What did YOU do today?

[rumblecloud]

I finally got my Backhoe started so I could move it outta the way of the barn so I could lift the bed off the Ranger and drive the Ranger outta the way from under the raised bed. Progress.

 

[djfllmn]

responded to 2 calls over the weekend. The fire call i really let the turbos spool on the F150..haha

 

[djfllmn]

Something told me it was PA.

In my 15th year on the job here in VA.

Yea i have only been doing it for about 2.5 years. keeps me busy sometimes for sure.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well, I determined that my old Cobra Soundtracker CB is also not working correctly in addition to my big RadioShack CB. Not quite sure where my old Pace 23 channel is hiding currently, it’s the only other one I have that fits the mount in my Choptop. Bummer, I was hoping to get a CB working in that again. I may not get to fixing the two broken ones till winter because there’s a lot of more important things on the list.

 

[cmcolfax]

Yea i have only been doing it for about 2.5 years. keeps me busy sometimes for sure.

I started as a volunteer in June of '01 in Westchester County NY

Got hired by my first career department in '05, that's what brought me to VA.
13 years there and needed to get away.
Couple years as a Medic doing IFT.
Went private contractor for a few; on-site Fire, Rescue, HazMat and Confined Space for an industrial manufacturing facility.
Came back to the municipal side in '24...
The passion and love of the job was back!

 

[Blmpkn]

Let the smoke escape from a 18v ryobi sawzall.

Things are crap all I needed to do was make 3 measely cuts through a pair of 9/16" bolts.. nice fresh blades... Just wouldn't do it. Got just about one cut done and the damn thing started to smoke harder than both cheech AND chong. At that point I knew it was all over so I just let it eat until it came to a complete halt.. started to melt the vents around the motor before it finally gave up lol.

Good thing I borrowed it from work and double good thing that we don't actually NEED one at work

The saw was from their brushed homeowner grade line of tools (ONE+)... And they're honestly all trash if you're really looking to do work. Their line of brushless HP tools is miiiiiiiiiiles better.

I believe we might have another POS brushed job at work I could probably bring home tomorrow (lol) if not.. looks like I gotta go down to homeless Depot and buy myself a brushless one, ugh.

 

[Roert42]

Let the smoke escape from a 18v ryobi sawzall.

Things are crap all I needed to do was make 3 measely cuts through a pair of 9/16" bolts.. nice fresh blades... Just wouldn't do it. Got just about one cut done and the damn thing started to smoke harder than both cheech AND chong. At that point I knew it was all over so I just let it eat until it came to a complete halt.. started to melt the vents around the motor before it finally gave up lol.

Good thing I borrowed it from work and double good thing that we don't actually NEED one at work

The saw was from their brushed homeowner grade line of tools (ONE+)... And they're honestly all trash if you're really looking to do work. Their line of brushless HP tools is miiiiiiiiiiles better.

I believe we might have another POS brushed job at work I could probably bring home tomorrow (lol) if not.. looks like I gotta go down to homeless Depot and buy myself a brushless one, ugh.

What’s wrong with a cut of wheel?

 

[Blmpkn]

What’s wrong with a cut of wheel?

I'd need a 6" wheel to get through the bolt thanks to the shape/size of the spring hanger (squarebody).. but only have a 4" grinder.

 

[djfllmn]

I started as a volunteer in June of '01 in Westchester County NY

Got hired by my first career department in '05, that's what brought me to VA.
13 years there and needed to get away.
Couple years as a Medic doing IFT.
Went private contractor for a few; on-site Fire, Rescue, HazMat and Confined Space for an industrial manufacturing facility.
Came back to the municipal side in '24...
The passion and love of the job was back!

most of the departments around here are all volly. I am very thankful that my employer lets us leave if conditions permit for major calls(working fire, accidents, etc)

 

[Roert42]

I'd need a 6" wheel to get through the bolt thanks to the shape/size of the spring hanger (squarebody).. but only have a 4" grinder.

Sounds like you need to buy a 9” grinder just to be safe.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'd need a 6" wheel to get through the bolt thanks to the shape/size of the spring hanger (squarebody).. but only have a 4" grinder.

Get a better grinder. Not that I recommend it (I have scars from accidents with grinders), but a 4.5-5” grinder will accept a 6-7” disk if you remove the guard. I now have a 7-9” grinder in addition to my 4.5” and 5” grinders but really, a cutting torch is the ticket. Or a plasma cutter. I don’t have a plasma yet but I have three torch sets because I can cut, heat, braze, and weld.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Sounds like you need to buy a 9” grinder just to be safe.

Milwaukee is about the only 9” grinder still on the market. Most big grinders currently available top out at 7” because apparently people were misusing big grinders and getting hurt so it was decided that a 9” grinder was more likely to hurt you than a 7” so 9” became rare. Also, the only local place I can buy 9” disks is at a local weld shop. Nobody else sells anything bigger than 7”

 

[Roert42]

Milwaukee is about the only 9” grinder still on the market. Most big grinders currently available top out at 7” because apparently people were misusing big grinders and getting hurt so it was decided that a 9” grinder was more likely to hurt you than a 7” so 9” became rare. Also, the only local place I can buy 9” disks is at a local weld shop. Nobody else sells anything bigger than 7”

DeWalt definitely still makes a 9" and I can find Makita, Metabo, Bostch, and various no name brand grinders for sale online.

I also see various grinding wheels for the 9" from online supply houses. Norton and 3m.


To be honest, I feel like most people don't want a 9" grinder anyway because they are so heavy. I vary rarely use mine unless I have a lot of grinding to do on something that is laying flat. I bought it for running a massive wire wheel and cutting off 3" exhaust

My 9" came with a 7" guard incase I wanted to run smaller disks, but it's still heavy.

 

[Blmpkn]

Get a better grinder. Not that I recommend it (I have scars from accidents with grinders), but a 4.5-5” grinder will accept a 6-7” disk if you remove the guard. I now have a 7-9” grinder in addition to my 4.5” and 5” grinders but really, a cutting torch is the ticket. Or a plasma cutter. I don’t have a plasma yet but I have three torch sets because I can cut, heat, braze, and weld.

Sounds like you need to buy a 9” grinder just to be safe.

I also have some grinder battle scars lol. I had considered a bigger wheel on mine.. just as means to an end but yeah.. thought about it again and I'm all set

Torches someday for sure.. probably not this year though.

 

[Roert42]

9" cut off wheel is certainly one of the sketchiest things out there.