Above 1200 Sq/FT 86's 20HP shop

[83VillageRepair]

Yep. The Long-Haired General expects me to continue to work until our daughter graduates college.

I had planned on a govt job in San Antonio - huge military presence there with 3 large bases (AF and Army) so lots of job opportunities. However, now I'm leaning towards private sector. I think I can get a private sector job, full time telework, working half the time I would as a DoD civilian and make the same or more $.

I did 12 years active duty and then moved to electric utilities. Very stable good pay and needed everywhere in the world. Sorry for sidetracking your thread 86 I will stop now.

 

[bulletpruf]

I did 12 years active duty and then moved to electric utilities. Very stable good pay and needed everywhere in the world. Sorry for sidetracking your thread 86 I will stop now.

Sidetrack? We've been talking about gerbils for the past few weeks, so this is hardly a sidetrack!

 

[83VillageRepair]

Sidetrack? We've been talking about gerbils for the past few weeks, so this is hardly a sidetrack!

That is Stroutys thread

 

[86turbodsl]

The machining on the guide arm is not going as hoped, we're going to take out extra and add sil-bronze facing and do it over again. Probably not enough time to get it done today. Sigh....

 

[86turbodsl]

That is Stroutys thread

I feel like these are long merged threads with sidetracks for actual work, lol, so keep right on going with the usual tangents, LOL.

 

[bulletpruf]

That is Stroutys thread

Oops! This thread and Strouty's are the two that I check regularly, but they do tend to merge at times.

 

[Strouty]

Chuck says sorry for highjacking.........

 

[86turbodsl]

Chuck needs to get back to monopolizing your thread lol....

 

[86turbodsl]

The guide machining was a failure, i didn't get enough metal into the part, so my buddy at work is going to weld the whole thing solid with sil-bronze and we'll cut a pocket next week. So more delays, but it wouldn't have worked anyway. I moved the bandsaw over into it's normal spot last night and have to get the daughters' Audi onto the lift to measure for pipes. I think some more shop cleaning is also in order this weekend.

 

[83VillageRepair]

One step forward 3 steps back. I haven't accomplished anything this weekend if it makes you feel any better. I did get a load of trash and used oil hauled away so I guess that's something.

 

[86turbodsl]

So this showed up at the shop today.

They didn't have them local, apparently blue is a popular color around here. I talked mom into picking one up for me at her local store, and went to get it yesterday while i was doing some house repairs for her.

It'll be super nice to not balance wrenches and sockets on lift arms while i work.

 

[83VillageRepair]

So this showed up at the shop today.

They didn't have them local, apparently blue is a popular color around here. I talked mom into picking one up for me at her local store, and went to get it yesterday while i was doing some house repairs for her.

It'll be super nice to not balance wrenches and sockets on lift arms while i work.

Those are great to stage parts and tools for a specific job. Keeps from making so many trips to the toolbox

 

[86turbodsl]

Agreed. I was really getting tired of finding precarious spots to put wrenches. Needed one bad.

 

[Bob Heine]

@86turbodsl, I have the older version of that cart (chrome handles go down to the casters) and it is super handy. A single drawer appeals to my 'keep it simple stupid' mind. If the tool isn't in the top tray and it isn't in the drawer, I'm done.

 

[bulletpruf]

So this showed up at the shop today.

They didn't have them local, apparently blue is a popular color around here. I talked mom into picking one up for me at her local store, and went to get it yesterday while i was doing some house repairs for her.

It'll be super nice to not balance wrenches and sockets on lift arms while i work.

Good piece of gear. I had a nicer one with two drawers a while back but got rid of it when I was doing a garage purge. A few weeks ago I picked up a plastic one that I've been getting a lot of use out of - https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-...x-16-in-polypropylene-service-cart-61930.html

 

[86turbodsl]

Aaaand we're dead in the water again. Stopped for gas on the way to work, car wouldn't restart. Bad starter. Called the kid, had him come get me, we bump started at the gas station, drove home, parked on hill, still a no-start. Stick a fork in her, she's dead. The kid had a job test yesterday, didn't pass, good thing i guess, since we're down to 1 car again.

 

[Strouty]

That stinks, I have been there, probably will be there again.

 

[86turbodsl]

Yeah, this is like the year of car problems. My in-laws asked me why i wasn't buying a new car, i guess without thinking about how rare those are, and how much over msrp you have to pay. and used car prices are $$$$ right now. I mean, i am putting a 25 year old car back on the road for my daughter. What's a starter job to me? thank GOD i have the lift now. I'd be hosed without that thing.
I paid about 4200 for my truck. I was offered 15K earlier this year.

 

[Strouty]

I hear you on used prices, I am glad I did all my shopping last year. Parts prices are through the roof and availability is bad too, worst part is that if you find a store that stocks the part you need, they don't have any help, so it takes for ever to get it still. I think this winter is going to be a major course correction, at least in all the places that oil heat is the main source, I know several people that go through about 200 gallons a month in the winter, at $5 a gallon that will be a hard bill to swallow.

 

[86turbodsl]

I think you're right, and this winter is going to be devastating to many. I'm stacking bricks now as fast as i can figure it out. And the sad part, is this is all engineered too. So you know there's a lot of evil people out there that just don't care about us.

 

[bimmer1980]

Man, you keep taking the hits!!! That *****. Hopefully work was understanding when you didn't make it in.....

Were you able to get a new starter on order?

 

[86turbodsl]

Yep, starter on order, boss is gone this week, i could stay home if i wanted, but i have a lot going on at work right now, it's crunch time on one project. I'll be back in tomorrow.

 

[86turbodsl]

Working on the wife's trailer tonight. Stripped all the wood, wires, going to touch up some of the welds and shoot paint. Then redeck. We're using it for the US12 garage sale we do every year.

 

[LutzTD]

So this showed up at the shop today.

They didn't have them local, apparently blue is a popular color around here. I talked mom into picking one up for me at her local store, and went to get it yesterday while i was doing some house repairs for her.

It'll be super nice to not balance wrenches and sockets on lift arms while i work.

maybe you already know, but check online for HF stuff, even the big stuff. they ship ridiculously cheaply. I got a 70LB 5 ft long package for a 10X20 canopy shipped from them for $7 this week, yes $7 not $70 as you would expect. A couple years ago I got a similar cabinet to yours shipped for the same $7, it came FEDEX, although they did dent it.

 

[86turbodsl]

How is that possible, with current fuel pricing?

 

[86turbodsl]

Worst day ever. I really need to get some side gig going to work alone without toxic co-workers.

 

[LutzTD]

How is that possible, with current fuel pricing?

crazy right? you are spot on, my diesel likely uses that much to get there, and I made a couple trips to get my canopy and they never had it. Just have to take the chance the FEDEX guys wont bang it up, or HF sends there dented ones, dont know which, but my canopy was intact and complete.

 

[bulletpruf]

Worst day ever. I really need to get some side gig going to work alone without toxic co-workers.

Sorry to hear that. I had some real winners at my last assignment, including a few who worked for me.

Current assignment is very nice; everyone gets along and my boss is real laid back.

 

[86turbodsl]

Yeah, i need to pull back and just work the job and not try to be friendly with people. My boss and the others in my group are great. All highly educated professionals. Everybody but me is a PhD. I get in trouble with the few technicians with chips on their shoulders i have to work with daily.

Shop content: I am working on the lower bandsaw guide for the Grob NS18. I need that to be able to cut mandrel bends for the kid's exhaust. The machine shop guy welded material on it, i have to machine it back off to size. There's some question on how to go about it. Worked an hour over tonight trying to get it sorted, but have to wait till tomorrow.

In the meantime, i will keep sorting and organizing the shop. Some new tools showed up. Got some Knipex pliers, spanners for hydraulic cylinder work and a hydraulic seal installer set. Supposedly that's the hot ticket on those type of seals. Need to get started on the mast swap on the outdoor forklift, the wife expects me to put hay bales in the attic this year.

 

[bimmer1980]

My brother recommended that I read this book.... I bought it on Amazon for a couple of bucks, but I have not read it yet.

Just knowing that this is a common feeling actually calmed me down some. I will read it one of these days....

I knew long ago that people at work are not my friends, and I'm ok with that. It's far easier to come in, do my job, be cordial, and leave at the end of the day. I expect nothing from them and that makes it easier.

 

[86turbodsl]

My brother recommended that I read this book.... I bought it on Amazon for a couple of bucks, but I have not read it yet.

Just knowing that this is a common feeling actually calmed me down some. I will read it one of these days....

I knew long ago that people at work are not my friends, and I'm ok with that. It's far easier to come in, do my job, be cordial, and leave at the end of the day. I expect nothing from them and that makes it easier.

I get it, it's just that people at work are almost the only social outlet i have. I have no social life outside of work. There's basically nobody around my home that "gets" engineers. I'm the "weird dude" on the hill that makes crazy **** instead of going to the bar or mowing the lawn and calling it good. And the wife says i'm too intense, so i tend to scare others away. It's a lonely life.

 

[bulletpruf]

I get it, it's just that people at work are almost the only social outlet i have. I have no social life outside of work. There's basically nobody around my home that "gets" engineers. I'm the "weird dude" on the hill that makes crazy **** instead of going to the bar or mowing the lawn and calling it good. And the wife says i'm too intense, so i tend to scare others away. It's a lonely life.

That *****. I'm lucky to have "car guys" as neighbors on both sides of the house back at the Mother Ship (San Antonio). Plenty of car guys in my current 'hood, too. They're not as intense/active as I am, but they understand my obsession...err...hobby.

 

[83VillageRepair]

I get it, it's just that people at work are almost the only social outlet i have. I have no social life outside of work. There's basically nobody around my home that "gets" engineers. I'm the "weird dude" on the hill that makes crazy **** instead of going to the bar or mowing the lawn and calling it good. And the wife says i'm too intense, so i tend to scare others away. It's a lonely life.

That's why I buy in the middle of nowhere. No judgy neighbors. I live on 20 acres but there is 300 mostly empty acres around. Not too many car guys around here though. I am not really into hunting fishing and sports which is what most of my coworkers like

 

[86turbodsl]

Yeah, i'd like to be more in the middle of nowhere, but i can't afford to move that far out. The old saying is, you can live comfortable as an engineer, but you can't get rich. The only way to really get rich is get lucky or start a business that takes off. I've wanted to start a business for years, but never had the opportunity. For now, i'll have to be content to just live as i am.

 

[86turbodsl]

We finished the bandsaw guide machining today. I'll reassemble this weekend and see how it goes. Also the starter for the Audi showed up, so it'll be a thrash this weekend. Hope i don't melt. It's HOT out there.

 

[LutzTD]

have you explored "work from home" opportunities out there for engineers, depending on your field, sounds like you have your internet sorted which is a prerequisite.

 

[86turbodsl]

Only a little bit. There's not a lot from what i can tell so far. Although it's better now than pre-covid. The fact that i can do CAD remote helps.

 

[86turbodsl]

Sweet. Cleaning up the shop for the Audi starter job, and found the forklift empty of fuel again. The fuel cap was also gone. I believe we have a thief in the area. Just the job for the 8K HD infrared cameras i just got.

Edit: I found the fuel cap over near the machinery shed near where i dropped the forks off. I am not sure how it fell off as it's quite tight on that forklift, but in any event, my suspicions have lessened a bit. Cameras are still going up.

 

[LutzTD]

Only a little bit. There's not a lot from what i can tell so far. Although it's better now than pre-covid. The fact that i can do CAD remote helps.

PM sent

 

[86turbodsl]

Found a tracking adjustment for the vertical saw, i'm ok to cut now. Once the starter job is done, i can get on to the exhausts on the two cars. The kid will be happy.