Episode 48 | The angler’s arms are all red

Fixing tools blindfolded, episode 48: an angler’s bait launcher needs a battery — a small pack is built on the spot (insulate as well as possible, two layers of heat-shrink), plugged in, works, ¥50; then a worn drill bit, an angle grinder with dry grease, a pile of broken tools sorted “to one side”, a ratchet chuck swapped for ¥15; 1.178 million likes

A customer wants a battery for his newly bought bait launcher; the original battery is dead. The shop owner digs out a similar cell — “not sure it’ll work” — and builds a pack on the spot: insulate as well as possible, wrap another layer of heat-shrink, then one size bigger, safety first; the heat-shrink is a bit large but works; plugged back into the launcher, switch on, works, “that’s it”, call it ¥50. After that: the customer’s drill isn’t working because the bit is too worn to grip; an angle grinder opened up with not a single bearing ball left and the grease dried solid; a pile of tools for repair, one by one: gears to one side, seals to one side, no power to one side, screws all gone to one side, impact jammed to one side, nothing wrong to one side; when fixing an angle grinder the wheel can shatter all over you, wear goggles; quotes ¥25/20/10/15, “jackpot”; eat the fan’s food first; swap the customer’s ratchet chuck for ¥15, the drill is a write-off. 33k comments: top comment “the boss as customers see him”, 480k; four 18650s plus a board and labor for only ¥50, make me two; is ¥15 for a ratchet chuck even enough for the part; the factory battery may not be as good as the one you made.

Outcome

Steps7 steps · click a frame to jump

1. 
   1. Battery for a bait launcher, original battery dead

   A newly bought bait launcher needs a battery; the original is dead; dig out a similar one, not sure it’ll work.

   00:00 – 00:22
2. 
   2. Build the pack: insulate well, two layers of heat-shrink

   No idea whether it’ll work; insulate as well as possible; wrap another layer, basically done; one size bigger; safety first; the heat-shrink is a bit large, try it, works.

   00:33 – 01:27
3. 
   3. Plug in, test, works, ¥50

   Plug it in; try the switch; done, that’s it; call it ¥50.

   01:27 – 01:44
4. 
   4. Drill bit too worn to grip

   Why isn’t it working — the bit is so worn it won’t grip; how long did you let that build up; reply on WeChat.

   01:45 – 02:09
5. 
   5. Angle grinder with no bearing balls, grease dried out; fan’s food

   Hengyou angle grinder, not a single bearing ball left, grease dried into a lump; eat the fan’s food first; how much; you’re kidding.

   02:10 – 02:50
6. 
   6. A pile of broken tools sorted “to one side”; quotes, jackpot

   Gears / seals / no power / screws gone / impact jammed / nothing wrong, each to one side; wear goggles, the wheel shatters all over you; quotes ¥25/20/10/15; jackpot; the clip is broken.

   02:51 – 03:51
7. 
   7. Swap the ratchet chuck, ¥15

   20V 20Ah tool; fit a ratchet chuck, ¥15; the drill is a write-off.

   03:55 – 04:15

Bill of materials

Creator’s tips

• When building a pack on the spot, insulate as well as possible and add an extra layer of heat-shrink 00:43
• Wear goggles when repairing angle grinders — the wheel can shatter 03:24

Pitfalls

• Heat-shrink a bit oversized 01:14

Li-ion safety

• Safety first: insulate the battery pack 01:14

Quotes

Cost & time