At a different point in my life, I had some extra cash, and figured since I was spending 90% of my life sitting in front of my computer, the least I could do for myself was make sure that I was comfortable there.

So I bought myself an Aeron. It was 2000, it's what all the cool internet kids were doing, and I just wanted to belong.

It's really comfortable, and has served me well thus far. I was therefore very disappointed about half an hour ago when the lumbar support bar on the back collapsed in on itself. It was quite unexpected, and I'm pretty sure that there may have been a spontaneously formed black hole involved. The foam detached from some sort of internal support, and apparently the foam was part of that internal support, so it didn't really support any more.

This was my solution:

For one brief, shining moment, I was able to pretend that I was a half-assed MacGyver.

Don't tell me that's actually the first dollar you ever made on Goats.

I won't believe you.

You should have used electrical tape instead of Duct Tape.

In Response to zamphir (#21618):

I'd disagree about the electrical tape - it generally doesn't come quite so wide, which means you don't have the enduring support. Also, the reinforcing fibers in duct tape will prevent the sort of stretch and distortion electrical tape can get.

On the other hand, I would have recommended using black duct tape, yeah. It's an aesthetic thing.

In Response to sakuruth (#21620):

agreed....electrical tape is very elastic. I needed to keep this very tightly wound to keep the whole deal together.

I have both, and the duct tape was a specific choice. Packing tape would have been clear, and nominally better for that reason l but my experience is that it's longevity and integrity are ...what's the word... crap.

and that's a $2 bill. Paid for fair and square.

For one brief, shining moment, I was able to pretend that I was a half-assed MacGyver.

No need to be modest, Phillip; this was an elegant, functional solution using materials on hand. In fact, if you used a Swiss Army Knife to cut the duct tape, I'd say you qualified as a full-assed MacGuyver.

In Response to gtyrrell (#21624):

Ah, but if we cross Philip with an eggplant, maybe we can make a MacGyver with 4 asses!

In Response to sakuruth (#21620):

I always stretch-wrap my electrical tape...

In Response to zamphir (#21618):

Come on, pedants.

Duck tape. The proper name.

In Response to deerboy (#21628):

Duck tape. The proper name.

Yes?

Show me the money.

In Response to deerboy (#21628):

Duck tape. The proper name.

Nope. Duct or gaffer tape is the generic. Duck tape is the brand name of one make.

Cheers,
Graham

In Response to zamphir (#21629):

Man, your are getting [ideafinder.com] lazy. [octanecreative.com]

Although the distinction seems mostly pedantic here, ductwork is a terrible place to use said tape (as it dries up and gets 'pealy' quickly, making it a terrible wind barrier). That breaks the tie.

In Response to albionsoft (#21631):

I warned you.

In Response to deerboy (#21633):

My what is getting lazy?

Also, made you look!

In Response to zamphir (#21637):

All your lazy are bel-urk!

In Response to deerboy (#21633):

Nope. In fact Duct Tape is not only horrible for ducts (but the best option at the time when it came about) it is in no way, shape, or form waterproof.

Furthermore, the generic term "gaffers tape" actually reffers to a heavier-duty kind with better adhesive that is popuplar for theater and cinema-television work, a "gaffer" being a lighting technician.

Sorry phillip, you don't have the patented Richard Dean Anderson tan.

In Response to deerboy (#21636):

You did? About what?

Cheers,
Graham

In Response to zamphir (#21627):

It's still less effective, especially when you're getting the sort of stresses you'd see in this type of application. Besides, it's damn tricky to achieve an even horizontal stretch (across the width of the tape, rather than along the length) which is where the stress would lie.

I may be a girl, but I grew up with an erector set (insert jokes here) rather than Barbie.

Or, to be more accurate, I had one Barbie. I ripped her head off and bent her knees so far back that the rubber ripped over the metal internal structure.

In Response to sakuruth (#21646):

There's really only one way to settle this debate.

Phillip - go out, buy another Aeron, break it in the same way, and fix it with electrical tape.

In Response to zamphir (#21649):

Then put put both Aerons into a box.

2 Aerons go in, 1 Aeron leaves...

Tangentially related story: throughout my engineering degree, there was a running joke/truism along the lines of 'you can fix anything with either duct tape or WD40'. One day, my friends and I were watching a vintage car pageant when, right in front of us, one of the cars made a horrible juddering, squeaking noise and something dropped off the undercarriage. The driver leaped out, opened a large toolbox that was chock full of nothing but duct tape and WD40 and proceeded to mend the car.

We were simultaneously awed and proud.

true white trash would have used camo [duckproducts.com] tape

In Response to unFalln (#21650):

No No No.

Phillip is a *scientist*, in his own mad way...

Put the second Aeron in a box...

And then spend the next year and a half debating whether it is alive or dead....

In Response to deerboy (#21633):

Oh look. Bollocks on a website. Who knew?

Cheers,
Graham

In Response to albionsoft (#21644):

You did? About what?

Further proof that nobody reads the subject lines. Even when they reply.

I was warning you that somebody would make as ass out of themselves explaining that 'Duck' is a brand and 'duct' is the true name. Yet, somehow, two reasonable (by internet standards) sources versues your no sources = bollocks.

Little piece of info - it is really hard to keep somebody's mouth duckt taped - they can squirem out of it pretty good. Enjoy your weekend.

In Response to zamphir (#21654):

Ooh, I know this one!

The answer is "Yes."