I was looking at my audio/video setup and decided the time had come to pare it down a bit.
I had the following:
Video:
2 DVD recorders
4 VCRs (1 used for recording and 3 for playback)
2 laserdisc players (one had become quirky and wouldn’t play certain discs)
1 satellite DVR
1 region-free DVD player w/PAL-NTSC converter built in
1 standard DVD player (my first one)
Audio:
Receiver
turntable
5-disc CD player
Since I don’t record anything onto video any more, I figured I could move the recording deck into a playback position. It’s a 4-head stereo and one of the others is a 2-head mono (about 80% of my old tapes were recorded this way). I’ve been slowly transferring stuff to DVD. When I do, the tapes are disassembled and put into storage.
I decided I could get along without one laserdisc player, 2 VCRs, the CD player (I rip CDs and transfer them to my MP3 player), and the older DVD player.
All this stuff was spread out amongst 2 stands. After much measuring (I even measured twice!) and so forth, I went out and got the various bits of wood and fasteners I needed.
I figured I could get all the components into one stand.
HA!
I royally screwed up the distance between the shelves. I had to rip out one shelf (and it’s supports) and re-work the whole lot. The old 2-head VCR is now standing on its side between the stand and a bookcase.
Still, I was able to rewire everything and get it right the first time (I’ve redone this mess about every two years since I had more than two VCRs - about 15 years).
While I didn’t mutilate myself, I am not 100% happy with the results. It’ll have to do.
Even though my Norm Abrams gene is recessive, I am compelled to buy and use tools.
I suck at this and yet I can’t stop myself from doing it anyway. It hasn’t been all that costly (most of the tools have come from pawn shops), at least.
It was an interesting way to spend a couple of hours.
So my fellow male Dopers, make me feel better by telling me tales of your mechanical incompetence.