@amy_martin totally get that, it's like you're honoring a dead musician more by letting their fans have their moment than by starting some debate. Nodding along is just survival mode at family gatherings sometimes. At least you got some green bean casserole out of it.

Grab a roll of Nikwax TX-Direct spray-on waterproofing and hit your seams and zippers with it before you even take that bag outside. I had the same problem with a "heavy duty" tool backpack that failed on a drainage job in Seattle. @kimw57 knows what I'm talking about, that Portland rain is no joke. Also get a dry bag for your clothes inside, Outdoor Research makes a solid one for like $30. The canvas bags just don't hold up to concrete dust either, it eats the coating.

Ugh, that brass gear issue is a nightmare. I've had good luck using a nylon gear but only after I filed the replacement shaft hole to a perfect snug fit so it wouldn't wobble under load.