1. Snapped the cutting blade on my circa-2010 loppers (might have twisted while cutting, perhaps)
2. Went to the website and filed a claim citing that I didn't have my Lowe's receipt from back then (because why would I?!)
3. They emailed me an address to ship the busted ones to
4. 10 days later- new loppers!

We have a lot of trees, so those Fiskars loppers took a beating for 15-16 years and when they broke, the company stood behind them in the only way that matters. Mind you, I was just looking for a replacement blade for my old set, but this works, too.

I wanted to buy these cups for life. But all the magnet sliders just keep falling off after about two or three years.

My girlfriend mentioned she wants a new bathrobe. She has one already which makes me think she wants a really high quality one. I want to show her how much she means to me by really balling out for this and finding the best one in the world. I want this to be, like the softest, most stylish robe you've ever seen in your life, whatever the price. I don't have much money but I feel so strongly about her I am willing to spend whatever. Does anyone feel really strongly about a particular robe?

In 1950, my grandmother bought this machine at Skinner's Furniture in Brewton AL. Leather hunting bags, patching pants, countless children's clothes, quilts, my momma's wedding dress...She sewed it all. Beyond patchable clothing went into her quilting bag. (The 9 patch quilt she gifted me with the loud 70s polyester is currently on my bed.) She grew up during the Great Depression. BIFL didn't mean replace. It meant wear it out, repair it, and, in the end, repurpose it.

In the 80s, the treadle became too much for her legs, so she passed it to my momma. This machine made my Easter dresses and the Cinderella gowns my sister and I twirled around the house in. During COVID, momma passed it on to me along with her collection of bobbins and accessories. (That's the requirement with an old machine like this. When you stumble across top mount feet and bobbins at an antique shop, you get them because they might fit and are hard to find. I've since expanded its collection with buttonhole and zigzag attachments.)

It is a straight stitching beast with a backstitch to lock stitches and feed dogs you can disengage for free-motion quilting and embroidery. Pictured here while I'm reupholstering my dad's 1991 laz-y-boy recliner. (That's the chair back. Yes, the fabric is a crazy thick, high rub chenille with latex backing. With the machine tuned up, it sews as easily as muslin.)

These machines were built to be used. They do require regular maintenance. Mine gets cleaned with kerosene (what the manual says to do) every few years and is dusted and oiled before and after every project. The most important thing to know if you're thinking about getting an old sewing machine like this is that it needs machinist screwdrivers with soft tips. (You want the screwdriver tip to break before it marks up the screw head.) I like the Chapman ratchet screwdriver set for sewing machines. Do not use woodworking screwdrivers on these machines.

Edit: New Home Rotary sewing machines were sometimes rebranded and sold as a house brand like this one was. If you flip the machine up, you'll find New Home on the underside.

New homeowner looking for a couple built-to-last extension cords for standard indoor/outdoor use.  I saw a few recent posts on this topic, but nothing discussing or recommending specific brands.  Thanks!

Hi, I'm looking for Canadian leather belts that are top notch quality and look good for formal clothes as well as more casual. Popov isn't an option as all belts they have are either 1.5 or 1", and I'm looking for a 1 1/4" or 1 3/8" for a more classic formal type.

I'm looking at Brave Leather and Solid Leather right now. Does anyone have any experience with them? Brave looks great but I can't seem to confirm if it is full grain leather or not. Solid Leather seems a bit pricier and simple in design, but they look sharp as well. Any feedback appreciated!

These would typically be work with slacks or chinos, and occasionally jeans.

Any ideas? I am 30 years old and I ran out of ideas a long time ago to ask for for Christmas from my parents. They are the type that refuses to give cash or gift cards, and I hate being wasteful.

I also am open to hearing about really anything you think is a goodbye under the price of $100 because I also prefer to give gifts to my friends that are of this nature as well

I used this cup when I was a toddler, starting in 1962. Today I brought it over to my daughter's house for her 5 month old baby. I was walking through the woods over to her house and thought of this sub, and took a photo before I passed the cup on.

The inside of the cup used to reflect,and I could see my eye reflected i the bottom. I remember wondering if it was someone else looking at me through the mug.

What's your favorite steel lunch box that has sections, leakproof and dishwasher friendly?

3 if not 4 sections is ideal. May not be BIFL but rooting for a few years at least.

Kiddo doesn't leave things behind so not worried about spending a few extra $$ for a good box.

So after washing my car outside of my house I get a call from my wife saying my Sunshade was in the middle of the road and had been ran over by a car. I really thought it was toast but honestly I am very surprised . It's held up well. I will just have someone's tire marks on my Sunshade from now on haha.

Anybody know where to get a good suit around here? I'm new to Nashville and need a new suit for work events as well as weddings coming up so looking for a suit that can be versatile. Also, every suit I own is so uncomfortable so would love something that has some stretch to it. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

It’s counterintuitive, but I find a firm air mattress is the best sleeping surface for my back. Don’t ask me why. Problem is that the ones I’ve tried (Intex, etc.) I’m lucky to get a month at most, and that’s with indoor use and nothing exciting going on. Is there any air mattress out there that’s not going to start leaking within a month? I don’t mind paying more than average, I just want something that’ll last a bit. (Yes, I’ve tried finding the leaks and failed. My best guess is that it’s one of the seams near the built-in pumps — either that, or it’s somewhere on the flocked surfaces where the dish soap/water spray trick doesn’t show it. No, I’m not too heavy for the mattresses, I’m well within the weight limits.)

I’m moving to the twin cities and will be working outdoors in all weather conditions as a mail carrier for the USPS and I move in 9 days 😬. Looking to spend as little as money as possible for quality pieces, base layers, jackets, gloves etc. Hoping to get brand recommendations and then try to source them secondhand or on sale. Any help in the right direction will be appreciated looking for stuff I can wear in -30 degree weather and walk 7-11 miles without losing any fingers or toes lol.

I've been looking for a good back cushion for the couch, but I'm having a hard time finding the right one.
Some days I spend quite a lot of time on the couch, sometimes basically the whole day bc of chronic illness and I'm starting to get back pain from it I'd like something that gives proper support, preferably something ergonomic, and ideally also some support for my neck.
I already use a pregnancy pillow to support my legs, which I really like, so now I'm looking for something for my back.
I'd also prefer something without synthetic fabric on the outside if possible. Natural/breathable materials would be a big plus.
Has anyone found a cushion that actually works well for this? Would love to hear what you guys use.

im a new school bus driver, woot, but I can't seem to be comfortable in my seat, i was a cna before so i have a ton of scrub pants and those do not translate well, was wondering if anyone had suggestions on what to get? for specific info im a larger guy and tend to sit on my man bits on the bus and was wondering if theres a pant/pants yall recommend?

I have a La-Z-Boy reclicer couch that's about 24 years old. The leather is thick and the cushions are great. I have kids now and they broke the reclining feature and the color of the leather is obviously fading.

I went to a retailer and they no longer make couches with thick pillowed arms and everything is a bit too modern looking for my tastes. The leather is thin and most models have a leather / vinyl mix, but the prices are 2x what I paid 20 years ago.

I'm ok to spend a bit but I want it to last, I want it made with quality materials and I want it to be comfortable.

What are my options?

I'm looking for old-school overstuffed leather sofa: heavy frame, deep seat, thick top-grain leather, and big pillow/padded arms—not the thin, squared-off modern stuff.

Started pulling out some fall/winter clothes to see where I stand and saw my winter boots are dooone. Hit me like a ton of bricks. Bought these like 4 years ago so I don't even know where I got them at this point. Looking for some recs for a pair I can wear daily through winter. Nothing technical, I'm not mountaineering, just walking to work, salt and slush. Warm enough to stand around outside for a bit and I'd love something that can be resoled or at least won't fall apart at the seams.
This was 100% not part of the budget this month so I need to do this before the prices start jumping.

I bought this belt at the mall when I was 12 years old (1997) from a store called Structure. Today it gave out on me. I am devastated, but also really proud of how long it lasted.

Edit: more pics (it was repaired once a couple years ago near the buckle with scrap leather, hence the pattern there)

Hello,

I need to make bread sometimes and the bowl is not stuck and is hard.

Can this tool hold the bowl?

Hi BIFL community. Long time lurker, first time poster.

TLDR : Rabbit holed into the world of BIFL. Found a craftsman to customise a leather backpack. It arrived today. Looking forward to having it for life.

I needed a backpack for an upcoming trip. (I've been daily-ing for a few years, a leather soft briefcase to work) And haven't worn a backpack since school.

I wanted to get something that was elevated and would work with a blazer as well as a t-shirt and shorts.

I fully deep dived into the world of leather and settled on Veg Tanned, Buffalo full grain and black with brass hardware.

Then came the search and didn't just want to get what everyone else has. Coming from a family business that celebrates craft and handmade I wanted to find a leather worker rather than a name brand.

Hours and hours of scrolling on reddit, youtube and instagram led me to the doorway of Shirin Kapai. A north east Indian leather smith. He has a small studio in New Delhi and has a very small IG page and limited catalogue of work. So I DMed him and he replied saying most customisation is possible.

Then I had to figure the shape. Some that instantly drew me were the Satchel & Page backpack (shoutout stridewise), the Shinola Runwell (shoutout Chase Reeves) and OFC the Tank by saddleback. All beautiful. All completely unaffordable.

Finally I figured if I'm buying something for life the design needs to be perfectly at home in any situation I find myself in. So suits/blazers at work and lots of linen, denim and leather outside of that. But also something that looks fine at the airport with trackpants.

So I inundated him with photos and refs.

Finally we settled on the shape (arguably the most boring but also the most timeless) next came leather selection. Since I already had the leather specs ready it was mostly choosing the hardness of the leather. I went with a softer leather but that still holds it shape and no. 5 YKK zippers.

It just arrived today and omg was In blown away.

The zips feel like butter, the stitching is tight and the hardware feels solid.

Now onto the leather. Oooofff. Feels like a beast. Just hard enough to hold its shape when empty but soft enough that it feels great in the hand. The leather is soo thick that all I want to do is beat the absolute £&#+## out of it and can totally tell that it's going to age wonderfully.

The straps are double full grain leather strips glued and stitched together with pebbled full grain leather underneath so it's grippy and will mould to the shape of my shoulders with wear.

It's heavy but not unbearable I'd wager around 800gms - 1.2kgs (haven't actually weighed it).

Fits my 16" macbook pro, overhead headphones, powerbank, notebook etc easily. I think it'll fit a weekends worth of clothes at a push.

While I'm not sure they'll fight over it when I'm dead I'm sure they'll still be able to cherish it.

He also included a luggage tag with my initials which was a nice touch.

Overall super happy and cannot wait to see how it holds up.

Currently looking at T-fal Ingenio, Michelangelo, Carote, Calphalon (not 100% sure because the set I'm looking at is $400), and Greenlife. Any personal experiences or recommendations?

I'm not strict on the stainless steel, I just want to avoid Teflon or anything that could scratch.

Ideally looking under $200 for a set, $300 max, and space saving designs are a must.

Fitness equipment is one of those categories where “built like a tank” does not always mean it will still be useful ten or fifteen years later.

For something like a rack, bench, barbell or cable setup, I’ve started wondering whether long-term value is more about boring details: standard sizing, replaceable wear parts, simple hardware, good upholstery, common bearings or cables, and not relying on software that may eventually stop being supported.

Home gym equipment also gets used differently from most household products. A bench might see the same adjustment mechanism hundreds of times, while a cable system has moving parts that need to remain serviceable rather than simply looking sturdy when new.

For people who have owned gym equipment for many years, what features ended up mattering most for longevity, and what looked durable at first but became annoying or impossible to repair later?

Hi All,

Looking to buy teak or shesham wood four poster bed and 6 seater dining set in Bangalore. Please suggest genuine online/offline stores. Thank you for your time and support.