dlcwent
Member Emeritus
Way to go Strouty. Stay on it. You're getting a lot done.
Something just clicked…..
- Thread starter Strouty
- Start date
I think tomorrow is going to be a work on the house day, but it needs to be done. I have had almost no progress at the house since this winter and it is starting to look like a pit. I have wiring to do as well as a bunch of modifications to some ceiling joists. Then there is always cleaning the basement, that makes my shop look organized. It is probably smart to do anyways, then I can finally go through all the tools at the house so I can make sure I have a decent set at home, before I sell all the "extras" from the shop.
My list is funny, in order to do one thing I need to do ten more before I can start the original thing. Like the compressor, I need to clean the tank out, so I buy a pressure washer, I fill my water tank, then I need a water pump, some hoses, some more hoses, some more parts, and weeks later I can finally do the project, but I have stumbled into so many more that it is lost in the backlog.
rmalkow2
Well-known member
That's one of the many reasons I keep the other list of things accomplished. The task list will always grow longer and if that is your only reference point you will dwell on things not done (negative) rather than things accomplished (positive). It's good to have the ToDo list so you can prioritize and keep organized but if you dwell on just the fact that your compressor tank is still not cleaned out you deny all the other good that you accomplished.
That fresh water supply will be used for many other things than just cleaning a compressor.
Pat yourself on the back once in awhile. It's ok.
That fresh water supply will be used for many other things than just cleaning a compressor.
Pat yourself on the back once in awhile. It's ok.
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
And I feel you Strouty, I was trying to organize the shop the other night and found that if I made a riser for small cabinet, I could stack another set of cabinets on it and save some room. To make the riser I needed to use my belt sander and to use the belt sander required rebuilding the motor. So basically a 5 minute riser job turned into a two day event... literally. To top if off, the stack is now a bit taller than I envisioned(I didn't measure first) so IDK if I will even keep it arranged this way but at least the belt sander is ready to rock for the next time I need it(or not)...
Keep your chin up and do what you can.
Keep your chin up and do what you can.
Thanks RM, it definitely did feel very good to use the water.
I picked up the new battery for the 5 ton, so after lunch I am going to get that installed and hook the truck up to the moving van, so I can shuffle it around and load up some things. Knock on wood, but it looks like the next couple of weeks should be very productive at both the house and the shop.
Went to one of the local tool stores and bought my stand for the new compound miter saw I bought a couple weeks ago. I am taking that out for it's maiden voyage to the house. My new old laptop should be delivered tomorrow as well, I am looking forward to that, it is an older toughbook and I purposely got windows XP pro loaded on it so I can use a bunch of my older software with it. With all the tower stuff I have been doing lately, it will be handy for on the jobsite. Although I am most looking forward to playing an older game that I have not played in maybe 6 years or so (good enough reason, right?).
Yesterday when I restarted my computer it adjusted a setting and downloaded a huge update in the background. So I spent about $75 in cell data overages and did not know it until this morning. I decided to go back to time warner again, having a dedicated internet connection will allow me to automate a few things as well as monitor things. The only thing is I have to wait until Friday to use it, since it appears they did something at the pole.
I honestly think that getting the 5 ton set back up and getting the miter saw stand built is probably about all I will get done today, but that is fine, I am still moving forward and that is what counts.
I picked up the new battery for the 5 ton, so after lunch I am going to get that installed and hook the truck up to the moving van, so I can shuffle it around and load up some things. Knock on wood, but it looks like the next couple of weeks should be very productive at both the house and the shop.
Went to one of the local tool stores and bought my stand for the new compound miter saw I bought a couple weeks ago. I am taking that out for it's maiden voyage to the house. My new old laptop should be delivered tomorrow as well, I am looking forward to that, it is an older toughbook and I purposely got windows XP pro loaded on it so I can use a bunch of my older software with it. With all the tower stuff I have been doing lately, it will be handy for on the jobsite. Although I am most looking forward to playing an older game that I have not played in maybe 6 years or so (good enough reason, right?).
Yesterday when I restarted my computer it adjusted a setting and downloaded a huge update in the background. So I spent about $75 in cell data overages and did not know it until this morning. I decided to go back to time warner again, having a dedicated internet connection will allow me to automate a few things as well as monitor things. The only thing is I have to wait until Friday to use it, since it appears they did something at the pole.
I honestly think that getting the 5 ton set back up and getting the miter saw stand built is probably about all I will get done today, but that is fine, I am still moving forward and that is what counts.
Well just got off the phone with UPS, I have a package coming in tomorrow and it needs to be signed for, apparently if I don't sign for it I can pick it up at the service location the next day, but they will require two forms of government issued ID and I only have one that I can find. So now I am going to be hanging out at the house until they show up. Also I may have to pay import fees and taxes, but they can't tell me how much. Go figure.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Strouty: is the shipment from Canada or some more equipment from Italy? so driver's license isn't good enough? being so close to Canada you should get one of the passport ID cards if you don't have one already.
Progress is Progress in mine an anybody's book and you are making some daily as far as i can see. Before you sell the Vidmar are you sure you don't have another spot for it either at home or in the shop. those are keepers even if you have a wall of Lista cabs on it's way.
cheers
Progress is Progress in mine an anybody's book and you are making some daily as far as i can see. Before you sell the Vidmar are you sure you don't have another spot for it either at home or in the shop. those are keepers even if you have a wall of Lista cabs on it's way.
cheers
Drives, the vidmar is going to my Dad, it is offsetting some of the cost of the lista wall unit. The delivery is my new old computer and the real issue is my drivers license has my mailing address on it, so they told me I would need two forms of ID that are government issued. I really should get my passport and I think I have been saying that for about the last 10 years. I guess I will add it to the list!
As far as progress, things came to a screeching halt, there were even some bad words being tossed around. The battery from NAPA is bone dry and has 0.04 volts. I called them up and they confirmed that it ships that way. I asked the guy why they wouldn't mention it to me and he tells me all I need to do is add acid. I got even more angry, told him I am not a battery tech and the only batteries I have added the acid were motorcycle style ones that came with the proper amount of acid. I also let him know that I was all ready mad about the previous issue of being told that I could pick up the battery at any time, when it actually needed to be ordered. I then told him to have my core ready, because I was bringing this one back and I will go get one that is all ready to go from some where else. He apologized and I started picking things up so I could get the battery tonight. Anyways I got a voicemail from NAPA asking me to call them, so I call, they now have another battery for me that is all set with the acid/water all ready to go. He also told me he would be discounting the new battery to give me a great deal. With my luck, I will get there and the "new" one will be twice as much and he will sell it to me for an extra $100. This is about when I wish I had a pool, or a noose.
As far as progress, things came to a screeching halt, there were even some bad words being tossed around. The battery from NAPA is bone dry and has 0.04 volts. I called them up and they confirmed that it ships that way. I asked the guy why they wouldn't mention it to me and he tells me all I need to do is add acid. I got even more angry, told him I am not a battery tech and the only batteries I have added the acid were motorcycle style ones that came with the proper amount of acid. I also let him know that I was all ready mad about the previous issue of being told that I could pick up the battery at any time, when it actually needed to be ordered. I then told him to have my core ready, because I was bringing this one back and I will go get one that is all ready to go from some where else. He apologized and I started picking things up so I could get the battery tonight. Anyways I got a voicemail from NAPA asking me to call them, so I call, they now have another battery for me that is all set with the acid/water all ready to go. He also told me he would be discounting the new battery to give me a great deal. With my luck, I will get there and the "new" one will be twice as much and he will sell it to me for an extra $100. This is about when I wish I had a pool, or a noose.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Strouty: i feel your pain. my daughter has a birth defect (spina bifida) and if it wasn't for my wife dealing with all the issues of the supplier for her special supplies i would be talking to you from prison now.
it's part of life it seems like because employees that have little or know knowledge of customer service don't want to learn and that is their job. not saying all are bad, but the ones that are make it painful for a lot of us.
good luck and hope it ends up ok.
BTW my wife found out the office to get passports was about 5 minutes from her office and i think it only took about 20 minutes to fill out the paperwork and passport was mailed or maybe she picked them up a week later. we just took a trip to Canada and with the passport ID it was easy going in and getting back in the US.
it's part of life it seems like because employees that have little or know knowledge of customer service don't want to learn and that is their job. not saying all are bad, but the ones that are make it painful for a lot of us.
good luck and hope it ends up ok.
BTW my wife found out the office to get passports was about 5 minutes from her office and i think it only took about 20 minutes to fill out the paperwork and passport was mailed or maybe she picked them up a week later. we just took a trip to Canada and with the passport ID it was easy going in and getting back in the US.
bimmer1980
Well-known member
keep your head up Strouty... those are character builders...... they are tough when they are happening....
I had a bit of one yesterday as I was waiting for a truck with a load of bricks to deliver to my place for the garage..... I wanted to make sure I was there so the cubes of brick got placed where I wanted them.... Late morning turned into after 1pm before they finally got delivered.... in the interim while impatiently waiting, I did take care of some work emails and also did some cleaning in the garage...so it wasn't all wasted time....
I've had lots of other "character builders" this summer and not as much progress on the garage has happened as I would have liked, but that's life....
This weekend is looking much better for temperature and the availability to finally get something done....
I'll give some other perspective as well..... My brother who is living and working in China has noticed that the Chinese have a tendency to just slap stuff together and make it work. Sometimes, there is much validity in doing this. I know we all want to have that perfect garage, but sometimes, certain things just don't matter. For example, I need to hook up all the plumbing in the garage. The underground pipe is all there, but I need to hook it up in the garage and in the basement of the house.... While it would be really nice to have running water and a toilet, right now I don't absolutely need it. So a $2 case of water from Aldi get's put in the garage frig along with some sodas. The water is great to drink and the empty bottle works great if I don't feel like running into the house to drain the tank....
So moral of the story, sometimes the simple solution so you can work on what means the most to you is worth it.... so pick your battles and keep on doing stuff....
I had a bit of one yesterday as I was waiting for a truck with a load of bricks to deliver to my place for the garage..... I wanted to make sure I was there so the cubes of brick got placed where I wanted them.... Late morning turned into after 1pm before they finally got delivered.... in the interim while impatiently waiting, I did take care of some work emails and also did some cleaning in the garage...so it wasn't all wasted time....
I've had lots of other "character builders" this summer and not as much progress on the garage has happened as I would have liked, but that's life....
This weekend is looking much better for temperature and the availability to finally get something done....
I'll give some other perspective as well..... My brother who is living and working in China has noticed that the Chinese have a tendency to just slap stuff together and make it work. Sometimes, there is much validity in doing this. I know we all want to have that perfect garage, but sometimes, certain things just don't matter. For example, I need to hook up all the plumbing in the garage. The underground pipe is all there, but I need to hook it up in the garage and in the basement of the house.... While it would be really nice to have running water and a toilet, right now I don't absolutely need it. So a $2 case of water from Aldi get's put in the garage frig along with some sodas. The water is great to drink and the empty bottle works great if I don't feel like running into the house to drain the tank....
So moral of the story, sometimes the simple solution so you can work on what means the most to you is worth it.... so pick your battles and keep on doing stuff....
Bimmer, deliveries have wasted more of my time in the last couple of months than anything else. I have to wait for the UPS one tomorrow, then I have three more that are freight shipments that will be coming in over the next two weeks. It seems like they always call last minute as well. Friday I have to wait for time warner to fix the internet, but I am going to welcome that one. Luckily I have so many things going on I can usually find a few fillers to do while waiting.
Well NAPA turned out to be a pleasant surprise, not only did they get me another battery that was filled all ready, but they gave me back $24. The guy that set the deal up was not there, but he is working tomorrow, so after UPS delivers my package I am going to go over and personally thank him. I may see if I can stretch the boundaries of our new found friendship and see if he will let me order two more at the same price, then the truck will be ready to roll for the winter as well.
Trustycook is having a 30% off deal and they are offering a blue version of all their hammers, I ordered one of each, does that mean I have a problem? Now I have to sell the red ones I bought a month ago.
USPS delivered my mass quantity of Snap On air hammer bits today, so I have to decide what ones to keep and what to sell. I will probably list a few things in the classified section, seems like there are a bunch of Trustycook fans on the forum.
Trustycook is having a 30% off deal and they are offering a blue version of all their hammers, I ordered one of each, does that mean I have a problem? Now I have to sell the red ones I bought a month ago.
USPS delivered my mass quantity of Snap On air hammer bits today, so I have to decide what ones to keep and what to sell. I will probably list a few things in the classified section, seems like there are a bunch of Trustycook fans on the forum.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Nines: i think Strouty is turning a leaf and going for quality and removing the quantity. as he sells a lot of the old stuff he isn't using it will pay for the new cool stuff he's buying.
i thought you were going back to 9 to 5 daylight hours or did you forget and drink too much coffee again?
cheers
i thought you were going back to 9 to 5 daylight hours or did you forget and drink too much coffee again?
cheers
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
Sounds like you need to start drinking before 10 Am again.
Glad the NAPA deal worked out for you. I deal with them on a daily basis and it can be very frustrating at times. But overall I have better luck with them than other parts sellers.
Glad the NAPA deal worked out for you. I deal with them on a daily basis and it can be very frustrating at times. But overall I have better luck with them than other parts sellers.
Nines, the trusty cook hammers would end up being a loss if I sell them, but I think I found a home for them. The Snap On bits are going to make me money. I bought them at a great price. I will just have some effort to get them all sold, well the ones I don't keep. My Snap On driver seemed interested in some, yes I got them below his cost.
Drives, the old stuff offsets some of the costs, but it definitely doesn't pay for the new stuff. In most cases I have been able to pay for close to half the new stuff, a few cases even more than that. I don't mind spending money on quality tools and supplies, they tend to last a long time and in most cases will make me money over the years.
DLC, Maybe this weekend I will take some time off and have a drink or two. It is a shame Monday is Labor Day, I really didn't want to work, but since it is "Labor Day" I think I am required to.
I am at the house, patiently waiting for UPS to deliver the computer. I am about ready to go outside to set up the new miter saw and stand, I am a bit excited about that. Then I have to decide what to do, I think removing the old joists is the way to go, not even sure they are actually joists. Anyways the people who added on to the house were going to have a second floor over the addition, so they installed heavy joists and then a sloped roof. We are not going to add a second floor, so I am removing the joists to vault the ceiling. A pro has already deemed this safe, apparently the joists were not doing anything except waiting for the second floor to be built. It is going to be cumbersome, because I need to work around all the stuff in the room.
Drives, the old stuff offsets some of the costs, but it definitely doesn't pay for the new stuff. In most cases I have been able to pay for close to half the new stuff, a few cases even more than that. I don't mind spending money on quality tools and supplies, they tend to last a long time and in most cases will make me money over the years.
DLC, Maybe this weekend I will take some time off and have a drink or two. It is a shame Monday is Labor Day, I really didn't want to work, but since it is "Labor Day" I think I am required to.
I am at the house, patiently waiting for UPS to deliver the computer. I am about ready to go outside to set up the new miter saw and stand, I am a bit excited about that. Then I have to decide what to do, I think removing the old joists is the way to go, not even sure they are actually joists. Anyways the people who added on to the house were going to have a second floor over the addition, so they installed heavy joists and then a sloped roof. We are not going to add a second floor, so I am removing the joists to vault the ceiling. A pro has already deemed this safe, apparently the joists were not doing anything except waiting for the second floor to be built. It is going to be cumbersome, because I need to work around all the stuff in the room.
I had the miter saw stand almost assembled and it started raining, so it is now inside the house in pieces. UPS showed up and I had no fees to pay for the laptop, so that is very good. I ordered some more tools, I got another job, and possibly another customer for the tower. My buddy that was supposed to come down last week wants to come down tonight, so I guess I will head towards the shop for a bit. I want to stop at NAPA to thank the guy that helped with the battery too. Overall a very productive day even though I was trapped at the house. I did not get to do any work at all on the addition, it will be nicer when it is not so humid anyways.
We were in the 80s for sure, and humidity was high. Off and on thundershowers, it is starting to cool down and tomorrow is not suppose to be as humid.
I talked with the guy from NAPA and he told me he could sell me two more batteries at $167 each, so I ordered them. They should be in tomorrow and I can have them installed sometime Saturday.
My buddy that was supposed to come down is having technical issues with his truck, looks like he cracked a break rotor and he may be dead in the water about 45 minute away. He is supposed to call me back soon. Not sure, but I may end up picking him up and bringing him home.
Tomorrow morning is going to be busy and early, then I need to hang out at the shop and wait for time warner to show up and set up the internet. So I guess that will be worth the wait.
I talked with the guy from NAPA and he told me he could sell me two more batteries at $167 each, so I ordered them. They should be in tomorrow and I can have them installed sometime Saturday.
My buddy that was supposed to come down is having technical issues with his truck, looks like he cracked a break rotor and he may be dead in the water about 45 minute away. He is supposed to call me back soon. Not sure, but I may end up picking him up and bringing him home.
Tomorrow morning is going to be busy and early, then I need to hang out at the shop and wait for time warner to show up and set up the internet. So I guess that will be worth the wait.
dlcwent
Member Emeritus
Is TWC planning on showing up at 5:30 AM?
They said 9AM but I had to go in town to pick up some supplies and then meet with a customer to pick up a sample of a cable they need installed.
I will say that this morning the weather is awesome! Of course it is supposed to get hot again next week. I walked into the shop and it was like a heatwave, the thermostat reads 70, the coolest it has been inside in weeks. I guess it really is all relative.
Hopefully time warner can get my internet up and running today, then I don't have to use my phone to go online.
I am thinking that I may do some errands around lunch time and also pick up the two batteries for the 5 ton, then I can put it back together. I am also going to get the crane running so I can move a few things around. I have started a mental list of auction items for next month too. There are a few things that won't do as well in the fall as they will in the spring, but I don't want to store them all winter, so I am going to let them go.
I will say that this morning the weather is awesome! Of course it is supposed to get hot again next week. I walked into the shop and it was like a heatwave, the thermostat reads 70, the coolest it has been inside in weeks. I guess it really is all relative.
Hopefully time warner can get my internet up and running today, then I don't have to use my phone to go online.
I am thinking that I may do some errands around lunch time and also pick up the two batteries for the 5 ton, then I can put it back together. I am also going to get the crane running so I can move a few things around. I have started a mental list of auction items for next month too. There are a few things that won't do as well in the fall as they will in the spring, but I don't want to store them all winter, so I am going to let them go.
Internet is alive! Now I don't need to use my phone for a hotspot! I am headed out to go get the batteries for the 5 ton and do a couple errands. I decided that since it is Friday, I am going to cut out early. I will still do my errands, but I am not coming back to the shop. Not sure what I am going to do, but I am sure I can find some way to get into trouble.
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rmalkow2
Well-known member
Ok, but you should probably stop now with running water, air conditioning and, cable internet. If not careful next will be the mega-fridge and the big screen TV. Then you'll never get any projects done in that shop.
Slacker, get back to the shop and get some work done.
JK I'm headed out to the shop for the weekend, I have a few projects I "need" to get done in between the thunderstorms that we are supposed to have all weekend.
My uncle got a "Free" boat and trailer 14 alum, the boat is just about ready for a nice camo paint job for duck hunting, but the trailer was in poor shape, new coupler, rollers, bunks, lights and winch which I have in my truck, oh yeah need to paint it as well.
First up I am going to repack the bearings and get the wheels and tires on so I can get it out of my way.
JK I'm headed out to the shop for the weekend, I have a few projects I "need" to get done in between the thunderstorms that we are supposed to have all weekend.
My uncle got a "Free" boat and trailer 14 alum, the boat is just about ready for a nice camo paint job for duck hunting, but the trailer was in poor shape, new coupler, rollers, bunks, lights and winch which I have in my truck, oh yeah need to paint it as well.
First up I am going to repack the bearings and get the wheels and tires on so I can get it out of my way.
I ended up at my buddy's shop, I forgot they were having their car show last night, so I ended up staying. They used to just have rat rods and stuff that was ugly, but now anyone shows up. I should have taken more pictures, but I was busy helping out with one of the trucks, we had to swap a carb and get things running correctly. They ended up having about 20 cars show up and maybe 40 people. There was a 70s ford pickup with a chevy 6.0 with nitrous there, when he left he did a burnout that was about half a mile long. Of course this only led me to think about more projects, but what fun would life be without projects?
Today looks like another nice one, I hope to have the 5 ton buttoned up. My buddy got his truck all back together and is on his way to my shop, so I will be getting rid of some I-beams and gaining some rectangular tubing. Then I have to put another project on the list. This may be a welding and fabrication weekend.
I wish I had gotten more pictures, there were a few that made those look like junkers.
Dale showed up with the steel, we got his I-beams loaded and he just headed out. I am going to do a couple things before lunch, then I am only working on the 5 ton, got to get those batteries installed today!
Hope everyone is have a nice day so far.
Dale showed up with the steel, we got his I-beams loaded and he just headed out. I am going to do a couple things before lunch, then I am only working on the 5 ton, got to get those batteries installed today!
Hope everyone is have a nice day so far.
Today has reminded me why I hate those steel safety cans (for gas, diesel, kerosene), it has also made me think that I need a fuel caddy to haul gas around. I must have spent two hours messing with gas cans to fill up the crane. I also spilt plenty of gas trying to use those stupid funnels that come with the cans. They are ALL going in the auction next month. I am only buying the No Spill cans from now on.
I just finished lunch and fueling, I am ready to unload the batteries from the car and start putting the 5 ton back together, before I can do this I still have to clean out the battery compartment, hopefully that won't take too long.
This morning I found the crane has an outrigger that is leaking, looks like an O-ring on one of the check valves, but it is making the outrigger settle very quick, a bit too quick for my liking. So there is another thing to add to the list.
I just finished lunch and fueling, I am ready to unload the batteries from the car and start putting the 5 ton back together, before I can do this I still have to clean out the battery compartment, hopefully that won't take too long.
This morning I found the crane has an outrigger that is leaking, looks like an O-ring on one of the check valves, but it is making the outrigger settle very quick, a bit too quick for my liking. So there is another thing to add to the list.
