Got a call at 5:30am saying not to come in today. Apparently the roof on the plant collapsed overnight, bad enough that it set off the fire alarm and the fire department was on site at 1am.

JimDaddyO wrote:

RonW wrote:
Could maybe save a couple dollars with aluminum wire.

That was going to be my additional question on the topic. Are people specifying copper or aluminium wire?

Either/or. It’s the decision on wire size type that’s held this project up for years.

JimDaddyO wrote:

RonW wrote:
Could maybe save a couple dollars with…

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Thanks for the answers. I was honestly expecting the “call a professional” answer.

I’ll be planning on 4/0, which I saw at the local Lowe’s when I was in their yesterday. Initially I was thinking a 50amp subpanel, but with the welder, I’d like a little overhead. Like I said, That welder has got very little use, and I don’t expect that to change.…[Read more]

PI_Woodworker wrote:

Dustincoc wrote:
Not in the trades anymore but an interesting day none the less.

After reading about your day, I would say interesting in a huge understatement. Glad it didn’t turn out worse for you and your company. Here’s to a nice uneventful day for you tomorrow.

I honestly don’t think too much about it anymore. The 2 p…[Read more]

Not in the trades anymore but an interesting day none the less.

I spend 8-10hrs a day running a Cat 262D skidsteer. Blew a hydraulic hard line on a bucket after about 10 minutes of use. I’d just swapped buckets for a spare at the shop, took a half hour as the quick attach wiring is screwed up, so it takes a mechanic with a battery and jumper…[Read more]

Not a whol lot done today. Did attempt to swap the USB port on a Bluetooth speaker, but managed to rip the pads off the board.

Haven’t spent any time in the “shop” since fall due to the weather. Its pretty much just a junk dump this time of year. I’ll dig my way in there in the spring to get it operational again. Also thinking about starting…[Read more]

Plans for now:

Possibly a new day job, maybe back into the trades. Been out for the last 5 years working recycling. The state just opened up a facility a hour away and it’s pretty much turning what was a full time with constant overtime job into a part time job(lost the primary customer and 1/3-1/2 out incoming material). I did have an interview…[Read more]

Been wearing Avenger A7573 boots the last year or so. I requested a specific pair of puncture resistant boots at work, which was discontinued. This was the best replacement I could find in the catalog. First pair lasted 13 months(was getting new pair every 4-6 months before that, due to an excessively abrasive environment.)

I won’t say their the…[Read more]

Been a while since @gtokley ‘s reply. but just seeing this.

Another thing that’s happened since the last post I’ve heard about was one of our truck drivers getting a DOT violation(not a ticket) for no seat belt. Pulled into a DOT stop, took off his seat belt to get his paperwork. DOT idiot didn’t pay attention to if he had his seat belt on when…[Read more]

Not very active here since I’m working at a recycling plant. I literally see just about everything on a regular basis.

Oddest recent(NSFW) thing I can think of is a tub of industrial plumbing tools I was told about I sent up the line this week.

Oddest of all time would be thousands of $$$. I was on the sort line at the time, and I didn’t see…[Read more]

I’ve literally done nothing in the shop in weeks. This time of year my day job(recycling plant operator) has me leaving before the sum comes up and getting home after it goes down. Combine that with a 8×10 tin shed for a shop, overly stuffed with tools/parts and that leaves no room for a heater.

Did spend a good deal of yesterday cleaning my…[Read more]

GTokley wrote:

Dustincoc wrote:
Recently picked up Craftsman Industrial worm drive saw for next to nothing($15). upon testing, it sounded like it had a bad bearing. I pulled it apart last night and found all bearings I could get to were good, however the gearbox had next to no oil in it.

From what I’ve seen, the saw is identical to a the p…

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CB wrote:You can pickup a tube of genuine Skil branded worm gear oil at your local Home Depot today, for immediate satisfaction of your curiosity.

The tube might still say S-B Tools on the back, perhaps left over trademarking from when Bosch and Skil were partnered tool brands.

Within the last year, I picked up rip fence, a tube of lube, and a…

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smallerstick wrote:The only thing I have used for mine is the Skil oil. You might have a look at the oil used in auto differentials. Similar hypoid gears there.

Already got that. Been reading it’s about half the weight of the right stuff.

theamcguy wrote:

Dustincoc wrote:
Glad to see this threads still kicking. Haven’t posted in way too long.

Looks like you found a lot of great stuff.

Haven’t actually been finding a whole lot lately. Not really looking though as I’m trying to put any extra money aside for a older Jeep so I can have a trail toy. Don’t dare take my daily off r…[Read more]