Something just clicked…..

[bczygan]

You have to kick yourself out of that depression or else it will feed on itself. Then a week will be lost before you know it. Ask me how I know.

Just start. Start on something....anything.

I'm in the same boat. Just have to begin, to stave off another day of inaction.

BTW Strouty, that is a nice big empty work space you have there. Very nice!

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Don, unfortunately Sunday means nothing to a workaholic.

Thumper, sometimes my work ethic gets in the way of everything. I think at that point it is considered an obsession.

Bill, I am on it, I can't take a week off to commiserate with myself about the "what ifs" in life, although I have done that many times in my life.

Elbow is only slightly hurting today, so hopefully I can get a bunch done without any real pain. I have a few errands to do, then I will be at the shop for the afternoon, probably going to stay later tonight, but only if I can be productive. I have stayed a few times when productivity was low and it made things much worse in the long run.

 

[nadogail]

Strouty
You have a collection of "neat ****". If it were mine, I would imagine all the possible uses for those pieces. Parting with them would then become difficult because of "what if".

 

[Strouty]

Yup, that is the problem for sure.

I am eating lunch now, going to clean up the area around the stock room and the entrance to my office, I am tired of dancing to get through the mess. I also need to clear off my desk again, as it has decided to grow paperwork all over it.

 

[Strouty]

I wish I had done this first, but I figured out that the leftover coax jacket would slide into another piece essentially cutting the dumpster space in half. I spent about 40 minutes sliding them together and now it is all in the dumpster with enough room to put a few more bags. I hate having the dumpster emptied when you know more can go in it.

Taking a quick break, kind of bouncing back and forth between areas. I really wish I could stick with one spot and just work on it from start to finish, but there is so much that needs to be done, I get overwhelmed quickly, so I just kind of make a path and follow it in circles. At least things are moving forward.

 

[DonPowers]

I helped a friend do some demo work a few years back. I cut most of the wood so it was about 6" shorter than the width of the dumpster then proceeded to stack it all in there. Apparently the guy hauling it away wasn't to happy. From what I hear stuff jammed up when he tried to empty it and had to remove a bunch by hand. All they said was we couldn't go over the top and we didn't. They tried to bill my friend for an overloaded dumpster, fortunately he had a photo of it not being full and they didn't have a photo if it being stuck.

 

[Strouty]

My guys treat me pretty good, even if it is overfilled a bit they don't charge me extra. They will make a special trip if I really need it emptied, that goes a long way in my book.

I have been struggling with the small copper, I am going to try one more way and if it doesn't make it easier the rest of the mess is going directly into the steel scrap. I need to take some pictures and a some measurements for you guys. I will do that before the Snap On guy shows up.

 

[slowzuki]

Love all the old antenna pics, my dad set up a vhf network in New Brunswick in the 90's and brought all the scrap antenna's home. Had piles of the loops and brackets everywhere. I remember a goopy tar junk that was on all the old connections and where wired entered the loops.

Turned out to be barely any copper in all the mess.

 

[Strouty]

Some have a lot of copper, but these are not the great. The worst part is you never know until you start tearing them apart.

Snap On guy showed up earlier than expected, so I will get you guys the pictures and dimensions of those aluminum parts. He thought the coffee table idea would be cool.

 

[Strouty]

The insides are pretty cool, glass would definitely make it look interesting. Not sure if any of this is a good idea, remember I am essentially a hoarder and I have two million other projects that are much more important. I may just scrap it and pretend we never had this discussion. They are about 18" in diameter and each section is about 10 1/2" tall. The plate that is between each piece is 1/2" thick (guessing) and maybe 24" in diameter.

 

[Thumper68]

Did a quick google search and here is what I would do, I would make up 2 end tables and take them to a place like this and ask them what they think they could get for them.

Or if not these people then another consignment shop that is local to you, that way you get more than scrap value and don't have to store, advertise and deal with customers.

http://www.upscalegroup.com/

This has worked for me over the years with items that might take a bit longer to sell, or that I just didn't want to deal with.

A couple of years back we needed a new swinging bench, since I was making one for us I built 5, 1 for us and 4 to sell, dropped them off at the consignment shop and in a month I got a check in the mail for the other 4.

 

[Strouty]

They may take them, but they don't usually have funky stuff in there. I know the owner, so I guess I should have thought of it before someone in Minesoder did.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Good evening group, I am home from 3 days of camping

 

[rmalkow2]

Or just sell them in the sections and sell the table idea with them as you advertise and let someone else have the project. You could probably still get much more than the 0.30 per pound just for planting the seed of idea.

 

[Strouty]

The biggest issue is the glass top, unless I can find a used one for a good price, that is one thing, but a thick glass top is going to be expensive.

 

[Thumper68]

Well here you go, first result on google for a 20" round table top.

http://glasstopsdirect.com/glass-round-20.php


And before anyone asked here is a the link to the color changing led's with remote.


http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=color+changing+led+strip
Ok that sounded a bit pissy, sorry just a bit frustrated with the way things are going here today, like your Sunday I seem to not have gotten anything that I wanted to get done done, had to go do my sons shoveling job today and it made my back act up and to much pain to be crawling around on the floor and finish replaceing the leaf springs on the ranger I am working on

 

[Strouty]

Maybe I should send them to you? I don't have much of an excuse now that you have done the legwork.

So you are thinking smaller tables? I had envisioned a large oval, but the smaller ones would get me three tables, or two taller ones.

 

[Thumper68]

Sorry again.

I'm feeling better now pain meds have started to kick in a bit.

I was thinking 2 or 3 small tables, less investment and maximum gain.
In my experience most people buy tables like that (IE my wife) get 2 odd numbers seem to be not as desirable.

How many sections are there?

 

[Thumper68]

Just remember that things like that, there will never be another one like it, the more you charge the better, if you were to say ask for 200 each they will try and talk you down, but if you slap a $500 each tag on them they are now ART and people will pay through the nose for them.

 

[Strouty]

There are 6 sections, but a table will need 2 for sure. That would make the tables about 23" tall.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: I agree those are COOL inside. a glass top for coffee, dining or end table might be a great idea, but since you don't NEED another business or have the market for the end buyer maybe putting a few ads on Craigslist or going to a glass or antique shop with some pictures might get you somebody that might end up buying all your cool stuff for double, triple or a lot more than scrap and they can spend the time unbolting and spiffing them up and finding the end buyers.

how much does 2 of them weigh?

 

[Strouty]

Drives, they don't weigh much at all, maybe 30 pounds for two of them.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: so scrap value about $10 or less each and you have to unbolt and do work to them to get that? i'd bet if you posted those pictures selling a pair for $80-100 you'd have them sold and if you get offers of $40-50 you are still way ahead. you also might find out that the guys offering $40-50 are pickers or repurposers that will buy all your old stuff you usually spend time and gas to get to the scrapper.

did you end up getting your elbow worked on this week or is that next week now?

if i was closer i'd probably buy all your aluminum and learn how to melt it because that's one metal i really like how light and durable it is so i'd make maybe many things out of the raw aluminum. you probably are to busy to set up a huge melting pot, but maybe you know somebody that is already set up and can just melt it down into raw material for you to stick on a shelf and use as the project comes up for one.

obviously just spit balling a bit here because i don't even weld yet.

good luck with the arm(s).

 

[Strouty]

Well, I have huge news......... I got one of the compressor heads operating today! Finally, now I know it makes air, I have to move the electric motor over to the other side so I can check the other pump. The thing sounds awesome, I need to check out one of the unloader valves, seems to have a small leak. Other than that it is great, built 21 to 25 PSI of oil pressure, the only issue was the check valve on the tank was a 100 PSI, so I did not get to run it to 150 PSI. Soon I will actually have real air again, that will be very nice!


This was before I matched the belts and tightened them, guess I didn't take a picture afterwards.





This is the unloader?? It is leaking air out of the small hole, not really high pressure, I can stop it with my finger, but it is a steady leak.

 

[walrus]

Unloader leak my be the check valve? does that copper tubing go back to the check in tank?

Thats quite the compressor, that would run a tire shop

 

[Strouty]

I have to look over the schematics, but I do not think that it hits the check valve.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Wow, strouty, it has taken a long time to get it this far. Air is a huge step. keep moving forwards

 

[Strouty]

I can almost remember when I had air, this compressor will make the old one look like a toy. I think I have to do some research on the wiring, I hope to have things figured out in the next week. It looks like Grainger has the pressure relief valve that I need, so I should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Then I can test things to 150 PSI on the existing pump, then move the motor over to the other pump and try that one out. Once I know everything works, I will put in the effort to make everything as perfect as I can afford.

 

[nine4gmc]

That thing will be all you ever need, for life.

Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk

 

[Strouty]

I figure if I need more air I will invest in a diesel powered portable unit. That way I can use it on jobs as well as at the shop for sandblasting. In theory this will be the last air compressor that I will ever buy.

 

[Strouty]

I am really dragging today, I just don't have much motivation for this stuff. Going to try and do a few things with the compressor, then I may head home.

 

[bimmer1980]

Would it be worth it to just focus on the one compressor head and get that finalized and working?

Then worry about the other compressor head another time?

How large are your air needs right now? I think it would be worth it to have just some air, than to keep waiting on the full solution.....

Then add more air capacity as you need it....

I will say, I have the Lowes 60 gal 3.7hp air compressor and it has kept up with my needs quite well. I can run a cut off wheel or a die grinder continuously and it will keep up. I have not added a sand blaster to the shop yet. If or when I do, then I'll re-evaluate my needs and add air if needed.

Remember, sometimes good enough, is good enough. I know the OCD kicks in and you want it perfect, but really, sometimes the definition of perfect is that it works, not that it needs to look beautiful.......

I'm currently building a phase converter from some parts I bought off craigslist. I initially just rigged it up to test all the parts and that worked. Now I'm dragging along on getting the parts together to make it "perfect".... I fab'd a small frame for the motor to sit on. The wheels it is on are casters from Target for the metal-wire racks. They are sufficient, not overkill, but more than adequate--and they were only $15 for the set of four. I then bought a couple of new boxes for a term panel and outlets to sit in... I still need to pop the holes in the boxes and get some fitting to match everything together.... I just need to do it, but other projects keep cropping up.....








So I understand the pain, but sometimes, we just need to get it working (just good enough) so we can enjoy using the machines that we have......

Keep your chin up....

 

[nine4gmc]

Good points Bimmer, do you have a thread on the phase converter build?

Strouty, what else is left on the compressor?

 

[Strouty]

Well, I went to Grainger this morning, bought a new pressure relief (pop off) valve that was good for 200 PSI. I spoke with my local compressor guy, he and I have dealt with each other off and on for about 15 years, so he is a really decent resource. He told me that he has a couple of techs that know my compressor inside and out, then he told me that he is waiting to find out if he has won a bid on another job, if he wins he told me I can have the old compressor. Funny thing is the old compressor is the same exact thing as mine, duplex and all, I sure hope he wins that bid!

On another note, I forced myself to swap the motor from one side to the other, got it running and both pumps work fine. Luckily this one has no leaks, but I still have to plug off the original pump because it is forcing air out of the same spot on the unloader. I watched a few videos on you tube and I printed out the manual for the compressor pumps, so I am hopeful that I can figure out what is causing the leak with minimal effort. Then I need to plumb a drain in the bottom, get the wiring cleaned up and it should be operational this weekend.

I am headed in for my surgery on this coming Tuesday, so I am not 100% sure what I will be capable of after that. I have a ton of paperwork to do, but I also have a ton of other stuff to do as well.

 

[Strouty]

Bimmer, that looks like a great start, my rotary phase converter is still sitting in a pile on a cart. I have to get that sorted out as well, I like your concept and I may do something similar, when I get the shop to a certain point I hope to have the phase converter more permanent and actually have three phase outlets all wired up. Thanks for checking in guys, wish I had more to report, but that is about it.

 

[bimmer1980]

Sounds good. Glad you were able to verify that both compressors work.... hopefully your surgery goes well.

I need to start a thread on the phase converter... Maybe I will next week. It has been a long project in the works......I probably bought the main parts of it 5 years ago...yikes.... it has been a filler project when I have cold rainy days and cannot work on the outside of the garage to get that finished (currently finishing out the bricking of the dormers...)

 

[Richard Cranium]

So much for vacation, I have to put in over time tonight, will go in just after midnight and then get off at 07:15

 

[Strouty]

Those projects can really get away from you, ask me how I know! I think my phase converter is from 2012, so I am going on about the same amount of time. I still have not used my bridgeport or my lathe, other than seeing them spin. I really need to get a few things done.

 

[DonPowers]

I'm going to need a phase converter for this. Has a 5hp 3 phase motor.

 

[Strouty]

My dad has one of those, except his is single phase. I always felt a little uneasy running it, but it will cut some big beams!

You definitely want to look at a VFD, they won't be too expensive for that size either.