Most expensive part

[BillyP]

My dad (80s) still cuts grass and does minor yard work for a bunch of folks around his house. He's got this ancient Sears (actually Kioritz/Echo) string trimmer that someone gave him and he just adores because it is very simple and light. Carb on it gummed up (he insists on leaving the trimmer and his gas cans in the back of his pickup, rain or no, can never find the spout plugs for the gas cans). He takes it apart to "fix" it, and looses half the parts and puts the rest back in the wrong places/backwards/etc. So he asks me if I can get a rebuild kit for the carb "on the internet". The thing was made in 1979. By the time I found most of the right parts (new innards for the missing fuel shutoff valve was a fun one), and fabricated the rest, I probably have over $50 and lord-only-knows how many hours in the thing. A new one is what, about $100 or less?

Oh well, the look on his face when I fired it up (one pull) and handed it to him was worth it!

Amen Jay, that's what it's all about

 

[sandman2234]

To see a Dad smile, you got off cheap!

Generator for my lawnmower. By the time shipping got through with it, the price was way out of line. I could have bought the PTO generator head for less than $300 and made the mount myself. Might even do it for a spare one so the wife won't complain if the first one quits in the middle of a hurricane.
David from jax

 

[Soundguy]

This sounds like a tractor restorer's 'anonymous' club meeting.

Back in march 2004 when i finished restoring my ford 2N.. i also searched till I found an original ford s-piece 'sliding' toplink.. between shipping and price.. I paid almost as much as you did... but darn it.. it sure looked good in the tractor parade at the show later that month!

Soundguy

My wife has accused me of being obsessive/compulsive. And you know what? She might just be right!

When I start "restoring" something, the sky's the limit. NOTHING stops me from reaching my goal.

I've got 3 tractors that are restoration projects. 1 is all mine. The other 2, which haven't been started yet have been handed down through the family. One was my dads, the other was my uncles.(1957 Massey Ferguson 50. 1956 Ferguson F-40) (Still trying to get FIL's old Oliver 1650)

I started with the first new tractor I owned. My cherished 1971 Massey Ferguson 150. During the past few weeks, I've been burning up the phone, fax machine, email, and EBAY trying to get the last few items to complete the project. As of last Friday, it was down to ONE item. I ruined the original 3-point top link years ago. It got bent beyond repair. Junked.

So, the search has been on for an O.E.M. top link. It HAD to have the top link pin, and chain that attaches the pin, and the chain to hold the linch pin.

Found it on EBAY! Sale just ended. It's MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $87.50 by the time the USPS brings it to my door. Coulda bought 2 (maybe 3) cheap generics for that money.

Don't tell my wife. She doesn't need any more ammo to get that mental inquest started.

What item have you ever bought, knowing you paid way too much for what it is, just "because"?