an antique, and not even old enough to be vintage. But how old is retro?

Retro refers to the recent past. That’s a little vague but generally means it’s old and probably obsolete, but probably less than 20 years old.

Read more

What is LVP flooring?

What is LVP flooring?

What is LVP flooring? LVP stands for luxury vinyl plank, a type of snap-together floating floor that competes with laminate flooring. It combines the durability of vinyl with the convenience and appearance of laminate. It’s an especially good choice in kitchens and bathrooms where moisture may be present.

Read more

Atari 2600 voltage regulator troubleshooting and replacement

Atari 2600 voltage regulator troubleshooting and replacement

There’s not much that goes wrong with an Atari 2600. Virtually every problem I’ve ever found with them has to do with the electrical path. That means the power supply, the power switch, or the voltage regulator. Outside of those three parts, I’ve never seen a problem with one. Let’s talk about the Atari 2600 voltage regulator and troubleshooting the rest of the internal electrical path.

Read more

American Flyer track radius

American Flyer track radius

American Flyer produced track in a variety of gauges and radii, but if you’re asking about American Flyer track radius, you probably mean its S gauge track.

The standard radius for American Flyer S gauge track, produced from 1946 to 1967, was 20 inches. Other radii were also available from other manufacturers.

Read more

Amana dishwasher not cleaning well? Fix it yourself and save

Amana dishwasher not cleaning well? Fix it yourself and save

My Amana dishwasher stopped washing dishes well. If you Amana dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes well, maybe this will help. And this advice will apply for Amana’s related brands Whirlpool, Kenmore, and Maytag.

Read more

Root cause – what it is and why it’s important

Root cause – what it is and why it’s important

The term root cause is used in engineering and related disciplines. It simply means identifying the source of a bigger issue. Finding the root cause helps to keep the problem from happening again.

Read more

What is dollar cost averaging?

What is dollar cost averaging?

What is dollar cost averaging? Think of it as a way to spread out risk when investing in stocks, bonds, or other equities. It keeps you from paying too much at any given time.

The way you make money in investments is by buying low and selling high, but you never know what the high and low points of the market will be. Dollar cost averaging helps you to avoid the highs.

Read more

DO vs MD: Two philosophies, but both doctors

DO vs MD: Two philosophies, but both doctors

I read a tweet this weekend from a prominent political commentator disparaging doctors of osteopathy, DOs for short. He said only MDs are legitimate doctors. That’s not at all true. Let’s take a look at a DO vs an MD. There’s a difference, but it doesn’t at all mean DOs are less competent.

DOs are recognized by all 50 states and are licensed to prescribe drugs, administer vaccines, and perform surgery just like an MD. Web sites that suggest a DO is basically a chiropractor are using outdated and incomplete information. While some people consider osteopathy a form of alternative medicine, that’s an incomplete perspective. The majority of what DOs practice is completely mainstream medicine.

Read more

Marx 1829 vs 333

Marx 1829 vs 333

The Marx 333 and 1829 were the largest O gauge steam locomotives Marx produced. But even though Marx’s competitors would sometimes make both a diecast and plastic version of the same engine, that’s not what Marx did here. Let’s take a look at the Marx 1829 vs 333.

The 1829 wasn’t just a plastic Marx 333. The design of the casting differs from the diecast 333, and it used a different trailing truck, since the 333 was a 4-6-2 Pacific and the 1829 was a Hudson. The motor was similar, and like the 333, it came in both smoking and non-smoking versions.

Read more