Ramblings
It All Started With the Bruegger Meister
Sometimes the smallest projects carry the biggest memories.
Not everything here at 173 is big remodels, or building things...sometimes is\t's about goofy little things - and this post is just such a time! Waaay back in the day, 173's first beagle, Bruegger...
Bruegger's Favorite Summer Spot
...used to like to hang out in the bathroom sometimes. In the summer, he'd just lay out on the tile floor, and on the hottest days he would be found wrapped around the back of the toilet - belly against the cold porcelain, back and side against the tile wall and floor. Smart pooch. However, sometimes, whether because he bumped the door on the way in or because a breeze wafted through the bathroom, the door would close behind Bruegger and he'd be trapped until someone got home from work.
When the Doorstop Finally Broke
Maybe 15 years ago (or so), we picked up this cute little toy to use as the doorstop:
This little toy is made of what?-clay? paste? plaster of paris? I have no idea but it cost a grand total of $3.99 at the Christmas Tree Shops, and has held up all these years. Until last month. You see, this little boat get pushed out of the way with a foot every time someone needs the bathroom door closed. The wheels were perfect for that, but last month one of them broke off. I tried soldering the wheel back in place, but it was of no use. I searched all over the internet to see if I could find this same little boat - to no avail.
That's becoming a familiar story these days. It seems like so many inexpensive household items simply disappear from the market after a few years. Rather than replacing them with something completely different, I've found it far more satisfying to spend a few minutes figuring out how to repair what we already have. Sometimes the repair isn't prettier than the original, but it's usually stronger.
Finding a Better Fix
So I thought - replace the wheels. I ordered a bag of wooden wheels (come to think of it, if you know someone who needs 16 wooden wheels - lemme know!). The problem was - axles. I thought about lag bolts but the axle holes were too small. I tried a small wood dowel but it was too fragile. Then I had a brainstorm! Coat hanger wire! I clipped off two axles and threaded the ends:
Then I applied a small washer and nut:
I thought about painting the wheels black, but for some reason I thought just leaving them au natural worked just fine!
It isn't fancy, but it works!
And of course, we must have a glamour shot!
And there you have it - an entire post about salvaging an old $3.99 toy that sits in the bathroom!
Hey, thanks for stopping by... see ya' next time!
I smiled through this entire post. It started with a dog curled up behind a toilet to stay cool, wandered into the story of a little $3.99 boat, and somehow ended with me admiring a repair made from coat hanger wire.What I enjoy about House 173 is that nothing is considered too small to be worth fixing if it has become part of the house. Most people would have tossed that little boat without a second thought. You saw a problem to solve instead. The new wooden wheels almost make it look like the repair was intentional from the beginning.And honestly? Bruegger stole the show. By the time I reached the glamour shot of the repaired doorstop, I wasn't thinking about a bathroom accessory anymore. I was thinking about an old beagle finding the coolest place in the house on a hot summer afternoon. That's the kind of memory worth preserving, even if it starts with a broken wheel. - Anonymous Reviewer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why repair an inexpensive doorstop instead of buying a new one?
Sometimes an inexpensive object becomes part of the home. Repairing it preserves memories while keeping something useful out of the landfill.
What did you use for the new axles?
Ordinary coat hanger wire proved to be stronger than wooden dowels and small enough to fit the replacement wheels.
Where can you buy replacement wooden wheels?
Wooden craft wheels are commonly available online and at many hobby and craft stores.
Why not simply glue the old wheel back on?
Because the original axle had failed, a stronger mechanical repair was needed rather than relying on adhesive alone.
What makes a good DIY repair?
Using readily available materials to create a durable solution that extends the life of something you already own.
Why do small projects matter?
Small repairs often improve everyday life just as much as major renovations, and they're frequently the projects that carry the most personal stories.
Keywords
bathroom doorstop repair, DIY doorstop, simple home repairs, repurpose instead of replace, wooden wheels, coat hanger repair, DIY fixes, House 173, small home projects, Bruegger the beagle