Why do I fix my tools?

We live in a disposable world. Sometimes it is very satisfying to fix
something even though it can be replaced new for less. And it's a
learning experience. Same reason I root through salvage yards or
build my own shop tools.

When I take apart my dial caliper, I learn something. If I pitch it
in the trash and just pick up the phone it doesn't give me any feeling
of accomplishment. For me this stuff is a hobby. Under close
scrutiny I would be unable to "justify" 90% of what I do.

I spent 2 weeks making my own boring head. You can buy a new one with
a whole set of carbide bars from enco for 50 bucks. But when I show
someone my boring head I get a very different reaction than when I
show them a 300 dollar Starret height gage. See where I'm comming
from?

I understand your point, I wouldn't want to spend a weekend fighting
with a worn out dial indicator, and if I opened up a dial indicator
repair buisiness, I probably would be bankrupt in a week.

Sometimes it's just fun.