What is the most expensive thing you ever broke while trying to fix it?

[ronco]

I work for a company that makes lasers for the medical industry. One day, after completing a typical P. M. I was putting the lid back on a lamp housing and heard a "pop". When I lifted the lid, I saw a YAG rod (one of those laboratory grown crystalline structures) had been broken. That costs us 5K in a hurry. We also have CO2 lasers with an arc tube (five feet long, four inches in diameter) that are hand blown glass. I replaced one for a customer that sent it out to have the fill gas replaced. Customer broke it somehow and I hit him for around 18K for a new one, plus labor.



Some days, it pays not to get out of bed!





Ronco

 

[illflem]

More like something I should have fixed

Think I might have you all beat.

I was young helping my brother build the concrete entrance arches at the top of an exclusive 1200 home hillside housing development, got thirsty and climbed up into the avocado orchard above the work site looking for a drink. Accidentally broke off a 3/4'' PVC irrigation riser, didn't think anything of it. That night the irrigation came on automatically, the water ran down the hill, undermined a newly installed 48'' water main enough that it buckled and broke.

The broken pipe drained a 125 acre reservoir in water starved So. California, took out 3 million dollars of fresh grading, several pieces of heavy equipment, 55 half built $200k+ homes, made a new lake and canyon in a place it really wasn't wanted. When all was said and done the damage topped $10 million.

I never fessed up.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Sounds like you get the cookie!!!! They have no sense of humor do they?

 

[jrusko]

Re: More like something I should have fixed

Originally posted by illflem

Think I might have you all beat.

I was young helping my brother build the concrete entrance arches at the top of an exclusive 1200 home hillside housing development, got thirsty and climbed up into the avocado orchard above the work site looking for a drink. Accidentally broke off a 3/4'' PVC irrigation riser, didn't think anything of it. That night the irrigation came on automatically, the water ran down the hill, undermined a newly installed 48'' water main enough that it buckled and broke.

The broken pipe drained a 125 acre reservoir in water starved So. California, took out 3 million dollars of fresh grading, several pieces of heavy equipment, 55 half built $200k+ homes, made a new lake and canyon in a place it really wasn't wanted. When all was said and done the damage topped $10 million.

I never fessed up.

:--)

 

[kiwi bird]

Ooooh, I wouldn't want to top that!!!

 

[nickleinonen]

i think illflem takes the prize for this one

 

[Andy Perreault]

Re: More like something I should have fixed

Originally posted by illflem

Think I might have you all beat.

Holy schniekies!



(trivia quiz: what movie did that phrase come from? I'm not sure of the spelling, it's pronounced like the Nike shoes)

Andy

 

[schu777]

Re: Re: More like something I should have fixed

Tommy Boy...

Originally posted by Andy Perreault

Holy schniekies!



(trivia quiz: what movie did that phrase come from? I'm not sure of the spelling, it's pronounced like the Nike shoes)

Andy

 

[ronco]

Re: Re: More like something I should have fixed

Originally posted by Andy Perreault

Holy schniekies!



(trivia quiz: what movie did that phrase come from? I'm not sure of the spelling, it's pronounced like the Nike shoes)

Andy

SCOOBY DOOBY DOO!

 

[jmeehan]

Re: Re: Re: More like something I should have fixed

Originally posted by schu777

Tommy Boy...

Another of my favorite lines is "Oh, that's gonna leave a mark!"



As to the original topic, illflem, has the statute of limitations expired on that one yet or are they still looking for you?

 

[E7mack96]

An engine.



built Olds 455.



Knew it was low on oil (had just checked it)(young and dumb)



Proceeded to drag race someone on the highway.



Just this week,



A clevis on an axle (a 2. 00 part) broke. I let it go



Caused a $6,000 axle to break the axle tube clean in half



Is just 8 months old. Had 5 year warranty



THey denied warranty because it was obvious the clevis has been broke for awile.



Expensive mistake.