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drivesitfar

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Strouty: so do you have the wall ready to put the Lista cabinets in when you bring them home.

i'm guessing half the drawers are going to be hammers?? :bounce:

Happy to hear your electric bill only went up $26 for the shop if you have been leaving the AC on all the time. nice work.

of course we'll need plenty of pictures of the Lista cabinets once you get them set up.

cheers
 
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Strouty

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Drives, the wall is not even close to ready. I am going to say that the Lista storage wall will probably be an October project. I all ready spaced it, next week is the first week I can bring things to the auction, so I need to set aside some time for that. I am going to do a bit of house cleaning for sure. I still have to remove the ram from the excavator and then either fix it or get it fixed. I figure I will make an attempt, but if time is tight, I will delegate it and pay someone else to do it.

On a great note, I am almost done with the lease, I have been back in forth with our lawyer and I think I have the final draft done. This lease should cover any of our tower sites and most customers. A few of the big customers will only use their leases, but this was aimed at the little companies anyways.

I have been helping my brother on a job the last couple days, digging a trench by hand along the side of a house, we got it done this morning, then had to core drill a 5" hole through the concrete wall. Fun stuff for sure.
 
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Strouty

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It was so bad, I had to stand in a 3' deep 12" wide trench and chuck shovels of dirt and rocks over my head like I was a catapult. There was no way to turn around. Worst part was you essentially had to shovel it three times to get all the material out to where a machine could get to it. There were also a lot of conduits and other fun obstacles. I have a few pictures, I will try and upload them.
 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: i agree with 1/2 that you did that owner a solid by helping your brother do a nasty job without messing up his current wiring. did you say what you are doing there or just that you are helping your brother with one of his jobs?

awesome pieces of property and views you have up there in Maine. plenty of great places to walk and just sit I bet.

have a great day tomorrow and hope you are almost done with the digging.
 
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Strouty

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We are installing a big generator for backup power. I think they have a 400 amp service so nothing is typical, it is all go big or go home.
 
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Strouty

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I was wrong, the house has an 800 amp service! I had to move 3/0 cables around inside the panel to get enough room to knock out holes for the new 4" conduits. I wish I had my camera, but I left my phone at the office this morning, that made for an interesting day.

The good news is I got to finally use my hydraulic knock out punch set, it works great, but the foot pump needs a better base, it is a bit awkward to use and tries to tip over if you are not paying attention to the pump.

Tomorrow I have to install the HAM radio antenna that we were waiting on parts to be delivered from Italy. Hopefully everything will test out fine this time. I would like to see that done so the customer can use it.
 
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Strouty

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Thanks for taking the time Richard, it has been a ride for sure. I wish I was doing more updating, but I have been really busy. I just got home from the last job about a half hour ago, we got the big antenna installed and working. Customer was happy, at about sunset he was all ready talking to Greece. The antenna is a lot bigger than the other one that we took down, the new rotor works very well. I will post some pictures when I get a chance.
 

nine4gmc

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That's absolutely nuts!! The antenna of course, not you though you may have lost a marble being up there!
 

bczygan

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Strouty,

Been keeping up with this thread from time to time.

It's given me incentive to start going through my sheds and organizing.

Today I'm reorganizing my automotive shed for the third or fourth time.

I completely emptied the 3'x17' shed, which was full of lumber I had forgotten about.

I'm stocking that with woodworking things, until I can set up a woodworking shop.

It's also going to be where I put things that aren't immediately needed. Deep storage, if you will.

This frees up other sheds to be working sheds, like the automotive one.

That shed will have only the items needed for working on the vehicles.

In fact, I just finished organizing it, and I can get to all the tools, supplies and parts easily now.

In doing this, I've also been able to put away a pile of carpentry and woodworking tools, that have been under a tarp in the yard. Found a compressor that I forgot that I had.

One improvement begets another.

I also emptied a trailer that had a set of used cabinets destined for the kitchen. Those are now in the house.

Just finished sweeping and picking up the streets and sidewalks.

I notice that what gets things done, is keeping at it. That's what you do, and I'm following suit. I hadn't been into the long shed in years. It wasn't doing me any good. Now it is a useful place, and it has also made the automotive shed more usable.

Going back out in a second.

I envy that HAM his tower, rotor and antenna!


Bill
 
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drivesitfar

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Strouty: i know you've been trying to finish that guy's antenna for a while now and nice to see it looks like it's done. congrats.

just curious is that aluminum or stainless? also what kind of bolts do you use and is that just caulk or Vaseline on them?

I have some Alloy 400 nuts and bolts i'm going to use for a few outdoor applications. have you used them and i heard they are used in space and under salt water for ships and subs. they came in a box and each bolt had a plastic webbing on them to protect the threads.

nice work on the 800 amp guys house and does he have a tower too or just big toys?

BCZ: that sounds amazing. congrats on your progress and keep up the great work.
 

Richard Cranium

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Wow, I just finished with reading this thread, you have made some great progress. keep up the great work. I believe most of us need to do some organizing on our garages or just a flat out clean up. I know I am in the same group. I did go out and work on my garage for a little bit, I have a back injury that will not get any better. So I am only able to do the stooping over and lift a little bit and them I have to go sit down.
 
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Strouty

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Nines, my marbles are somewhere in the shop, probably under something.

ModClean, the antenna is considered an 80 meter antenna, so the wavelength is 80 meters, that is a long wave. It actually bounces the signal off the ionosphere (I am pretty sure anyways) and as the sun goes down, things get much better. So as the night went on, they could easily talk further. To answer your original question, there was no relay and he did not even have the amplifier installed.

Bill, awesome effort, I kind of have the same setup where I have various locations to store things. It seems to really work well for me, it also gets it off my brain by not seeing it all the time.

Drives, the antenna is made of aluminum and the bolts are stainless steel. The blob you see on them is hardened silicone, we were trying to add some extra protection from backing out, but we did not want to use thread locker. The house with the 800 amp panel has all electric heat and the way it is sized the power must be adequate to handle all the heaters coming on at once, so that is why it has an 800 amp service.

Richard, I really appreciate you taking the time to read through it and thanks for the kudos. Sorry to hear about your back, I know how annoying injuries like that are. It is good that you are still able to get some stuff done. It took me a long time to learn my limitations, I still push the boundaries though.
 
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bczygan

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Nines, my marbles are somewhere in the shop, probably under something.

ModClean, the antenna is considered an 80 meter antenna, so the wavelength is 80 meters, that is a long wave. It actually bounces the signal off the ionosphere (I am pretty sure anyways) and as the sun goes down, things get much better. So as the night went on, they could easily talk further. To answer your original question, there was no relay and he did not even have the amplifier installed.

Bill, awesome effort, I kind of have the same setup where I have various locations to store things. It seems to really work well for me, it also gets it off my brain by not seeing it all the time.

Drives, the antenna is made of aluminum and the bolts are stainless steel. The blob you see on them is hardened silicone, we were trying to add some extra protection from backing out, but we did not want to use thread locker. The house with the 800 amp panel has all electric heat and the way it is sized the power must be adequate to handle all the heaters coming on at once, so that is why it has an 800 amp service.

Richard, I really appreciate you taking the time to read through it and thanks for the kudos. Sorry to hear about your back, I know how annoying injuries like that are. It is good that you are still able to get some stuff done. It took me a long time to learn my limitations, I still push the boundaries though.

It does help to organize by item type. like automotive or woodworking etc.

But I am also finding that I need to separate things used more often, from things put away for possible future use.

In the automotive shed, I found and removed a donut tire, old non working battery chargers, extra boxes of air hoses, etc. I'm also going to remove the box with a dozen trailer light kits.

I should call it the mechanics shed, as it has tools and supplies for auto, bicycle and airplane repair and maintenance. I will throw the small compressor I found, in there and might put the HF service cart there too. A nice quality extension cord and a good air hose will help.

I installed a light inside, one outside and 2 switches in it. There is also a duplex receptacle. This evening I was doing the same with the long shed, installing a light, switch and receptacle. One more light to add inside and then one or two on the outside.

The biggest problem I've had, while my stuff has been migrating to it's final locations, is finding things. Tools could be in the garage, kitchen, living room, dining room, or under a tarp in the yard. Now the mechanics tools will all be in one place, metalworking in another, and woodworking still another. So now, having multiple hammers and wrenches is not such a bad thing.

Tomorrow will be a bust, as I have to go to grand-kids birthday party. I tricked Julie today by staying outside most of the day, working on this stuff. She had wanted me to use the entire day, fixing her meals and wrapping presents. She ended up having to do that, as I made progress where I could.

Bill
 
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Strouty

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I call the most useful stuff my "everyday" stuff. I definitely keep that separate and it does have a weird mix of things. I try and keep most things close to where I am going to use them, but some stuff ends up being further away than I would like and that is life. Have fun with the grandkids and take a break, sounds like you have been busy as well.
 

bczygan

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I call the most useful stuff my "everyday" stuff. I definitely keep that separate and it does have a weird mix of things. I try and keep most things close to where I am going to use them, but some stuff ends up being further away than I would like and that is life. Have fun with the grandkids and take a break, sounds like you have been busy as well.

Installed a second light in the long shed this morning, while Julie fixed us french toast and bacon. Using LED bulbs and those plastic/porcelain lamp holders. Running 14/2 for the lights and 12/2 for power.

Lighting means I can work out there early and late, especially now that daylight is getting shorter.

More light is better security too. I want to install some post lights, using some poles I have, along the side sidewalk.

And Strouty, all this antenna stuff has got me wanting to pick up a multiband inverted dipole and get the old Kenwood operating.

Bill
 
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Strouty

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I need to install a bunch of exterior lights at my house and at my shop. Not only will it be safer, but I will be able to get around the back area when I need to. At the house it will be especially nice for winter when I am using the snowblower. Speaking of those, I went over to the local honda dealer and looked at the nice goodies they have. I may just buy a new one this year. I keep looking for used ones, but they get snatched up at ridiculous prices quicker than can be. People are asking within a couple hundred dollars of new, except the machines are five to ten years old. The only thing that I do not like about them is the fact that they have an LED headlight, no heat means no melt, means PITA.

I am troubleshooting a dryer problem at the house right now, I should be at the shop most of the week, so look forward to some more progress. My list of things to do has gotten overwhelming again, so I am trying to attack it one bite at a time.

I need to list a few things on the bay and tomorrow the Snap On driver is stopping by and I have more things that I want him to order as well. I should also find out more about my Lista Storage Wall, hopefully I can pick it up this week. Then maybe next weekend I can get some of it installed.
 

bczygan

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I need to install a bunch of exterior lights at my house and at my shop. Not only will it be safer, but I will be able to get around the back area when I need to. At the house it will be especially nice for winter when I am using the snowblower. Speaking of those, I went over to the local honda dealer and looked at the nice goodies they have. I may just buy a new one this year. I keep looking for used ones, but they get snatched up at ridiculous prices quicker than can be. People are asking within a couple hundred dollars of new, except the machines are five to ten years old. The only thing that I do not like about them is the fact that they have an LED headlight, no heat means no melt, means PITA.

I am troubleshooting a dryer problem at the house right now, I should be at the shop most of the week, so look forward to some more progress. My list of things to do has gotten overwhelming again, so I am trying to attack it one bite at a time.

I need to list a few things on the bay and tomorrow the Snap On driver is stopping by and I have more things that I want him to order as well. I should also find out more about my Lista Storage Wall, hopefully I can pick it up this week. Then maybe next weekend I can get some of it installed.

Well, I don't exactly have a "Lista Storage Wall", but I have a couple lateral file cabinets, a couple steel office shelving units and some regular file cabinets.

I've lined up the lateral ones and the shelving units in the 3'x17' shed.

That's my storage wall. I'm filling it as we speak.

Bill
 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: don't worry about your TO DO list getting bigger. you have a lot of goals and a lot of stuff. just do what you can when you can and work on time management. also like we said before if you leave the To Do's you finished on the board for a while you'll see you are actually getting things done.

not that you need AC now, but come next summer you will and you'll have it. also i think you got some sort of water system that you didn't have before. those are just a few of the things you've accomplished.

Keep the jobs coming in so you can support your garage fun and keep a roof over your head and you'll be fine.

cheers buddy
 
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Strouty

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I guess my Lista storage wall has been done and ready to pick up since September 23rd. I am planning to pick it up on this Thursday, maybe I can even make some progress on installation over the weekend. I am getting ready to start removing the ram from the excavator, should be fun, according to UPS my BFPW (60" ridgid pipe wrench) will be here today. I think I may need it!
 
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Strouty

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I have decided to cut my losses on the boat, it is headed to the auction. My Father agreed to donate the trailer, I gave him the choice of letting it go or getting a free boat with it. He decided to let it go.

I need to gather up some more things, but I am trying to get my regular work done as well. I have not even started on the excavator, but hooking up the boat to the suburban has been some serious motivation.
 
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Strouty

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What I want to know is why is my 48" ridgid and my 60" ridgid the safe length? WTF is up with that? The 60 is a lot beefier but how did they get 48" and 60"?
 
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Strouty

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The 60" handle was so big that I could not get a reasonable sized pipe around it, so I tried the 48" and it worked. I had about ten feet of pipe and I had to put my weight into it, but it came undone reasonably easy. Of course it started raining right after that, so I picked things up, now it has stopped. I just can't win.





 
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Strouty

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I got lucky, being my first time and all, that this is a small ram, I would hate to have to learn on a big ram. After the rain stopped I decided to go back outside (yes in the dark) and get the ram removed. Tomorrow morning is supposed to be dry so maybe I can get it all apart and rebuild it so I can put it back together before it rains again. I have to take the rod back out and install it on the machine so I can remove the nut on the other end, not sure if that will be harder or easier. At least I can put a socket on it, assuming it is not metric, because I don't have a lot of big metric sockets.









 

nine4gmc

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That ram is pretty big, the biggest I ever worked on was about. 14" long, hydraulics on my low rider. Same principle but easier to handle.


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk
 
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Strouty

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From what I understand I have done the easy part, the hard part is to get the nut off. At least it has been off before (those are not my marks on it). The factory would most likely torque it to 1600 foot pounds with thread locker and the nut looks to be nylon locking too. I will post more pictures when I get things set up tomorrow. I am going to try and use my swench, it should be able to toss 2000 foot pounds of impact pressure on it. I figure I will also heat the nut up a bit.
 
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Strouty

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Earlier today I spent time moving stuff into the new Knaack boxes, two of them are going to the auction. The boat is hooked up and almost ready to go, I have to strap it down and grab a couple of goodies out of it. I think I may have found someone to buy the two volvos as well.







 
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Strouty

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I also forgot to post pictures from the other job that I was working on, this is 800 amp panel and the new cables we installed. I had to use the winch to pull the cables through the conduit. I have never done that either, all kinds of fun new experiences!









 
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Strouty

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The rain is supposed to hold off for the better part of the day, so I am going to work hard to get the ram done. I need to get things over to the auction as well, the boat goes first, so I need to make sure the lights work on the trailer.

The forecast says we are supposed to have a lot of rain tomorrow, Thursday may be better and then pretty much off and on **** after that for about a week.
 
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