What did YOU do today?

[superj]

Badass!!!

 

[Rick W]

I am on sick leave from work till friday. I had to have skin cancer surgery after work yesterday.

I thought it was going to be like a biopsy, but a littlw more taken off. No go on that, it was the whole 9 yards of gown, numbing shots, cutting out whatever, inside stitches and outside stitches, and huge pressure bandages with no heavy bending of the area so the stitches dont tear out.

And how the hell do you get skin cancer on your butt cheek??!?! Left butt cheek is now all cut up and stirched together. I never surfed naked, laid out naked, did any out door naked stuff that would cause this.

That really sucks, especially if you didn’t know it was going to happen.

If it helps, I could send you the pictures of how I added foam to the one side of my seat before I got my new seat covers.

Hang in there. I said a prayer too. I’ve been through too much of that stuff in the last few years.

 

[superj]

It was a surprise. All the ither times, they got everything in the biopsy and i never had to go back to try and get the rest.


Today was the remove the bandages and clean the stitched area with soap and water and then air dry for a day.

How the heck do you air dry for a day when its where it was? Loin cloth?

But, we (the wife and i) finally got the see what was under the bandages. A huge 4 inch horizontal stitch. It looks like a football stitch and is oozing blood and junk. I dont know how air drying is going to work since its still weeping but i guess we are going with the instructions.

Whatever the doctor did, i still cannot feel it. It was 30 or 40 minutes in the table and lots of cauturizing, fine internal stitches, and heavier visible external stitches. He said the clear internal fine line will disolve and the thick black external will have to be removed when i come back on the 26th.

I am glad it doesnt hurt though. I will be glad when it stops draining or oozing though. Since its on the back where i cannot see, i dont realize its doing it till i walk back where i previously walked and find watery bloody drops so i have to walk around and wipe it all up.

 

[Rick W]

Very lucky, good doctors, if it doesn’t hurt. When I shredded my leg in 2014, it was soft tissue damage from my big toe to the top of my hip, top of my butt. There was nothing they could go in and fix. Several times along the healing path, there was blinding pain. I refuse to take the oxy drugs. My best expense for pain relief was a nice leather recliner where I could adjust myself into certain positions that would remove the tug or pressure on whatever, and survive the night.

I always joke, but I feel your pain, and you are in my prayers.

But it did give me an interesting thought. If you have to air dry that thing, you could probably find a few good directions and people to point it, and kill two birds…

 

[scotts90ranger]

Tried to teach myself TIG last night and today, last night had some success but I think I was going too slow and too much arc length, today was better but I'd just call it less bad... but progress and I'll keep playing when time and projects allow...

Now I'm finally getting to the wiring for my loft in the shop so I can finally get rid of some extension cords and such, maybe tonight or tomorrow I'll work on making a built in ladder so I don't have to use the extension ladder anymore...

 

[Rick W]

Tried to teach myself TIG last night and today, last night had some success but I think I was going too slow and too much arc length, today was better but I'd just call it less bad... but progress and I'll keep playing when time and projects allow...

Now I'm finally getting to the wiring for my loft in the shop so I can finally get rid of some extension cords and such, maybe tonight or tomorrow I'll work on making a built in ladder so I don't have to use the extension ladder anymore...

I don’t know what the code is out there, but here in Georgia, you could put as many outlets on the circuit as you want to. You just have to make sure when you’re using it, the load does not exceed the amperage of the circuit. I have a whole bunch of outlets in the shed of miracles, but 99% of the time I’m working by myself, or I only have one or two other people in there. Not worried about exceeding the capacity.

My point is, put in double the amount of outlets you think you might use. If you think you need two duplex outlets in a box, put in three. Always put a box where there’s a doorway, a corner, or anything like that. It just takes a few minutes more while you’re doing it now, and it will save you zillion of headaches later. And, what are the outlets, like a dollar each for a good one? You don’t have to use one of the expensive ones for a table saw where you just know you might need an outlet someday.

My two cents, hope it helps.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I don’t know what the code is out there, but here in Georgia, you could put as many outlets on the circuit as you want to. You just have to make sure when you’re using it, the load does not exceed the amperage of the circuit. I have a whole bunch of outlets in the shed of miracles, but 99% of the time I’m working by myself, or I only have one or two other people in there. Not worried about exceeding the capacity.

My point is, put in double the amount of outlets you think you might use. If you think you need two duplex outlets in a box, put in three. Always put a box where there’s a doorway, a corner, or anything like that. It just takes a few minutes more while you’re doing it now, and it will save you zillion of headaches later. And, what are the outlets, like a dollar each for a good one? You don’t have to use one of the expensive ones for a table saw where you just know you might need an outlet someday.

My two cents, hope it helps.

Lets just say I ran myself out of outlets, I wired up 19 today in a 8x20 space and have 5 more to put in after I get more... I alternated them on the wall so unless you are on the opposite wall you are on a separate breaker, put in two 20A breakers for that area which should cover it, there's 4 junction boxes so would be easy to break it apart later... I have more outlets but they're used and for some reason someone took out all the screws that hold them into the boxes... I probably have several #6 screws that would work but not feeling it... I haven't done all the splicing in the junction boxes yet, I ran out of go after dinner and once I got the boxes wired... just realized I need to add in another so I can get more lights under the loft...

 

[Rick W]

Lets just say I ran myself out of outlets, I wired up 19 today in a 8x20 space and have 5 more to put in after I get more... I alternated them on the wall so unless you are on the opposite wall you are on a separate breaker, put in two 20A breakers for that area which should cover it, there's 4 junction boxes so would be easy to break it apart later... I have more outlets but they're used and for some reason someone took out all the screws that hold them into the boxes... I probably have several #6 screws that would work but not feeling it... I haven't done all the splicing in the junction boxes yet, I ran out of go after dinner and once I got the boxes wired... just realized I need to add in another so I can get more lights under the loft...

Sounds like my work is done here regarding outlets, my son.

Another thing I would suggest. Do you have a floor plan of your whole shop, and the top and the bottom of this new addition? Do you know where each and every one of your tools is going to go? Do you know which tools you’re planning to acquire?

I’ve been doing all this stuff all my life, and I still play “paper doll house.“ I make a large scale plan drawing, and then I cut out little squares of paper, usually colored paper, the approximate scale/size of whatever I’m going to put in there. I’ve even gone to the trouble of making a square, or circle, the size of the work area, with a smaller square inside that, with what the actual use or equipment would be. I have my drill press, and my chopsaw set up down one wall, with a couple of supported 2 x 4s sticky straight out from the wall at the right level, so I can handle 20 foot pieces of whatever and drill holes or cut it on the square

Then visualize the specifics of every workstation. I think 1/3 or more of my outlets are not 16 inches off the floor. Of those, many are about chest height, but some are even higher. I have different tables, and the outlets on the wall are about 15 inches higher than the top of the table.Some tools might require three or four outlets for feeding the machine, but then for lights, accessories, who knows. It takes about two seconds to do a sketch and visualize the ideal locations for such things.

Don’t underestimate the value of pull chain lights, or a pull chain operated outlet. I’m the world‘s largest fan of pull chain switches in and around a workshop or maintenance area. If you’re paying the electrical bill, why have the lights of the whole shop on when you’re working in one corner. I have lights that go on all through the shop tapped off the garage door opener, but they time out. I have a small subset on one switch, and then the whole lighting of the garage. I did my LED lighting when I was hurt and sick, so it’s kind of funky, but I used to have six 100lightbulbs. In hindsight, that was like working in a cave.

What about an outlet or a light on the outside of the building close to where you’ll be doing this stuff on the inside?

I also have a few 220 V single phase lines running across the shop. One is for an in wall space heater in the bathroom that I never use, it’s too big, but that was the code. I have a small twist block outlet where I use a laminating machine. The machine doesn’t justify needing 220 V, but if you go on eBay and you buy them, the 220 V machines are 1/3 the price of the 110 V machines. So I put it in an outlet, and I made a 20 foot long cord.

My panel is to the right of the garage door when you walk in. Along the way I got a squirrel cage blower that’s about 2 feet in diameter, and about 18 inches wide. That’s 220 V. That exact size may be off, but it is much larger than the squirrel cage blower in a home unit. I plan on installing it in the back wall to move a lot of air through the shop. When I built the addition, and bumped the wall back to a total of 45 feet plus or minus, I ran a 220 line that just dangles near the peak back there.

Finally, somewhere in my junk collecting, I picked up a used power filter that I think is good for 15 A. It’s the kind of thing you use for electronic equipment or laboratory equipment where you can’t have variations in the current. It’s also a damn near fool proof lightning protector. I started installing it 10 years ago, and I haven’t gotten too far, but I will probably finish it up this year. I have two TVs out there, and two places I might use a laptop. I also have a vinyl, cutting sign machine, and a couple of other things with an electronic brain. My plan is to get a different color 14/2 with ground for that. Remember kicking on and off some of the higher draw machines in the garage can affect that TV/computer circuit. I don’t know if I would’ve ever bought one at retail price, but I got mine for no bucks or a few bucks. It also has a battery back up, but I don’t have the battery

My point, think of each location, step-by-step, and let your mind wander. It’s easier to put it in now that it will be later when you got all kinds of miracles in your shed…

I never mean to sound like anybody’s daddy on all this kind of stuff, but from running cruise for more than 50 years, I would rather say something than assume somebody has thought the same thing out.

As always, my two sets, I hope it helps

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'm not the best at planning, still in the wing it and figure it out phase... I'm happy with where my big tool box ended up, my small table saw is on wheels so it's easy to move. I do have a layout drawing of the floor of the shop from when I ran the PEX in the floor that I need to figure out measurements on so I can figure out where my 2 post lift goes so I can get it off the floor in the annoying way and into the less annoying and useful way... once a few more details are set I'll move my drill press to under the loft and plumb the whole thing for air so I can get the small air compressor out of the shop and clear out that space for other stuff... Once I build the permanent ladder I can move the extension ladder and relocate the rolling tool box and the cordless tool toolbox over to that spot on the wall where I put one of the outlets...

 

[Rick W]

I'm not the best at planning, still in the wing it and figure it out phase... I'm happy with where my big tool box ended up, my small table saw is on wheels so it's easy to move. I do have a layout drawing of the floor of the shop from when I ran the PEX in the floor that I need to figure out measurements on so I can figure out where my 2 post lift goes so I can get it off the floor in the annoying way and into the less annoying and useful way... once a few more details are set I'll move my drill press to under the loft and plumb the whole thing for air so I can get the small air compressor out of the shop and clear out that space for other stuff... Once I build the permanent ladder I can move the extension ladder and relocate the rolling tool box and the cordless tool toolbox over to that spot on the wall where I put one of the outlets...

just remember an ounce of penciling a floorplan is worth a pound of outlets. Or something like that….

And not to press, but it can be done surprisingly quickly, it doesn’t have to look like a blueprint. On one of those mornings or evenings or weekends when you’re not up to doing the physical stuff, just go out there and sit on a stool, look around and make notes. I actually just did

 

[scotts90ranger]

I agree but then I change my mind or I lose my note by the time I get to it... more of a physical visual type of thing... I've done the sketches that's how I figured out where I wanted the lift vs loft when I first started the shop project but at that point I had no idea what tools I'd have and plans have changed 14 times since then, at one point I was going to build an enclosure for an air compressor on the end of the shed next to the shop that in the fall turned into a firewood lean-to now the compressor is where the firewood was in the shed so now the conduit will have to bend to get to the compressor since I put a conduit in the slab for the original plan... still gotta figure out how I'm going to get power to the shed for the compressor now that wire is stupid expensive. The shed is currently wired with buried 14 ga (guessing, white sheathing but I think it wasn't color coded in the '90's) Romex from the house panel feeding a main breaker then two glass fuses (odd combo I know, I didn't do it... fixing it has been on the list, only had the parts for 10 years, don't rush me).

We figured out the loft plan by sketching it obviously for a materials list, it evolved a bit here and there as they do, I just have a hard time visualizing where I want tools when I have junk jammed in all the corners... need to plan for a garage sale this spring... there should even be some good junk in it unlike the useless junk I've had in the past

 

[racsan]

Got a good bit of snow today, wasn’t planning on plowing the driveway, I even put the blade away at its fencerow storage spot & wasn’t going to do any work with the “new” tractor until I had done everything I wanted to do with it (engine/hydraulic oil change, underbelly exhaust, new radiator, alternator, better hood, matched size back tires) but I was out in the garage and decided to see how it would start today & it fired right up. couldn’t say no to trying it out after that. works well, its lighter than my 2000 was so its easier to steer, plenty of motor for what I do with it. Takes some getting used to not having live hydraulics again & the shift pattern is much different but it works quite well overall.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I took pics of various ttb coils in -24C weather. At least it wasn't windy...
Pics posted in the dual rate/lift spring thread.

 

[sgtsandman]

I picked up some 2X4X8 lumber to fabricate some saw horses and to build a rack on the 4X8 utility trailer for the anticipated delivery of a roof top tent for this summer's planned overlanding adventure. The RTT will go on top of the 2019 once the cage for the bed comes in but until then, it will get stored on the trailer. Partly because I don't know what kind of equipment the delivery company is going to have and if it will work in a gravel driveway and/or clear the carport covering said driveway. This will give me an easier way to move the RTT around when it is not on the truck. The RTT itself only weight 178# but the reported shipping weight is 300#. So, I'm erring on the side of caution rather than betting my utility dolly or appliance dolly will be able to do the job.

 

[Rick W]

I agree but then I change my mind or I lose my note by the time I get to it... more of a physical visual type of thing... I've done the sketches that's how I figured out where I wanted the lift vs loft when I first started the shop project but at that point I had no idea what tools I'd have and plans have changed 14 times since then, at one point I was going to build an enclosure for an air compressor on the end of the shed next to the shop that in the fall turned into a firewood lean-to now the compressor is where the firewood was in the shed so now the conduit will have to bend to get to the compressor since I put a conduit in the slab for the original plan... still gotta figure out how I'm going to get power to the shed for the compressor now that wire is stupid expensive. The shed is currently wired with buried 14 ga (guessing, white sheathing but I think it wasn't color coded in the '90's) Romex from the house panel feeding a main breaker then two glass fuses (odd combo I know, I didn't do it... fixing it has been on the list, only had the parts for 10 years, don't rush me).

We figured out the loft plan by sketching it obviously for a materials list, it evolved a bit here and there as they do, I just have a hard time visualizing where I want tools when I have junk jammed in all the corners... need to plan for a garage sale this spring... there should even be some good junk in it unlike the useless junk I've had in the past

Wha? How do you get compressed air out of firewood?