Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT 3rd time's a charm with a 3 car workshop

[loganb]

Looking great!

Thanks sir! Appreciate catching up on the happenings here! Hope the "drinking from a fire hose" part of the new gig is slowing down!

So maybe longer post ahead...

Most of the obvious work here the last couple days has been on the "****" side of the dust collector...but the "blow" side has been in my mind as need them both. On the same auction I picked up the disc/belt sander....I got some air filters as well.



And by some, I mean (8) of them. They're originally for a Torit style dust collector, but are 14" or so outside diameter, 10" inside, MERV 11 and deliver 295 sq ft of filter area per filter. The intent was to use them for the exhaust/blow side of the collector as they're very close to what's out there commercially...and I got 8 for less then I could get 2 of the ones from Wynn/Oneida etc

Initially I was thinking of stacking (2) together, the bottom will need a hole cut in it...but that's easy enough



That was going to loose a bit of room, plus didn't leave me as much room to try and address noise if I didn't like it...so I started wondering what if I don't stack them...but run them horizontally like this:



With a wooden manifold/plenum box of approx dimensions 56" long x 24 deep x 12" tall, then line the interior with acoustic panels/mineral wool insulation(ugly green modeled as 3.5" thick mineral wool/rockwool) to mimic the concept of the dust collection silencer or sound filters that are often inline with the filter assy's (example from Oneida here)



Bottom would be existing 1.25" thick plywood I already own, sides and top would be 3/4" ply, I'd hang/support everything off the bottom. Casework designed so for interior access either pull the filters out, or take the top off, likely in that order as it's going to be heavy and 9' in the air so it'll have to come down if it really needs taken apart...but it's feasible. Glue and tape all seams...well except no glue on the top panel so it can come back off down the road.

Filters get held up with 3/8" or similar threaded rod with a bottom plate that isn't yet modeled. There will be a dust collection bag/bucket or something on the bottom to catch the fines that float thru and down. Figure 1x a year they get pulled down and taken out to the field south of the neighborhood (literally, the development has a corn field next to it...for at least a couple more years) and blown out with the Makita cordless blower

Would go about "here" in the garage...however long of a section of pipe I need/am told is best to feed it:




That model is a "bit" behind, there is some racking on that wall where it's shown now....but it's just framing lumber and can find a new home...or help build neighborhood bonds while charring hotdogs one night in the driveway

I've been probably overly cautious about noise on this project, there are a couple likely factors on that. That blower motor and dust housing is right below the primary bed/bath....and I'd like "wife approval" or at least not "wife disapproval" to be running it early or late. I'd also like it to be quiet enough that I don't have a reason to not have it on when I'm in there making chips, and ideally would like it quiet enough the kids don't object if it's on when they're out there. The tools I might use when they're out there is different, and with the vfd control I can lower motor speed/noise level as well, but much of the noise is as the air movement/not the motor so trying to soften/dampen that as I can.

I don't have the space to put this in a dedicated, walled off room unfortunately. I have thought though that I could "hang" some mass loaded vinyl or other material(carpet etc) perimeter of the box, straight down past the bottom of the filters to help give another soft surface to dampen noise and soften the space. I'd probably start with the carpet as I can get that cheaper and see what it does. If it works well there are a couple ways I could take that concept farther. If it seems like this is "too much" filter area for the blower after using it, I can either plug one of the filters off to keep the airspeed up and reduce dust dropping out....or upgrade the blower/motor

Thoughts? Experiences? Any similar concepts people have seen/done? The horizontally arranged filters off a common plenum/manifold isn't new...just normally metal and not in home garages Most people with this level of foolish-ness have dedicated rooms so it's a bit easier to manage/hide their problems...maybe it's why my garage doors are usually shut?

Welcome the feedback/thoughts/have you thought of this/don't do this etc as you've got it and thanks in advance for continuing to follow along

 

[tj675]

Cutting the bottom out of the filters will help when cleaning. You can also print a reservoir for the filter bottoms that collects large dust that makes it into the filter. Sorry about the blurry picture.

 

[jar944]

Thanks sir! Appreciate catching up on the happenings here! Hope the "drinking from a fire hose" part of the new gig is slowing down!

So maybe longer post ahead...

Most of the obvious work here the last couple days has been on the "****" side of the dust collector...but the "blow" side has been in my mind as need them both. On the same auction I picked up the disc/belt sander....I got some air filters as well.



And by some, I mean (8) of them. They're originally for a Torit style dust collector, but are 14" or so outside diameter, 10" inside, MERV 11 and deliver 295 sq ft of filter area per filter. The intent was to use them for the exhaust/blow side of the collector as they're very close to what's out there commercially...and I got 8 for less then I could get 2 of the ones from Wynn/Oneida etc

Initially I was thinking of stacking (2) together, the bottom will need a hole cut in it...but that's easy enough



That was going to loose a bit of room, plus didn't leave me as much room to try and address noise if I didn't like it...so I started wondering what if I don't stack them...but run them horizontally like this:



With a wooden manifold/plenum box of approx dimensions 56" long x 24 deep x 12" tall, then line the interior with acoustic panels/mineral wool insulation(ugly green modeled as 3.5" thick mineral wool/rockwool) to mimic the concept of the dust collection silencer or sound filters that are often inline with the filter assy's (example from Oneida here)



Bottom would be existing 1.25" thick plywood I already own, sides and top would be 3/4" ply, I'd hang/support everything off the bottom. Casework designed so for interior access either pull the filters out, or take the top off, likely in that order as it's going to be heavy and 9' in the air so it'll have to come down if it really needs taken apart...but it's feasible. Glue and tape all seams...well except no glue on the top panel so it can come back off down the road.

Filters get held up with 3/8" or similar threaded rod with a bottom plate that isn't yet modeled. There will be a dust collection bag/bucket or something on the bottom to catch the fines that float thru and down. Figure 1x a year they get pulled down and taken out to the field south of the neighborhood (literally, the development has a corn field next to it...for at least a couple more years) and blown out with the Makita cordless blower

Would go about "here" in the garage...however long of a section of pipe I need/am told is best to feed it:




That model is a "bit" behind, there is some racking on that wall where it's shown now....but it's just framing lumber and can find a new home...or help build neighborhood bonds while charring hotdogs one night in the driveway

I've been probably overly cautious about noise on this project, there are a couple likely factors on that. That blower motor and dust housing is right below the primary bed/bath....and I'd like "wife approval" or at least not "wife disapproval" to be running it early or late. I'd also like it to be quiet enough that I don't have a reason to not have it on when I'm in there making chips, and ideally would like it quiet enough the kids don't object if it's on when they're out there. The tools I might use when they're out there is different, and with the vfd control I can lower motor speed/noise level as well, but much of the noise is as the air movement/not the motor so trying to soften/dampen that as I can.

I don't have the space to put this in a dedicated, walled off room unfortunately. I have thought though that I could "hang" some mass loaded vinyl or other material(carpet etc) perimeter of the box, straight down past the bottom of the filters to help give another soft surface to dampen noise and soften the space. I'd probably start with the carpet as I can get that cheaper and see what it does. If it works well there are a couple ways I could take that concept farther. If it seems like this is "too much" filter area for the blower after using it, I can either plug one of the filters off to keep the airspeed up and reduce dust dropping out....or upgrade the blower/motor

Thoughts? Experiences? Any similar concepts people have seen/done? The horizontally arranged filters off a common plenum/manifold isn't new...just normally metal and not in home garages Most people with this level of foolish-ness have dedicated rooms so it's a bit easier to manage/hide their problems...maybe it's why my garage doors are usually shut?

Welcome the feedback/thoughts/have you thought of this/don't do this etc as you've got it and thanks in advance for continuing to follow along

My only thought with the plenum would be avoiding corners or other areas that wouldn't have good airflow where dust could accumulate to a minimum.

Removable bottoms seem like a good idea

 

[nicholam77]

During nap I volunteered for the Target run, which means big orange box gets stopped at to since it's next door. Then I was forced to drive 6 or 7 miles to go check out some stuff for sale on marketplace....ya'll know where this is going:

Went for the #7 jointer and the chisels(metric widths but that's ok)...ended up buying the Honing Guide and the somewhat rusted tenoning jig while there. He tossed in the stones as well. Jointer has a bit of surface rust but should clean up well. Chisels have had some work to flatten the backs but could use some more. So that may be a night time project when I'm not feeling up to something more more involved. Tenoning jig is going to take more clean up...but I've been watching for one like it and the last several Delta's like that sold for $80 to $100 and I gave $20

Woah, nice!!

Not sure I have anything meaningful to contribute as the electrical and dust collection specifics are a bit out of my wheelhouse, but nice job with all the projects.

Hope you're all out of the woods with the stomach bug. That's the worst.

 

[loganb]

Cutting the bottom out of the filters will help when cleaning. You can also print a reservoir for the filter bottoms that collects large dust that makes it into the filter. Sorry about the blurry picture.

Something like that is what I'm kinda thinking....though for "ease" right now I leaning towards the heavy mil thickness plastic bag "clamped" around the bottom with the pink bottom filter retainer for lack of a better name:




A clear bag gives me an easy way to monitor and from what I've read/watched online it shouldn't get much in there....but how much does your's collect TJ? I don't love needing to completely loosen the filter housing from the "plenum" to empty the bag if this is going to be a more then a couple times a year thing and that could push me to just design the collection pail/bucket from the start so that emptying that doesn't involve the filter being loosened

My only thought with the plenum would be avoiding corners or other areas that wouldn't have good airflow where dust could accumulate to a minimum.

Removable bottoms seem like a good idea

Good point, I had been thinking about just putting in some 45 degree sloped sides but hadn't modeled it yet. However your comment made me think a bit more about it and that space to me seems like a waste anyway and the better solution is to remove it. So I narrowed up the width to approx 21.5" wide, then drew up some corner fillers:




I'm playing with something in the middle too that isn't as tall....but still fill in those flat spots a bit to aid in dust moving on down. It could be narrowed up a bit more still as well before the shown rockwool starts encroaching on the thru hole for the filter

 

[tj675]

I haven’t found more than a handful of dust in the filter bucket. I was very thorough about making sure the cyclone was sealed properly during assembly. The smallest leak will cause more dust to bypass the cyclone and head into the filter.

 

[loganb]

I haven’t found more than a handful of dust in the filter bucket. I was very thorough about making sure the cyclone was sealed properly during assembly. The smallest leak will cause more dust to bypass the cyclone and head into the filter.

Appreciate the feedback...thanks TJ!

Tried to make some progress this week....things conspired...like this:

Printed out the layout for the base/bottom of the dust plenum in 1:1 scale on 11 x 17, then taped them together so I could get the hole locations laid out easier....or that was the plan:



Thankfully I tossed a tape across the full width and it wasn't right so this was discovered far earlier than usual in this chain of events. Upon further digging and test prints from 2 different computers and 3 programs....it appears to be printing at 98.04% of planned size

Not a big deal for most things...but when trying to piece together parts for a 20 x 54" wide plywood cutout...that 2% matters....grrrr....

I'm booked up for the weekend so nothing will happen, but will ponder:

1. Reprinting at an adjusted scale factor to be right
2. Sending to Staples/Office Max as (2) 24 x 36 prints and paying 8 bucks and 20 minutes of driving to get those
3. Seeing if the neighbor with the CNC will just cut the whole thing out to begin with....
4. Buying a new printer
5. Changing priorities once again and trying to put my CNC into working order so I could run this

5 is the least likely....

 

[Boostingaz]

I am about to take my dust collection apart. I will let you know how much is in each stage. Mine is NOT sealed as well as yours likely will be. So you will probably be ok with whatever you do

 

[Boostingaz]

I just got my system all disassembled. It's a lot more parts when it's in pieces haha.

I just have the pre built Oneida Dust Deputy with the upgraded 15 gallon? can (not the supply your own 5 gallon bucket one) and I am actually impressed. The bucket is about 3/4 full and the bag has maybe an 8oz cup full, maybe. This is after about 1 year of use. I've never opened it.

 

[loganb]

So some photo updates:

Cut up some plywood




Looks like 3 of them will fit....that's good!



Haven't cut the holes yet...that'll be tomorrow(hopefully).

I've been accumulating cash as I sold some stuff out of the garage that wasn't being used....well some is disappearing:



That joined the stable as the first powered and currently only Festool item (as one of the things I sold was the MFT3 table)

On the same trip...about a mile away, also picked up this:




Former infeed support/table of some type off a press brake. Seller was a great guy and would fit in well here with a garage crammed full of metal chip and spark making equipment. Table is roughly 30 x 22, legs come off with (4) bolts...not sure how it's going to be used long term but intent is that it'll be the small weld table



Holes are 5/8" diameter, no clamps for it at this point...but that's going to get added to the watch list of stuff to be on the lookout for. Neighbor just got a Miller 215 multiprocess welder put together as well but doesn't have a weld table....might have to work something out!

 

[fouckhest]

Thats a great looking little fixture table, color me jealous!

 

[loganb]

Thats a great looking little fixture table, color me jealous!

It'd look pretty swell next to your bender cart and help you position stuff as you're tacking stuff up! I wasn't fast enough on a 2' x 4' cast surface plate someone had drilled out for the same usage about 18 months ago and been watching for something smaller since then and got lucky here! I'm figuring it was roughly $1/lb for what I paid. I did order (2) different styles of clamps with 5/8" studs to see how they fit, the holes measure within about .002" of 5/8 so I'll find out this weekend if they fit or not

In other news...part of my spring exercise program has started



Lunch hour was edging and trimming...the "joys" of a corner lot and almost 300' of sidewalk/street frontage, after super I dragged the mower out and it did start without jumping which was a plus. Knocked down part of the backyard and it was cutting pretty clean. Still need to tune up blades and I need to actually make the discharge chute block vs just "plan" to make it like happened all last year. The actual mowing isn't bad...30 minutes will have it done so I can do it over lunch hour most of the time, I just don't like trimming which is why it only gets done every other mow usually.

 

[loganb]

Really need to work on upgrading the dust collection from "gravity"



But holes for filters in and chamfered. Next up is ripping the rest of the box and getting started on some of those printed corner fillers. The threaded inserts are supposed to be here Wed or thursday....maybe assemble this weekend? Seems too promising and much too fast

 

[loganb]

Might have found another sale...





New in box #4 Stanley sweetheart, also picked up a dozen Jorgensen parallel clamps in various levels of use. Now to figure out where to store them... running out of easy to access wall space

 

[loganb]

Cause disassembly of something always seems like a better idea then cleaning up or next assembly steps of an ongoing project:



The tenoning jig goes into vinegar tomorrow

Also printed a quick but ugly hammer holder:





Mounted the plywood a week or two ago over the 40" toolbox to get some of the more common stuff visible. The hammers are debranded Facom that have laser engraved xxxx over the logo and were clearanced out thru Menards a couple years ago. They had 3 sizes... think I got 3 sets?? 3 hr print in PLA on the Bambu, about 20 minutes to draw it and put in chamfers galore

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I like the hammer holder!

 

[XJSuperman]

Only 20min to whip that baby up? Oof, I need to practice my cad work. That looks like hours to me.

 

[loganb]

I like the hammer holder!

Thanks Marc! I'll give it a bit of time, might need to re-print the "cradles" a bit farther out as the hammers are a bit tippy but will probably work.

Only 20min to whip that baby up? Oof, I need to practice my cad work. That looks like hours to me.

The chamfers make it look deceiving. Here is how I tackled it...several ways to do it, this is just how I did it

Start with a rectangle sketch, extrude to a box



Then I sketched the 3 circles to hold the hammer heads, 2 of the diameters were the same. Extrude cut back to the depth I wanted



Here I got lazy and to relieve material off the bottom I just did a chamfer. Other option would be to sketch a triangle on either end and then extrude cut thru. That way gives more flexibility on sizing


Slots for the handles, they're all the same size, and constrained to be in the middle of the cylindrical cut so if I reposition the hammer location, the handle cuts move too. The biggest thing to me in trying to be more efficient in modeling is using more constraints and fewer dimensions, and when using dimensions trying to make them dynamic instead of fixed. For this, the "depth" of that slot for the handle is dimensioned as 75% of the length of the cut for the head...so if I change the head cut depth, the handle slot depth changes automatically.



Add some holes for mounting. Probably should note here that after I had it printing for an hour I made some tweaks to the model shown here...moved the holes, shortened the total height etc.




Starting to insert some fillets and chamfers. The chamfers make the model look complicated but it's a couple clicks and done.


Rest of the chamfers

 

[nicholam77]

Dang, you've been busy!

That joined the stable as the first powered and currently only Festool item (as one of the things I sold was the MFT3 table)

I think you'll like it. I have the ETS 125 REQ which I think is pretty similar minus the base shape. There's been at least one occasion I've wished I had the triangle one.

Lunch hour was edging and trimming...the "joys" of a corner lot and almost 300' of sidewalk/street frontage, after super I dragged the mower out and it did start without jumping which was a plus. Knocked down part of the backyard and it was cutting pretty clean. Still need to tune up blades and I need to actually make the discharge chute block vs just "plan" to make it like happened all last year. The actual mowing isn't bad...30 minutes will have it done so I can do it over lunch hour most of the time, I just don't like trimming which is why it only gets done every other mow usually.

Maybe you need a ride-around

New in box #4 Stanley sweetheart, also picked up a dozen Jorgensen parallel clamps in various levels of use. Now to figure out where to store them... running out of easy to access wall space

You son of a gun!!!

 

[loganb]

4 hours in the vinegar

Nice scummy floaters





Quick swish around and impressive how much has come off already...it was pretty light rust...just extensive

 

[loganb]

Vinegar did a nice job, couple minutes with a bristle brush got the last bit off



Neutralizing bath of baking soda and water after the vinegar. Dried them off and sprayed down with WD-40 for now. Hoping to get it reassembled today

And a couple clamps came in and confirmed the 5/8 stud clamps do work...so now to really figure out what to do with it

 

[tj675]

That did a great job on the rust! Did you use 5% or 30%?

 

[loganb]

That did a great job on the rust! Did you use 5% or 30%?

I agree! Best results I've ever had from vinegar. This was 4 or 5% home depot brand, I did not add any water to dilute. I saw the 30% and considered it but didn't try it. Just picked up some mesh strainers and a new bucket/resealable lid so will strain what's left, put a lid on it and put it on the shelf to have ready for the next wayward rusty items that find its way home with me.

 

[loganb]

Shame I don't have more space....otherwise I might have owned a saw dedicated to dado's



It was about an hour away this morning, appears to have sold...2x the price would've still be a very nice price

So instead I broke down a sheet of 3/4" for ripping on the tablesaw, this is what was left



Into the sides and top for the dust plenum.



And reassembled the tenon jig



Turned out nicer than expected, biggest issues is the miter bar is about .025" undersized and this one has no adjustment. I have a couple adjustable width miter bars on hand for shop made sleds etc, but the hole to hole spacing isn't right, so this one will probably get a mahogany or maple bar/runner put into it.

 

[loganb]

Was excited to use the drill press for the first actual project....till I realized it didn't have enough throat depth to drill a couple of the holes....grrr....so i bought one of these



Short(12 holes) review....not super impressed. For small holes...maybe ok....I'm using a mediocre 1" bit and wasn't impressed. Feels like the return spring is too strong and binding up when pushing down, could probably benefit from a bigger base, chuck had some runout...but it worked. Had I not been wanting to try it....I should've drilled all the holes I could reach (all but 2) with the drill press, then done those remaining 2 by hand. Oh well



Hole pattern on the center unit is rotated 90 degrees so that the filters can be closer together, otherwise the as designed bottom "caps would hit.

Then I beat a t-nut or two in

 

[loganb]

Some progress... sides screwed on and in overkill is the way... foil taped the seams




Next up



Going to have a lot left over, will be turned into some sound diffusing panels for the kids bathroom.... maybe for my office too?

 

[loganb]

Progress slowed down...damn cold/flu. Not sure if recovering or changing meds helped that much, but seem to be doing better....now to keep from overdoing it this weekend.

But while I was being a generally unproductive human, the robots didn't take any sick days



Prints look like ****...think the PETG filament was a bit wet, but they're functional for what it is. Working to finish the inlet chute and hopefully print it overnight, then I can stick the insulation in and hopefully put it up in semi-kinda final position

 

[loganb]

So who can recognize the foolish endeavor that followed me home

 

[tj675]

Lazer?

 

[loganb]

Yup, an old Gravograph LS800 which is a 12 x 24 work envelope. I wanted the fume extractor which is a 3 stage unit it's sitting on, but was a package deal. Unsure yet if the laser works, I'm on my 3rd startup error, this time laser over temp so will see what happens



It was $500 for everything and was bought knowing current owner never fired it up due to being of like mind as me and too many projects. Worst case is I sell the laser source as is which looks to bring several hundred as a rebuild core. Then sell the included controller upgrade he bought and never installed which is another 250 or 300, scrap the frame and keep the fume extractor and should still be enough money ahead to buy a new batch of activated charcoal for the extractor to use with my other laser that still needs some upgrades finished....

 

[Trapps]

Digging deep for this one...

 

[west_perf]

Tornadoes up in your area, everything okay where you are?

 

[loganb]

Tornadoes up in your area, everything okay where you are?

Appreciate you checking in!

Yes, all good here, can't say the same for some other areas nearby. We got heavy hail, up to golf ball sized at my house:





Benchmade 940 for scale...cause I'm a millennial and didn't have any coins in my pocket lol



Truck has some hail hits, but house appears unscathed. Others were not so fortunate. A pretty substantial storm, likely at least an EF3 started around Lincoln NE and was on the ground for at least 60 miles it seems and it hit some developments about 10 miles west of me before going thru Iowa and that storm cell spanned a couple more storms:

Minden IA....a significant number of homes leveled, most of the town has damage, this is about an hour from me

Elkhorn, NE which is a suburb on the far western side of Omaha about 10 or so miles away. This one was closer to home as my wife(interior designer) was at a jobsite a couple blocks from this neighborhood as the storm passed thru. A house 1 block away from the one she was in ended up 2 blocks away...and not because it was on wheels. And that was a new construction which "should" be built to better standards. I'm in the building/construction industry and always been a bit surprised about how "lax" some of the inspection/plan requirements are in Omaha compared to other areas I get to review drawings for...I expect that changes over the next couple years. Fortunately, no even serious injuries reported so far. Lots of notice...starting probably Tues/Wed of the increased risk for severe weather here so no surprises that this occurred. Hats off to the weather and public safety professionals helping keep everyone safe!

As I've got some help around the house this weekend with some family intown, will probably see if I can go help with cleanup efforts tomorrow. Lot of power lines down and scenes not yet secure for the inevitable volunteer army that will descend, but by tomorrow afternoon that will start to change. This isn't my first time thru this, growing up our farm got hit once directly by a twister and at least 2x by straight line winds in the 90mph or stronger range, but this storm was pretty crazy with how many different cells were happening at once.

Definitely fortunate with sleeping in an undamaged house tonight even though I may occasionally think that starting over with a clean slate, insurance check and no "stuff" would be nice....

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Glad you guys are good!

 

[Blackbyrd]

Man that's some big hail! Glad all are safe though. Tornados are no joke

 

[tj675]

Good to hear things are relatively ok.

 

[loganb]

Well it's handy that my kids like chalk....






Looks like new roof, gutters, downspouts and possibly some windows coming. Roof was done in 2018 from storm damage the prior year and we've got the invoice from the prior homeowner who left us awesome documentation. 35 sq of shingles, 317' of gutter, 229' of ridge ended up $21.3k....I'm going to be surprised if this comes in under $30k. Insurance claim is started....so that process probably starts tomorrow or Monday.

Roll call for those others I can think of in and around this areas: @82355 @bigredcornhead @Atlascycle How's things in your areas?

In other news got the mulch kit installed on the mower



(2) pieces of metal and 7 bolts....the 5 passes I've done with it so far seems to be working well, get to finish that this afternoon.

 

[gearhead1960]

@loganb Glad to hear you and your family are OK. I'm not sure I could live in an area that is frequently touched by severe weather. This is your first claim for hail damage, but how often will you insurance pay out if it happens frequently? Curious what insurance premiums look like in your area. We pay around $2,100 a year in VA. My in-laws live in Fla and they pay around $4,000 due to the hurricanes.

 

[loganb]

@loganb Glad to hear you and your family are OK. I'm not sure I could live in an area that is frequently touched by severe weather. This is your first claim for hail damage, but how often will you insurance pay out if it happens frequently? Curious what insurance premiums look like in your area. We pay around $2,100 a year in VA. My in-laws live in Fla and they pay around $4,000 due to the hurricanes.

Good question Mark! At this point there is no limit for the qty of covered storm claims on a policy....they can decline to renew your coverage though after completing the claims. Our neighborhood got hit by a big hail storm in 2017, and a few houses here or there have had isolated claims for wind damage in thunderstorms, but this is the first neighborhood wide storm since '17. Talking with some people nearby but in different neighborhoods, 1 mile east or west and the hail was insignificant...dime size at most. I've never experienced it, but I've worked with contractors who have been doing storm damage replacement only to get the just replaced roof/siding etc damaged during installation or shortly after...so they start all over. An interior designer my wife used to work for told her that one of her main builder customers lost (5) houses, 1 for sale and 4 under construction in the storm as they were in 2 closely located neighborhoods. He's unfortunately going to get to find out just how good his insurance coverage is...

A neighbor across the street literally just got their roof done 3 or 4 weeks ago and theirs seems to have escaped unscathed, but I know several 2 year old roofs that are going to be replaced. The siding on our house is Hardi/Fiber Cement board and the hail wasn't big enough to damage that...but at least in our neighborhood it was big enough to damage vinyl siding so there will be a lot of that being replaced.

As from an insurance side, I'm just a consumer so no inside information there. There are some insurers no longer issuing property insurance policies in Nebraska due to wind/hail claims...I'm sure this is going to cause more of the providers to look at their books and see if they want to continue to do business here. One thing they they have done to limit claims is for property coverage around here wind/hail generally has a different deductible then fire/general property/contents coverage. You set the deductible as you want...lower it goes the higher the rate. I've got it at $2,500 per incident and we have cars and house with some provider so it'll be a single deductible for all claims related to the storm. Our property coverage is $2,300/annually on a house that would sell for around $500k, so from a percentage of value it seems reasonable to me.

 

[loganb]

Little laser debugging time....appears there is a bad power supply as I'm not getting anything on the DC output voltage that feeds the laser unit when it should have 30V. Fuses test good and nothing else obviously damaged I could see. Replacement is 200 to 300 bucks...unsure my thoughts on giving it a shot with decent odds of finding another problem downstream.