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    Building the mouse Logitech won't make

    (samwilkinson.io)
    450 points sammycdubs | 12 comments | 25 Aug 25 15:34 UTC | HN request time: 0.207s | source | bottom
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    stn8188 ◴[25 Aug 25 16:06 UTC] No.45015355[source]▶
    "Balking at the $50+ charge for turnkey assembly, I opted to take the financially responsible route and pay $200+ for a hot-air rework station to solder it myself."

    Yeah, I feel this :)

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    1. jimmies ◴[25 Aug 25 18:57 UTC] No.45017578[source]▶
    Alternative way to see it: The author had either a $50 solution, or a $50 solution that comes with a discounted hotair rework station for $150…

    I learned it from Superfastmatt. He needed a piece of plastic that retails for $1500 for his van, so he said: “either I have a $1500 solution or I have a $1500 solution but I get a free fancy 3D printer in the end…” that stuck with me.

    replies(5): >>45017751 #>>45018377 #>>45018400 #>>45018951 #>>45019375 #
    2. stronglikedan ◴[25 Aug 25 19:13 UTC] No.45017751[source]▶
    Lol, was that the thing that jutted out the drive's side and let him put the bed sideways? If so, I missed that quip, but it's great regardless!
    3. m463 ◴[25 Aug 25 20:07 UTC] No.45018377[source]▶
    I've come full circle several times.

    I have a brake bleeder, an oil change jugs with a cap on top and the side, cellphone tool kits, and more...

    Sometimes it takes a while to derive the tenets of labor specialization from first principles.

    How many of us can make more making nets for fishermen than making nets AND fishing yourself?

    replies(1): >>45019340 #
    4. bluGill ◴[25 Aug 25 20:09 UTC] No.45018400[source]▶
    When doing any diy I assume I will spend more on tools the first time than I save, but the next time I have the tools and so costs are much less.
    replies(1): >>45018810 #
    5. vasco ◴[25 Aug 25 20:50 UTC] No.45018810[source]▶
    There's never a next time though because you just want to do new stuff
    replies(2): >>45020115 #>>45023376 #
    6. stn8188 ◴[25 Aug 25 21:00 UTC] No.45018951[source]▶
    Haha yeah, last year I replaced my wheel bearings in my van. I ended up with a frustrating ABS code (long story short: faulty magnetic encoders on both of the new bearings). I ended up spending about the same as the job would have cost at a shop, but with a slew of new tools.

    I also did a USB switch project for fun, and ended up spending probably $250 for something I could have just bought for $15, but it was a great experience. (Here if anyone is interested: https://shielddigitaldesign.com/posts/2021/susb/ )

    7. XorNot ◴[25 Aug 25 21:37 UTC] No.45019340[source]▶
    Sometimes I wonder this and then look up how much it costs to get some job done and realize I'm probably still coming out substantially ahead.
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    8. ◴[25 Aug 25 21:41 UTC] No.45019375[source]▶
    9. bluGill ◴[25 Aug 25 22:50 UTC] No.45020115{3}[source]▶
    That happens though oftenithe tools work for the project 6 from now.
    10. Dr4kn ◴[26 Aug 25 07:28 UTC] No.45023376{3}[source]▶
    More often you use some of the tools you already have, but have to buy additional ones.
    11. viraptor ◴[26 Aug 25 19:49 UTC] No.45031441{3}[source]▶
    You still need to account for a fun factor. I've got a nas which cost me probably $400 in parts to save on buying a $300 solution. But it's mine, janky, fun and I wouldn't have it any other way.
    12. BizarroLand ◴[27 Aug 25 15:33 UTC] No.45041104{3}[source]▶
    I know my local library loans out tools, I wonder if I can gift my use once tools to them so someone else could borrow them instead of buying?