Recent content by The Metric System

This might be tough. In many cases a "condensing unit" like this would be sold to other companies that would then assemble it into a variety of finished systems; they were also likely shipped bare to be installed in the field. Any chance you can get a good photo of the tag just in front of the...

I had the same experience with the same tool. I wasn't expecting much, and was pleasantly surprised to find that it works well and is extremely handy in situations where it's relevant. I wouldn't pay a premium for a name brand or higher wattage, my 1,200W cheapie does anything I ask of it no...

I've worked in shops with Wiltons many times, I never really liked them because I find the flat top of square slide vises to be a convenient spot to set/align/fixture things before I run the vise down. It's not a big deal, but definitely something I miss when it's not there. Big shops like this...

That is very likely an open-drive refrigeration compressor that somebody reworked into an air compressor. Here's an example of what the unit might have looked like before being modified, at first glance the compressor castings look the same. https://www.ebay.com/itm/306328002027

Also, think in terms of basic tasks at a second location and they degree to which they will impact your schedule/motivation. Will the grass need to be mowed, will the drive need to be shoveled, etc - and if so who is going to do these things? "This Saturday I need to load up the mower, drive...

I have had shops that were on the property but not attached to the residence; our current shop is attached and even just that difference increases how often we use the shop space. First thing this morning I went out there in pajamas to check on a test, no way I would do that if I had to walk...

I've been working in industry for ~25 years, and have used (and currently own) ratchets from most/all of the big name US and international brands. Still, the most-used ratchets I own are these plastic Pittsburgh ones from Harbor freight...

I have not worked with this Honeywell system, but in general my experience with systems with single prime mover and multiple inputs is that additional control points alone don't accomplish anything that good parameter selection and (ideally) placement of a single probe cannot. If you want to...

If they are in good condition and the correct size and pressure rating they can be reused, you'd have to either check the specs on your new unit and/or do some math to determine if the sizing is viable. There's usually a range of acceptable sizes for a given system/layout/load. Too small and...

I highly recommend that you try leasing for a year and see how much you actually use the space before buying something off-site. My wife and I considered buying a nearby commercial property before ultimately building an on-site shop, but previous experience (when we lived 5 minutes apart and I...

We spent $400k on 1,300 sqft of high-spec shop space that is well-integrated into an existing house we love. The location is great and we intend to be here for decades. No regerts, would build again. If you can afford it I vote build what you want.

I have tested a whole lot of manifold sets, the best one I've found has been the Yellow Jacket Brute series: https://yellowjacket.com/product/brute-ii-test-charging-manifold/ There are absolutely refrigeration systems in the world where charging to a pressure value is not just the "correct" or...

I work in a critical-application area of refrigeration that is extremely sensitive to leaks, neither vacuum nor pressure alone is really a satisfactory leak test method. This is because there are leaks (usually but not exclusively at threaded or gasketed joints) that will hold in one direction...

Fun project, why the PT1k vs a more common PT100? We use PT1k for cryogenic applications because typical PT100s don't work well below about -50C, but the temp ranges an oil sensor would see are well within their normal range. Are you finding PT1k read hardware to be more available etc?

Yes, this is absolutely the case. IME, being on a friendly basis with the guys doing the work make them more likely to stop and talk to you when there is a small problem or decision point that would benefit from the owner's involvement. It definitely helps to get the job done faster, several...