Why so often is there poorly done old repair jobs?

[old_tv_nut]

Soldering iron? I thought you said slobbering iron!

I worked for Western Electric a couple of summers installing central office switch gear, and they sent us to class to learn soldering to their standards. And soldering was only a supplementary fix for wire wraps that didn't have the required minimum number of turns. All parts and work expected to last at least 25 years without failure.