Fixing a Marx 490 O27 toy locomotive
I fixed my Marx 490 locomotive this weekend. I used the tips in The All Gauge Model Railroading Marx Trains guide. Scroll down to the heading titled, "The Marx motor." I was skeptical because these...
View ArticleAnother (unwanted) lawnmower adventure
So the Toro died Sunday, with maybe 100-150 square feet of unmowed lawn left. I coaxed it into running again by adding oil–it looked low–and that was enough to mow what was left. The gray smoke...
View ArticleSynthetic oil + Marvel Mystery Oil = happy lawn mower
Someone requested a lawnmower update, so I’ll oblige. That’s easy enough to write up. And I’m happy to report I feel like I discovered one of the secrets of the universe. A new air filter and an oil...
View ArticleNo matter what brand you buy, you’ll have carburetor trouble
I bought a lawnmower this weekend for the other house. Of course they tried to get me to buy the $40 extended warranty to cover a $162 lawnmower. “You’ll have carburetor trouble no matter what brand...
View ArticleTips on buying used stuff
I just found a Lifehacker piece on buying used stuff without getting ripped off. I have plenty of experience in this area. The key, I think, is to deal in person, and test as much functionality as you...
View ArticleI didn’t winterize my lawnmower but I got away with it. Here’s how.
Last year I didn’t winterize my lawnmower at the end of the season. Shame on me. So I took some extra precautions this year to avoid a $50 lawn mower repair, and got away with it. Here’s what I did....
View ArticleMarvel Mystery oil in a snowblower
I’ve had such success with Marvel Mystery Oil in my lawn mower than I’ve gotten questions about Marvel Mystery oil in a snowblower. Yes it will work. It will work in any gasoline-powered yard tool. And...
View ArticleFixing a Marx 490 O27 toy locomotive
I fixed my Marx 490 locomotive this weekend. I used the tips in The All Gauge Model Railroading Marx Trains guide. Scroll down to the heading titled, "The Marx motor." I was skeptical because these...
View ArticleAnother (unwanted) lawnmower adventure
So the Toro died Sunday, with maybe 100-150 square feet of unmowed lawn left. I coaxed it into running again by adding oil–it looked low–and that was enough to mow what was left. The gray smoke...
View ArticleSynthetic oil + Marvel Mystery Oil = happy lawn mower
I’ve always hated my lawn mower. But once I started using Marvel Mystery Oil in a lawn mower, and putting synthetic 10w-30 oil in the crankcase, I’ve been much happier. It makes me feel like I...
View ArticleNo matter what brand you buy, you’ll have carburetor trouble
I bought a lawnmower this weekend for the other house. Of course they tried to get me to buy the $40 extended warranty to cover a $162 lawnmower. “You’ll have carburetor trouble no matter what brand...
View ArticleChange a lawn mower blade safely and easily
I needed to change a lawn mower blade this weekend, which meant I had to remove the stubborn old blade first. That proved to be a challenge, but not an insurmountable one. I learned the secret of...
View ArticleTips on buying used stuff
I just found a Lifehacker piece on buying used stuff without getting ripped off. I have plenty of experience in this area. The key, I think, is to deal in person, and test as much functionality as you...
View ArticleI didn’t winterize my lawnmower but I got away with it. Here’s how.
Last year I didn’t winterize my lawnmower at the end of the season. Shame on me. So I took some extra precautions this year to avoid a $50 lawn mower repair, and got away with it. Here’s what I did....
View ArticleMarvel Mystery oil in a snowblower
I’ve had such success with Marvel Mystery Oil in my lawn mower than I’ve gotten questions about Marvel Mystery oil in a snowblower. Yes it will work. It will work in any gasoline-powered yard tool. And...
View ArticleOil for under your mower deck
Someone asked me to recommend oil for under your mower deck. If you’re not familiar with this trick, it’s a good idea to oil the underside of your lawnmower deck to keep grass from sticking to it. This...
View ArticleFixing a Marx 490 O27 toy locomotive
I fixed my Marx 490 locomotive this weekend. I used the tips in The All Gauge Model Railroading Marx Trains guide. Scroll down to the heading titled, "The Marx motor." I was skeptical because these...
View ArticleAnother (unwanted) lawnmower adventure
So the Toro died Sunday, with maybe 100-150 square feet of unmowed lawn left. I coaxed it into running again by adding oil–it looked low–and that was enough to mow what was left. The gray smoke...
View ArticleSynthetic oil + Marvel Mystery Oil = happy lawn mower
I’ve always hated my lawn mower. But once I started using Marvel Mystery Oil in a lawn mower, and putting synthetic 10w-30 oil in the crankcase, I’ve been much happier. It makes me feel like I...
View ArticleNo matter what brand you buy, you’ll have carburetor trouble
I bought a lawnmower this weekend for the other house. Of course they tried to get me to buy the $40 extended warranty to cover a $162 lawnmower. “You’ll have carburetor trouble no matter what brand...
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