From eric at megageek.com Mon Dec 1 00:01:00 2008 From: eric at megageek.com (eric at megageek.com) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 10:01:00 +0300 Subject: [Shop-talk] Still building, even in the desert In-Reply-To: <49334538.8010503@comcast.net> Message-ID: What base did he go to? if he comes to Bucca, I'll make sure he gets the VIP treatment! Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. Donald H Locker 12/01/2008 04:50 AM To eric at megageek.com cc shop-talk at Autox.Team.Net Subject Re: [Shop-talk] Still building, even in the desert Hi, Eric. I finally took a moment to visit your blog space. Keep up the good work. You are all in our thoughts. (BTW, my nephew just shipped to Iraq with the USMC. Keep the US's best feet forward for us!) Donald. eric at megageek.com wrote: > Hey there all, > > I just wanted to drop you all a line to give you a link to 2 projects I > made for myself here in Iraq. > > Not really excellent quality or anything, but considering they were both > made 100% from scrap and with limited tools, they are quite a testament to > the shop skills we use every day. > > Check them out and let me know what you think! > > http://www.megageek.com/blog/Mob2008.nsf > > Moose > Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. From jniolon at bham.rr.com Mon Dec 1 07:02:04 2008 From: jniolon at bham.rr.com (john niolon) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 08:02:04 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] battery minder on sale Message-ID: <9564414E3435498CA6ED3191462AB95A@OwnerPC> Northern tool having a sale (cyber Monday)... this is one of the best charger/desulphaters I've seen... winter time coming..... these come in handy. Fifteen bucks off... john http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200332201_ 200332201?cm_ven=Housefile&cm_cat=CYBERFGC&cm_pla=120108consumerNR&cm_ite=P9& cm_lm=jniolon at bham.rr.com&state=AL&hotline&marketcode= A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. From mark at sccaprepared.com Mon Dec 1 07:57:30 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 09:57:30 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: Howdy, On Sun, 30 Nov 2008, Randall wrote: >> An led is a light emitting diode, so I think it will light >> for one half of the cycle when AC is applied to it. > > The fact that only half of them go out would seem to support that theory. > > What I don't understand is why you want to pull out one lamp. Those LEDs > should be good for upwards of 50,000 hours, which is some 30 years if you > run them for two months continuously each year. By that time you can just > throw the whole string away. Its a test to see if I'm going to want to strangle Santa with them in a year when I pull them out and the stupid thing doesn't light up. :-) I'd really like to get some lights where other than me cutting a wire, power gets put to all the bulbs no matter what is going on with any particular one. Mark From james.f.juhas at snet.net Mon Dec 1 08:25:46 2008 From: james.f.juhas at snet.net (James F Juhas) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:25:46 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <493401FA.6050803@snet.net> That is exactly what I would do, and indeed, what I was going to do when my MGA fan lost a blade through my left fender well at 6,000 rpm on the Lightening course at NJMP. Notwithstanding the fact that I picked up considerable horsepower after I took the fan off, I doubted the wisdom of making the repair after taking a close look at it. Besides the blade that broke off, another had a partial crack and would have been next to go. And this was in September, after a close inspection of the fan in August revealed no likely defects. The moral is to be wary of 50-year-old steel. But if you're not racing, and there is no replacement available, welding as you describe should fix it. I would suggest a careful gas weld on a beveled seam so as to ensure full penetration and a softer heat temper. >From what I understand, mig or tig can result in a more pronounced boundary between the weld and the core metal, leaving it susceptible to further cracking along that join. The arc weld could probably be annealed if arc welded by heating it and allowing it to cool slowly. My comments here are appropriate for a stamped sheet metal blade. If you're talking about a cast piece, I'm sure a different set of rules apply, and I have no experience there. nogera2 at att.net wrote: > I've got a metal ( very thick ) fan blade, which is no longer available, > that has a crack in one of the blades. > I'm thinking of drilling a hole at the end of the crack and welding it up > then grinding the weld flush. > Anyone see any problem with that or have other suggestions? > > Bob > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as james.f.juhas at snet.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > -- [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of james_f_juhas.vcf] From dmscheidt at gmail.com Mon Dec 1 08:36:18 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 10:36:18 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: References: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812010736g67ffda6qa289e5aa8de8a067@mail.gmail.com> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 9:57 AM, Mark Andy wrote: > Howdy, > > On Sun, 30 Nov 2008, Randall wrote: > >>> An led is a light emitting diode, so I think it will light >>> for one half of the cycle when AC is applied to it. >> >> The fact that only half of them go out would seem to support that theory. >> >> What I don't understand is why you want to pull out one lamp. Those LEDs >> should be good for upwards of 50,000 hours, which is some 30 years if you >> run them for two months continuously each year. By that time you can just >> throw the whole string away. > > Its a test to see if I'm going to want to strangle Santa with them in a year > when I pull them out and the stupid thing doesn't light up. > > :-) > > I'd really like to get some lights where other than me cutting a wire, power > gets put to all the bulbs no matter what is going on with any particular > one. Get lights with C7 bulbs. (or c7 led units.) That's the big, actually screws in like a lightbulb, bulb. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From dmscheidt at gmail.com Mon Dec 1 08:55:54 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 10:55:54 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade In-Reply-To: <493401FA.6050803@snet.net> References: <493401FA.6050803@snet.net> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812010755p2969caday1801ff0004d480a2@mail.gmail.com> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 10:25 AM, James F Juhas wrote: > That is exactly what I would do, and indeed, what I was going to do when > my MGA fan lost a blade through my left fender well at 6,000 rpm on the > Lightening course at NJMP. Notwithstanding the fact that I picked up > considerable horsepower after I took the fan off, I doubted the wisdom > of making the repair after taking a close look at it. Besides the blade > that broke off, another had a partial crack and would have been next to > go. And this was in September, after a close inspection of the fan in > August revealed no likely defects. The moral is to be wary of > 50-year-old steel. will magnafluxing or the like detect cracks that aren't yet at the surface? -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Mon Dec 1 09:18:20 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 08:18:20 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] battery minder on sale In-Reply-To: <9564414E3435498CA6ED3191462AB95A@OwnerPC> Message-ID: <20081201161820.FSRM4332.cdptpa-omta06.mail.rr.com@randall> john niolon wrote : > Northern tool having a sale (cyber Monday)... this is one of > the best charger/desulphaters I've seen... That URL again : http://tinyurl.com/6ef4s4 Randall From james.f.juhas at snet.net Mon Dec 1 09:35:12 2008 From: james.f.juhas at snet.net (James F Juhas) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:35:12 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812010755p2969caday1801ff0004d480a2@mail.gmail.com> References: <493401FA.6050803@snet.net> <2400a5d40812010755p2969caday1801ff0004d480a2@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <49341240.1080503@snet.net> It's supposed to, but I gave some doubts. NDI was my specialty when I was in the Air Force many years ago. I don't recall ever magnafluxing something that thin. It was usually castings and much heavier pieces. I don't know if a sub-surface crack in a steel .060 to .100 inches thick would set up a pole that would attract the material. Or if there would be any sub-surface irregularity that will show up that would predict failure. I solved my doubts with an electric fan. David Scheidt wrote: > On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 10:25 AM, James F Juhas wrote: > >> That is exactly what I would do, and indeed, what I was going to do when >> my MGA fan lost a blade through my left fender well at 6,000 rpm on the >> Lightening course at NJMP. Notwithstanding the fact that I picked up >> considerable horsepower after I took the fan off, I doubted the wisdom >> of making the repair after taking a close look at it. Besides the blade >> that broke off, another had a partial crack and would have been next to >> go. And this was in September, after a close inspection of the fan in >> August revealed no likely defects. The moral is to be wary of >> 50-year-old steel. >> > > will magnafluxing or the like detect cracks that aren't yet at the surface? > > -- [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of james_f_juhas.vcf] From mbarre at juno.com Mon Dec 1 09:47:47 2008 From: mbarre at juno.com (Matt) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:47:47 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] battery minder on sale Message-ID: <20081201.114747.16082.0@webmail13.vgs.untd.com> I have had the six place unit on backorder from them for a couple of weeks now. It is only $5 or so off their regular price. Matt -- "john niolon" wrote: Northern tool having a sale (cyber Monday)... this is one of the best charger/desulphaters I've seen... winter time coming..... these come in handy. Fifteen bucks off... john http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200332201_ 200332201?cm_ven=Housefile&cm_cat=CYBERFGC&cm_pla=120108consumerNR&cm_ite=P9& cm_lm=jniolon at bham.rr.com&state=AL&hotline&marketcode= A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. You are subscribed as mbarre at juno.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive ____________________________________________________________ Free information on becoming a Graphic Designer. Click Now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw3huIANZ39aSVnE1YXqRBbi8Mfmn ZYB6vF1E6QwubY5lVkM2/ From frede.thomas2 at verizon.net Mon Dec 1 11:18:01 2008 From: frede.thomas2 at verizon.net (FRED E THOMAS) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:18:01 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade References: <493401FA.6050803@snet.net> <2400a5d40812010755p2969caday1801ff0004d480a2@mail.gmail.com> <49341240.1080503@snet.net> Message-ID: The bad thing about welding a fan blade back on is the fan will now be way out of =="balance"== "FT" ============================================================================================================ ----- Original Message ----- From: "James F Juhas" To: "David Scheidt" Cc: "Shop Talk" Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 11:35 AM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade > It's supposed to, but I gave some doubts. NDI was my specialty when I > was in the Air Force many years ago. I don't recall ever magnafluxing > something that thin. It was usually castings and much heavier pieces. > I don't know if a sub-surface crack in a steel .060 to .100 inches thick > would set up a pole that would attract the material. Or if there would > be any sub-surface irregularity that will show up that would predict > failure. > > I solved my doubts with an electric fan. > > David Scheidt wrote: >> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 10:25 AM, James F Juhas >> wrote: >> >>> That is exactly what I would do, and indeed, what I was going to do when >>> my MGA fan lost a blade through my left fender well at 6,000 rpm on the >>> Lightening course at NJMP. Notwithstanding the fact that I picked up >>> considerable horsepower after I took the fan off, I doubted the wisdom >>> of making the repair after taking a close look at it. Besides the blade >>> that broke off, another had a partial crack and would have been next to >>> go. And this was in September, after a close inspection of the fan in >>> August revealed no likely defects. The moral is to be wary of >>> 50-year-old steel. >>> >> >> will magnafluxing or the like detect cracks that aren't yet at the >> surface? >> >> > > > -- > > [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name > of james_f_juhas.vcf] > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as res8vz9q at verizon.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From james.f.juhas at snet.net Mon Dec 1 11:30:01 2008 From: james.f.juhas at snet.net (James F Juhas) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:30:01 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade In-Reply-To: References: <493401FA.6050803@snet.net> <2400a5d40812010755p2969caday1801ff0004d480a2@mail.gmail.com> <49341240.1080503@snet.net> Message-ID: <49342D29.40409@snet.net> Not as far out of balance when I lost one of six blades. I thought the whole car was going to shake itself apart! If carefully done, and ground smooth to finish, I would guess that the balance would be close to original, and perhaps it could then be balanced with the judicious removal of material from the heavy side, like at the tips of the blades. But then, all of this is why my fan remains in two parts as an art object and conversation piece. And MGA fans are not in short supply: my junk box turned up three more, but now I'm afraid to use one. FRED E THOMAS wrote: > The bad thing about welding a fan blade back on is the fan will now be > way out of =="balance"== "FT" > ============================================================================================================ > >>>> when >>>> my MGA fan lost a blade through my left fender well at 6,000 rpm on >>>> the >>>> Lightening course at NJMP. > > -- [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type text/x-vcard which had a name of james_f_juhas.vcf] From rbeels at yahoo.com Mon Dec 1 11:40:36 2008 From: rbeels at yahoo.com (Richard Beels) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:40:36 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Free Craftsman Cordless Drill - Who wants it? In-Reply-To: <6.2.5.6.2.20081201012211.03e90680@technologist.com> References: <6.2.5.6.2.20081201012211.03e90680@technologist.com> Message-ID: <6.2.5.6.2.20081201133725.03b3e398@yahoo.com> Matt Trebelhorn is the lucky recipient. Thanks for playing... :-) At 12/1/2008 at 01:42, Shakespearean monkeys danced on Richard Beels's keyboard and said: >Read before blindly hitting reply... :-) Cheers! From pethier at comcast.net Mon Dec 1 12:00:12 2008 From: pethier at comcast.net (pethier at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:00:12 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? Message-ID: <120120081900.7690.4934343C000CF7F100001E0A22165279669D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> > Get lights with C7 bulbs. (or c7 led units.) That's the big, > actually screws in like a lightbulb, bulb. Like a nite-lite bulb. That's what I have for holiday lights on my porch. Can you actually get LED units that screw into such a string (or nite-lite!) without modification? I have not seen these. Time to go shopping. The incandescents use 4 watts each and don't last forever. -- Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7 pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier From kvacek at ameritech.net Mon Dec 1 12:35:23 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 13:35:23 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? References: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <06B03A04AAE14827887C1FC1840DE3B5@KARL> > What I don't understand is why you want to pull out one lamp. > Randall It's not necessary to "want" to pull out a lamp - cheaply-made push-in bulbs tend to fall out when being handled - or sometimes just sitting in the intense vibration of a Christmas tree branch. They also just lose contact while sitting there - I guess due to either corrosion or plastic shrinkage ?? That'd be the value of an all-soldered assembly. Karl From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Mon Dec 1 15:09:04 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 14:09:04 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <06B03A04AAE14827887C1FC1840DE3B5@KARL> References: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> <06B03A04AAE14827887C1FC1840DE3B5@KARL> Message-ID: <130FC8A7F09849D3AC7A2B2B2690442E@jdnet.deere.com> > It's not necessary to "want" to pull out a lamp - > cheaply-made push-in bulbs > tend to fall out when being handled - or sometimes just > sitting in the > intense vibration of a Christmas tree branch. Hokay, if you say so. But even living in Shakey Town, I've never had one come out on it's own. Nor does it seem that difficult to locate and replace a missing bulb. But then, I'm crazy enough to have series sets going back over 50 years (from my great-grandmother), so I could be mistaken Randall From kvacek at ameritech.net Mon Dec 1 15:54:26 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 16:54:26 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? References: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall><06B03A04AAE14827887C1FC1840DE3B5@KARL> <130FC8A7F09849D3AC7A2B2B2690442E@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: <4DA21FE7F6694191877DED89974B755D@KARL> Sure - I have some Noma sets from when I was a kid - and some a little older - with C7 bulbs - that work fine. But those hot bulbs are only usable on a real tree or outside... We went to what used to be called "Italian" lights years ago, for our 10' fake tree. The best brand has long been Silvestri - though that may have changed in the last 2-3 years. We have some GE, etc. too, and besides miinor variations they're all pretty similar. Nonetheless, they do come loose through handling, and even while sitting on the branch they do on occasion come loose enough not to work. Sometimes when I'm lucky, flicking each one will find the loose one, and you pull it out and splay the bulb wires out and it works. Sometimes you have to do that to each bulb till it the string suddenly works. It happens. Karl PS - 50 years ago isn't THAT long ago... Great grandmother - geez ;-) > Hokay, if you say so. But even living in Shakey Town, I've never had one > come out on it's own. > > Nor does it seem that difficult to locate and replace a missing bulb. > > But then, I'm crazy enough to have series sets going back over 50 years > (from my great-grandmother), so I could be mistaken > > Randall From dmscheidt at gmail.com Mon Dec 1 17:31:13 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 19:31:13 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <120120081900.7690.4934343C000CF7F100001E0A22165279669D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> References: <120120081900.7690.4934343C000CF7F100001E0A22165279669D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812011631u72908c6cs8f55e41bc020e2e9@mail.gmail.com> On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 2:00 PM, wrote: >> Get lights with C7 bulbs. (or c7 led units.) That's the big, >> actually screws in like a lightbulb, bulb. > > Like a nite-lite bulb. That's what I have for holiday lights on my porch. > > Can you actually get LED units that screw into such a string (or nite-lite!) without modification? I have not seen these. > Yes. Much, much cheaper to buy a whole string, rather than individual bulbs. (Bulbs are about a buck a pop, in quantity, maybe a quarter on the string....) -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com Mon Dec 1 19:18:57 2008 From: rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com (Rich White) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 20:18:57 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812011631u72908c6cs8f55e41bc020e2e9@mail.gmail.com> References: <120120081900.7690.4934343C000CF7F100001E0A22165279669D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> <2400a5d40812011631u72908c6cs8f55e41bc020e2e9@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: That size of blub will cost a LOT more to use. Rich White St. Joseph, IL USA '63 TR3B TCF587L That ain't a scrap pile, that is my car! See it moves!> Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2008 19:31:13 -0500> From: dmscheidt at gmail.com> To: pethier at comcast.net> CC: shop-talk at autox.team.net> Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck?> > On Mon, Dec 1, 2008 at 2:00 PM, wrote:> >> Get lights with C7 bulbs. (or c7 led units.) That's the big,> >> actually screws in like a lightbulb, bulb.> >> > Like a nite-lite bulb. That's what I have for holiday lights on my porch.> >> > Can you actually get LED units that screw into such a string (or nite-lite!) without modification? I have not seen these.> >> > Yes. Much, much cheaper to buy a whole string, rather than individual> bulbs. (Bulbs are about a buck a pop, in quantity, maybe a quarter on> the string....)> > > > -- > David Scheidt> dmscheidt at gmail.com> _______________________________________________> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html> > You are subscribed as rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com> > Shop-talk mailing list> > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk> > http://www.team.net/archive From racertod at racertodd.com Mon Dec 1 23:03:52 2008 From: racertod at racertodd.com (Todd Walke) Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:03:52 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <120120081900.7690.4934343C000CF7F100001E0A22165279669D0A07 089B0A9F@comcast.net> Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20081201220218.00bd4d20@mail.blarg.net> Phil wrote: >Can you actually get LED units that screw into such a string (or >nite-lite!) without modification? I have not seen these. http://www.foreverledchristmaslights.com/shop/home.php http://www.christmaslightsetc.com/c7-c9-LED-Christmas-Lights--699.htm http://www.bulklights.com/ Todd Seattle,WA '86 GTI, Red of course. (exciting racey car) 268,000 miles '01 Golf TDI, silver. (new work car) 186,000 miles '87 Golf, Polar Silver. (retired work car) 654,000 miles <- Gone to a new home :( http://www.pureluckdesign.com <-Ferrari & VW stuff From trevor at boicey.com Wed Dec 3 22:23:22 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 00:23:22 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Multi zone heating....? (and variable speed fan motors) In-Reply-To: References: <4931C1E8.4060803@boicey.com> Message-ID: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1> > I was the one that asked the question back in July, and I did get one > private response, but I have lost the email. I don't believe anyone > responded to the list. (I'll cc the list to see if anyone else can contribute) Was your original question about the availability of square dampers? If so, yes they are out there, I can give you links if you decide to pursue it again. I haven't done anything yet, but I have traced enough of my ducts to know that I can get three zones pretty easily. Basement as a zone, ground and upper floors as a zone, and a sunroom-style addition as a zone. It's the latter that is the most troublesome, as it loses so much heat it's pretty much unusable in the winter unless I leave the door open and the furnace fan on. So if I limit myself to the above, I can put all the dampers in the furnace room right where they all diverge, simplest installation. If I could though, I would like to separate the ground floor from the upstairs, but that might be hard to do based on where I think the ducts go. That might require putting the dampers at the exits of the ducts, and fishing the wires back down the ducts to the controllers. Maybe not as a first step. That's about where I sit. I am just about to order the kit, but I might not get all the dampers right away. I might just run it as a very expensive digital thermostat with three screens, but it would be an upgrade from the mechanical one this house came with until I get my stuff together. I would also like to replace my fan motor with a variable speed one, which the Envirazone can apparently control. Does anybody know how these work? The envirazone surely only has low voltage control, can I get a generic variable speed motor, bolt it where mine is, and somehow wire that up? From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Thu Dec 4 00:17:25 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 23:17:25 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Multi zone heating....? (and variable speed fan motors) In-Reply-To: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1> Message-ID: <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> > I would also like to replace my fan motor with a variable > speed one, which the Envirazone can apparently control. Not sure if it's the right panel, but the wiring instructions I found at http://tinyurl.com/6k56tl seem to indicate that it's not equipped to control a variable speed fan. A comment at http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=117795 seems to say the same thing. However, you could probably rig it to use 3 separate speeds, by using the second and third stage heat outputs (assuming you aren't already using them to control the heat). > Does anybody know how these work? The envirazone surely > only has low voltage control, can I get a generic variable > speed motor, bolt it where mine is, and somehow wire that up? To do as I've suggested, you'd need to wire some 24v relays into the motor's speed control. Shouldn't be too hard for a conventional multi-speed motor; but I'm not sure how to do it for a variable speed. I assume that, for a variable speed motor, you would also need some sort of electronic control (eg VFD), which would probably take an analog voltage as input. So you'd need to wire those relays to provide a stepped voltage (eg switch resistors in series). Randall From jandkstone99 at msn.com Thu Dec 4 19:40:43 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 20:40:43 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating In-Reply-To: <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1> <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: I didn't want to hijack the previous thread, so I am starting my own. We live in a 95 year old house with hot water radiator heat. I know that in other countries you can replace the radiator shut off valves with thermostatically controlled one, creating room by room zones. However, I have looked and can't find anything like that here. Is anyone aware of a US supplier of these? Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_speed_12 2008 From jandkstone99 at msn.com Thu Dec 4 20:47:11 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 21:47:11 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shielding gas tank Message-ID: With the advice of this group, I now have a Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder. I have done a couple of light projects with the flux core wire that came with the unit and the difference between this and the cheap hobby welder I had before is enormous, but need to do a fair bit more (primarily patch the rusty floors on my '63 Sunbeam Alpine) over the winter. So, it is time to buy a tank and shielding gas. I will certainly want to start with an Argon/CO2 mix for the sheet metal work, and I think this will probably be fine for most any other repairs that come my way. There is a chance that I will want to try welding stainless steel exhaust next year, and I suppose Aluminum is always a possibility down the road. So, with this as background, I come to the tank. The primary local supplier recommends their tank exchange program, which seems like the best deal to me. I'd pay $91.50 for a 20 cu ft tank and about $42 for the Argon/CO2 to fill it. One advantage of this program is that I could just exchange the tank for a straight argon or triple mix one if I need to work with stainless or aluminum. I'd be out the wasted gas on both ends, but that doesn't seem too bad a deal. But, here's my dilemma: a 40 cu ft tank would run me $142, but only about $45 to fill it. (I assume they must have a minimum charge). So, I would break about even if I used the full tank before I exchanged it, but would be out the $50 if I ended up swapping the tanks out when they were only half empty. And, of course, I increase my waste every time I swap tanks. How long does 20 cu ft of shielding gas last? Given the minimal cost difference between 20 and 40 cu feet of my primary shielding gas (I have no idea what they get for other mixes), am I stupid to even question this? As always, thanks. Jim _________________________________________________________________ You live life online. So we put Windows on the web. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/127032869/direct/01/ From doug at dougbraun.com Thu Dec 4 21:30:43 2008 From: doug at dougbraun.com (Doug Braun) Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 20:30:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Shielding gas tank In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <521344.62865.qm@web606.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> The welding books I have read suggested about 10 liters/minute for the gas flow. There are 28.3 liters in one cubic foot. So a 20 cu ft gas cylinder should last for about an hour of welding. Now, how long it will take you to do an hour of welding, I cannot say. Could be anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of years. I've forgotten my cylinder's size, but it is 26" from the base to the top of the valve handle. (It's probably 40 cu ft.) I last filled it 5 years ago, and it is almost empty now. During that time I have done a bunch of small projects, including all the sheet metal repairs on my '31 Ford (see 31ford.dougbraun.com). Doug --- On Thu, 12/4/08, Jim Stone wrote: > How long does 20 cu ft of shielding gas last? Given the > minimal cost > difference between 20 and 40 cu feet of my primary > shielding gas (I have no > idea what they get for other mixes), am I stupid to even > question this? From trevor at boicey.com Thu Dec 4 22:16:40 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:16:40 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Multi zone heating....? (and variable speed fan motors) In-Reply-To: <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <4938B938.4030803@boicey.com> Randall wrote: >> Does anybody know how these work? The envirazone surely >> only has low voltage control, can I get a generic variable >> speed motor, bolt it where mine is, and somehow wire that up? > > To do as I've suggested, you'd need to wire some 24v relays into the motor's > speed control. Shouldn't be too hard for a conventional multi-speed motor; > but I'm not sure how to do it for a variable speed. Wait, I think I just learned enough to realize that my original question was confused. I think I was thinking "multi speed" rather than variable speed. I didn't realize there was more than one option, I certainly don't need infinitely variable speeds. Really what I'd probably want is just, instead of the motor turning off completely, to just drop down to a low enough speed where it is mostly quiet and relatively cheap on electricity. Just enough to keep the air circulating so that the house doesn't have as many cold spots. Would this be something I could do just wiring up the motor? Could it be as simple as just permanently bridging the low speed input on, and allowing the thermostat to toggle the high speed as needed? From jamesf at groupwbench.org Thu Dec 4 22:28:45 2008 From: jamesf at groupwbench.org (Jim Franklin) Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:28:45 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating In-Reply-To: References: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1> <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <2AB97192-5324-4C6E-958A-6AAD49508F62@groupwbench.org> On Dec 4, 2008, at 9:40 PM, Jim Stone wrote: > I didn't want to hijack the previous thread, so I am starting my > own. We live > in a 95 year old house with hot water radiator heat. I know that in > other > countries you can replace the radiator shut off valves with > thermostatically > controlled one, creating room by room zones. However, I have looked > and can't > find anything like that here. Is anyone aware of a US supplier of > these? Thermostatic radiator valves. I don't know of a specific US supplier, but Danfoss makes them and are the most recommended manufacturer I've seen. Google brought up many options. jim jim From trevor at boicey.com Thu Dec 4 22:37:33 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:37:33 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating In-Reply-To: References: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1> <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <4938BE1D.5000808@boicey.com> Jim Stone wrote: > I didn't want to hijack the previous thread, so I am starting my own. We live > in a 95 year old house with hot water radiator heat. I know that in other > countries you can replace the radiator shut off valves with thermostatically > controlled one, creating room by room zones. However, I have looked and can't > find anything like that here. Is anyone aware of a US supplier of these? The Honeywell envirazone I was mentioning can work this way, I think. All that really changes is replacing the air duct dampers with the water valves. This gives you all the zoning features including programmability for time of day and so on, but you have to run three wire cable to a central controller from every valve. Sounds like what you are talking about is local control for each room based on the temp in that room only, no networking needed. I would guess that you might just be able to take these motorized valves and connect them to a basic thermostat with a transformer for power? Probably ok as long as some radiators remain open all the time and there is no chance of blocking the circulation of water. Have a look at ebay auctions 380087436002 and 110320112584 for 24V ones. They seem to come in normally open and normally closed. I think with the envirazone you can use normally open so they fail open if the power goes off. You might want normally closed for thermostat use as most thermostats want to apply voltage when heat is needed. It looks like these have a manual bypass lever if the system or power fails. Ebay item 390008703114 looks similar but in a 120V configuration, might work with those wall thermostats for baseboard heating that switch the whole current rather than just trigger a relay somewhere else. From trevor at boicey.com Thu Dec 4 22:41:07 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:41:07 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shielding gas tank In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4938BEF3.1090909@boicey.com> Jim Stone wrote: > How long does 20 cu ft of shielding gas last? Given the minimal cost > difference between 20 and 40 cu feet of my primary shielding gas (I have no > idea what they get for other mixes), am I stupid to even question this? Mine is the 40cu ft. I'd say get the biggest bottle you are comfortable living with. And yes, the exchange programs work great because some times you go a long time between refills. I think I am on about my fifth bottle in about 10 years. With that I restored two cars and did a few dozen small jobs. When doing a lot of welding (car bodywork) you might have to replace the bottle a few times. When just doing odd jobs, it might last years, which makes renting the bottles like the shops do a bit silly. From dmscheidt at gmail.com Thu Dec 4 23:01:34 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 01:01:34 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shielding gas tank In-Reply-To: <4938BEF3.1090909@boicey.com> References: <4938BEF3.1090909@boicey.com> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812042201l3ed5f0a2tec746c085b558051@mail.gmail.com> On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 12:41 AM, Trevor Boicey wrote: > Jim Stone wrote: >> >> How long does 20 cu ft of shielding gas last? Given the minimal cost >> difference between 20 and 40 cu feet of my primary shielding gas (I have >> no >> idea what they get for other mixes), am I stupid to even question this? > > Mine is the 40cu ft. I'd say get the biggest bottle you are comfortable > living with. I've got an 80 foot bottle. I wanted to buy a 20 ft bottle, but the guy at the gas supply talked me into a 40 ft one. I got the 80 ft when I went to swap tanks, and they didn't have one my size, so they gave me a bigger one. I'm glad to have it. the difference in filling them is trivial (it was less than five bucks at the time. ) You might also ask what it costs to swap sizes. (They may do it for the difference, or something close to it, if you decide you bought too small.) And, consider how often you'll do work requiring some other gas; some places will rent you a cylinder for not a whole lot. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Fri Dec 5 00:26:14 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 23:26:14 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20081205072614.LMDE20835.cdptpa-omta06.mail.rr.com@randall> > I didn't want to hijack the previous thread, so I am starting > my own. We live in a 95 year old house with hot water > radiator heat. I know that in other countries you can > replace the radiator shut off valves with thermostatically > controlled one, creating room by room zones. One thing you need to check out first is whether the radiators are plumbed in series or parallel; or a combination. The one I lived in had the radiators in series, so that shutting off one radiator would stop all of them (and likely cause serious problems with the pump). As mentioned, there are lots of hits with Google; here's one that might be suitable http://www.pexsupply.com/product_dtl.asp?pID=10861&brand=Honeywell&cID=411 Randall From jibjib at att.net Fri Dec 5 18:33:41 2008 From: jibjib at att.net (Jack Brooks) Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 17:33:41 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating In-Reply-To: References: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1><20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: Jim, I've traded up on tank size with my distributor, so if you are not happy with the smaller size, you likely can trade up. It'll cost more than buying it up front, but it's an option. I don't remember how big my bottle is, but it's about four feet tall. Jack -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Jim Stone Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:41 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating I didn't want to hijack the previous thread, so I am starting my own. We live in a 95 year old house with hot water radiator heat. I know that in other countries you can replace the radiator shut off valves with thermostatically controlled one, creating room by room zones. However, I have looked and can't find anything like that here. Is anyone aware of a US supplier of these? Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_speed_1 2 2008 You are subscribed as jibjib at att.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From jamesf at groupwbench.org Sat Dec 6 10:35:38 2008 From: jamesf at groupwbench.org (Jim Franklin) Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2008 12:35:38 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Caulking large gap Message-ID: I cut the bottom course of tiles too short and now have a 3/4" gap between them and the tub. The backerboard is also trimmed a bit high so I can't cement thin slices of tile in there. I think it would look hideous with the gap filled with caulk, even if it was applied neatly. Anything to remedy this? I suppose I could lay down a spacer, then fill the gap with mortar all the way to the tub flange and put thin tile slices into that, then caulk the smaller gap where the spacer was, but mentally I was done with the mortar and don't really want to start that up again. Plus it would announce the screw-up moreso than caulk :-) thanks, jim From scottmryan at netzero.net Sat Dec 6 10:39:50 2008 From: scottmryan at netzero.net (scottmryan at netzero.net) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 17:39:50 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade Message-ID: <20081206.113950.6316.1@webmail01.dca.untd.com> If you are at all careful, it should be fine, I balanced the fan I rewelded by putting extra metal on the other side. removing material from the tips of the blades should work fine too.I did have a water pump shaft break (on a 69 merc 429)while I was up front revving it up trying to get the back barrels on a autolite 4bbl to kick in reliably (kicked in that time!) sheared through both fan belts,and cut most of the way through the radiator (about 20" circle)scared the hell out of me! this was not the fan I welded, it was stock (w/ a fan clutch) Scott RyanPS: I did have a fan clutch that lost it's bearings, and I thought thatwas going to shake itself apart (89 chev blazer v6)James F Juhas wrote:>Not as far out of balance when I lost one of six blades. I thought the whole car was going to shake itself apart!>If carefully done, and ground smooth to finish, I would guess that the balance would be close to original, and perhaps it could then be >balanced with the judicious removal of material from the heavy side, like at the tips of the blades.>But then, all of this is why my fan remains in two parts as an art object and conversation piece. And MGA fans are not in short supply: my >junk box turned up three more, but now I'm afraid to use one.>FRED E THOMAS wrote:>> The bad thing about welding a fan blade back on is the fan will now be >> way out of =="balance"== "FT" ____________________________________________________________ Click for online loan, fast & no lender fee, approval today http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6rx9LUB1SE1E19dlBT9SiHoxJ2R HfZV3ZDyeyzmfpyezQHnG4W/ From kennedybc at comcast.net Sat Dec 6 10:53:01 2008 From: kennedybc at comcast.net (Brian C Kennedy) Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:53:01 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade In-Reply-To: <20081206.113950.6316.1@webmail01.dca.untd.com> Message-ID: The two blade fan on my Model A broke and put a mighty dent in the hood and bent it out of shape. I've heard people have been killed revving up the engine when these fans break. Easy to believe from what I saw. I'd like to keep the A original, but I like living better, so I replaced it with a modern 4 blade that looks like crossed stampings. The two blade is an odd construction. Hard to describe, but it does appear to be seam welded and ground smooth. Brian -- > From: "scottmryan at netzero.net" > Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 17:39:50 GMT > To: > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade > > If you are at all careful, it should be fine, I balanced the fan I rewelded > by putting extra metal on the other side. removing material from the tips of > the blades should work fine too.I did have a water pump shaft break (on a 69 > merc 429)while I was up front revving it up trying to get the back barrels on > a autolite 4bbl to kick in reliably (kicked in that time!) sheared through > both fan belts,and cut most of the way through the radiator (about 20" > circle)scared the hell out of me! this was not the fan I welded, it was stock > (w/ a fan clutch) Scott RyanPS: I did have a fan clutch that lost it's > bearings, and I thought thatwas going to shake itself apart (89 chev blazer > v6)James F Juhas wrote:>Not as far out of balance when I lost one of six > blades. I thought the whole car was going to shake itself apart!>If carefully > done, and ground smooth to finish, I would guess that the balance would be > close to original, and perhaps it could then be >balanced with the judicious > removal of material from the heavy side, like at the tips of the blades.>But > then, all of this is why my fan remains in two parts as an art object and > conversation piece. And MGA fans are not in short supply: my >junk box turned > up three more, but now I'm afraid to use one.>FRED E THOMAS wrote:>> The bad > thing about welding a fan blade back on is the fan will now be >> way out of > =="balance"== "FT" > ______________ From scottmryan at netzero.net Sat Dec 6 11:04:22 2008 From: scottmryan at netzero.net (scottmryan at netzero.net) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 18:04:22 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? Message-ID: <20081206.120422.6316.2@webmail01.dca.untd.com> >> An led is a light emitting diode, so I think it will light >> for one half of the cycle when AC is applied to it.>The fact that only half of them go out would seem to support that theory.>What I don't understand is why you want to pull out one lamp. Those LEDs>should be good for upwards of 50,000 hours, which is some 30 years if you>run them for two months continuously each year. By that time you can just>throw the whole string away.>Randalloperative word here is 'should' last 50k to 100k hours; these are usually chinese LEDs, and they usually run them at thier upper end (current) of what they can handle, and the LEDs from china are very inconsistant (at least they were last year) so sometimes one goes out. The better LED lights have a circuit that smooths out the pulses from AC to light continuously, although the christmas LED strings I bought this year are indeed only lit 1/2 cycle. Scott R ____________________________________________________________ Love Graphic Design? Find a school near you. Click Now. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6ryAdIblKEiQQTkY5CtnjQFrRip Cych6sBfH3Yuwb2nD8qRbvQ/ From 57healey at gmail.com Sat Dec 6 11:31:10 2008 From: 57healey at gmail.com (Patton Dickson) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 12:31:10 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081201035950.JTHH25405.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <743b1e2f0812061031v41911be4o43b8dbf599320a0d@mail.gmail.com> They can break, can't they? On Sun, Nov 30, 2008 at 9:59 PM, Randall wrote: > What I don't understand is why you want to pull out one lamp. Those LEDs > should be good for upwards of 50,000 hours, which is some 30 years if you > run them for two months continuously each year. By that time you can just > throw the whole string away. -- Patton Dickson - http://Austin-Healeys.com - Plano, TX 1957 Austin-Healey 100-Six "Built to run 'til the road wears out." 1977 Newport '28 From dreinsch at swbell.net Sat Dec 6 11:33:23 2008 From: dreinsch at swbell.net (Dwade Reinsch) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 10:33:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Caulking large gap In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <220976.66035.qm@web80205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Can you add a "trim" piece of tile of contrasting color at the bottom to clean it up? Dwade --- On Sat, 12/6/08, Jim Franklin wrote: From: Jim Franklin Subject: [Shop-talk] Caulking large gap To: "shop-talk List" Date: Saturday, December 6, 2008, 11:35 AM I cut the bottom course of tiles too short and now have a 3/4" gap between them and the tub. The backerboard is also trimmed a bit high so I can't cement thin slices of tile in there. I think it would look hideous with the gap filled with caulk, even if it was applied neatly. Anything to remedy this? I suppose I could lay down a spacer, then fill the gap with mortar all the way to the tub flange and put thin tile slices into that, then caulk the smaller gap where the spacer was, but mentally I was done with the mortar and don't really want to start that up again. Plus it would announce the screw-up moreso than caulk :-) thanks, jim You are subscribed as dreinsch at swbell.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From jamesf at groupwbench.org Sat Dec 6 11:36:45 2008 From: jamesf at groupwbench.org (Jim Franklin) Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2008 13:36:45 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Caulking large gap In-Reply-To: <220976.66035.qm@web80205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <220976.66035.qm@web80205.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: On Dec 6, 2008, at 1:33 PM, Dwade Reinsch wrote: > Can you add a "trim" piece of tile of contrasting color at the > bottom to clean it up? > > Dwade Nope..I didn't cut them all, only the ones that wouldn't fit. Somehow, despite meticulous attention to getting the subfloor level, the tub top is not level, so only some tiles had to be trimmed. Impatience won out over quality. jim From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Sat Dec 6 13:51:51 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 12:51:51 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] xmas lights that don't suck? In-Reply-To: <743b1e2f0812061031v41911be4o43b8dbf599320a0d@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <20081206205152.YUMM29639.cdptpa-omta05.mail.rr.com@randall> > They can break, can't they? Solid plastic; takes a lot to break them. I don't doubt it can be done ... there are times I've been tempted to take a hammer to them myself ... but odds are that the sockets and wires wouldn't survive that level of abuse anyway. Randall From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sat Dec 6 14:41:27 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 15:41:27 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shielding gas tank In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812042201l3ed5f0a2tec746c085b558051@mail.gmail.com> References: <4938BEF3.1090909@boicey.com> <2400a5d40812042201l3ed5f0a2tec746c085b558051@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Thanks everyone. It's unanimous; I'll go with the larger one. > Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 01:01:34 -0500 > From: dmscheidt at gmail.com > To: trevor at boicey.com > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Shielding gas tank > CC: jandkstone99 at msn.com; shop-talk at autox.team.net > > On Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 12:41 AM, Trevor Boicey wrote: > > Jim Stone wrote: > >> > >> How long does 20 cu ft of shielding gas last? Given the minimal cost > >> difference between 20 and 40 cu feet of my primary shielding gas (I have > >> no > >> idea what they get for other mixes), am I stupid to even question this? > > > > Mine is the 40cu ft. I'd say get the biggest bottle you are comfortable > > living with. > > I've got an 80 foot bottle. I wanted to buy a 20 ft bottle, but the > guy at the gas supply talked me into a 40 ft one. I got the 80 ft > when I went to swap tanks, and they didn't have one my size, so they > gave me a bigger one. I'm glad to have it. the difference in filling > them is trivial (it was less than five bucks at the time. ) You might > also ask what it costs to swap sizes. (They may do it for the > difference, or something close to it, if you decide you bought too > small.) And, consider how often you'll do work requiring some other > gas; some places will rent you a cylinder for not a whole lot. > > > > -- > David Scheidt > dmscheidt at gmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_speed_12 2008 From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sat Dec 6 15:24:05 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sat, 6 Dec 2008 16:24:05 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating In-Reply-To: <2AB97192-5324-4C6E-958A-6AAD49508F62@groupwbench.org> References: <2939.192.168.2.100.1228368202.squirrel@192.168.2.1> <20081204071724.MWZG27302.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> <2AB97192-5324-4C6E-958A-6AAD49508F62@groupwbench.org> Message-ID: Thanks. That's the term I needed to know. I've got some studying to do to be sure that it will work with my system, but I've got a place to start now. > Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 00:28:45 -0500 > From: jamesf at groupwbench.org > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] A different kind of Multi zone heating > > On Dec 4, 2008, at 9:40 PM, Jim Stone wrote: > > > I didn't want to hijack the previous thread, so I am starting my > > own. We live > > in a 95 year old house with hot water radiator heat. I know that in > > other > > countries you can replace the radiator shut off valves with > > thermostatically > > controlled one, creating room by room zones. However, I have looked > > and can't > > find anything like that here. Is anyone aware of a US supplier of > > these? > > Thermostatic radiator valves. I don't know of a specific US supplier, > but Danfoss makes them and are the most recommended manufacturer I've > seen. Google brought up many options. > > jim > > jim > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jandkstone99 at msn.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive _________________________________________________________________ Suspicious message? Theres an alert for that. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_broad2_1 22008 From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Sat Dec 6 18:40:53 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2008 19:40:53 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Caulking large gap In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <493B29A5.9040909@HorneSystemsTx.com> If it isn't too late, pull out the bottom row of tile and then find some accent tiles in a contrasting color that are about 1/2" high, and however wide they come. Install them, then put in the bottom row of tile. The space between the bottom row of tile and the tub should never be grouted, but caulked. Grout will crack out over time. If you have already installed the bottom row of tile you can always break it out and replace them. Good luck. Pat Thusly spake Jim Franklin: > I cut the bottom course of tiles too short and now have a 3/4" gap > between them and the tub. The backerboard is also trimmed a bit high > so I can't cement thin slices of tile in there. I think it would look > hideous with the gap filled with caulk, even if it was applied neatly. > Anything to remedy this? I suppose I could lay down a spacer, then > fill the gap with mortar all the way to the tub flange and put thin > tile slices into that, then caulk the smaller gap where the spacer > was, but mentally I was done with the mortar and don't really want to > start that up again. Plus it would announce the screw-up moreso than > caulk :-) > > thanks, > jim > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as pat at hornesystemstx.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Internal Virus Database is out of date. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.9.9/1808 - Release Date: 11/23/2008 6:59 PM > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From kvacek at ameritech.net Sun Dec 7 05:03:43 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 06:03:43 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding a cracked fan Blade References: Message-ID: <695AB4276A87499C9CBB53AB461B1352@KARL> Those original Model A fans, made of welded, stamped steel to produce a full-dimension propeller, were notorious for cracking when I had my Model A 40 years ago. They'd develop a crack right across the blade near the hub, and would run for quite a while with the crack seemingly stable, then BANG ! At shows and parts swaps, you would almost always see a hood or two with the signature ding in it from a departing fan blade. And you could often see cracked blades still in use. I always figured the breakage was really more attributable to lack of inspection rather than sudden failure without warning. Kind of amazing that there are still some left to break nowadays. Imagine the outcry if there'd been investigative television shows and hordes of personal injury attorneys in the 30's. Can't you just see Dan Blather, Charlie Gibson, and Katie Couric grilling old Henry Ford, accusing him of the willful slaughter of his customers ?? Karl > The two blade fan on my Model A broke and put a mighty dent in the hood > and > bent it out of shape. I've heard people have been killed revving up the > engine when these fans break. Easy to believe from what I saw. I'd like to > keep the A original, but I like living better, so I replaced it with a > modern 4 blade that looks like crossed stampings. The two blade is an odd > construction. Hard to describe, but it does appear to be seam welded and > ground smooth. > Brian From dgcole01 at bellsouth.net Mon Dec 8 13:13:07 2008 From: dgcole01 at bellsouth.net (David Cole) Date: Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:13:07 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] testing cooktop switch? Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.1.20081208140046.01dd2ca8@mail.bhm.bellsouth.net> I have a Kenmore 36" glass cooktop with 5 radiant elements. Model # 4274 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02242749000P?vName=Appliances&cName=Cooktops+%26+Ovens&sName=Cooktops The most powerful burner element (9" 3500W) has stopped working. I am 95% sure the rotary switch is the problem. The burner would work with the switch in some postions, but not others. IE: turn it on, doesn't work, move the knob slightly and it would work. Over a period of about a month the distance that was required on moving the knob got larger. Finally, it doesn't work at all. The cooktop is just under 3 years old. My parts sheet lists the switch as part # 318120505. A google search comes back as this being a Frigidaire part #. This switch has a different part # than the other switches on the unit due to it controlling a more powerful element. The switch is not cheap. Is there a way to test the old switch with an ohm meter or something to make certain this is the problem before I buy the new switch. Thanks, David Cole note: I knoo this is a cooktop, but the question does involve tools, testing, etc. From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Mon Dec 8 14:35:50 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 13:35:50 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] testing cooktop switch? In-Reply-To: <6.2.3.4.1.20081208140046.01dd2ca8@mail.bhm.bellsouth.net> References: <6.2.3.4.1.20081208140046.01dd2ca8@mail.bhm.bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <056c01c9597c$f13d8f50$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > The switch is not cheap. Is there a way to test the old switch with > an ohm meter or something to make certain this is the problem before > I buy the new switch. Can you access the connections between the switch and the element? Easiest test would be to check the voltage applied to the element. Of course you could try using an ohmmeter to check continuity through the switch, but because of the very low resistance required that method might give you false results. If the 'special' switch is particularly expensive, I might be tempted to insert a relay. I recently bought one rated more than you need, for under $25 (including shipping) on flea-bay. Randall From dmscheidt at gmail.com Mon Dec 8 20:29:11 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 22:29:11 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] testing cooktop switch? In-Reply-To: <056c01c9597c$f13d8f50$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> References: <6.2.3.4.1.20081208140046.01dd2ca8@mail.bhm.bellsouth.net> <056c01c9597c$f13d8f50$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812081929u3c70f3fcw717c35a8bfa19eaa@mail.gmail.com> On Mon, Dec 8, 2008 at 4:35 PM, Randall wrote: >> The switch is not cheap. Is there a way to test the old switch with >> an ohm meter or something to make certain this is the problem before >> I buy the new switch. > > Can you access the connections between the switch and the element? Easiest > test would be to check the voltage applied to the element. > > Of course you could try using an ohmmeter to check continuity through the > switch, but because of the very low resistance required that method might > give you false results. > > If the 'special' switch is particularly expensive, I might be tempted to > insert a relay. I recently bought one rated more than you need, for under > $25 (including shipping) on flea-bay. That won't work. This is an electric range, so the switch isn't just a switch, it's also a controller of some sort. Depending on the range, it's either a multi-pole switch, or a dimmer type switch, or a switch with a heater in it (that acts as a timer on the burner's duty cycle. Yeah. That's nuts. It's very common.), or a switch that controls a thermostat at the burner. Or maybe something else entirely. Each of those has a different trouble shooting technique, but my first shot at fixing would be to take it apart and see if there's something that can be cleaned or adjusted. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From mark at sccaprepared.com Mon Dec 8 22:28:00 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 00:28:00 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] testing cooktop switch? In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812081929u3c70f3fcw717c35a8bfa19eaa@mail.gmail.com> References: <6.2.3.4.1.20081208140046.01dd2ca8@mail.bhm.bellsouth.net> <056c01c9597c$f13d8f50$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> <2400a5d40812081929u3c70f3fcw717c35a8bfa19eaa@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: Howdy, On Mon, 8 Dec 2008, David Scheidt wrote: > my first shot at fixing would be to take it apart and see if > there's something that can be cleaned or adjusted. On a three year old range, my first shot would involve calling the manufacturer and nasty letters to the editor and mean webpages if they didn't just make the problem go away. Mark From rustymetal at sbcglobal.net Tue Dec 9 07:39:25 2008 From: rustymetal at sbcglobal.net (Frank Vantacich) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 06:39:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question Message-ID: <934661.33561.qm@web81303.mail.mud.yahoo.com> When metering a 110vac outlet I understand when you meter across the two spade slots(on the receptacle it self) you should see around 115vac, but what are acceptable voltages across the large slot and ground and across the small slot and ground? Thanks for the help. Frank V. Loomis, Ca. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net From kvacek at ameritech.net Tue Dec 9 08:13:49 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 09:13:49 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <934661.33561.qm@web81303.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <4EA0DF7F251A46F4AE9E3FD7B2F4125F@KARL> Small slot (hot) and ground should be the same as small slot (hot) to large slot (neutral). Neutral to ground may show a couple of volts if there's a load on the line, higher depending on the amperage of that load and distance from the panel. Even if there's no load, a small voltage is induced into the neutral, but it may not be detectable unless you have a sensitive digital voltmeter. If there's a big voltage with no load, check that your neutral is indeed attached at the panel. No doubt Randall will explain far more ;-) Karl > When metering a 110vac outlet I understand when you meter across the two > spade > slots(on the receptacle it self) you should see around 115vac, but what > are > acceptable voltages across the large slot and ground and across the small > slot > and ground? > > Thanks for the help. > > > Frank V. > Loomis, Ca. > rustymetal at sbcglobal.net From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Tue Dec 9 08:42:02 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 07:42:02 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <4EA0DF7F251A46F4AE9E3FD7B2F4125F@KARL> Message-ID: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> > No doubt Randall will explain far more ;-) Nope, nothing to add to that synopsis. In fact I can never remember which blade is which; have to look at my tester http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130274383796 to be sure. Randall From cornerexit at gmail.com Tue Dec 9 10:09:54 2008 From: cornerexit at gmail.com (cornerexit) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 09:09:54 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Wire mesh for birdfeeder Message-ID: We have a pretty active backyard bird population and feed them with two feeders, one with straight black sunflower seeds, and one with mixed seed. The feeder with mixed seed is a two sided affair with seed troughs and perches that the birds line up on to pick the seed out of the trough. The problem is there are some larger birds that like to sit right in the middle of the perch and sweep their beak side to side, which flings all the seed off onto the ground, much to the squirrels delight. While this may be good for the squirrels it is not so good for our budget as we are going through an alarming amount of mixed seed. So. I'd like to tack some sort of wire mesh to this wood feeder over the trough such that it would prevent the big birds from sweeping their beak but still allow the little bird's access to the seed. The problem is coming up with something that has a suitable mesh size. Typical chicken wire is too large, and window screen is too small. There has to be something in between these sizes that would be appropriate and that I could get from a home improvement or farm store? Thanks Wayne From drew at DasRogges.com Tue Dec 9 10:22:28 2008 From: drew at DasRogges.com (Drew Rogge) Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:22:28 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Wire mesh for birdfeeder In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <493EA954.8020500@DasRogges.com> There are all kinds of different wire meshes. Do a web search for "hardware cloth" and you see a bunch of different sizes which should be available at any reasonable hardware store. Drew cornerexit wrote: [snip] > I'd like to tack some sort of wire mesh to this wood feeder over the trough > such that it would prevent the big birds from sweeping their beak but still > allow the little bird's access to the seed. The problem is coming up with > something that has a suitable mesh size. Typical chicken wire is too large, > and window screen is too small. There has to be something in between these > sizes that would be appropriate and that I could get from a home improvement > or farm store? > > > > Thanks > > Wayne From kvacek at ameritech.net Tue Dec 9 10:33:34 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 11:33:34 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger of little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and thus harder to stick something in and get a shock. Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > In fact I can never remember which blade is which > Randall From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Tue Dec 9 10:37:21 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 09:37:21 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <07a201c95a24$cabfa6d0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) Works for me! Thanks, Karl. Randall From nogera2 at att.net Tue Dec 9 11:13:18 2008 From: nogera2 at att.net (nogera2 at att.net) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 12:13:18 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Remote Control Relay Message-ID: <66FE8947154C4B2F80A21F0289D2C624@Carroom> I ran a second cable from the DVR in my home office to the guess bedroom (where I like to nap) and hooked up a remote control relay which converts the IR from the remote control to a radio signal which is sent to a recover at the DVR and converts it back to a IR signal. It works so wonderfully that my wife wanted me to do the same between the den DVR and the master bedroom so she could watch her shows in either room. And now that's the problem. Even though the two relays are different brands they are broadcasting on the same frequency so if she uses the remote in the master bedroom the channel changes in my home office. What I need is to block the signal from her transmitter to my receiver. We don't have the same problem with my transmitter to her recover since it is further away. As luck would have it the receivers are in opposite ends of the house so if I could make the receiver antennas directional it would solve the problem. I tried aluminum foil and that didn't work. Any suggestions as to how to make the antennas directional? Bob Nogueira From jdinnis at gmail.com Tue Dec 9 11:33:36 2008 From: jdinnis at gmail.com (John Innis) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 12:33:36 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Remote Control Relay In-Reply-To: <66FE8947154C4B2F80A21F0289D2C624@Carroom> References: <66FE8947154C4B2F80A21F0289D2C624@Carroom> Message-ID: Try copper mesh (think copper window screen material), and be sure to ground it. On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 12:13 PM, wrote: > I ran a second cable from the DVR in my home office to the guess bedroom > (where I like to nap) and hooked up a remote control relay which converts > the IR from the remote control to a radio signal which is sent to a recover > at the DVR and converts it back to a IR signal. It works so wonderfully that > my wife wanted me to do the same between the den DVR and the master bedroom > so she could watch her shows in either room. And now that's the problem. > Even though the two relays are different brands they are broadcasting on the > same frequency so if she uses the remote in the master bedroom the channel > changes in my home office. What I need is to block the signal from her > transmitter to my receiver. We don't have the same problem with my > transmitter to her recover since it is further away. As luck would have it > the receivers are in opposite ends of the house so if I could make the > receiver antennas directional it would solve the problem. > I tried aluminum foil and that didn't work. Any suggestions as to how to > make the antennas directional? > > Bob Nogueira > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jdinnis at gmail.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > -- ================================= = Never offend people with style when you = = can offend with substance --- Sam Brown = ================================= From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Tue Dec 9 12:03:13 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 11:03:13 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Wire mesh for birdfeeder In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <07c001c95a30$c9a12100$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > There has to be something in between these > sizes that would be appropriate and that I could get from a home > improvement or farm store? Seems like 1/4" hardware cloth would be about right. My Home Depot carries it. Randall From mark at sccaprepared.com Tue Dec 9 13:10:18 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 15:10:18 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: Howdy, On Tue, 9 Dec 2008, Karl Vacek wrote: > Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger of > little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and > thus harder to stick something in and get a shock. This reminds me... I've seen plenty of stuff to block off access to an outlet to keep kids from sticking stuff in them. However, the thing I'd like to have would be something to prevent a child from partially unpluging something that's already plugged in, then getting their fingers onto the hot. Does something like that exist for common 110vac outlets? Mark From jamesf at groupwbench.org Tue Dec 9 13:45:51 2008 From: jamesf at groupwbench.org (Jim Franklin) Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:45:51 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <07a201c95a24$cabfa6d0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> <07a201c95a24$cabfa6d0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: On Dec 9, 2008, at 12:37 PM, Randall wrote: >> Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > > Works for me! > It didn't work for me, the wires to the train track were both small enough. :-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Hubbell jim, who flew across the room faster than the train from that trick From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Tue Dec 9 20:54:07 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 19:54:07 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20081210035407.FEGE29496.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> > However, the thing I'd like to have would be something to > prevent a child from partially unpluging something that's > already plugged in, then getting their fingers onto the hot. > > Does something like that exist for common 110vac outlets? This is the only kind I know of that fits onto a standard outlet: http://www.safety1st.com/product/detail.asp?ID=173 Randall From rustymetal at sbcglobal.net Tue Dec 9 21:41:20 2008 From: rustymetal at sbcglobal.net (Frank Vantacich) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 20:41:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <390140.65898.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Thank you for the feed back. I have 87vac on the small slot and 27vac on the large slot. I bought a brand new circuit tester made by Sperry, it also verifies GFI receptacles, it shows the receptacles are OK. My original posting was a result of my new barn not passing the final inspection due to an open ground. I have since learned that two different testers were faulty, my new tester proved everything is OK and my barn was signed off. Yay! Thanks again for the feedback! Frank V. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net --- On Tue, 12/9/08, Karl Vacek wrote: From: Karl Vacek Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question To: "Randall" , "'Shop Talk'" Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 9:33 AM Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger of little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and thus harder to stick something in and get a shock. Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > In fact I can never remember which blade is which > Randall You are subscribed as rustymetal at sbcglobal.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From doug at dougbraun.com Tue Dec 9 21:51:21 2008 From: doug at dougbraun.com (Doug Braun) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 20:51:21 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <390140.65898.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <273363.86939.qm@web602.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Those testers in a plug with three little lights do a rather primitive test that can easily be wrong. They only indicate the no-load voltage difference between the different lines. They do NOT check against a true ground, and they do NOT tell the difference between a "real" voltage on a properly connected line vs. a leakage (e.g. capacitively-coupled) voltage on an open line. Somebody could hook the hot line to the ground and neutral terminal, and the neutral line to the hot terminal, and the tester would not show a problem. Doug --- On Tue, 12/9/08, Frank Vantacich wrote: > From: Frank Vantacich > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question > To: "Randall" , "'Shop Talk'" , "Karl Vacek" > Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 11:41 PM > Thank you for the feed back. I have 87vac on the small slot > and 27vac on the > large slot. I bought a brand new circuit tester made by > Sperry, it also > verifies GFI receptacles, it shows the receptacles are OK. > > My original posting was a result of my new barn not passing > the final > inspection due to an open ground. I have since learned > that two different > testers were faulty, my new tester proved everything is OK > and my barn was > signed off. Yay! From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Tue Dec 9 22:39:34 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 21:39:34 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <273363.86939.qm@web602.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20081210053935.FUGB28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> > Somebody could hook the hot line to the ground and neutral > terminal, and the neutral line to the hot terminal, and the > tester would not show a problem. I agree, not a total test. But what do you figure at the chances of someone accidentally connecting one wire to two terminals, and another wire to nothing at all ? Randall From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Tue Dec 9 22:43:14 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 21:43:14 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <390140.65898.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20081210054314.FVJZ28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> > Thank you for the feed back. I have 87vac on the small slot > and 27vac on the large slot. Hate to say it Frank, but IMO that still indicates a problem. The allowable voltage between neutral and ground is only a few volts (even 3 is suspect in my book, although I don't recall offhand what the NEC says). Remember these wires are supposed to be tied together at the main entrance; so if you don't have an open ground, you have a 27 volt drop in the neutral line, which is way, way too much. Randall From rbeels at yahoo.com Tue Dec 9 23:30:42 2008 From: rbeels at yahoo.com (Richard Beels) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 01:30:42 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <6.2.5.6.2.20081210012834.03b80a08@yahoo.com> I use mnemonics and acronyms for everything I can. the word "hot" is _smaller_ than the word "neutral" port is alphabetically before starboard, like left is before right ROYGBIV for the rainbow colors. FOIL for alegebraic expansions SOH CAH TOA for trig etc... At 12/9/2008 at 12:33, Shakespearean monkeys danced on Karl Vacek's keyboard and said: >Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the >danger of little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is >smaller and thus harder to stick something in and get a shock. > >Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > > >>In fact I can never remember which blade is which Cheers! From ronglue at yahoo.com Wed Dec 10 06:41:44 2008 From: ronglue at yahoo.com (Ron Horwitz) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:41:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> > However, the thing I'd like to have would be something > to prevent a child from partially unpluging something > that's already plugged in, then getting their fingers > onto the hot. > > Does something like that exist for common 110vac outlets? > I don't know, but it didn't exist in about, oh, 1971-72 when I did this. I still remember the hot tingly feeling. Unplugging a lamp that was behind a nightstand, pulled the plug partially out, leaned to get my then short arm a better reach, and still remember it to this day..... Ron From kvacek at ameritech.net Wed Dec 10 07:10:57 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:10:57 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <390140.65898.qm@web81302.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: As Randall said, this is not good. Maybe the NEW tester is the faulty item. Did the inspector rely on your new tester or did he use a meter to verify that all is now well ? If you mean 27 and 87 volts to ground, you do indeed have a floating ground. Add 27 and 87 and what do you get ? 114 volts total difference between hot and neutral, meaning that the ground is partway between them. Should be about 115 hot to ground, and close to zero neutral to ground. And while I know that some places do not bond neutral, in most localities with which I'm familiar, neutral in the main panel is "bonded" (connected) to ground. In fact most breaker panels include jumpers to do this bonding (you just don't install the jumper for non-bonded applications). If your barn panel is a subpanel off a main somewhere else, the specific situation will determine whether or not you should bond the neutral to ground in that panel. Even though you're signed off, PLEASE check this out for your own safety. As Doug said, those testers are a crude measure. Use a decent digital voltmeter - but even a crappy Horrible Freight $2.99 model will be better than a neon light. Once again - if neutral isn't bonded, maybe a few volts from neutral to ground but NOT 27 volts. Should be close to 115 volts from hot to neutral and also from hot to ground. Be safe ! Karl Thank you for the feed back. I have 87vac on the small slot and 27vac on the large slot. I bought a brand new circuit tester made by Sperry, it also verifies GFI receptacles, it shows the receptacles are OK. My original posting was a result of my new barn not passing the final inspection due to an open ground. I have since learned that two different testers were faulty, my new tester proved everything is OK and my barn was signed off. Yay! Thanks again for the feedback! Frank V. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net --- On Tue, 12/9/08, Karl Vacek wrote: From: Karl Vacek Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question To: "Randall" , "'Shop Talk'" Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 9:33 AM Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger of little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and thus harder to stick something in and get a shock. Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > In fact I can never remember which blade is which > Randall You are subscribed as rustymetal at sbcglobal.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From opposumking at verizon.net Wed Dec 10 07:17:25 2008 From: opposumking at verizon.net (Nolan) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:17:25 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <001b01c95ad2$070945d0$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> > However, the thing I'd like to have would be something to prevent a child > from partially unpluging something that's already plugged in, then getting > their fingers onto the hot. Only for children? As many times as I've managed to do that to myself, I wouldn't mind it for grownups either. :-) Seriously, you could trim the plug end so that it's barely making contact when fully seated, and breaks contact with the slightest extraction. From parkanzky at gmail.com Wed Dec 10 07:25:51 2008 From: parkanzky at gmail.com (Paul Parkanzky) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:25:51 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: <001b01c95ad2$070945d0$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> <001b01c95ad2$070945d0$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> Message-ID: Then if the plug is not quite seated you've just made an improvised arc welder in your outlet... -Paul On Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM, Nolan wrote: > However, the thing I'd like to have would be something to prevent a child >> from partially unpluging something that's already plugged in, then getting >> their fingers onto the hot. >> > > Only for children? As many times as I've managed to do that to myself, I > wouldn't mind it for grownups either. :-) > > Seriously, you could trim the plug end so that it's barely making contact > when fully seated, and breaks contact with the slightest extraction. > _______________________________________________ From opposumking at verizon.net Wed Dec 10 07:49:20 2008 From: opposumking at verizon.net (Nolan) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:49:20 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> <001b01c95ad2$070945d0$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> Message-ID: <000a01c95ad6$7c720c40$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> You've always got that risk with any plug partially pulled out. Same with many light switches, especially if you throw them slowly. The plug would also be extremely annoying in that it would fall out quite easily. Another idea just occurred to me, and that's to paint the bottom half of the plugs connectors with liquid electrical tape. ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Parkanzky To: Nolan Cc: Shop Talk Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:25 AM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) Then if the plug is not quite seated you've just made an improvised arc welder in your outlet... -Paul On Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM, Nolan wrote: However, the thing I'd like to have would be something to prevent a child from partially unpluging something that's already plugged in, then getting their fingers onto the hot. Only for children? As many times as I've managed to do that to myself, I wouldn't mind it for grownups either. :-) Seriously, you could trim the plug end so that it's barely making contact when fully seated, and breaks contact with the slightest extraction. _______________________________________________ From scottmryan at netzero.net Wed Dec 10 07:59:38 2008 From: scottmryan at netzero.net (scottmryan at netzero.net) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:59:38 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) Message-ID: <20081210.085938.20883.1@webmail18.dca.untd.com> I think my webmail does funny things with replies:Europe 220vac plugs (and british plugs too, I think) have plastic on the first 3/8" or so, you can't get shocked by partly pulling it out (or dropping a paper clip onto the exposed plug, like I did when I was small-oops!)Scott R > However, the thing I'd like to have would be something to prevent a child > from partially unpluging something that's already plugged in, then getting > their fingers onto the hot.Only for children? As many times as I've managed to do that to myself, I wouldn't mind it for grownups either. :-)Seriously, you could trim the plug end so that it's barely making contact when fully seated, and breaks contact with the slightest extraction. ____________________________________________________________ Fast Domain Registration. Click here http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6rx9Sm0HMRI0uk1m9QS53ORtmea atgGXq8HZWFtjGNQ1kHYvSu/ From nick at landform.co.uk Wed Dec 10 10:02:09 2008 From: nick at landform.co.uk (nick brearley) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:02:09 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: <20081210.085938.20883.1@webmail18.dca.untd.com> References: <20081210.085938.20883.1@webmail18.dca.untd.com> Message-ID: <493FF611.50902@landform.co.uk> scottmryan at netzero.net wrote: > I think my webmail does funny things with replies:Europe 220vac plugs (and > british plugs too, I think) have plastic on the first 3/8" or so, you can't > get shocked by partly pulling it out (or dropping a paper clip onto the > exposed plug, like I did when I was small-oops!)Scott R In UK there are plugs as at *http://www.powerconnections.co.uk/rewireables_uk.htm *In the pictures the live and neutral are the lower two pins. The sleeving can be seen extending along the pin for the first 9mm. It works, by the time the exposed part of the pin makes it out to the open it is disconnected from the supply. Whether it would work on the thinner US pins I don't know. Nick Brearley From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Wed Dec 10 10:26:44 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:26:44 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <09c101c95aec$79b86880$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > Unplugging a lamp that was > behind a nightstand, pulled the plug partially out, leaned to get my then > short arm a better reach, and still remember it to this day..... Meaning you learned a very valuable lesson, with minimal damage. Maybe we're emphasizing the wrong thing here ... ? Randall From nick at landform.co.uk Wed Dec 10 10:35:39 2008 From: nick at landform.co.uk (nick brearley) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:35:39 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: <493FF611.50902@landform.co.uk> References: <20081210.085938.20883.1@webmail18.dca.untd.com> <493FF611.50902@landform.co.uk> Message-ID: <493FFDEB.1040802@landform.co.uk> nick brearley wrote: > > *In the pictures the live and neutral are the lower two pins. The > sleeving can be seen extending along the pin for the first 9mm. It > works, by the time the exposed part of the pin makes it out to the > open it is disconnected from the supply. Whether it would work on the > thinner US pins I don't know. One possibility would be to use UK 3 flat pin sockets in child vulnerable situations and feed them with these: http://www.powerconnections.co.uk/convert_usjapanchina.htm What the US inspectors might think could be another matter altogether... Nick Brearley From battmain at yahoo.com Wed Dec 10 12:38:10 2008 From: battmain at yahoo.com (Battmain) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:38:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) References: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <09c101c95aec$79b86880$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: <500707.50852.qm@web57002.mail.re3.yahoo.com> (Chuckle) I was wondering the same thing. I learned about electricity at a very young age, and not to mess with an AC outlet. It only occured once. I'll admit that years later, I melted an screwdriver when discharging the 9inch CRT in my old Heathkit luggagle. The bang or snap when it discharged brought back memories of my childhood when I taught myself a valuable lesson. Experience is a wonderful teacher I think. Brian battmain at yahoo.com ----- Original Message ---- From: Randall To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:26:44 PM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) > Unplugging a lamp that was > behind a nightstand, pulled the plug partially out, leaned to get my then > short arm a better reach, and still remember it to this day..... Meaning you learned a very valuable lesson, with minimal damage. Maybe we're emphasizing the wrong thing here ... ? (snip) From mark at sccaprepared.com Wed Dec 10 17:20:21 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:20:21 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: <09c101c95aec$79b86880$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> References: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <09c101c95aec$79b86880$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: Howdy, On Wed, 10 Dec 2008, Randall wrote: >> Unplugging a lamp that was >> behind a nightstand, pulled the plug partially out, leaned to get my then >> short arm a better reach, and still remember it to this day..... > > Meaning you learned a very valuable lesson, with minimal damage. > > Maybe we're emphasizing the wrong thing here ... ? I'm fine with him getting a tingle, I'm not fine with him getting seriously injured or killed. Will 110vac kill a young (~2 years old) child? Mark From pethier at comcast.net Wed Dec 10 17:30:32 2008 From: pethier at comcast.net (pethier at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:30:32 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) Message-ID: <121120080030.3334.49405F28000545D100000D0622165579969D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> > Will 110vac kill a young (~2 years old) child? > > Mark 110vac can kill YOU. -- Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7 pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier From eltonclark at gmail.com Wed Dec 10 17:37:23 2008 From: eltonclark at gmail.com (Elton E. (Tony) Clark) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:37:23 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: References: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <09c101c95aec$79b86880$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: *On subject:* ** *Last week, I was using my "gee-whiz" leaf blower/vacuum combination and it slowed and stopped . . when I looked, the electrical connection was on fire with serious smoke and stuff and both the male prongs on the blower and the female receptacle on a 100 foot HD extension card were toast . . I'll go in and install a good male plug on the blower and a new female end on the cord but it is a damned shame that a positive connector wasn't standard equipment . . * *Rant over . . * *Tony* From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Wed Dec 10 19:03:42 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:03:42 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: References: <887.81364.qm@web36305.mail.mud.yahoo.com><09c101c95aec$79b86880$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: <009f01c95b34$b279bf00$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > Will 110vac kill a young (~2 years old) child? It can be done, certainly. But it's very unlikely. For example, grabbing both pins with the same hand wouldn't do it; although if his hands were wet it might give him a significant burn. To even have a chance of killing him, he would have to have one hand on the pin and the other hand on a good ground. Even that likely wouldn't do it, unless he also had open sores on both hands, where they were touching the conductors. Your skin actually does an amazing job of (relatively) harmlessly deflecting low frequency AC. Child electrocution is so rare in the US that the authorities don't even keep statistics on it, lumping it into the 'other' category. According to http://www.childdeathreview.org/causesOA.htm only 238 kids (0-18) died of "other" during 2000, and both poisoning and falls are more common causes (of "other") than electrocution. Then you have to subdivide those few deaths (if any) into bathroom accidents, defective appliances, and being in the wrong place (eg high voltage transformer vaults). A quick Google doesn't turn up ANY cases where someone was electrocuted by touching the pins ... by contrast there were 11 people 19 or under killed by lightning in the USA in the year 2000. http://tinyurl.com/5hc4x9 Randall From rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com Wed Dec 10 19:31:31 2008 From: rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com (Rich White) Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:31:31 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) In-Reply-To: <121120080030.3334.49405F28000545D100000D0622165579969D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> References: <121120080030.3334.49405F28000545D100000D0622165579969D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> Message-ID: 9v applied under the skin between the ears can kill you. Skin is not a good conductor, thus most people are not hurt with dry cell batteriesRich White St. Joseph, IL USA '63 TR3B TCF587L That ain't a scrap pile, that is my car! See it moves!> From: pethier at comcast.net> To: mark at sccaprepared.com; shop-talk at autox.team.net> Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:30:32 +0000> Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question)> > > Will 110vac kill a young (~2 years old) child?> > > > Mark> > 110vac can kill YOU.> > > --> Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA> 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7> pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier> _______________________________________________> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html> > You are subscribed as rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com> > Shop-talk mailing list> > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk> > http://www.team.net/archive From opposumking at verizon.net Thu Dec 11 03:32:54 2008 From: opposumking at verizon.net (Nolan) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:32:54 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) References: <121120080030.3334.49405F28000545D100000D0622165579969D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> Message-ID: <001401c95b7b$d3e64b80$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> > 9v applied under the skin between the ears can kill you. Yet people lick 9 volt batteries all the time to see how good their charge is, and manage not to die. From scottmryan at netzero.net Thu Dec 11 08:02:55 2008 From: scottmryan at netzero.net (scottmryan at netzero.net) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:02:55 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] kid safety & outlets (was: 110vac outlet question) Message-ID: <20081211.090255.12255.1@webmail02.dca.untd.com> >> 9v applied under the skin between the ears can kill you. >Yet people lick 9 volt batteries all the time to see how good their charge >is, and manage not to die. I test 9V batteries this way all the time (probably a few thousand in my lifetime so far). I am sure it would have to be 9v under the skin on both sides of yur brain, with fairly good sized plates to allow enough current to flow to disrupt your brain. It is dangerous to have wet or damp hands if you happen to touch 120v or 240v conductors; but if the current does not flow through your chest (screws up your heart/pacemaker), or through your brain (ouch), it's unlikely to kill you. I remembered two more things from early adulthood: touched a 10,000v @ .02a secondary (oil furnace ignition transformer) the hammer in my hand went through the wall behind me from my arm jerking backwards. luckily it didn't go through my face, and no one was behind me. I also had my glasses touch a light tree (roadie for a rock band) that had a defective plug that made the entire light tree 120v, I was also touching a grounded audio cord, and I was sweating. I saw a big white flash and ended up flat on my back. either of these could have killed me if the current path had been through my chest, and not arm to knee, or head/shoulder to hand. I am really careful these days! Scott R ____________________________________________________________ Lose up to 20 lbs in one month with a new diet. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6rx8hZzpoWS18Sq2jXN25vSm4Yu X9lVUIg4aDrHdIJyToeEDVU/ From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 11 08:35:46 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:35:46 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring Message-ID: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL> There's an article in the latest Popular Mechanics about networkable house wiring - switches and receptacles that have network addresses and communicate either through the house wiring or through RF. I've long heard about the X10 stuff, but this sounds more useful. I don't care about making the coffee pot come on via the Internet while I'm 3 countries away - but adding additional 2-way switches and switched receptacles without stuffing more wires into full conduits - that's great !! Has anyone here used any of these devices ? Can you comment on reliability and ease of use ? I don't something that will leave us in the dark till I replace it, or worse, baffle my wife. Any brand recommendations ? Thanks! Karl Life is like a jar of jalapenos -- What you do today might burn your butt tomorrow !! From eabb at loc.gov Thu Dec 11 08:44:34 2008 From: eabb at loc.gov (Eugene D Abbondelo) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:44:34 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder Message-ID: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, Gene From wmc_st at xxiii.com Thu Dec 11 08:52:31 2008 From: wmc_st at xxiii.com (Wayne) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:52:31 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> Message-ID: <4941373F.1050706@xxiii.com> Eugene D Abbondelo wrote: > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, > any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, I have a Dremel I bought 10 or 15 years ago. Would have been great when I was a kid playing with tiny models and hobby crap. As a "grown up" tool, it has pretty limited usefulness. It's too small and slow for most things I thought it would work on. And the Dremel-brand bits are crazy expensive (Harbor Freight versions soften some of the cost impact.) The thing the Dremel did best was convince me I needed compressed air and a real die grinder. -Wayne From gpd4 at juno.com Thu Dec 11 08:58:47 2008 From: gpd4 at juno.com (George P Dausch IV) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:58:47 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder Message-ID: <20081211.105847.4648.7.gpd4@juno.com> I agree with most of what you wrote, however: I bought the heavy duty battery powered unit three years ago, and it is incredibly useful for those quick projects and the fine work. I also buy the heavy duty cut-off wheels by the dozen because when doing that type of work the diameter and speed is such that you can get in tight corners and make quick work of anything up to about 1/4" thick that you would normally be fighting with a hack saw. Just my thoughts. GPD4 On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:52:31 -0500 Wayne writes: > Eugene D Abbondelo wrote: > > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with > accessories made > > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them > useful? If so, > > any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? > Thanks, > > I have a Dremel I bought 10 or 15 years ago. Would have been great > when > I was a kid playing with tiny models and hobby crap. As a "grown > up" > tool, it has pretty limited usefulness. It's too small and slow for > > most things I thought it would work on. And the Dremel-brand bits > are > crazy expensive (Harbor Freight versions soften some of the cost > impact.) > > The thing the Dremel did best was convince me I needed compressed > air > and a real die grinder. > > -Wayne > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as gpd4 at juno.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > ____________________________________________________________ Save $15 on Flowers and Gifts from FTD! Shop now at http://offers.juno.com/TGL1141/?u=http://www.ftd.com/17007 From bspidell at comcast.net Thu Dec 11 09:02:43 2008 From: bspidell at comcast.net (Bob Spidell) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:02:43 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder Message-ID: <121120081602.15175.494139A300042E6D00003B47220700295304040A0B079F9C0D@comcast.net> They're fine for small jobs or when you don't want to fire up the compressor. Get one with variable speed control ... mine has an LCD readout of RPM and though I usually run it flat out (20K RPM), I think slower could come in handy sometimes. bs -- *************************************************************** Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell at comcast.net '67 Austin-Healey 3000 '56 Austin-Healey 100M *************************************************************** -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Wayne > Eugene D Abbondelo wrote: > > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made > > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, > > any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, > > I have a Dremel I bought 10 or 15 years ago. Would have been great when > I was a kid playing with tiny models and hobby crap. As a "grown up" > tool, it has pretty limited usefulness. It's too small and slow for > most things I thought it would work on. And the Dremel-brand bits are > crazy expensive (Harbor Freight versions soften some of the cost impact.) > > The thing the Dremel did best was convince me I needed compressed air > and a real die grinder. > > -Wayne From jniolon at bham.rr.com Thu Dec 11 09:16:01 2008 From: jniolon at bham.rr.com (john niolon) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:16:01 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <4941373F.1050706@xxiii.com> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> <4941373F.1050706@xxiii.com> Message-ID: <1D86501FB0A240A3A30C996BB537AF8C@OwnerPC> I'm like Wayne... find very limited usefulness for the Dremel... it did a good job of cutting off my wedding ring when I nearly crushed my ring finger... didn't know how hot gold got when you use a cutoff tool on it...!!! my work/play is usually larger and I used flap disk and carbide burrs in an air grinder... it's strickly a hobby tool for light weight hobbies... model building, carving knife handles, jewelery making... mine is hanging on the wall with 1/8" of grinder dust on it... John From drew at DasRogges.com Thu Dec 11 09:35:42 2008 From: drew at DasRogges.com (Drew Rogge) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:35:42 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <1D86501FB0A240A3A30C996BB537AF8C@OwnerPC> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> <4941373F.1050706@xxiii.com> <1D86501FB0A240A3A30C996BB537AF8C@OwnerPC> Message-ID: <4941415E.2010201@DasRogges.com> I too think that a dremel is a bit on the light side and use my air die grinder for most stuff in the shop. However there are grinders that are sized midway between a dremel and a die grinder. One of the more popular ones is by a company named Froedom. Here's are some examples: Or just search for Foredom tools on Amazon.com Other people, including dremel and Horrible Freight, make/sell similar grinders. Drew From burkheimer at gmail.com Thu Dec 11 09:57:00 2008 From: burkheimer at gmail.com (Rex Burkheimer) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:57:00 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shop-talk Digest, Vol 2, Issue 364 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4382458b0812110857p73ad4743ga6dfd6e29b500d1@mail.gmail.com> > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, > any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, > Gene I use my 30 year old Dremel about once a week. I have a full machine shop and all the power and hand tools I've ever wanted, but some things require a Dremel. Best example offhand is cutting screw slots when the original has become useless. You can get the milling machine up under the dash to get that stubborn screw out. Also polishing small items, like pistol parts. And I widh I'd had one when I was building those muzzleloader kits years ago. They would be great for inletting wood stocks to fit metal parts. Same goes for the air-driven mini-die grinders. I haven't bought one, but I ought to. As someone else said, Dremel bits are too expensive. I buy the HF or Kawasaki brand bit sets for under $20 and I'm good for a year or two. Only the reinforced cutoff wheels do I buy from Dremel, because I use those a lot. Rex B From trevor at boicey.com Thu Dec 11 10:52:34 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:52:34 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring In-Reply-To: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL> References: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL> Message-ID: <49415362.5080102@boicey.com> Karl Vacek wrote: > I've long heard about the X10 stuff, but this sounds more useful. I don't > care about making the coffee pot come on via the Internet while I'm 3 > countries away - but adding additional 2-way switches and switched receptacles > without stuffing more wires into full conduits - that's great !! > > Has anyone here used any of these devices ? Can you comment on reliability > and ease of use ? I don't something that will leave us in the dark till I > replace it, or worse, baffle my wife. Any brand recommendations ? I have done a lot of X10 stuff in my house. I wouldn't use it to run a pacemaker, but it's generally suitable for most jobs like having the front lights on and off, shutting the hot tub off at night to save electricity, etc. If you want more switches with no wiring, stuff like this is pretty cool: http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_ss13a.htm It looks like a wired-in wall switch, but it's really just stuck on the wall, put it anywhere. Then all you need to make it work is to replace the "other" switch with a real X10 switch, and somewhere in your house hide the wireless receiver by plugging it into an outlet somewhere out of view. X10 stuff is usually cheap on ebay, especially the starter kits that include a handful of these things. You can do switched receptacles as well. If you don't care if an external box is visible, they are cheap and simple, but you can also get ones that wire into the box for a hidden look and a bit more $$$. From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Thu Dec 11 10:56:18 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:56:18 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> Message-ID: <017601c95bb9$c583db00$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories > made > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If > so, > any recommendations on particular models to look at? I've owned a fixed speed Dremel for over 30 years. As noted, it's pretty small, which is both its strength and it's biggest limitation. In spite of having several larger tools, I still use the Dremel fairly often. Had it out just a few days ago, cutting a slot into a broken screw inside a steering wheel hub. At various times, I've tried making it both reversible and variable speed. IMO neither one is worth bothering with. That tiny motor just doesn't have much torque, so if you try to slow it down the available power seems to drop to almost nothing. OTOH it's possible the newer ones work better than my antique one does. Randall From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 11 11:06:41 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:06:41 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> Message-ID: <654DDACF6E5C4719BC6009C70942630F@KARL> Calling a Dremel tool a die grinder is a stretch, but if you really want one - Amazon just sent a notice of a sale that seems to have lots of Dremel stuff in it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/r.html?R=2R4JMEIZ3Q26C&C=2BCRKAHWJT362&H=LNwBrna1hUhR3k7ABZvTZUKnvv4A&T=C&U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%2Fnode%3D228013%26hidden-keywords%3DB001A4CWHO%7CB0000C6DZ6%7CB0009VD03Y%7CB00068P48O%7CB0018MRUN4%7CB000H12DQ6%7CB0000302Y9%7CB000LWKRH8%2Fref%3Dpe_25960_10670100_fe_txt_1%2F > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories > made > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If > so, > any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? > Thanks, > Gene > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as kvacek at ameritech.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From pethier at comcast.net Thu Dec 11 11:23:51 2008 From: pethier at comcast.net (pethier at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:23:51 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder Message-ID: <121120081823.23004.49415AB7000C631B000059DC22155538949D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Eugene D Abbondelo" > I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made > by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, > any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, > Gene I have a corded Ryobi unit. I have used it to slit bolts and the like in confined areas on cars. I use the discs most of all. I once cut a u-joint cross on a Europa. -- Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7 pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 11 11:45:20 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:45:20 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring References: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL> <49415362.5080102@boicey.com> Message-ID: <31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL> These devices are wired in - no batteries. You replace a switch and a receptacle, for instance, even on different circuits. Then you program them together, and the switch controls the receptacle. Lots of programming options, one switch can control different receptacles in varying patterns depending on which button you press. You can also set up lots of switches to control one or several receptacles, and dimming is included too. Lots more options than my current imagination has covered - I just need it for a few specific areas - but once I start messing with it I suppose I'll become an enthusiast and have stuff flashing and dimming all over the place. The article did mention that one of the makers of these devices is the company that makes the X-10 line, but the article made it sound like X-10 was gone. Googling I noted that several other companies not mentioned in the article that make these switches and receptacles as well, including Leviton. Karl >> I've long heard about the X10 stuff, but this sounds more useful. I >> don't >> care about making the coffee pot come on via the Internet while I'm 3 >> countries away - but adding additional 2-way switches and switched >> receptacles >> without stuffing more wires into full conduits - that's great !! > If you want more switches with no wiring, stuff like this is pretty > cool: > > http://www.x10.com/automation/x10_ss13a.htm > > It looks like a wired-in wall switch, but it's really just stuck on the > wall, put it anywhe From rbeels at yahoo.com Thu Dec 11 09:55:47 2008 From: rbeels at yahoo.com (Richard Beels) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:55:47 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> Message-ID: <6.2.5.6.2.20081211115238.03c74bc8@yahoo.com> They're useful for what they do. I have a B&D version - bigger motor. Not as big as the Foredom but not as expensive either. Don't kid yourself and try to exceed its capabilities, you'll frustrate the hell out of yourself. But if you want/need something for the smaller stuff, they're a great tool. Variable speed & hand/screw-tightening of the collet are the 2 most important "features", IMO. Cordless is a waste because the weight of the battery throws off the handling of the tool. At 12/11/2008 at 10:44, Shakespearean monkeys danced on Eugene D Abbondelo's keyboard and said: >I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made >by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, >any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, >Gene Cheers! From opposumking at verizon.net Thu Dec 11 12:17:42 2008 From: opposumking at verizon.net (Nolan) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:17:42 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> Message-ID: <001c01c95bc5$24809020$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> I have one, in fact it's my second. I burned the first one up. I've found it very usefull over the years, but you do need to recognize that it's a light weight little tool. Absolutely wonderfully handy for splitting frozen sleeves, reslotting a boogered screw head, trimming the edge of a plastic part, cutting a cable, etc. Not so good when trying to port an engine or cutting a door hinge off or such larger jobs. The worse part about a dremel tool is the tool bits. The oem factory pieces are expensive and just don't work all that well. The cutoff wheels snap if you sneeze near them, the stones last just a few seconds in use, the cutters are soft and rather dull, etc. The only tool pieces I've found to be good are the sanding drums and cones, and the saw blade. Buying aftermarket cutoff wheels and cutters really made the tool work for me. From jszwed at energykinetics.com Thu Dec 11 14:18:16 2008 From: jszwed at energykinetics.com (Joe Szwed) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:18:16 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder Message-ID: <8B7866794974450B85CC9884D3475071@EnergyKinetics.EKnet> When I worked in a machine shop, air grinders were just referred to as "air grinders" either straight or right angle. If someone said "die grinder", this is what they meant. http://www.dumore.com Joe From Tim.Mullen at ngc.com Thu Dec 11 14:41:42 2008 From: Tim.Mullen at ngc.com (Mullen, Tim) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:41:42 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> <001c01c95bc5$24809020$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> Message-ID: <9C2F69BA6FB69F43ABCDBCFFC282C7976387B6@XMBIL103.northgrum.com> Dremels... I had one I used for years and finally burnt out the motor controller on it. The replacement lasted about a year, and had water drip on it while I was using it. That one was instantly toast. The one I have now is a "Craftsman" branded "Dremel" - it came in a nice case with lots of storage for the bits, and the sale price was good. I find the "Dremel" to be very useful and use it all the time. I also have die grinders, cutoff tools, etc. and they all have their time and place. However, I also bought an air powered "Dremel" from Harbor Freight when it was on sale for around $15. It is very handy. No worries about it getting wet and frying. It doesn't get hot if it's used for a long time (it actually gets cooler the more you use it). Not as much power as a regular Dremel, but it's very light and handy. It even has variable speed. Highly recommended. Tim Mullen From strovato at optonline.net Thu Dec 11 14:46:36 2008 From: strovato at optonline.net (Steven Trovato) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:46:36 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring In-Reply-To: <31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL> References: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL> <49415362.5080102@boicey.com> <31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL> Message-ID: <0KBQ00254F8C1U60@mta4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> Check out www.smarthome.com. You'll see quite a selection of devices and technologies. -Steve Trovato strovato at optonline.net From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 11 15:08:33 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:08:33 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring References: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL><49415362.5080102@boicey.com> <31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL> <0KBQ00254F8C1U60@mta4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> Message-ID: <688FBF1E84CD4A7F908AE717C40B414C@KARL> Thanks Steve ! Lots more info than the little Popular Mechanics article. Soooo... anyone here have any experience with this stuff ? Is it really reliable or just a toy ?? Karl > Check out www.smarthome.com. You'll see quite a selection of devices and > technologies. > > -Steve Trovato > strovato at optonline.net From jandkstone99 at msn.com Thu Dec 11 17:00:41 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:00:41 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <6.2.5.6.2.20081211115238.03c74bc8@yahoo.com> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> <6.2.5.6.2.20081211115238.03c74bc8@yahoo.com> Message-ID: Most everything I could say about my Dremel (15 years old, variable speed, and one of the handiest tools I own) has already been said, with one exception: I have found the optional flexible shaft to be incredibly useful. It allows me to get into even tighter spaces and makes the tool even more useful. In fact, the chuck on my Dremel broke a few months ago and I just keep the flex shaft on it permanently now. Jim > Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:55:47 -0500 > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > From: rbeels at yahoo.com > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder > > They're useful for what they do. I have a B&D version - bigger > motor. Not as big as the Foredom but not as expensive either. Don't > kid yourself and try to exceed its capabilities, you'll frustrate the > hell out of yourself. But if you want/need something for the smaller > stuff, they're a great tool. > > Variable speed & hand/screw-tightening of the collet are the 2 most > important "features", IMO. Cordless is a waste because the weight of > the battery throws off the handling of the tool. > > > > At 12/11/2008 at 10:44, Shakespearean monkeys danced on Eugene D > Abbondelo's keyboard and said: > >I'm considering buying one of the mini die grinder kits with accessories made > >by Dremel. Never had one before. Anyone on the list found them useful? If so, > >any recommendations on particular models to look at? Pros & cons? Thanks, > >Gene > > > Cheers! > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jandkstone99 at msn.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive _________________________________________________________________ You live life online. So we put Windows on the web. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/127032869/direct/01/ From bill at gingerich.us Thu Dec 11 17:38:00 2008 From: bill at gingerich.us (Bill Gingerich) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:38:00 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring In-Reply-To: <688FBF1E84CD4A7F908AE717C40B414C@KARL> References: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL><49415362.5080102@boicey.com><31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL><0KBQ00254F8C1U60@mta4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> <688FBF1E84CD4A7F908AE717C40B414C@KARL> Message-ID: <23EE1A84C38246E583077E89C1BA4F9D@shack2> Apparently my email didn't get the first message in this thread. Karl, which items are you asking about? I've bought lots of stuff from Smarthome over the years, and have never been disappointed. BillG OKC -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Karl Vacek Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 4:09 PM To: Steven Trovato; shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring Thanks Steve ! Lots more info than the little Popular Mechanics article. Soooo... anyone here have any experience with this stuff ? Is it really reliable or just a toy ?? Karl From jem at milleredp.com Thu Dec 11 18:25:38 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 17:25:38 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring In-Reply-To: <0KBQ00254F8C1U60@mta4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> References: <39E9D2D19C694FD4B27C166FECD2B0AB@KARL> <49415362.5080102@boicey.com> <31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL> <0KBQ00254F8C1U60@mta4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> Message-ID: <4941BD92.8080507@milleredp.com> Steven Trovato wrote: > Check out www.smarthome.com. You'll see quite a selection of devices > and technologies. For what it's worth, I've done a fair bit with the X10 stuff over the years, our house now has a Lutron Homeworks setup in it which is a (maybe too expensive) centralized control system that lets you do some things X10 can't, but makes other things that are trivial with X10 quite expensive and difficult. One of my projects-I've-never-quite-gotten-to is to write a protocol-bridge to propagate commands from HWI to X10 and vice versa. X10 is quite useful and quite functional, the cheap-and-simple zero-crossing signaling it uses on the AC wiring greatly limits the amount and speed of data that can be put across the wire so there's a lot of delay in the thing which some find bothersome. There's also issues having to do with being able to assume (or determine whether) devices are in a particular state. All of this matters little if all you're trying to do is remote switching; the more you want to do and the more you want to integrate the more limiting it gets. Some older house wiring will have trouble routing X10 (and maybe any powerline-carrier) signals, or at least routing it across opposite legs of the 220V feed, without some add-on circuitry. Some X10 stuff is quite good, some is quite junky, depending on vendor and intended market. I'm not much acquainted with any of the X10-related RF stuff, and I've had only a little experience with some of the newer powerline-carrier stuff. John. From strovato at optonline.net Fri Dec 12 09:35:54 2008 From: strovato at optonline.net (Steven Trovato) Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:35:54 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder In-Reply-To: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> References: <4940EF120200007400057992@ntgwgate.loc.gov> Message-ID: <0KBR0062AVG5FMI1@mta1.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> I have both a corded and a cordless Dremel and I find them very useful. My corded version has a very tightly coiled cord (telephone style) that I find inconvenient. Either I have a large mass of cord right at the tool, or I feel like there's a big spring pulling me toward the electrical outlet. Cordless obviously doesn't have this problem. My corded model is over 20 years old, so I don't know if they still make the cords this way. I think the key here is that if you ask people how the Dremel is as a "die grinder" you get negative comments. I think it is a great tool that comes in handy lots of times. But a die grinder is a different tool, able to handle bigger jobs. Think of the Dremel like a Dustbuster, and the die grinder like the shop vacuum cleaner. The Dustbuster is handy for lots of things, but it's not going to beat the big vacuum in a head-to-head cleaning test. -Steve Trovato strovato at optonline.net From burkheimer at gmail.com Fri Dec 12 12:42:42 2008 From: burkheimer at gmail.com (Rex Burkheimer) Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:42:42 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Networked home wiring Message-ID: <4382458b0812121142k6614c816u4fe21c8654758d67@mail.gmail.com> I dabbled with X10 stuff a few years ago, still have some switches installed. I found the inside switches to be cheap. Buy the levelor paddle switches. The X10 switches break off the tops pretty quick. You can still work them manually without it. We quit using the remotes years ago. Quirk - *something* turns on the living room lights around 7:00 most evenings. I guess it's a line spike or something. We consider it a random security feature ;) One thing that is usefull, good value, and well made are their outside motion-sensor floodlight units. each one will activate up to 4 other X10 devices. So you can have one on the driveway that is off until someone walks up. then it comes on, and then turns on the porch light, a 2nd floodlight, and maybe an inside bell and even your bedside table lamp if you like. A 2nd motion sensor light can control a separate set of 4, uncluding some of the same ones the first one does. Mine are 8 years old and have become unreliable. I am going to try to buy just the controllers. The cost of the lights was $79.95 for a pair back then. I'd suggest avoiding the X10.com website. it's Spam City, Popups out the wazoo. Buy from Smarthome, even if it's a little more. > Soooo... anyone here have any experience with this stuff ? Is it really > reliable or just a toy ?? > > Karl > > >> Check out www.smarthome.com. You'll see quite a selection of devices and >> technologies. From watsonm05 at comcast.net Fri Dec 12 18:07:03 2008 From: watsonm05 at comcast.net (Mark Watson) Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:07:03 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <20081209154203.HGQH28564.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <17FE02171D474078960D61A8240289A0@watsongxpejt9r> Karl, I like your logic. It is certainly more straightforward than the twisted chain of logic I came up with: I remember "Wide White" to remember which wire goes to which blade. How do I remember that the white wire is the neutral wire? Well, if you're looking into a dimly lit electrical box which wire would be hardest to see? The black one. Which wire is the dangerous one? The black one! Sounds like some kind of plot to at least shock if not kill non-electricians to keep them from putting their un-trained hands in there! Mark Watson (I'm an Electrical Engineer but I work mostly on electronics - anything over 15V D.C. is high voltage) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karl Vacek" To: "Randall" ; "'Shop Talk'" Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 12:33 PM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question > Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger of > little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and thus > harder to stick something in and get a shock. > > Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > >> In fact I can never remember which blade is which > >> Randall > _______________________________________________ From scottmryan at netzero.net Sat Dec 13 00:51:44 2008 From: scottmryan at netzero.net (scottmryan at netzero.net) Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:51:44 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] Dremel die grinder Message-ID: <20081213.015144.7160.1@webmail02.dca.untd.com> Richard Beels wrote: >Variable speed & hand/screw-tightening of the collet are the 2 most >important "features", IMO. Cordless is a waste because the weight of >the battery throws off the handling of the tool. I agree the hand collets are nice/very important, however some of the battery powered dremels are well balanced, and don't have the drag of the power cord to cause the tool to rotate and break the cutting disks. (the one I like best is a 5 cell (1000mah) dremel, no longer made, that has internal batteries. (I have had to replace them 3 or 4 times, about every 4-5 years) had to modify the charger for trickle charge. This one also has more torque/power than most of the handheld ac models.) Scott R ____________________________________________________________ Click for free info on real estate schools and make up to $150K/ year http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/PnY6rx9PKioVlQkrKFnsjhZ46fRWJ2 2Jx4qSCVqsVNUbTWcKHzhTA/ From rustymetal at sbcglobal.net Sun Dec 14 13:51:11 2008 From: rustymetal at sbcglobal.net (Frank Vantacich) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:51:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question (update) In-Reply-To: <17FE02171D474078960D61A8240289A0@watsongxpejt9r> Message-ID: <787181.10872.qm@web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> This is what I metered this weekend: At the subpanel in my barn, where the dilema exists, the neutral and ground bars are not attached to one another. Between the two hot legs I get 234vac. The ground is a UFer, a piece of rebar in my foundation. I meter 148vac between ground and one of the hots and 88vac between ground and the other hot leg. I meter 119vac between each hot leg and neutral. At the actual receptacle I meter 28vac between the large slot or neutral and ground, and the same at the subpanel. I would think I should see the same voltages between each hot leg and ground and neutral? Or another words the neutral and ground should be at the same potential? Frank V. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net --- On Fri, 12/12/08, Mark Watson wrote: From: Mark Watson Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question To: "'Shop Talk'" Date: Friday, December 12, 2008, 5:07 PM Karl, I like your logic. It is certainly more straightforward than the twisted chain of logic I came up with: I remember "Wide White" to remember which wire goes to which blade. How do I remember that the white wire is the neutral wire? Well, if you're looking into a dimly lit electrical box which wire would be hardest to see? The black one. Which wire is the dangerous one? The black one! Sounds like some kind of plot to at least shock if not kill non-electricians to keep them from putting their un-trained hands in there! Mark Watson (I'm an Electrical Engineer but I work mostly on electronics - anything over 15V D.C. is high voltage) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karl Vacek" To: "Randall" ; "'Shop Talk'" Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 12:33 PM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question > Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger of > little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and thus > harder to stick something in and get a shock. > > Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) > >> In fact I can never remember which blade is which > >> Randall > _______________________________________________ You are subscribed as rustymetal at sbcglobal.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From brad.kahler at 141.com Sun Dec 14 14:16:37 2008 From: brad.kahler at 141.com (Brad Kahler) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:16:37 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Message-ID: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? Thanks! Brad From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Sun Dec 14 14:54:01 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:54:01 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question (update) In-Reply-To: <787181.10872.qm@web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <787181.10872.qm@web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <49458079.5070004@HorneSystemsTx.com> The ground is normally tied to the neutral only at the main panel, and each building fed from the main panel is to have its own ground rod. Sounds like there is no ground wire run back to your main panel. Is there a 4th wire in the cable running to the main panel? If it is not there, and it can be run, I'd add it. if not, I'd tie the neutral to the ground in the barn sub panel. That would be safer than having the ground and neutral totally isolated as they are now. Peace, Pat Thusly spake Frank Vantacich: > This is what I metered this weekend: > > At the subpanel in my barn, where the dilema exists, the neutral and ground > bars are not attached to one another. Between the two hot legs I get 234vac. > The ground is a UFer, a piece of rebar in my foundation. I meter 148vac > between ground and one of the hots and 88vac between ground and the other hot > leg. I meter 119vac between each hot leg and neutral. > > At the actual receptacle I meter 28vac between the large slot or neutral and > ground, and the same at the subpanel. > > I would think I should see the same voltages between each hot leg and ground > and neutral? Or another words the neutral and ground should be at the same > potential? > > > Frank V. > rustymetal at sbcglobal.net > > --- On Fri, 12/12/08, Mark Watson wrote: > > From: Mark Watson > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question > To: "'Shop Talk'" > Date: Friday, December 12, 2008, 5:07 PM > > Karl, > > I like your logic. It is certainly more straightforward than the twisted > chain of logic I came up with: I remember "Wide White" to remember > which > wire goes to which blade. How do I remember that the white wire is the > neutral wire? Well, if you're looking into a dimly lit electrical box > which > wire would be hardest to see? The black one. Which wire is the dangerous > one? The black one! Sounds like some kind of plot to at least shock if not > kill non-electricians to keep them from putting their un-trained hands in > there! > > Mark Watson > (I'm an Electrical Engineer but I work mostly on electronics - anything > over > 15V D.C. is high voltage) > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Karl Vacek" > To: "Randall" ; "'Shop > Talk'" > > Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 12:33 PM > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question > > > >> Don't know that this is the actual reason, but think about the danger >> > of > >> little kids sticking things into receptacles. The hot is smaller and thus >> > > >> harder to stick something in and get a shock. >> >> Elegant reasoning, huh ?? ;-) >> >> >>> In fact I can never remember which blade is which >>> >>> Randall >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> > You are subscribed as rustymetal at sbcglobal.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as pat at hornesystemstx.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1848 - Release Date: 12/14/2008 12:28 PM > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Sun Dec 14 14:56:21 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:56:21 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> References: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: <49458105.4070707@HorneSystemsTx.com> If you get good signal now with the rabbit ears, stay with them, if not, put the antenna in the attic. My understanding is that the antennas that have been used for normal reception will work just fine for HD. Most of the "HD antennas" are just advertising hype to make you buy a new one. Peace, Pat Thusly spake Brad Kahler: > Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and > have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune > into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B > So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two > different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our > large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since > we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. > Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? > Thanks! > Brad > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as pat at hornesystemstx.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1848 - Release Date: 12/14/2008 12:28 PM > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From jefftnc at compascable.net Sun Dec 14 14:59:19 2008 From: jefftnc at compascable.net (Jeff Thompson) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:59:19 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: Hi Brad, Before you worry about an antenna, did you sink a fair amount of $$$ into an HDTV (Hi Definition TV) despite the fact that you don't watch much TV?? Ouch!! If you mean a regular antenna to be used with a regular TV and a digital to analog converter I'd be interested in answers to this also. I'm thinking of ditching my cable TV subscription. What a rip-off!!!! Thanks for fielding this question, Jeff -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Brad Kahler Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 4:17 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? Thanks! Brad You are subscribed as jefftnc at compascable.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive Internal Virus Database is out of date. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1766 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 8:26 AM From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Sun Dec 14 15:38:09 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:38:09 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question (update) In-Reply-To: <787181.10872.qm@web81306.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20081214223810.ZHPQ5190.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> > At the subpanel in my barn, where the dilema exists, the > neutral and ground bars are not attached to one another. > Between the two hot legs I get 234vac. > The ground is a UFer, a piece of rebar in my foundation. I > meter 148vac between ground and one of the hots and 88vac > between ground and the other hot leg. I meter 119vac between > each hot leg and neutral. Have you checked that the neutral is tied to earth ground somewhere after it comes off the pole? As Pat says, that would normally be at the main power entrance. If it is missing entirely, then you need to add it. If it's there, then for some reason the foundation of your barn is at a different voltage than the ground that the neutral is bonded to. That probably means that you have an unnoticed fault current somewhere. Friend of mine had exactly this problem, and eventually traced it to a nail head that had been crimped into a wire in the barn. What he noticed first was that his power meter was still moving, even with everything turned off. No telling how many kWH he had put into heating the ground, before he got around to chasing high electricity bills ! Randall PS, I'm ashamed to admit that very likely, I drove that nail causing the short. But it definitely taught me a lesson ! R From brad.kahler at 141.com Sun Dec 14 15:50:18 2008 From: brad.kahler at 141.com (Brad Kahler) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:50:18 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Message-ID: <200812141550181.SM09088@[166.70.182.40]> There is only one or two channels that we get any decent reception on right now with rabbit ears.B Thats one reason I was thinking of an antenna in the attic (although I don't really care to run the wire down to the living room). IB had been wondering ifB hd "specific" antennas were sales gimmic, sounds like it. Thanks, Brad -----Original Message----- From: "Pat" Sent 12/14/2008 2:56:21 PM To: "Brad Kahler" Cc: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] HDTV antennaIf you get good signal now with the rabbit ears, stay with them, if not, put the antenna in the attic. My understanding is that the antennas that have been used for normal reception will work just fine for HD. Most of the "HD antennas" are just advertising hype to make you buy a new one. Peace, Pat Thusly spake Brad Kahler: > Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and > have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune > into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B > So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two > different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our > large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since > we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. > Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? > Thanks! > Brad > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as pat at hornesystemstx.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1848 - Release Date: 12/14/2008 12:28 PM > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From brad.kahler at 141.com Sun Dec 14 15:58:59 2008 From: brad.kahler at 141.com (Brad Kahler) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:58:59 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] Fw: HDTV antenna Message-ID: <200812141558494.SM03496@[166.70.182.40]> Oh we bought a nice 42" plasma tv a couple of months ago, mainly because my wife got a really good deal on one and from time to time we like to watch a DVD. As for the antenna I just wasn't sure if a regular TV antenna would work well when the switch is complete to digital. Thanks, Brad -----Original Message----- From: "Jeff Thompson" Sent 12/14/2008 2:59:19 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] HDTV antennaHi Brad, Before you worry about an antenna, did you sink a fair amount of $$$ into an HDTV (Hi Definition TV) despite the fact that you don't watch much TV?? Ouch!! If you mean a regular antenna to be used with a regular TV and a digital to analog converter I'd be interested in answers to this also. I'm thinking of ditching my cable TV subscription. What a rip-off!!!! Thanks for fielding this question, Jeff -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Brad Kahler Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 4:17 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? Thanks! Brad You are subscribed as jefftnc at compascable.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talkhttp://www.team.net/archive Internal Virus Database is out of date. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1766 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 8:26 AM From doug at dougbraun.com Sun Dec 14 16:04:09 2008 From: doug at dougbraun.com (Doug Braun) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 15:04:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: <311026.487.qm@web606.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> An antenna that is good for traditional analog broadcasting will be good for digital (HD or regular). So if you have a usable antenna today, just try tuning in the digital version of your favorite stations to see if you are happy with the results. Doug --- On Sun, 12/14/08, Brad Kahler wrote: > From: Brad Kahler > Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Date: Sunday, December 14, 2008, 4:16 PM > Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have > a cable connection and > have no desire to have one.B However there are times we > would like to tune > into the local news or watch something that is available > over-the-air.B > So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B > We're looking at two > different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we > could put in our > large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit > ears but since > we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that > would be a good choice. > Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us > to use? > Thanks! > Brad From bill at gingerich.us Sun Dec 14 16:29:55 2008 From: bill at gingerich.us (Bill Gingerich) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:29:55 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: References: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: I have an HDTV, 2 of the converter boxes, and a Radio Shack outdoor antenna mounted in my attic. I'm about 30 miles from the broadcast towers in OKC. The coax that feeds from the antenna goes through a 3 way splitter with no amplification to the 3 TVs. Reception of the digital signals is just fine - most of the time. I do lose a couple of the channels when we get heavy rain, but other than that I've had no problems. BillG OKC -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Jeff Thompson Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:59 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Hi Brad, Before you worry about an antenna, did you sink a fair amount of $$$ into an HDTV (Hi Definition TV) despite the fact that you don't watch much TV?? Ouch!! If you mean a regular antenna to be used with a regular TV and a digital to analog converter I'd be interested in answers to this also. I'm thinking of ditching my cable TV subscription. What a rip-off!!!! Thanks for fielding this question, Jeff -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Brad Kahler Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 4:17 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? Thanks! Brad You are subscribed as jefftnc at compascable.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive Internal Virus Database is out of date. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.175 / Virus Database: 270.8.6/1766 - Release Date: 11/4/2008 8:26 AM You are subscribed as bill at gingerich.us Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From Don55CM at aol.com Sun Dec 14 17:17:21 2008 From: Don55CM at aol.com (Don55CM at aol.com) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:17:21 EST Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Message-ID: In a message dated 12/14/2008 6:20:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, doug at dougbraun.com writes: An antenna that is good for traditional analog broadcasting will be good for digital (HD or regular). So if you have a usable antenna today, just try tuning in the digital version of your favorite stations to see if you are happy with the results. Doug Any good UHF antenna will be good for HD / digital TV. A directional antenna mounted up high will work a lot better than the little wire loop that came with the TV. A VHF antenna (like the rabbit ears) that only pulls in the old channels 2-13 (no decimal point) won't work after next February. The new digital channels (2.1, 2.2, etc.) are actually located up in the UHF band. Don From dmscheidt at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 17:28:05 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:28:05 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Fw: HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <200812141558494.SM03496@166.70.182.40> References: <200812141558494.SM03496@166.70.182.40> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812141628g4192a8c6tb4ea6b26273cbba8@mail.gmail.com> On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 5:58 PM, Brad Kahler wrote: > Oh we bought a nice 42" plasma tv a couple of months ago, mainly because my > wife got a really good deal on one and from time to time we like to watch a > DVD. > As for the antenna I just wasn't sure if a regular TV antenna would work well > when the switch is complete to digital. Yes. Digital TV is on the same set of frequencies as analog TV. (There's a big oddity in the channel numbering; channel numbers in DTV have nothing to do with frequency. So channel 10 might be broadcasting on what should be channel 20, and it may move back to channel 10 when the transition happens.) So any antenna that works with analog TV will work with digital. The one problem is that digital range isn't as good as analog. If you've got any sort of snow in the analog picture, it's likely you won't be able to get a good digital signal. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From eltonclark at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 17:38:30 2008 From: eltonclark at gmail.com (Elton E. (Tony) Clark) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:38:30 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna Message-ID: *I have cable at my home and I'm switching to dish soon so I have no problem with HD. At my shop, however, I have an antenna so I applied for a coupon to buy a "box" . . "NONONO!" says the website, only for residential addresses! I guess this is some sort of social program . . musn't help a business address . . . sigh . . * *Tony* From dmscheidt at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 17:41:58 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:41:58 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2400a5d40812141641u27a7fafbmd7d7dfb648dbc09@mail.gmail.com> On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 7:17 PM, wrote: > In a message dated 12/14/2008 6:20:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, > doug at dougbraun.com writes: > > An antenna that is good for traditional analog broadcasting will be good for > digital (HD or regular). > > So if you have a usable antenna today, just try tuning in the digital > version of your favorite stations to see if you are happy with the results. > > Doug > > > > Any good UHF antenna will be good for HD / digital TV. A directional > antenna mounted up high will work a lot better than the little wire loop that came > with the TV. A VHF antenna (like the rabbit ears) that only pulls in the old > channels 2-13 (no decimal point) won't work after next February. The new > digital channels (2.1, 2.2, etc.) are actually located up in the UHF band. > No. The VHF band is solidly part of the digital TV world. What's happened is that digital TV decouples the "display channel" (what your receiver tells you you're watching, 16-1, for instance.) from the actual frequency at which the station is broadcast. Many, probably most, of the existing VHF stations are, currently, broadcasting on a different UHF channel. Most will switch back after the analog transmitter shuts down. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From strovato at optonline.net Sun Dec 14 17:56:49 2008 From: strovato at optonline.net (Steven Trovato) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:56:49 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Fw: HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812141628g4192a8c6tb4ea6b26273cbba8@mail.gmail.co m> References: <200812141558494.SM03496@166.70.182.40> <2400a5d40812141628g4192a8c6tb4ea6b26273cbba8@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <0KBW00CHD7YOR5A0@mta1.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> I think the problem is that with analog, there is such a thing as poor but watchable reception. With the digital, you get either a nice picture or no picture. At 07:28 PM 12/14/2008, David Scheidt wrote: >The one problem is that digital range isn't as good as analog. If >you've got any sort of snow in the analog picture, it's likely you >won't be able to get a good digital signal. > >-- From kvacek at ameritech.net Sun Dec 14 18:06:04 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:06:04 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question Message-ID: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL> If your ground is a rebar in your concrete foundation, encased in concrete, that's NOT a good ground. You should get a real ground rod - a solid piece of copper or heavily copper-plated steel rod, generally about 5/8" in diameter, and at least 8 feet long, and pound it into the ground. Into the earth, not just into a slab of concrete. Electrical supply hopuses sell actual ground rods, and ground clamps to reliably attach a heavy wire to the ground rod, which you then lead up to your panel. You're putting some voltage into your "ground" and it's not really being grounded. That's why you get a reading between the poor "ground" and neutral, which is at least close to ground potential. You don't have an actual ground. This is what happens under those circumstances. The inspector should have caught that. He's dangerously incompetent. Please make a real ground before using the electricity out in your barn. Then recheck the voltages. I believe that with a proper ground you should be OK. By the way, here's a link to a decent explanation of the bonding issue and subpanels. http://members.tripod.com/~masterslic/FAQ-2/18.html If this service has its own service (ie on its own meter, fed from the electric company, not the house), then you can bond the neutral to ground. However, do so only if it has its own meter, and only after you install a proper earth ground rod. Good luck ! Karl Hey Karl, here is what I metered today: At the subpanel in my barn, where the dilema exists, the neutral and ground bars are not attached to one another. Between the two hot legs I get 234vac. The ground is a UFer, a piece of rebar in my foundation. I meter 148vac between ground and one of the hots and 88vac between ground and the other hot leg. I meter 119vac between each hot leg and neutral. At the actual receptacle I meter 28vac between the large slot or neutral and ground, and the same at the subpanel. I would think I should see the same voltages between each hot leg and ground and neutral? Or another words the neutral and ground should be basically at the same potential? So do I have a bad UFer connection? Thanks for your time Karl. Frank V. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net From kvacek at ameritech.net Sun Dec 14 18:08:44 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:08:44 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question Message-ID: <7D3F6CB7CF3A44758F60F9C85106243C@KARL> Frank - I forgot to finish what I asked about your connection between the house and the barn. I assume you DID NOT carry the ground out to the barn and connect the grounds (house and barn) together. In some places it's permissible to just carry the ground (separate wire from the neutral) to the subpanel amd let that be the ground with no ground rod. I think some circumstances might require this, and in installing a subpanel within the same building it makes sense. However, with a completely separate building, I believe you should be best off with a separate ground and DON'T connect the two grounds (house and barn) together. The theory there is that there should be no potential between your electrical ground and a person who is physically grounded to the actual ground. If for some reason ground at the house is at a slightly different potential than at the barn (not common but possible), then carrying the house ground out to the barn would allow some slight potential between the electrical ground in the barn and the actual ground there, and thus a possibility of shock. If you connect the grounds and also have ground rods at both places, the ground wire will carry some current all the time, which isn't proper. Knowing your local codes would help you on this, but since the inspector apparently was expecting to see a separate ground in the barn that's probably what your code calls for. Again, it's the most common, and what I do in that circumstance. Karl From wmc_st at xxiii.com Sun Dec 14 18:35:10 2008 From: wmc_st at xxiii.com (Wayne) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:35:10 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL> References: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL> Message-ID: <4945B44E.2040500@xxiii.com> Karl Vacek wrote: > If your ground is a rebar in your concrete foundation, encased in concrete, > that's NOT a good ground. You should get a real ground rod - a solid piece of I had not heard of such a thing till a year or so ago. But the "ufer ground" is legit, and possibly better than a soil-encased rod: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ufer_Ground http://www.scott-inc.com/html/ufer.htm -W From doug at dougbraun.com Sun Dec 14 18:41:43 2008 From: doug at dougbraun.com (Doug Braun) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:41:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Fw: HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812141628g4192a8c6tb4ea6b26273cbba8@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <38525.45985.qm@web602.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> The channel number thing reminds me of European TV: Over there, the "channel number" concept isn't really used. Of course, any particular TV station transmits on some particular frequencies, but they aren't identified by number. The TVs have channel numbers when they are tuned, but each number can be independently tuned to any frequency, pretty like numbered memory buttons of a car stereo. Has anyone ever seen a remote control for a European TV? They have a whole slew of buttons with totally inscrutable icons... BTW, last year when I got a modern TV and could tune in both the analog and digital versions of various stations, I was pleasantly surprised how good the digital reception was. Several analog stations that had a moderate amount of snow and ghosts looked fine in digital. Doug --- On Sun, 12/14/08, David Scheidt wrote: > Yes. Digital TV is on the same set of frequencies as > analog TV. > (There's a big oddity in the channel numbering; channel > numbers in DTV > have nothing to do with frequency. So channel 10 might be > broadcasting on what should be channel 20, and it may move > back to > channel 10 when the transition happens.) So any antenna > that works > with analog TV will work with digital. > > The one problem is that digital range isn't as good as > analog. If > you've got any sort of snow in the analog picture, > it's likely you > won't be able to get a good digital signal. > > -- > David Scheidt > dmscheidt at gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as doug at dougbraun.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From mark at nashvilletn.org Sun Dec 14 19:10:19 2008 From: mark at nashvilletn.org (Mark) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:10:19 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna References: Message-ID: There you go Tony, another business looking for a bail out! Mark Nashville PS Have them ship the cards to your house! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Elton E. (Tony) Clark" *I have cable at my home and I'm switching to dish soon so I have no problem with HD. At my shop, however, I have an antenna so I applied for a coupon to buy a "box" . . "NONONO!" says the website, only for residential addresses! I guess this is some sort of social program . . musn't help a business address . . . sigh . . * *Tony* From kvacek at ameritech.net Sun Dec 14 19:32:49 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:32:49 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL> <4945B44E.2040500@xxiii.com> Message-ID: Interesting - but it doesn't seem to be working so ufering well in Frank's case. Ufer grounding refers to grounding to a network of rebars that are well tied together - are your rebars, mesh, etc. all nicely tied together, Frank, or is the ground to only one rebar that may not contact anything else, or at least not be well tied with good clean connections to the rest of the mesh and rebars ? And whatever the case, since it doesn't seem to be working, a real ground rod is cheap and definitely does work, as long as it's not pounded only into dead-dry ground, like the desert, where a ufer ground wouldn't work in this case either. Or tie it in with the Ufer system too - just get a real ground rod. The Ufer ground was primarily developed to dissipate lightning strikes, which carry far higher voltage than domestic ac electrical service. That can blast through poor, rusty, high-resistance connections between rebars, whereas a few amps at 110-220 volts may or may not do so well. A little resistance in those connections can allow the ground to float as Franks' seems to be doing. The minuscule amperage of the meter or the neon-light tester is no match for a rusty, high-resistance connection. It allows a floating ground, at least at relatively low voltage and current, as Frank has. By the way - the Wikipedia article states "If Ufer grounding alone was enough, the manufacturers of ground rods would go out of business. But a Ufer ground alone it is not adequate." It goes on to note that the NEC requires a regular grounding rod. Karl > Karl Vacek wrote: >> If your ground is a rebar in your concrete foundation, encased in >> concrete, >> that's NOT a good ground. You should get a real ground rod - a solid >> piece of > > I had not heard of such a thing till a year or so ago. But the "ufer > ground" is legit, and possibly better than a soil-encased rod: > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ufer_Ground > http://www.scott-inc.com/html/ufer.htm > > -W From bk13 at earthlink.net Sun Dec 14 19:46:23 2008 From: bk13 at earthlink.net (Brian Kemp) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:46:23 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> References: <200812141416260.SM07320@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: <4945C4FF.10602@earthlink.net> Brad, Try it with whatever antenna you already have. I use the old existing antenna that was already well rusted when I moved in back in 2000 for my main TV. I use rabbit ears that came with my 1990 purchased TV in the bedroom with a converter box. Both get channels digital channels better than analog. With the rabbit ears TV I sometimes have to adjust them and they are subject to more interference than the roof antenna. Go to http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx and put in your address to see where to point your antenna and see what stations their computer thinks you should get. They were right on with my reception in the Los Angeles area. Brian Brad Kahler wrote: > Since we're not much into watching TVB we don't have a cable connection and > have no desire to have one.B However there are times we would like to tune > into the local news or watch something that is available over-the-air.B > So the question is what would be a good HDTV antenna?B We're looking at two > different types, rabbit ear style or a larger one that we could put in our > large open attic.B My preference would probably be rabbit ears but since > we're kind of out in the country I'm not sure that would be a good choice. > Any recommendations on what would be a good choice for us to use? > Thanks! > Brad > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as bk13 at earthlink.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From eltonclark at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 20:00:46 2008 From: eltonclark at gmail.com (Elton E. (Tony) Clark) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:00:46 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] HDTV antenna In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: *Wrong!!! It's a discrimination issue! :->* *They won't ship it to your house unless you lie and say you don't have cable! I guess if you lie, they send Homeland Security!* *Tony* On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 8:10 PM, Mark wrote: > There you go Tony, another business looking for a bail out! > > Mark > Nashville > > PS Have them ship the cards to your house! > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Elton E. (Tony) Clark" > *I have cable at my home and I'm switching to dish soon so I have no > problem > with HD. At my shop, however, I have an antenna so I applied for a coupon > to buy a "box" . . "NONONO!" says the website, only for residential > addresses! I guess this is some sort of social program . . musn't help a > business address . . . sigh . . * > *Tony* From dmscheidt at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 20:17:57 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:17:57 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: References: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL> <4945B44E.2040500@xxiii.com> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812141917k7bf700c5ubd120098909038ff@mail.gmail.com> On Sun, Dec 14, 2008 at 9:32 PM, Karl Vacek wrote: > > By the way - the Wikipedia article states "If Ufer grounding alone was > enough, the manufacturers of ground rods would go out of business. But a > Ufer ground alone it is not adequate." It goes on to note that the NEC > requires a regular grounding rod. The wikipedia article says no such thing. One of the sites they link to does. However, NEC ground rods suck in much of the country (they work fine in most of the midwest, where you (and I) are.) Put me somewhere dry, and I'll take a badly built Ufer system over a dozen ground rods. One good piece of rebar in the concrete is better grounded than the rods are. I'm not at all convinced the OP's problem is a bad ground. I suspect he's got a fault. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From scott.hall at comcast.net Sun Dec 14 20:40:00 2008 From: scott.hall at comcast.net (scott.hall at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 03:40:00 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? In-Reply-To: <31C1A4C7F1544967A41E30D9F3860069@KARL> Message-ID: <348345298.648901229312400148.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> as always, I have the obvious question: I read the directions back and front, and don't see it...at what point does the assembly get attached to the ceiling? I'd think assembling the motor and rail on the floor and then lifting the whole thing would make the rail get misaligned. on the other hand, it mentions turning the motor and rail over a few times in the directions. right now, since it's not mentioned, I'm assuming the whole thing is assembled on the floor then lifted into position. has any one installed one of these things? hints, directions, etc. gladly accepted. thanks. scott From bobdyar at cox.net Sun Dec 14 21:31:33 2008 From: bobdyar at cox.net (Bob Dyar) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:31:33 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? References: <348345298.648901229312400148.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: on the garage door openers that I have installed , you fix the rail to the garage wall and then secure the drive unit. Bob D From eltonclark at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 21:54:34 2008 From: eltonclark at gmail.com (Elton E. (Tony) Clark) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:54:34 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? In-Reply-To: References: <348345298.648901229312400148.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: *Yes, mounting to the door first insures correct placement of the drive unit . . been there twice.* From eric at megageek.com Sun Dec 14 21:46:23 2008 From: eric at megageek.com (eric at megageek.com) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:46:23 +0300 Subject: [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? In-Reply-To: <348345298.648901229312400148.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: typically, you build them on the floor. Then the end hear the door goes up with a pin, then you lift the other end up and attach it to the already hang angle iron with all the holes so you can line it up better. Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. scott.hall at comcast.net Sent by: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net 12/15/2008 06:38 AM To shop-talk at autox.team.net cc Subject [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? as always, I have the obvious question: I read the directions back and front, and don't see it...at what point does the assembly get attached to the ceiling? I'd think assembling the motor and rail on the floor and then lifting the whole thing would make the rail get misaligned. on the other hand, it mentions turning the motor and rail over a few times in the directions. right now, since it's not mentioned, I'm assuming the whole thing is assembled on the floor then lifted into position. has any one installed one of these things? hints, directions, etc. gladly accepted. thanks. scott You are subscribed as eric at megageek.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From aztvr at yahoo.com Sun Dec 14 21:56:30 2008 From: aztvr at yahoo.com (Jim S.) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:56:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? In-Reply-To: <348345298.648901229312400148.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: <746214.2505.qm@web31003.mail.mud.yahoo.com> The way I have always done it was to assemble the unit on the floor, then attach the rail end to the bracket that you mount above the garage door. Then lift the motor unit and set it on top of a step ladder. Then use a box or something as a spacer to lift it up to its final position if you can. Then you can get all of the brackets to hang it from positioned exactly right and mark everything. Then you might take it down and cut and mount all of the support bracketry and then repeat the step of putting it on top of the ladder again and bolt it in place. Jim --- On Sun, 12/14/08, scott.hall at comcast.net wrote: From: scott.hall at comcast.net Subject: [Shop-talk] genie garage door opener installation? To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Date: Sunday, December 14, 2008, 7:40 PM as always, I have the obvious question: I read the directions back and front, and don't see it...at what point does the assembly get attached to the ceiling? I'd think assembling the motor and rail on the floor and then lifting the whole thing would make the rail get misaligned. on the other hand, it mentions turning the motor and rail over a few times in the directions. right now, since it's not mentioned, I'm assuming the whole thing is assembled on the floor then lifted into position. has any one installed one of these things? hints, directions, etc. gladly accepted. thanks. scott You are subscribed as aztvr at yahoo.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From kvacek at ameritech.net Mon Dec 15 03:27:23 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:27:23 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <386654.72708.qm@web81308.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <00E468B181474B14B1B34EF5A36657AD@KARL> Yes, Frank, it IS wrong to tie the neutral and ground together in the barn. That's what I've been referred to as bonding. The article to which I previously sent you a link explains why, more plainly and in fewer words than I'd use. Here it is again: http://members.tripod.com/~masterslic/FAQ-2/18.html Karl Nope, I did not carry the ground from the house out to the barn. It makes sense what your saying about the UFer not doing its job. Is it wrong to tie the neutral and ground together at the subpanel in the barn, even though they are tied together in the main panel at the house? Thanks for your help. Frank V. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net From kvacek at ameritech.net Mon Dec 15 03:38:00 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:38:00 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question References: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL><4945B44E.2040500@xxiii.com> <2400a5d40812141917k7bf700c5ubd120098909038ff@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <95A08093469F462399338856269802F6@KARL> Yes, Dave, I see that you're right. in fact that main Wikipedia article has only about 2 sentences. I'm not a big WIkipedia user, and didn't note that the links were marked as "external". But the external article that the Wikipedia article links to does indeed carry the quote that I copied from it - I didn't write it. Karl > The wikipedia article says no such thing. One of the sites they link > to does. However, NEC ground rods suck in much of the country (they > work fine in most of the midwest, where you (and I) are.) Put me > somewhere dry, and I'll take a badly built Ufer system over a dozen > ground rods. One good piece of rebar in the concrete is better > grounded than the rods are. > > > I'm not at all convinced the OP's problem is a bad ground. I suspect > he's got a fault. > -- > David Scheidt > dmscheidt at gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as kvacek at ameritech.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From pmthicke at centurytel.net Mon Dec 15 09:20:34 2008 From: pmthicke at centurytel.net (Paul and Mary Thicke) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:20:34 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <00E468B181474B14B1B34EF5A36657AD@KARL> Message-ID: <700782B0A89E4F099F3B3B9AA92B364E@luap> Since you do not have that fourth wire, which is a ground wire from the house to the barn, I would say that you should tie the neutral and the ground together in the barn panel. This will connect your ground wires out there through the neutral to house panel where the neutral and ground are also tied together. This is seen a lot on the out buildings on farms. I believe that this is considered a separate service and one requirement is that there is no other metal connection between the two buildings such as a water or phone line. I think that this been changed in the latest NEC and four wires are now required at every outbuilding. As far as the ground rod or Ufer at the barn, A ground rod out there will provide some level of lightning and transient protection, but does not necessarily protect against shocks or short circuits. If you rely on only the ground rod out there for your grounding, The breaker may not even trip if there is a short to ground because the ground rod can have too much resistance to the earth and the amperage will not come up enough to trip the breaker. It might be best to ask your local electrical inspector about this as they sometimes have different rules for the out building ground rods. Paul -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Karl Vacek Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 4:27 AM To: rustymetal at sbcglobal.net; shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question Yes, Frank, it IS wrong to tie the neutral and ground together in the barn. That's what I've been referred to as bonding. The article to which I previously sent you a link explains why, more plainly and in fewer words than I'd use. Here it is again: http://members.tripod.com/~masterslic/FAQ-2/18.html Karl Nope, I did not carry the ground from the house out to the barn. It makes sense what your saying about the UFer not doing its job. Is it wrong to tie the neutral and ground together at the subpanel in the barn, even though they are tied together in the main panel at the house? Thanks for your help. Frank V. rustymetal at sbcglobal.net You are subscribed as pmthicke at centurytel.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From dmscheidt at gmail.com Mon Dec 15 09:55:32 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:55:32 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] 110vac outlet question In-Reply-To: <95A08093469F462399338856269802F6@KARL> References: <177A5E71B5FA483287F2D6987A221DB5@KARL> <4945B44E.2040500@xxiii.com> <2400a5d40812141917k7bf700c5ubd120098909038ff@mail.gmail.com> <95A08093469F462399338856269802F6@KARL> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812150855g3602ff09p72beefc02f7751dc@mail.gmail.com> On Mon, Dec 15, 2008 at 5:38 AM, Karl Vacek wrote: > > Yes, Dave, I see that you're right. in fact that main Wikipedia article has > only about 2 sentences. I'm not a big WIkipedia user, and didn't note that > the links were marked as "external". But the external article that the > Wikipedia article links to does indeed carry the quote that I copied from it > - I didn't write it. > No, I wasn't claiming you'd written it. But it's on the website of someone in business of selling grounding solutions. Since a Ufer ground costs very nearly nothing to install when pouring concrete (only labor costs of making sure the rebar or mesh are connected properly), requires roughly zero maintance, and works remarkably well, it's within the realm of possibility that they're not entirely unbiased. (Of course, it's really amazingly expensive to retrofit one. ) -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From jandkstone99 at msn.com Wed Dec 17 16:22:48 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:22:48 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater Message-ID: My house has a partially finished attic that is heated by a 60" electric strip heater. The attic was finished by the previous owner and we almost never use it, except for storage. We have never needed to use the heater, which was always a good thing, as it buzzed very loudly and emitted quite a bit of ozone. I have kept the circuit breaker turned off, just because I never really trusted the damn thing. However, we are going to have a full house over Xmas and will need to use the attic and keep it warm. So, 4 years after moving into the house, I finally have to try to fix it. I decided to see if the ozone (I am assuming that is what it is) went away if the heater was left on for a little while. While the smoke alarm went off a couple of minutes after we turned it on, the smell went away and alarm didn't come back on. So, one problem down. The buzzing was a different story. It buzzes whenever the heater cycles on, stops when the thermostat turns it off. I pulled the covers looking for obvious causes, thought I found a couple, but fixing them did nothing. The buzzing is coming from the heating element, which has aluminum fins on it and nothing seems to stop it. My first question is if anyone has any idea why a heating element would buzz and what to do about it, but I discovered something even more puzzling when I was working on it. The heater is controlled by a 20 Amp 220v circuit breaker. I always just assumed it was a 220v heater (there is another one in the house that was installed about the same time). But, when I had the covers off I noticed that the labels indicate it is a 22 Amp, 120 volt heater. I checked the fuse box and the voltage at the unit and it is definitely wired for 220; both the white and black wires were hot. Thinking that too much power might somehow cause the buzzing I replaced the 220 breaker with a 120 one and re-routed the white wire to the neutral buss. Heater still buzzes. I can just replace the damn thing, but this is driving me crazy. I am always hesitant to "correct" a professional's mistake. Is there some reason why an electrician would have wired a 120 volt heater to 220 volts? Any ideas about the buzzing? As always, any advice will be greatly appreciated. Jim _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_speed_12 2008 From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Wed Dec 17 16:38:52 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:38:52 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <49498D8C.7090107@HorneSystemsTx.com> Jim, The smell you noticed was probably dust that accumulated on the heating element burning off, much the same as a central furnace does the first time it is fired up after being off for a long time. See if there is any markings on the heating element itself to indicate what voltage is is designed to work on. It may be that someone swapped out the element for a 220V unit. Usually a 220V device will draw less current than it would on 120V. You didn't need to replace the breaker, just move the white wire to the neutral buss and not use both halves of the breaker. As for the buzzing, a lot of cheaper heaters do this. I have a portable space heater that buzzes when it turns on, but after about 20 seconds, starts getting quieter, until after about a minute, you can hardly hear it. This heater just has a resistance wire strung on insulators, with nothing for it to vibrate against. I doubt it has anything to do with inductance and magnetics, but I have no idea what would cause it. Peace, Pat Thusly spake Jim Stone: > My house has a partially finished attic that is heated by a 60" electric strip > heater. The attic was finished by the previous owner and we almost never use > it, except for storage. We have never needed to use the heater, which was > always a good thing, as it buzzed very loudly and emitted quite a bit of > ozone. I have kept the circuit breaker turned off, just because I never > really trusted the damn thing. However, we are going to have a full house > over Xmas and will need to use the attic and keep it warm. So, 4 years after > moving into the house, I finally have to try to fix it. > > I decided to see if the ozone (I am assuming that is what it is) went away if > the heater was left on for a little while. While the smoke alarm went off a > couple of minutes after we turned it on, the smell went away and alarm didn't > come back on. So, one problem down. The buzzing was a different story. It > buzzes whenever the heater cycles on, stops when the thermostat turns it off. > I pulled the covers looking for obvious causes, thought I found a couple, but > fixing them did nothing. The buzzing is coming from the heating element, > which has aluminum fins on it and nothing seems to stop it. My first question > is if anyone has any idea why a heating element would buzz and what to do > about it, but I discovered something even more puzzling when I was working on > it. > > The heater is controlled by a 20 Amp 220v circuit breaker. I always just > assumed it was a 220v heater (there is another one in the house that was > installed about the same time). But, when I had the covers off I noticed that > the labels indicate it is a 22 Amp, 120 volt heater. I checked the fuse box > and the voltage at the unit and it is definitely wired for 220; both the white > and black wires were hot. Thinking that too much power might somehow cause > the buzzing I replaced the 220 breaker with a 120 one and re-routed the white > wire to the neutral buss. Heater still buzzes. > > > > Jim > > > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From doug at dougbraun.com Wed Dec 17 16:53:20 2008 From: doug at dougbraun.com (Doug Braun) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:53:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <122985.84857.qm@web606.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> If the heater was meant for 120V and it was connected to 220V, it would burn out, blow the circuit breaker (or burn up) REAL fast! But if it was meant for 220v and connected to 120V, it simply wouldn't get very warm. Doug --- On Wed, 12/17/08, Jim Stone wrote: > From: Jim Stone > Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 6:22 PM > My house has a partially finished attic that is heated by a > 60" electric strip > heater. From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Wed Dec 17 17:00:05 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:00:05 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <01f101c960a3$95a082f0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > But, when I had the covers off I noticed > that > the labels indicate it is a 22 Amp, 120 volt heater. That seems very odd to me. 22 amps means it would not run from an ordinary household circuit, so why 120v? Since I've found incorrect labels before, I'd want to try to check how much current/power it actually draws. > Is there some reason why an > electrician would have wired a 120 volt heater to 220 volts? Not deliberately. > Any ideas about the buzzing? Dunno that it's relevant, but I have a portable quartz tube heater that makes an awful racket when it's first warmed up. The element is a coil inside the tube, and it does not fit snugly when cold. Once it gets hot, it does fit snugly and the noise disappears. If you have been running a 120v heater on 220v, perhaps it's overheated and the tube is now oversize? At any rate, I doubt you are going to fix it ... Randall From dmscheidt at gmail.com Wed Dec 17 17:18:39 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:18:39 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater In-Reply-To: <01f101c960a3$95a082f0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> References: <01f101c960a3$95a082f0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812171618w419f755s8cb57111e0ca60c9@mail.gmail.com> On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM, Randall wrote: >> But, when I had the covers off I noticed >> that >> the labels indicate it is a 22 Amp, 120 volt heater. > > That seems very odd to me. 22 amps means it would not run from an ordinary > household circuit, so why 120v? Since I've found incorrect labels before, > I'd want to try to check how much current/power it actually draws. > Is it possible it's intended to be one of a pair, wired in series? You're not going to stop it buzzing. Either live with it, or replace it. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From trevor at boicey.com Wed Dec 17 18:10:17 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:10:17 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater In-Reply-To: <122985.84857.qm@web606.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <122985.84857.qm@web606.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <4949A2F9.3000801@boicey.com> Doug Braun wrote: > If the heater was meant for 120V and it was connected to 220V, it > would burn out, blow the circuit breaker (or burn up) REAL fast! I wouldn't bet your house on this, but I know of at least one heater in my world that is 220v or 110v. The heater element in my hot tub is the same whether your tub is 110v or 220v. It is rated for 1500w at 110v or 6000w at 220v. So I wouldn't take this as ANY recommendation to let 'er rip at 220v unattended, but if it's just a plain resistance heater.... From jandkstone99 at msn.com Wed Dec 17 19:54:39 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:54:39 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater In-Reply-To: <4949A2F9.3000801@boicey.com> References: <122985.84857.qm@web606.biz.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <4949A2F9.3000801@boicey.com> Message-ID: Mystery solved. I went to Lowes to pick up a new one and they sold the same brand (Fahrenheat manufactured by Marley) and what appeared to be the same unit. The box and the unit itself is clearly marked 240 Volts. So, I figured I'd made a mistake or the old one was mismarked or was in fact, dual voltage. So, I put the dual breaker back in and swapped units. With the old one out I could clearly see the sticker that said "WARNING: RISK OF FIRE. USE 120 VOLTS ONLY." The instructions that come with it tell you to double check the inside label to be sure you have the correct voltage. I assume the builder specified 240, got 120 and the electrician didn't check and installed it anyway. I would guess that running at double voltage somehow caused the buzzing. And, the idiot also attached the ground wire to the box, but attached everything in such a way that there was no connection between the unit and the box, hence no ground. So much for not correcting professional's mistakes! Now I have to worry about what else he did wrong! > Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:10:17 -0500 > From: trevor at boicey.com > To: doug at dougbraun.com > CC: shop-talk at autox.team.net; jandkstone99 at msn.com > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Mysterious Stip Heater > > Doug Braun wrote: > > If the heater was meant for 120V and it was connected to 220V, it > > would burn out, blow the circuit breaker (or burn up) REAL fast! > > I wouldn't bet your house on this, but I know of at least one heater > in my world that is 220v or 110v. > > The heater element in my hot tub is the same whether your tub is 110v > or 220v. It is rated for 1500w at 110v or 6000w at 220v. > > So I wouldn't take this as ANY recommendation to let 'er rip at 220v > unattended, but if it's just a plain resistance heater.... _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/Explore/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere _122008 From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 18 09:00:24 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:00:24 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? Message-ID: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> Surely there are some experienced GPS users on this list. I've got a Garmin 60C my sister gave me a year ago. They could never get it to load maps, and eventually they had them in their cars. I got it working, and use it to route myself on inspeection trips, where I need to photograph the exterior of buildings and land. It's far better than nothing, but overall this unit is OK at best. It's limited in memory (no slots), has a slooooow processor, and it handles waypoints and re-routing poorly. Based on this quirky unit, the expensive and out-of-date maps, and the nasty treatment in the Garmin store in downtown Chicago, I don't see at all how they're the leaders. I currently have a chance to buy anything TomTom sells at an incredible discount, but I don't know anyone who has one. Seems to be a European brand. The few American reviews I've found have been very positive, and they advertise a user community to upgrade maps - but I have no idea if that's really active and useful. I'm interested in the 930T, for the traffic info it can potentially provide as well as a faster processor, memory slot, and more user-friendliness than I get with the Garmin. It sounds like I'd need to link it in with my cell phone (my service is Verizon) to obtain traffic info. It's currently on sale for $450 - with the additional discount off the sale price, I can get it for $270. Anyone know about TomTom in general and this unit specifically ? I'm particularly interested in the traffic interface, as well as map upgrades. And why it has such a weird name ;-) Thanks! Karl From brad.kahler at 141.com Thu Dec 18 09:50:36 2008 From: brad.kahler at 141.com (Brad Kahler) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:50:36 GMT Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? Message-ID: <200812180950739.SM05280@[166.70.182.40]> WeB have a Tom Tom One and for the most part like it.B Be aware that the newer versions have regional maps and not national maps.B Also map updates cost a LOT.B Not sure if I would buy another one, at least not until I had hands on with others. YMMV, Brad -----Original Message----- From: "Karl Vacek" Sent 12/18/2008 9:00:24 AM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ?Surely there are some experienced GPS users on this list. I've got a Garmin 60C my sister gave me a year ago. They could never get it to load maps, and eventually they had them in their cars. I got it working, and use it to route myself on inspeection trips, where I need to photograph the exterior of buildings and land. It's far better than nothing, but overall this unit is OK at best. It's limited in memory (no slots), has a slooooow processor, and it handles waypoints and re-routing poorly. Based on this quirky unit, the expensive and out-of-date maps, and the nasty treatment in the Garmin store in downtown Chicago, I don't see at all how they're the leaders. I currently have a chance to buy anything TomTom sells at an incredible discount, but I don't know anyone who has one. Seems to be a European brand. The few American reviews I've found have been very positive, and they advertise a user community to upgrade maps - but I have no idea if that's really active and useful. I'm interested in the 930T, for the traffic info it can potentially provide as well as a faster processor, memory slot, and more user-friendliness than I get with the Garmin. It sounds like I'd need to link it in with my cell phone (my service is Verizon) to obtain traffic info. It's currently on sale for $450 - with the additional discount off the sale price, I can get it for $270. Anyone know about TomTom in general and this unit specifically ? I'm particularly interested in the traffic interface, as well as map upgrades. And why it has such a weird name ;-) Thanks! Karl You are subscribed as brad.kahler at 141.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talkhttp://www.team.net/archive From arvidj at visi.com Thu Dec 18 10:05:57 2008 From: arvidj at visi.com (Arvid Jedlicka) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:05:57 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? References: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> Message-ID: <88BD4F60EA0F4705989543285A03D967@behavioral.com> >From: "Karl Vacek" > ... > > Based on this > quirky unit, the expensive and out-of-date maps, and the nasty treatment > in > the Garmin store in downtown Chicago, I don't see at all how they're the > leaders. > ... My experience is with the Garmin aviation units so I will only comment on the treatment you have received. I've done all of my upgrades and updates via the Garmin web site and have been happy with the service - i.e. not having to deal with people. At the airshows where Garmin has had a display I have been less than impressed with their marketing droids, but their web service has always been a first rate experience. Arvid From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 18 10:17:37 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:17:37 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? References: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> <88BD4F60EA0F4705989543285A03D967@behavioral.com> Message-ID: <4825B4207C814CA5B94418AD9249BCF6@KARL> I'd LOVE to have a 496, or whatever the latest model with the XM weather, etc. is. But that's 10X my budget :-( Actually what I like best about the 60C is using it in the air. I've manually input all the little airports for a couple of hundred miles around - no Jeppesen database for that model. I don't really use it for navigation very often (sectionals are fine), but having accurate groundspeed info is great. And I get lots of kidding from the guys at fly-ins if I have a GPS suction-cupped to the Stearman's windshield. Just not in keeping with that 1940 ambience. Karl > My experience is with the Garmin aviation units so I will only comment on > the > treatment you have received. I've done all of my upgrades and updates via > the > Garmin web site and have been happy with the service - i.e. not having to > deal > with people. At the airshows where Garmin has had a display I have been > less > than impressed with their marketing droids, but their web service has > always been > a first rate experience. > > Arvid From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 18 10:22:47 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:22:47 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? References: <200812180950739.SM05280@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: <708EB043081D4B428B64186B859015ED@KARL> Garmin gets $80 per year for new US maps, and the maps are in some cases many years behind in adding new roads. Is TomTom more expensive or worse ? The way I can get a discount on a TomTom is through my daughter's roommate - she works for Navteq, who supplies TomTom's maps. She says their maps are up to date, but I haven't seen any actual local maps. Reviews I've read, though, say that the TeleAtlas (Garmin uses them) maps are a little better, but I suspect that's highly dependent upon the specific region. Karl ----- Original Message ----- From: Brad Kahler To: Karl Vacek Cc: shop-talk Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 10:50 AM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? We have a Tom Tom One and for the most part like it. Be aware that the newer versions have regional maps and not national maps. Also map updates cost a LOT. Not sure if I would buy another one, at least not until I had hands on with others. YMMV, Brad -----Original Message----- From: "Karl Vacek" Sent 12/18/2008 9:00:24 AM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? Surely there are some experienced GPS users on this list. I've got a Garmin 60C my sister gave me a year ago. They could never get it to load maps, and eventually they had them in their cars. I got it working, and use it to route myself on inspeection trips, where I need to photograph the exterior of buildings and land. It's far better than nothing, but overall this unit is OK at best. It's limited in memory (no slots), has a slooooow processor, and it handles waypoints and re-routing poorly. Based on this quirky unit, the expensive and out-of-date maps, and the nasty treatment in the Garmin store in downtown Chicago, I don't see at all how they're the leaders. I currently have a chance to buy anything TomTom sells at an incredible discount, but I don't know anyone who has one. Seems to be a European brand. The few American reviews I've found have been very positive, and they advertise a user community to upgrade maps - but I have no idea if that's really active and useful. I'm interested in the 930T, for the traffic info it can potentially provide as well as a faster processor, memory slot, and more user-friendliness than I get with the Garmin. It sounds like I'd need to link it in with my cell phone (my service is Verizon) to obtain traffic info. It's currently on sale for $450 - with the additional discount off the sale price, I can get it for $270. Anyone know about TomTom in general and this unit specifically ? I'm particularly interested in the traffic interface, as well as map upgrades. And why it has such a weird name ;-) Thanks! Karl You are subscribed as brad.kahler at 141.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From cak at dimebank.com Thu Dec 18 10:32:22 2008 From: cak at dimebank.com (Chris Kantarjiev) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:32:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? Message-ID: <200812181732.mBIHWMQo032663@moose.dimebank.com> It used to be that you bought TeleAtlas maps for coverage and NAVTEQ for details - TeleAtlas had coverage of most of the US, but there were lots of mistakes. NAVTEQ had very high accuracy in the top 200 urban/suburban area, and no coverage in between. They have been converging, slowly. TA pricing is easier to swallow than NAVTEQ in most cases, though that has been changing, too. TA does most of their map updating with software - they do automatic scanning of geometry from aerial photos. NAVTEQ does it the old-fashioned way, by driving and taking GPS traces. It's hard to say which is "better" these days. From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Thu Dec 18 10:33:07 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:33:07 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? In-Reply-To: <200812180950739.SM05280@[166.70.182.40]> References: <200812180950739.SM05280@[166.70.182.40]> Message-ID: <00e701c96136$b1e394a0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > Based on this > quirky unit, the expensive and out-of-date maps, and the nasty treatment > in the Garmin store in downtown Chicago, I don't see at all how they're > the leaders. Hard to compare apples to apples in the GPS world. Garmin makes a lot of much more expensive GPS units (for aviation, plus surveying and other high precision applications), which also enjoy considerable success (and make them a large company); while TomTom is pretty much focused on the much less expensive "personal navigation" market. I don't know the relative numbers, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if TomTom sold more units to the market you are looking at than Garmin did. You have to sell an awful lot of $400 personal units to match the profit on one $4000 aviation unit. But since Garmin also competes (to some extent) with my company, I probably shouldn't say any more. > And why it has such a weird name ;-) What do you expect from three Dutch geeks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Nk2IQ8hes Randall From eric at megageek.com Thu Dec 18 10:24:04 2008 From: eric at megageek.com (eric at megageek.com) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:24:04 +0300 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? In-Reply-To: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> Message-ID: Karl, asks about the TomTom, Karl, I was in the market for a GPS a few years back and I have a buddy that is a MAJOR gadget freak. He actually spent time reading articles and testing GPSs. There was a awesome website that had "head to head" GPS tests (but I can't find the link.) There was something about the TomTom that made it less than desirable. (but it did do military MGRS coordinates.) But the NUVI was the hands down winner. For easy of use and flexibility, it can't be beat. I bought the 350, and I couldn't be happier. I've had that Garmin unit from Canada to Mexico to the Baja peninsula and it's great! I now have it with my in Iraq and I was able to DL an iraqi map to it! There are lots of hacks and Garmin supported software addons as well. I don't remember what the TomTom was weak at, but it was a good unit otherwise. The Nuvi was far superior however. Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. From kvacek at ameritech.net Thu Dec 18 10:38:11 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:38:11 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? References: <200812180950739.SM05280@[166.70.182.40]> <00e701c96136$b1e394a0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: >> And why it has such a weird name ;-) > > What do you expect from three Dutch geeks > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-Nk2IQ8hes > > Randall OK - I saw Goldmember. Maybe I don't want a TomTom - it might come with a "shkinn" box =8~0 From eric at megageek.com Thu Dec 18 10:38:11 2008 From: eric at megageek.com (eric at megageek.com) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:38:11 +0300 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? In-Reply-To: <00e701c96136$b1e394a0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: One note about GPS, you may want to wait a little bit if you haven't bought one yet. Before I left, I added a Google app to my gps enabled cell phone. It used GoogleMaps and satellite overlays for the map. It was GREAT! One of the thing that google has that neither TomTom or Garmin has (unless you pay extra) is the live traffic flow. I'm not 100% sure, but I was told that the data comes from a company that monitors the flow of cell phones on highways. When the cell phones all slow down, they know the road is congested. check it out on your PC. It was amazing on my cell phone and it helped me beat my buddy to NYC one day when we wanted to head out for a show. (I saw the traffic jam on the highway and was able to avoid it.) (I can't send a link as the internet is REAL slow here and I can't find it.) Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. From cak at dimebank.com Thu Dec 18 10:51:15 2008 From: cak at dimebank.com (Chris Kantarjiev) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:51:15 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? Message-ID: <200812181751.mBIHpFXH008759@moose.dimebank.com> > I'm not 100% sure, but I was told that the data comes from a company that > monitors the flow of cell phones on highways. When the cell phones all > slow down, they know the road is congested. They use a bunch of techniques. There are loop sensor in some places, there are "speed cameras", some places use electronic toll tag readers. Cell phones are used in some places, but they're the least accurate; and there are also some historical statistics to fall back on (I built the system that generates those - and I'm really glad that it's not my problem any more). The downside of the Google Maps approach is that it's useless when you are out of cell phone range. From obaa996 at yahoo.com Thu Dec 18 11:29:52 2008 From: obaa996 at yahoo.com (Obaa) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:29:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <446890.97799.qm@web54303.mail.re2.yahoo.com> We bought a TomTom 910 (?) for our roadtrip to Europe. It was great; we drove 2500 miles without getting lost, or even really understanding all the roadsigns (take that as you will.... ;) We had only 2 minor glitches: in Italy, it once put us in a .5 mile loop (we figured it out on the 3rd go-around), and in Switzerland, it directed us up a goatpath. Otherwise, the maps were very accurate. Back at home, the newer subdivisions are not mapped, although there is now an option to allow you to add your own map data or grab other users data. We liked it enough that I bought their PDA software to run on my cell phone; it's always with me now. The big drawback is that these are pretty much made for driving. They don't seem very friendly for walk-around use, and I can't seem to get gps co-ordinates (easily) out of mine. From battmain at yahoo.com Thu Dec 18 11:37:30 2008 From: battmain at yahoo.com (Battmain) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:37:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? References: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> <88BD4F60EA0F4705989543285A03D967@behavioral.com> <4825B4207C814CA5B94418AD9249BCF6@KARL> Message-ID: <367969.98065.qm@web57002.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Heh, how about the new 696? $3295 if you use Sporty's free shipping. I haven't included the cost of the updates. Back on topic. I don't have any experience with the Tom Tom, but I will say after using Garmin products, they are intuitive in *most* of the functions, on any unit that I've tried. That includes in the airplane too. Mom just bought a Nuvi 250 and I tried it out. She returned it because she wanted the FM transmitter. Sensitivity was pretty good and it worked. Personally, I use my phone with Live search and google maps. I still prefer the map detail that I can get on the phone, in comparison to any of the GPS units. Sure I can change them to map mode, but they still don't have the detail I'm used to. I went from a pc/gps with Streets and Trips and now using the phone with built in GPS. YMMV. Brian battmain at yahoo.com ----- Original Message ---- From: Karl Vacek To: Arvid Jedlicka ; shop-talk at autox.team.net Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 12:17:37 PM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? I'd LOVE to have a 496, or whatever the latest model with the XM weather, etc. is. But that's 10X my budget :-( (snip) From opposumking at verizon.net Thu Dec 18 11:41:43 2008 From: opposumking at verizon.net (Nolan) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:41:43 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? References: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> Message-ID: <002001c96140$4614a890$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> The Garmin 60 series is a hand held hiking unit. I almost bought the 60CSx a few months ago. Lots of usefullness for hiking, geocaching, hunting and the likes. Not so usefull for dashboard use on a car. While it will do it, it will do so rather poorly. I didn't chose the Garmin in the end because you pay dearly for the necessary maping software, and the maping resolution isn't so hot compared to the competition. I did chose the DeLorme PN-20, which is a comparable hiking unit to the Garmin 60 series. No faster than the Garmin, but the maping software is vastly superior and it costs a good bit less. It's worked just fine for me. DeLorme has now come out with the PN-40, which is comparatively a rocket. All of which are navigational dogs for a car zipping down the highway. Since you mention TomTom, none of these units compare favorably to a TomTom for fast changing map displays, turn by turn navigation and such. It's an apples and oranges thing. The TomTom isn't going to give you the creeks and hiking trails and topography of the handheld units. Nor is it waterproof. So you really need to ask yourself what you want from one of these units. I've poked around with various dashboard car units on displays. I'd like to like one of the Magelans. They are fast, the interface is very intuitive. But they weirdly drop and add roads as you zoom in and out. I don't mean simply dropping secondary roads as you zoom out, but sporatically droping various interstate highways and the like as you go through various levels. Friends have Garmin dashboard units, and they seem to work well also. It does seem to me that the simpler units are easier to operate, without getting lost in menues. But turn by turn directions seem like a darn nice feature. From bobkegel at seanet.com Thu Dec 18 12:27:20 2008 From: bobkegel at seanet.com (Bob Kegel) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:27:20 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? In-Reply-To: <267712342A1D4324B18051EF73151DED@KARL> Message-ID: <29199EB171C4489BA5D01B9B98D5DBAD@8sv5f01> I have a Garmin GPSmap 60C which works quite well for backcountry navigation. If it has a slow processor, I haven't noticed at walking speed. For vehicle navigation, I have a Garmin Nuvi 370 and love it. As noted, there will be errors in the base map. In my area these seem to consist of dead-ends rendered as through streets. When I decline the unit's instructions it quickly figures out a new route, saying "recalculating" in resentful tone. The 370 has a Bluetooth interface for cell phones and plays MP3's and Audible recorded books. It also has a plug-in receiver for traffic updates. The service doesn't cover us out here in the sticks but it seems to work well when I venture out to the big city. I take the Nuvi to work, sticking it to the windshield of the company car every morning. The suction cup mount broke after about a year of this and I replaced it with the appropriate fitting for the Ram Mount I already had. Bob Kegel Aberdeen, WA From jibjib at att.net Thu Dec 18 16:47:04 2008 From: jibjib at att.net (Jack Brooks) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:47:04 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? In-Reply-To: References: <00e701c96136$b1e394a0$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> Message-ID: <23FADA76AEF64D138149CC44149563D9@HPPavilion> Eric, For a few $$'s a year, my older Garmin 550 Street fighter has traffic reports, with anticipated delay times, in major metro areas. Nice feature. Jack -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of eric at megageek.com Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:38 AM To: 'shop-talk' Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] GPS experiences ? One note about GPS, you may want to wait a little bit if you haven't bought one yet. Before I left, I added a Google app to my gps enabled cell phone. It used GoogleMaps and satellite overlays for the map. It was GREAT! One of the thing that google has that neither TomTom or Garmin has (unless you pay extra) is the live traffic flow. I'm not 100% sure, but I was told that the data comes from a company that monitors the flow of cell phones on highways. When the cell phones all slow down, they know the road is congested. check it out on your PC. It was amazing on my cell phone and it helped me beat my buddy to NYC one day when we wanted to head out for a show. (I saw the traffic jam on the highway and was able to avoid it.) (I can't send a link as the internet is REAL slow here and I can't find it.) Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. You are subscribed as jibjib at att.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Thu Dec 18 18:36:28 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:36:28 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Need source for fine thread metric bolt Message-ID: <494AFA9C.7000400@HorneSystemsTx.com> I am in need of one M10x1.25x40 grade 8.8 bolt. I fine them on the net, but, since I only need one, most suppliers either don't want to mess with the order, or have a minimum order. Is there any generic type of shop that might have this bolt on hand? I've tried hardware suppliers, auto dealers and parts houses and had no luck. Any ideas? Thanks, Pat -- -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Thu Dec 18 19:15:31 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:15:31 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Need source for fine thread metric bolt In-Reply-To: <494AFA9C.7000400@HorneSystemsTx.com> References: <494AFA9C.7000400@HorneSystemsTx.com> Message-ID: <002101c9617f$ac0f3b30$275636cc@jdnet.deere.com> > I am in need of one M10x1.25x40 grade 8.8 bolt. M10x1.25 is an unusual size. A really good hardware store might sell them in qty 1 (I'd try Lovelady Hardware in Torrance, CA; their bolt collection is huge); but since you've already tried that, I suspect you're going to have to buy a box of them. MMC will sell you a box of 25 at a reasonable price ($10.50), and they have no minimum order or packing fee. http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/114/3099 But you'd probably have to pay extra to have it by Saturday; since they are already closed tonight. Randall From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Fri Dec 19 12:48:21 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:48:21 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Need source for fine thread metric bolt Message-ID: <494BFA85.1080600@HorneSystemsTx.com> I remembered a mom and pop hardware supplier about 30 miles from here. They has what I needed. Thanks for everyone who sent suggestions. Have a great Christmas/ Winter season or whatever you care to celebrate. Peace, Pat -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From frede.thomas2 at verizon.net Fri Dec 19 14:56:13 2008 From: frede.thomas2 at verizon.net (fred thomas) Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:56:13 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Fw: XBox 360 $369.99 - GPS Device $89.99 Message-ID: <43332D6E09474DFAB9ACA4A54C778F82@fred8kwiskhcfu> AllAmericanDirect.com - Your Source for the BEST in Home Entertainment ----- Original Message ----- From: newsletter at allamericandirect.com To: frede.thomas2 at verizon.net Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 11:57 AM Subject: XBox 360 $369.99 - GPS Device $89.99 Don't miss an email- Add newsletter at allamericandirect.com to your email address book. Click here if you are unable to see the images in this email. Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit our website at AllAmericanDirect.com for more details. If you no longer wish to receive email from AllAmericanDirect.com, click to Unsubscribe from this list . )2008 AllAmericanDirect.com Inc., 7999 Knue Road, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46250. All rights reserved. National Programming Service, LLC d/b/a AllAmericanDirect.com is an authorized independent contractor retailer of DISH Network L.L.C. DISH, DISH Network and DISH Network logos are registered trademarks and/or service marks of DISH Network L.L.C. and/or its affiliate(s). The DISH Network trademarks and/or service marks are used by authority of DISH Network L.L.C. and/or its applicable affiliate(s). From frede.thomas2 at verizon.net Fri Dec 19 15:07:06 2008 From: frede.thomas2 at verizon.net (FRED E THOMAS) Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:07:06 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] GoodYear GY120 GPS Device Message-ID: http://www.allamericandirect.com/GoodYear_GY120_GPS_Device_p/gy120.htm From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sat Dec 20 16:46:25 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:46:25 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding wire: price and size Message-ID: Is Harbor Freight welding wire any good? It is considerably cheaper than you can pick up at Lowe's or Home Depot. Also, when patching the floor in an old LBC (Sunbeam Alpine), how big a difference will .024 wire make vs. .030? We didn't work with sheet metal in my welding class, so I will be learning as I go along. Is the thinner wire more forgiving? Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere _122008 From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sun Dec 21 16:12:10 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:12:10 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls Message-ID: My wife would like to enlarge the doorway between our dining room and kitchen. Unfortunately, the wall in question is load bearing. The wall runs perpendicular to the floor joists in the attic and runs the length of the house. The house was built in 1907, if that matters. I wouldn't be removing the wall completely; the ceilings are 9 feet high and the current door opening is 7' by about 32"; she'd like to enlarge it to about 9' to match one on the other wall, so there would be 2' off wall above the opening. For what its worth, there is currently a 9' opening in the same wall between the adjacent living room and the rest of the house. So, does this sound like something that requires a structural engineer and needs to be done by a professional, or could I do it myself? I would certainly never remove a load bearing wall myself (did that by mistake with a friend and know the consequences), but the wall would stay; the door way would just be a whole lot wider. Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere _122008 From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Sun Dec 21 17:10:24 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:10:24 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <494EDAF0.9090904@HorneSystemsTx.com> Jim, You would need to open up the wall above where the new opening will be and install a header above the opening to hold up the weight. You would also need to beef up the studs o each side of the new opening to to support the concentrated load. You will also need to strengthen the floor/foundation to support the concentrated load also. You can support the load temporally by building a wall next to the one you want to cut out to hold up the ceiling and whatever is above it. Then make the wall changes, then remove the temporary wall. I would recommend getting an engineer involved in to tell you what is needed for the header, how many 2x4's need to be added to each end of the opening, and how to strengthen the floor. Remember, if something goes wrong and you didn't have it engineered, your insurance company may not take care of the repairs...not to mention your wife! I had a steel stairway designed by a PE who charged me less than $300, including foundation plans. That was about 5 years ago. You may also be required to pull a permit and have inspections done. Please let us know what you decide to do. Peace, Pat Thusly spake Jim Stone: > My wife would like to enlarge the doorway between our dining room and kitchen. > Unfortunately, the wall in question is load bearing. The wall runs > perpendicular to the floor joists in the attic and runs the length of the > house. > > The house was built in 1907, if that matters. I wouldn't be removing the wall > completely; the ceilings are 9 feet high and the current door opening is 7' by > about 32"; she'd like to enlarge it to about 9' to match one on the other > wall, so there would be 2' off wall above the opening. For what its worth, > there is currently a 9' opening in the same wall between the adjacent living > room and the rest of the house. > > So, does this sound like something that requires a structural engineer and > needs to be done by a professional, or could I do it myself? I would > certainly never remove a load bearing wall myself (did that by mistake with a > friend and know the consequences), but the wall would stay; the door way would > just be a whole lot wider. > > Thanks. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. > http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere > _122008 > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as pat at hornesystemstx.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Internal Virus Database is out of date. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1850 - Release Date: 12/15/2008 5:04 PM > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Sun Dec 21 17:22:24 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:22:24 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20081222002224.KKLF24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> > So, does this sound like something that requires a structural > engineer and needs to be done by a professional, or could I > do it myself? Personally, I'd just do it. As Pat says, the new header should be a bit beefier and it wouldn't hurt to have more support on each side than you do now. OTOH, you're only widening the span by about 15% per side so unless it already seems weak, I'd guess the floor will carry the load. The total force on the floor will presumably remain the same, it's just a bit more concentrated at the supports (but the additional support will help spread it). But I'm certainly no expert, so if it goes wrong, don't blame me! Randall From Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com Sun Dec 21 18:03:49 2008 From: Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com (Pat) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:03:49 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: <20081222002224.KKLF24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081222002224.KKLF24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <494EE775.3030309@HorneSystemsTx.com> Randall, I think you mis-read Jim's post. He wants to go from a 32" opening to 9'. 7' is the height of the opening. I assume the house is pier and bean, rather than a slab, which I didn't state earlier. "The house was built in 1907, if that matters. I wouldn't be removing the wall completely; the ceilings are 9 feet high and the current door opening is 7' by about 32"; she'd like to enlarge it to about 9' to match one on the other wall, so there would be 2' off wall above the opening. For what its worth, there is currently a 9' opening in the same wall between the adjacent living room and the rest of the house." Thusly spake Randall: >> So, does this sound like something that requires a structural >> engineer and needs to be done by a professional, or could I >> do it myself? >> > > Personally, I'd just do it. As Pat says, the new header should be a bit > beefier and it wouldn't hurt to have more support on each side than you do > now. OTOH, you're only widening the span by about 15% per side so unless it > already seems weak, I'd guess the floor will carry the load. The total > force on the floor will presumably remain the same, it's just a bit more > concentrated at the supports (but the additional support will help spread > it). > > But I'm certainly no expert, so if it goes wrong, don't blame me! > > Randall > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as pat at hornesystemstx.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > Internal Virus Database is out of date. > Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.18/1850 - Release Date: 12/15/2008 5:04 PM > > -- Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems (512) 797-7501 5026 FM 2001 Lockhart, TX 78644-4443 Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com www.hornesystemstx.com -- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT -- From paul.mele at usermail.com Sun Dec 21 18:14:26 2008 From: paul.mele at usermail.com (Paul Mele) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:14:26 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> I suspect a number of you are car guys. I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; it has a GM TH350 behind it. I've seen the Small block chevy conversions; they seem to be the way to go. I've found some ref's... I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea for donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, trans and wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). The goal of the swap is reliability and fuel mileage comparable to the wife's 96 caddy deville with Northstar. It gets 22 around town and 27 on the cruise. it weighs 4000 lbs; the 4.6L Northstar is about 305 HP/ 300 ft-lbs if memory serves. the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 lbs with the V12. I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, but I'd guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC. So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with ratings similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans? thanks PM From ScottyGrover at aol.com Sun Dec 21 18:24:53 2008 From: ScottyGrover at aol.com (ScottyGrover at aol.com) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:24:53 EST Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. Message-ID: In a message dated 12/21/2008 5:15:19 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, paul.mele at usermail.com writes: I suspect a number of you are car guys. I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; it has a GM TH350 behind it. I've seen the Small block chevy conversions; they seem to be the way to go. I've found some ref's... I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea for donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, trans and wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). The goal of the swap is reliability and fuel mileage comparable to the wife's 96 caddy deville with Northstar. It gets 22 around town and 27 on the cruise. it weighs 4000 lbs; the 4.6L Northstar is about 305 HP/ 300 ft-lbs if memory serves. the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 lbs with the V12. I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, but I'd guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC. So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with ratings similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans? thanks PM I'd suggest, rather than the SBC, trying the LS-1 type engine (from a Corvette) with the aluminium block. This has been used as a replacement for a 215 cid aluminium Buick engine (remember those, they were used in the Land Rover until Ford took over Rover.) The engine was lighter and shorter than the Buick engine, and that was important, since the engine was located in the rear of a Corvair, replacing the flat-6. Scotty from Hollyweird **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000025) From jem at milleredp.com Sun Dec 21 18:29:56 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:29:56 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> Message-ID: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> > I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; > it has a GM TH350 behind it. Gonna venture a few opinions though I'm no expert on the subject...I thought the Jag V12s got the Turbo 400. > I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea for > donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, trans and > wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). The best choice engine-wise, of course, would be a fairly recent LS1/LS2, but I'm not sure how far the kit guys have gotten with the LSn-series motors. > the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 lbs > with the V12. I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, but I'd > guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC. No, the Jag V12 is a 60-degree aluminum motor and not all that heavy. About as heavy as an iron SBC, I think. A bit heavier than the LS1/LS2. > So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with ratings > similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans? Any LS1/LS2 you can find will beat those numbers by quite a lot. Do you live anywhere that smog legality matters? John. From mark at bradakis.com Sun Dec 21 19:32:00 2008 From: mark at bradakis.com (Mark J Bradakis) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:32:00 -0700 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <494EFC20.40301@bradakis.com> I'm not sure I follow the original message. Are you going to make the existing door wider, taller or both? mjb. From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sun Dec 21 20:41:19 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:41:19 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: <494EFC20.40301@bradakis.com> References: <494EFC20.40301@bradakis.com> Message-ID: Just wider. From 32 inches to 9 feet. > Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:32:00 -0700 > From: mark at bradakis.com > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls > > I'm not sure I follow the original message. Are you going to > make the existing door wider, taller or both? > > mjb. > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jandkstone99 at msn.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere _122008 From strovato at optonline.net Sun Dec 21 21:19:37 2008 From: strovato at optonline.net (Steven Trovato) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:19:37 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0KC900IG4G3674Y0@mta5.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> In general, such a job involves temporarily supporting the ceiling, removing the wall in question, and installing a suitable header and support for the ends of that header. For your specific case, I don't think anyone can give you definitive answers without looking at the house. The actual destruction and construction (hopefully in that order) are not necessarily more than a non-beginner can handle. But to evaluate the situation, and spec out the solution, I think you want someone experienced and trusted to give you some answers. I bet that if you call a contractor, he would feel comfortable evaluating and doing the job based on his experience and "standard" building practices in your area. I doubt he would call in a structural engineer unless the authorities require it. But the key here is finding someone whose judgement you trust. I have seen contractors who just fire up the old sawzall without giving a second thought. You don't want one of those guys. I think step one is to find someone you trust to evaluate the job. Maybe a structural engineer, but not necessarily. Then you can make your decisions from there. -Steve Trovato strovato at optonline.net At 06:12 PM 12/21/2008, Jim Stone wrote: >My wife would like to enlarge the doorway between our dining room and kitchen. >Unfortunately, the wall in question is load bearing. The wall runs >perpendicular to the floor joists in the attic and runs the length of the >house. > >The house was built in 1907, if that matters. I wouldn't be removing the wall >completely; the ceilings are 9 feet high and the current door opening is 7' by >about 32"; she'd like to enlarge it to about 9' to match one on the other >wall, so there would be 2' off wall above the opening. For what its worth, >there is currently a 9' opening in the same wall between the adjacent living >room and the rest of the house. > >So, does this sound like something that requires a structural engineer and >needs to be done by a professional, or could I do it myself? I would >certainly never remove a load bearing wall myself (did that by mistake with a >friend and know the consequences), but the wall would stay; the door way would >just be a whole lot wider. > >Thanks. > >_________________________________________________________________ >Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. >http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere >_122008 >_______________________________________________ >Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > >You are subscribed as strovato at optonline.net > >Shop-talk mailing list > >http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > >http://www.team.net/archive From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Sun Dec 21 21:33:10 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:33:10 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: <494EE775.3030309@HorneSystemsTx.com> Message-ID: <20081222043310.JJHJ7108.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> > I think you mis-read Jim's post. He wants to go from a 32" > opening to 9'. 7' is the height of the opening. Ah, so I did! My apologies. In that case, I agree, best to get professional advice. Randall From jamesf at groupwbench.org Sun Dec 21 21:35:18 2008 From: jamesf at groupwbench.org (Jim Franklin) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:35:18 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4BB9E9BE-4E20-4E98-AC78-DF5460FD9E55@groupwbench.org> The rule of thumb for a header supporting a residential span is the number of span feet = the height of the header in inches. E.g., a 10' span would need a doubled 2 x 10 as a header. Wood is very strong in compression, so a 2x4 trimmer stud should work fine, but there may be localized codes you need to adhere to, including getting a structural engineer. And the biggest part of all this is to make sure the trimmer studs are weighing on something that's rated for the load. A normal floor joist is only rated for a live load, which I believe is 40 lbs/sf. A structural engineer can tell you if a simple doubling of the affected floor joists are enough to carry the new load, or if you need to do something as drastic as installing new piers or lally columns. Think like the weight and you'll get a pretty good idea of what you may be up against. jim On Dec 21, 2008, at 6:12 PM, Jim Stone wrote: > My wife would like to enlarge the doorway between our dining room > and kitchen. > Unfortunately, the wall in question is load bearing. The wall runs > perpendicular to the floor joists in the attic and runs the length > of the > house. > > The house was built in 1907, if that matters. I wouldn't be > removing the wall > completely; the ceilings are 9 feet high and the current door > opening is 7' by > about 32"; she'd like to enlarge it to about 9' to match one on the > other > wall, so there would be 2' off wall above the opening. For what its > worth, > there is currently a 9' opening in the same wall between the > adjacent living > room and the rest of the house. > > So, does this sound like something that requires a structural > engineer and > needs to be done by a professional, or could I do it myself? I would > certainly never remove a load bearing wall myself (did that by > mistake with a > friend and know the consequences), but the wall would stay; the door > way would > just be a whole lot wider. > > Thanks. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. > http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywhere > _122008 > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jamesf at groupwbench.org > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From jibjib at att.net Sun Dec 21 22:01:02 2008 From: jibjib at att.net (Jack Brooks) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:01:02 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: <20081222002224.KKLF24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081222002224.KKLF24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <5135553DFFB14230842F60F7F6D28048@HPPavilion> Whatever you do, as far as hiring a structural to evaluated your situation or if you self perform, consider using a steel flitch plate, instead of 2-by's. I reworked a room, taking out windows and installing two 8 foot sliding doors, and used a flat bolted up to the header over each door. Putting the steel flat on edge provides huge strength, if it is secured to a chunk of wood, with minimal intrusion and a reasonable cost. Jack Mechanical Enginerd From jibjib at att.net Sun Dec 21 22:03:19 2008 From: jibjib at att.net (Jack Brooks) Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:03:19 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding wire: price and size In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Jim, 24 will be easier than 30 to weld sheet metal with. I found a huge difference in welding on my 1960 TR3 and my 1980 TR8. The steel was better in the 60's and far easier to get goods welds. It may have been the thickness, but the '3 welded up like butter and the '8 fought me tooth and nail. Go figure. As far as HF wire, I have no experience with it. Jack -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Jim Stone Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 3:46 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: [Shop-talk] Welding wire: price and size Is Harbor Freight welding wire any good? It is considerably cheaper than you can pick up at Lowe's or Home Depot. Also, when patching the floor in an old LBC (Sunbeam Alpine), how big a difference will .024 wire make vs. .030? We didn't work with sheet metal in my welding class, so I will be learning as I go along. Is the thinner wire more forgiving? Thanks. _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail anywhere. No map, no compass. http://windowslive.com/oneline/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_anywher e _122008 You are subscribed as jibjib at att.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From paul.mele at usermail.com Mon Dec 22 04:43:00 2008 From: paul.mele at usermail.com (Paul Mele) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:43:00 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> Message-ID: <002001c9642a$71ab5e30$55021a90$@mele@usermail.com> Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the SBC, but the cost of the LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a (crashed/ugly) donor car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't think it will be cost-effective. what cars would have the suitable engine(s). re: smog we do have testing; the 86 body would only require minimum specs. the newer donor car would easily meet them, I suspect. PM > I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; > it has a GM TH350 behind it. Gonna venture a few opinions though I'm no expert on the subject...I thought the Jag V12s got the Turbo 400. > I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea for > donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, trans and > wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). The best choice engine-wise, of course, would be a fairly recent LS1/LS2, but I'm not sure how far the kit guys have gotten with the LSn-series motors. > the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 lbs > with the V12. I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, but I'd > guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC. No, the Jag V12 is a 60-degree aluminum motor and not all that heavy. About as heavy as an iron SBC, I think. A bit heavier than the LS1/LS2. > So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with ratings > similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans? Any LS1/LS2 you can find will beat those numbers by quite a lot. Do you live anywhere that smog legality matters? John. From mark at sccaprepared.com Mon Dec 22 08:42:40 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:42:40 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <002001c9642a$71ab5e30$55021a90$@mele@usermail.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <002001c9642a$71ab5e30$55021a90$@mele@usermail.com> Message-ID: Howdy, On Mon, 22 Dec 2008, Paul Mele wrote: > Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the SBC, but the cost of > the LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a (crashed/ugly) donor > car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't think it will be > cost-effective. > > what cars would have the suitable engine(s). I'm no particular expert, so take all this with a good dose of "reserch will be required if you actually want to do it".. You can get LS1's (3rd gen small block) out of lots of stuff I think, but the common candidates would be camaros/firebirds & corvettes. The corvette would need to be a '97+ car, and would have a rear transaxle & torque tube setup rather than a conventional transmission. The camaro/firebird would need to be a '98+ and would have a T56 six speed conventional trans. I would think wrecked/junker '98+ camaro/firebirds wouldn't be all that horribly expensive. Another option would be the LT1, or 2nd gen small block. Again, camaros/firebirds would probably be a good donor choice, from '94 to '97 IIRC. LT1s are iron head motors, and weigh a little more than the ls1. They also use a t56 six speed trans, but there are mounting differences I believe. The same basic engine architecture was used in trucks of the times as well. I'm pretty darned fuzzy on this, but I know some of the common upgrades folks make for drag motors for camaro/firebirds are to use the iron block versions of the ls1 from the trucks. If you weren't super concerned about weight, my bet is that a truck motor route might save you a little money if you knew what you were doing. Aftermarket support for all this is pretty good I believe... Seems like everyone and their brother puts ls1's into anything they'll fit in. My guess is that some searching on the web would find you some examples for various cars, though perhaps not that Jag. If you want to keep it "in the family" (sorta) I've got a complete '89 (?? I think) Ford 302 HO out of a Mustang GT that I've been tripping on that I'd sell you for $250... Ran fine when we pulled it in 2002. You'd need a trans & bellhousing (t5) but otherwise I think you'd be ready to go. If you're not near me (Youngstown, OH), then its probably more hassle than its worth though. Mark From mistertwo at sbcglobal.net Mon Dec 22 09:10:13 2008 From: mistertwo at sbcglobal.net (Rand E) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:10:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <716679.33561.qm@web82405.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Try the JagsThatRun website. They have published a V8 conversion manual for Jaguars. I bought their conversion manual for S10 years ago and it was very thorough. http://www.jagsthatrun.com/ Randy --- On Mon, 12/22/08, Mark Andy wrote: > From: Mark Andy > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Date: Monday, December 22, 2008, 9:42 AM > Howdy, > > On Mon, 22 Dec 2008, Paul Mele wrote: > > Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the > SBC, but the cost of > > the LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a > (crashed/ugly) donor > > car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't > think it will be > > cost-effective. > > > > what cars would have the suitable engine(s). > > I'm no particular expert, so take all this with a good > dose of "reserch > will be required if you actually want to do it".. > > You can get LS1's (3rd gen small block) out of lots of > stuff I think, but > the common candidates would be camaros/firebirds & > corvettes. > > The corvette would need to be a '97+ car, and would > have a rear transaxle > & torque tube setup rather than a conventional > transmission. The > camaro/firebird would need to be a '98+ and would have > a T56 six speed > conventional trans. > > I would think wrecked/junker '98+ camaro/firebirds > wouldn't be all that > horribly expensive. > > Another option would be the LT1, or 2nd gen small block. > Again, > camaros/firebirds would probably be a good donor choice, > from '94 to '97 > IIRC. LT1s are iron head motors, and weigh a little more > than the ls1. > They also use a t56 six speed trans, but there are mounting > differences I > believe. > > The same basic engine architecture was used in trucks of > the times as > well. I'm pretty darned fuzzy on this, but I know some > of the common > upgrades folks make for drag motors for camaro/firebirds > are to use the > iron block versions of the ls1 from the trucks. If you > weren't super > concerned about weight, my bet is that a truck motor route > might save you > a little money if you knew what you were doing. > > Aftermarket support for all this is pretty good I > believe... Seems like > everyone and their brother puts ls1's into anything > they'll fit in. My > guess is that some searching on the web would find you some > examples for > various cars, though perhaps not that Jag. > > If you want to keep it "in the family" (sorta) > I've got a complete '89 (?? > I think) Ford 302 HO out of a Mustang GT that I've been > tripping on that > I'd sell you for $250... Ran fine when we pulled it in > 2002. You'd need > a trans & bellhousing (t5) but otherwise I think > you'd be ready to go. If > you're not near me (Youngstown, OH), then its probably > more hassle than > its worth though. > > Mark > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as mistertwo at sbcglobal.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Mon Dec 22 09:27:29 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:27:29 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20081222162729.WPQV24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> > LT1s are iron head motors, and I believe they actually came with either iron or aluminum, depending on application. My Buick wagon has iron heads, but my understanding is that the Vette version had aluminum. http://www.9c1.com/technical/LT1_rebuild/ar99928.htm Randall From mikey at b2systems.com Mon Dec 22 09:33:29 2008 From: mikey at b2systems.com (Mike Rambour) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:33:29 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> Message-ID: <494FC159.1060705@b2systems.com> Paul Mele wrote: > I suspect a number of you are car guys. > > I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; > I am VERY surprised at the number of responses that suggested swapping was a good idea, that V12 is a better motor with proper maintenance and if I was looking for a Jag, I would never even give a second thought to a butchered one with a V8 in it. I did look for a Jag a few years ago for my wife and the V8 ones were CHEAP compared to the Jag powered ones but we were only looking for a Jag powered car. In the end she got a Alfa. Its your car do as you wish but take a look around and see the resale values of converted cars versus non-converted, it drops drastically for the converts and they never seem to run right, there is a always a "issue" somewhere. Mike -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mike Rambour Bug Writer err...Programmer mikey at b2systems.com **************************************************************** If you want to learn more about the ULTIMATE BRITISH sports car, then take a look at http://www.singercars.com/ or the ULTIMATE ALMOST a Ferrari http://www.dinospider.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From dmscheidt at gmail.com Mon Dec 22 09:40:01 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:40:01 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> On Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 6:43 AM, Paul Mele wrote: > Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the SBC, but the cost of the > LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a (crashed/ugly) donor > car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't think it will be cost-effective. > > what cars would have the suitable engine(s). > > re: smog > > we do have testing; the 86 body would only require minimum specs. the newer > donor car would easily meet them, I suspect. You'll want to make sure of that. Federally, the car must meet the standards of the newer of car or the replacement engine. Some states actually enforce that; it's not an impossible standard to do, but it's a bit more expensive. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From strovato at optonline.net Mon Dec 22 10:30:32 2008 From: strovato at optonline.net (Steven Trovato) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:30:32 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$%mele@usermail.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$%mele@usermail.com> Message-ID: <0KCA008BLGNTRIK0@mta5.srv.hcvlny.cv.net> You should check out the jag lovers forum. The majority of people there will sneer and throw virtual over-ripe fruit for even considering "lumping" a perfectly good Jaguar. That's what they call it, by the way, when you put a V8 "lump" in there. However, those who are fans of this practice have their very own corner of the forum world at: http://forums.jag-lovers.org/index.php3. Just click on "LUMPS". There you will meet fellow lumpers and not have to take any abuse. -Steve Trovato strovato at optonline.net From jem at milleredp.com Mon Dec 22 10:49:22 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:49:22 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <002001c9642a$71ab5e30$55021a90$@mele@usermail.com> Message-ID: <494FD322.3070609@milleredp.com> > You can get LS1's (3rd gen small block) out of lots of stuff I think, > but the common candidates would be camaros/firebirds & corvettes. Don't forget all the pickups, especially if ultimate power output (lots of 5.3s in the trucks) and weight (they were iron blocks until a couple years ago, they're all aluminum now IIRC) aren't critical. > The camaro/firebird would need to be a '98+ and would have a T56 six > speed conventional trans. Or an automatic, which I think is what he was chasing. The pickups will all be automatics. > IIRC. LT1s are iron head motors, and weigh a little more than the ls1. I thought the LT1s had iron blocks but aluminum heads. The old SBC is typically about 50lb more than the iron-block truck LSn's, and 100lb more than the aluminum-block ones. The LSn-family engines also tend to have really nice pretty compact front-end accessory drives. > If you want to keep it "in the family" (sorta) I've got a complete '89 > (?? I think) Ford 302 HO out of a Mustang GT that I've been tripping on > that I'd sell you for $250... I might buy it if you were a thousand miles closer. John. From matt.lists at trebelhorn.com Mon Dec 22 10:48:38 2008 From: matt.lists at trebelhorn.com (Matt Trebelhorn) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:48:38 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: LS1 is a whole family of motors. Corvettes, yeah. But there are versions of that motor in SUVs and pickups, Camaros... all over. There's a 5.3 all-alloy version, called "L33", that they put in trucks and SUVs. 330hp -- not bad. And because it's a truck motor, it's cheap and plentiful. Wikipedia has a good page on what the motors are, and what cars/ trucks had them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine Matt On 22 Dec, 2008, at 11:40 AM, David Scheidt wrote: > On Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 6:43 AM, Paul Mele > wrote: >> Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the SBC, but the cost >> of the >> LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a (crashed/ugly) donor >> car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't think it will be cost- >> effective. From scott.hall at comcast.net Mon Dec 22 11:29:27 2008 From: scott.hall at comcast.net (scott.hall at comcast.net) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:29:27 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <494FC159.1060705@b2systems.com> Message-ID: <74296443.481091229970567328.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> that's what i was going to say. I think instead of starting with the idea that you have to swap it out, why not use the motor the car is engineered to use? the v12 isn't a bad motor at all, it just got a bad rep from people that were used to working on sbcs. I know of a couple jag conversions; all of them have more 'issue hassle' than the car would if you just left the oem engine in there. even with the kits and directions, it's a pain to convert, then maintain the conversion. and he's not kidding about selling it. once you do that to the car, it's yours for life. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Rambour" To: "Paul Mele" Cc: "shop-talk" Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 11:33:29 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. Paul Mele wrote: > I suspect a number of you are car guys. > > I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; > I am VERY surprised at the number of responses that suggested swapping was a good idea, that V12 is a better motor with proper maintenance and if I was looking for a Jag, I would never even give a second thought to a butchered one with a V8 in it. I did look for a Jag a few years ago for my wife and the V8 ones were CHEAP compared to the Jag powered ones but we were only looking for a Jag powered car. In the end she got a Alfa. Its your car do as you wish but take a look around and see the resale values of converted cars versus non-converted, it drops drastically for the converts and they never seem to run right, there is a always a "issue" somewhere. From jem at milleredp.com Mon Dec 22 11:48:02 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:48:02 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <494FC159.1060705@b2systems.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> <494FC159.1060705@b2systems.com> Message-ID: <494FE0E2.3060000@milleredp.com> >> I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good >> engine; >> > I am VERY surprised at the number of responses that suggested swapping > was a good idea, that V12 is a better motor with proper maintenance and > if I was looking for a Jag, I would never even give a second thought to > a butchered one with a V8 in it. I would say that V12s are unique in character and maybe worth preserving on that basis. Cylinder count aside, the Jag V12 is in no (NO!) way a better engine design than an LSn Chevy. Even the best Jag production heads are a bodge with very limited HP capability. The Jags went through several generations of electronics, etc. and until the last couple years they were I think pretty uniformly awful. The last couple years of the V12 in the mid '90s were pretty good. John. From trevor at boicey.com Mon Dec 22 11:57:45 2008 From: trevor at boicey.com (Trevor Boicey) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:57:45 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <494FC159.1060705@b2systems.com> References: <02fe01c963d2$a292a010$e7b7e030$@mele@usermail.com> <494FC159.1060705@b2systems.com> Message-ID: <494FE329.2030804@boicey.com> Mike Rambour wrote: > I am VERY surprised at the number of responses that suggested swapping > was a good idea I was biting my tongue... ;> > Its your car do as you wish but take a look around and see the resale > values of converted cars versus non-converted, it drops drastically for > the converts and they never seem to run right, there is a always a > "issue" somewhere. I definitely agree with the latter. It's somewhat of an illusion to assume that you can just improvise a few brackets and such in your garage and magically produce something that is better and more reliable than the original Jag design. I have seen too many "conversions" that seem ok from the surface but once you get the owner talking candidly, imperfections always appear. Besides, why would you want a Jag that isn't a Jag? From jandkstone99 at msn.com Mon Dec 22 18:15:30 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:15:30 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls In-Reply-To: <5135553DFFB14230842F60F7F6D28048@HPPavilion> References: <20081222002224.KKLF24847.cdptpa-omta02.mail.rr.com@randall> <5135553DFFB14230842F60F7F6D28048@HPPavilion> Message-ID: Thanks everyone. I got the answer I expected, which is fine. It would have been nice to hear that I could JFDI (just do it), but I didn't think that would be the case. I have a contractor I trust and will start with him. Depending on what he says, I may or may not proceed. A clear answer may be quite a while away. I would have started sooner if this was a simple DIY project, but needing to involve professionals may put it off by many months. Jim > From: jibjib at att.net > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:01:02 -0800 > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Load bearing walls > > Whatever you do, as far as hiring a structural to evaluated your situation > or if you self perform, consider using a steel flitch plate, instead of > 2-by's. I reworked a room, taking out windows and installing two 8 foot > sliding doors, and used a flat bolted up to the header over each door. > Putting the steel flat on edge provides huge strength, if it is secured to a > chunk of wood, with minimal intrusion and a reasonable cost. > > Jack > Mechanical Enginerd > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jandkstone99 at msn.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive _________________________________________________________________ Its the same Hotmail.. If by same you mean up to 70% faster. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_broad1_12 2008 From mark at bradakis.com Mon Dec 22 19:53:28 2008 From: mark at bradakis.com (Mark J Bradakis) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:53:28 -0700 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> I'll chime in on the side of the purists. If I acquired a Jaguar V12 it would be a Jaguar V12. mjb. From mark at sccaprepared.com Mon Dec 22 20:31:58 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:31:58 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> Message-ID: Howdy, On Mon, 22 Dec 2008, Mark J Bradakis wrote: > I'll chime in on the side of the purists. If I acquired a Jaguar V12 > it would be a Jaguar V12. Yeah, I'd be on that side of the fence as well. If you want to swap a motor, do it with a 240SX or a 280Z or M3, or something like that. If you're wanting to swap a motor for anything other than performance reasons, I'd also take a hard 2nd look. Mark From jdinnis at gmail.com Mon Dec 22 21:26:37 2008 From: jdinnis at gmail.com (John Innis) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:26:37 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> Message-ID: Normally I am a purist. In most cases, I'd say if you want an SBC, buy a car that came with an SBC and drive that. But the 80's vintage Jag V12 is where I draw the line. I helped a friend repair his after an engine fire that was caused by faulty electronics ( I'm not really sure if it was the Lucas bits of the Bosch bits that went south, there wasn't much left). Only to have the thing spin a main on him less than a month after we got it back on the road. I hate to say bad things about the company that brought us the 4.2 L Series II E-Type, but I hate the 5.3 HE motor. So if you want SBC or LS1, I'd say go for it. My personal preference is the LS1, as it is lighter and makes better power on the useless gasoline available these days. My favorite is the 350HP version that was available on the RAM AIR Firebirds and Camaros. Harder to come by, but you could always clone one. Might not meet the cost cirteria, but this is an area where you can start basic and add go-fast parts later if you decide you want to. On Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 9:31 PM, Mark Andy wrote: > Howdy, > > On Mon, 22 Dec 2008, Mark J Bradakis wrote: >> >> I'll chime in on the side of the purists. If I acquired a Jaguar V12 >> it would be a Jaguar V12. > > Yeah, I'd be on that side of the fence as well. > > If you want to swap a motor, do it with a 240SX or a 280Z or M3, or > something like that. > > If you're wanting to swap a motor for anything other than performance > reasons, I'd also take a hard 2nd look. > > Mark > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jdinnis at gmail.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > -- ================================= = Never offend people with style when you = = can offend with substance --- Sam Brown = ================================= From jem at milleredp.com Mon Dec 22 23:42:32 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 22:42:32 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> Message-ID: <49508858.3070904@milleredp.com> > Yeah, I'd be on that side of the fence as well. > > If you want to swap a motor, do it with a 240SX or a 280Z or M3, or > something like that. Personally, I think a well-done GM LS2/LS3 installation would improve just about any car. Not to say that all Jag swaps are well-done or that - even with a kit - an engine swap is necessarily going to be the smoothest of projects. > If you're wanting to swap a motor for anything other than performance > reasons, I'd also take a hard 2nd look. I guess I look at it this way: you don't do an engine swap like that with the expectation that in six weeks of evenings you'll have a perfectly sorted car, or because you think you're 'improving' it. It happens, but it's not the rule. You do it because you want to. And you do it knowing you might be ironing out the cruise control or the transmission linkage or the exhaust clearance to the steering box for the next two years. Hell, I've got a '65 Mustang with a 302 up on the lift right now with a set of beautifully made and far from cheap JBA headers that are supposed to be a bolt-in for that car, one of the most common project car combinations on Planet Earth, and those damn headers are less than 1/4in from EVERYTHING even with the taller '66 engine mounts. At least I didn't pay anything for them (they're part of the pile of lightly-rusted parts that were with the car when I got the whole thing for $0, about $20K ago.) Probably just sell 'em to someone with a '67-70 and buy some Hedmans or some such. Now, as for the Jag V12 side of things - there's Jags I'd happily cut into and Jags I wouldn't. One of the very few mid-'90s X300 XJ12s would be a rather nice car to have, and the old pre-bumper '69-72 cars are probably worth the pain of keeping a twelve-holer (though my thoughts lean toward a 7-liter with May heads and a decent aftermarket EFI.) But most '80s Jags are...uh...junk. John. From nick at landform.co.uk Tue Dec 23 07:18:33 2008 From: nick at landform.co.uk (nick brearley) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:18:33 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> Message-ID: <4950F339.3040201@landform.co.uk> Mark Andy wrote: > > If you want to swap a motor, do it with a 240SX or a 280Z or M3, or > something like that. > > If you're wanting to swap a motor for anything other than performance > reasons, I'd also take a hard 2nd look. > Er, what motor would you put in an M3 to give a performance improvement? : ^ ) Nick From whesr at iglou.com Tue Dec 23 11:43:12 2008 From: whesr at iglou.com (Bill Engle Sr) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:43:12 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid><2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com><495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> Message-ID: <001a01c9652e$4f05a200$0400a8c0@MDBC.local> None of those need engine transplants. -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Mark Andy Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 10:32 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. Howdy, On Mon, 22 Dec 2008, Mark J Bradakis wrote: > I'll chime in on the side of the purists. If I acquired a Jaguar V12 > it would be a Jaguar V12. Yeah, I'd be on that side of the fence as well. If you want to swap a motor, do it with a 240SX or a 280Z or M3, or something like that. If you're wanting to swap a motor for anything other than performance reasons, I'd also take a hard 2nd look. From jem at milleredp.com Tue Dec 23 12:16:08 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:16:08 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <001a01c9652e$4f05a200$0400a8c0@MDBC.local> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid><2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com><495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> <001a01c9652e$4f05a200$0400a8c0@MDBC.local> Message-ID: <495138F8.7000403@milleredp.com> Bill Engle Sr wrote: > None of those need engine transplants. > If you want to swap a motor, do it with a 240SX or a 280Z or M3, or > something like that. The big four in the 240SX is not a very nice piece, and the LS1-family motors seem to fit very nicely in the things. LS1-into-S14 swaps are common (and there's quite a cottage industry in LS1-into-RX7 too, it fits really well, friend just picked up a gen2 RX7 turbo roller for an SBF-into-RX7 swap for near-nothing...) The big inline-six in the 280Z is a nice period piece, but it gets awfully high-strung if you're trying to dig serious HP out. There's lots of swaps into the old Zs out there, and it's a pretty car, but it's a pretty weak structure by present-day standards. M3 engine swaps are pretty common and I think getting more so as E36M3s age and need engine work; typically it's putting an S50US/S52US (240HP US E36M3) S50/S52 (320HP Euro E36M3) or S54 (340HP E46M3) small six into an E30M3, or an S52/S54 into a US E36M3 to replace the S50US/S52US. There's a few LS1 swaps out there, it fits and it weighs no more than the six, but the exhaust, etc. clearances are a tad fussy. John. From bjzwissler at gmail.com Tue Dec 23 13:00:12 2008 From: bjzwissler at gmail.com (Ben Zwissler) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:12 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <002001c9642a$71ab5e30$55021a90$@mele@usermail.com> Message-ID: <3BEA33E1404A40E7A739A455D9776FBC@LivingRoomPC> Paul, Not sure where you are, but if in California or states with similar rules, you must swap an engine in that is the same or newer model year of your vehicle (so you've got the right idea there) and it must have "all" the required emissions equipment swapped with it and/or hooked up to your existing emissions equipment. You have to get an inspection and approval letter from the appropriate agency for the swap and show that at your annual/biannual inspection. You must pass the tailpipe test, but that alone is not sufficient to comply. Before you finalize your choice, you may want to talk with the inspection folks to see what all they'll require. Ben Zwissler bjzwissler at gmail.com Columbus, IN 1966 TR-4A IRS 1973 MG Midget 1980 TR-8 2003 Honda ST1300 -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Paul Mele Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 6:43 AM To: 'John Miller'; shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the SBC, but the cost of the LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a (crashed/ugly) donor car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't think it will be cost-effective. what cars would have the suitable engine(s). re: smog we do have testing; the 86 body would only require minimum specs. the newer donor car would easily meet them, I suspect. PM > I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good engine; > it has a GM TH350 behind it. Gonna venture a few opinions though I'm no expert on the subject...I thought the Jag V12s got the Turbo 400. > I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea > for donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, > trans and wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). The best choice engine-wise, of course, would be a fairly recent LS1/LS2, but I'm not sure how far the kit guys have gotten with the LSn-series motors. > the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 > lbs with the V12. I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, > but I'd guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC. No, the Jag V12 is a 60-degree aluminum motor and not all that heavy. About as heavy as an iron SBC, I think. A bit heavier than the LS1/LS2. > So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with > ratings similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans? Any LS1/LS2 you can find will beat those numbers by quite a lot. Do you live anywhere that smog legality matters? John. You are subscribed as bjzwissler at gmail.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From wmc_st at xxiii.com Tue Dec 23 14:46:38 2008 From: wmc_st at xxiii.com (Wayne) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:46:38 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <495138F8.7000403@milleredp.com> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid><2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com><495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> <001a01c9652e$4f05a200$0400a8c0@MDBC.local> <495138F8.7000403@milleredp.com> Message-ID: <49515C3E.2020705@xxiii.com> John Miller wrote: > M3 engine swaps are pretty common and I think getting more so as E36M3s > age and need engine work; typically it's putting an S50US/S52US (240HP > US E36M3) S50/S52 (320HP Euro E36M3) or S54 (340HP E46M3) small six into Getting way off topic, but I couldn't resist reminiscing on one of the the more interesting swaps I was on the sidelines for. Had a couple friends that were BMW fanatics. 1st guy had an E36 M3; bought a Euro-spec 6-speed off ebay and installed it. So then there's a 5-speed tranny collecting dust in his kitchen. His friend gets the bright idea that his family car, an E36 325 or something would be a lot cooler with a manual transmission in it. (can't argue there!) So they procure all the parts, and in a hot June day in South Carolina, in a little tiny apartment complex single stall garage, set about doing it. I only fetched tools and beer (and drank beer.) But in something like 14 hours they had swapped the transmission, driveshaft, rear end, drive axles, ECU. installed a clutch pedal, master cylinder, swapped interior trim and spliced wiring harnesses. Finished at about 2am, and we drove it to breakfast the next morning :) An interesting lesson -- many BMWs have General Motors automatic trannies in them! -Wayne From whesr at iglou.com Tue Dec 23 14:49:00 2008 From: whesr at iglou.com (Bill Engle Sr) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:49:00 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <49515C3E.2020705@xxiii.com> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com><-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid><2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com><495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com><001a01c9652e$4f05a200$0400a8c0@MDBC.local><495138F8.7000403@milleredp.com> <49515C3E.2020705@xxiii.com> Message-ID: <000501c96548$44316bb0$0400a8c0@MDBC.local> Ferrari uses GM automaic transmissions or did for many years. Bill John Miller wrote: > M3 engine swaps are pretty common and I think getting more so as E36M3s > age and need engine work; typically it's putting an S50US/S52US (240HP > US E36M3) S50/S52 (320HP Euro E36M3) or S54 (340HP E46M3) small six into Getting way off topic, but I couldn't resist reminiscing on one of the the more interesting swaps I was on the sidelines for. Had a couple friends that were BMW fanatics. 1st guy had an E36 M3; bought a Euro-spec 6-speed off ebay and installed it. So then there's a 5-speed tranny collecting dust in his kitchen. His friend gets the bright idea that his family car, an E36 325 or something would be a lot cooler with a manual transmission in it. (can't argue there!) So they procure all the parts, and in a hot June day in South Carolina, in a little tiny apartment complex single stall garage, set about doing it. I only fetched tools and beer (and drank beer.) But in something like 14 hours they had swapped the transmission, driveshaft, rear end, drive axles, ECU. installed a clutch pedal, master cylinder, swapped interior trim and spliced wiring harnesses. Finished at about 2am, and we drove it to breakfast the next morning :) An interesting lesson -- many BMWs have General Motors automatic trannies in them! From shiples at comcast.net Tue Dec 23 17:11:44 2008 From: shiples at comcast.net (Steve Shipley) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:11:44 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.0.20081223155115.0307e2a8@mail.comcast.net> At 10:26 PM 12/22/2008 -0600, John Innis wrote: > I hate to say bad >things about the company that brought us the 4.2 L Series II E-Type, >but I hate the 5.3 HE motor. Uh, that's the ugly one with emissions controls that they ruined when they had to meet federal standards. I think most Jaguar enthusiasts prefer the Series l. Although I'd like to think I'm a puri$t, sometimes it isn't worth it. If someone is trying to get another couple of years out of a nice Jag by swapping engines it's been done before and it'll be done a few more times. But it's not a Jaguar anymore. From frede.thomas2 at verizon.net Tue Dec 23 18:50:24 2008 From: frede.thomas2 at verizon.net (FRED E THOMAS) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:50:24 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. References: <3BEA33E1404A40E7A739A455D9776FBC@LivingRoomPC> Message-ID: Now if you should register as a =Antique or Historical"= you will by-pass these regulations !!!! "FT" =========================================================================================================== ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ben Zwissler" To: "'Paul Mele'" ; "'John Miller'" ; Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 3:00 PM Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. > Paul, > > Not sure where you are, but if in California or states with similar rules, > you must swap an engine in that is the same or newer model year of your > vehicle (so you've got the right idea there) and it must have "all" the > required emissions equipment swapped with it and/or hooked up to your > existing emissions equipment. You have to get an inspection and approval > letter from the appropriate agency for the swap and show that at your > annual/biannual inspection. You must pass the tailpipe test, but that > alone > is not sufficient to comply. Before you finalize your choice, you may > want > to talk with the inspection folks to see what all they'll require. > > > Ben Zwissler > bjzwissler at gmail.com > Columbus, IN > 1966 TR-4A IRS > 1973 MG Midget > 1980 TR-8 > 2003 Honda ST1300 > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net > [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Paul Mele > Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 6:43 AM > To: 'John Miller'; shop-talk at autox.team.net > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. > > > Thanks for the thoughts. I'm not married to the SBC, but the cost of the > LS1 may be too much. again, my plan is to buy a (crashed/ugly) donor > car...if it only comes in a 'vette, I don't think it will be > cost-effective. > > what cars would have the suitable engine(s). > > re: smog > > we do have testing; the 86 body would only require minimum specs. the > newer > donor car would easily meet them, I suspect. > > PM > > >> I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe. I know that the V12 isn't a good > engine; >> it has a GM TH350 behind it. > > Gonna venture a few opinions though I'm no expert on the subject...I > thought the Jag V12s got the Turbo 400. > >> I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea >> for donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, >> trans and wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). > > The best choice engine-wise, of course, would be a fairly recent > LS1/LS2, but I'm not sure how far the kit guys have gotten with the > LSn-series motors. > >> the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 >> lbs with the V12. I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, >> but I'd guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC. > > No, the Jag V12 is a 60-degree aluminum motor and not all that heavy. > About as heavy as an iron SBC, I think. A bit heavier than the LS1/LS2. > >> So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with >> ratings similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans? > > Any LS1/LS2 you can find will beat those numbers by quite a lot. > > Do you live anywhere that smog legality matters? > > John. > You are subscribed as bjzwissler at gmail.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as frede.thomas2 at verizon.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From jem at milleredp.com Tue Dec 23 22:05:43 2008 From: jem at milleredp.com (John Miller) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 21:05:43 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <3BEA33E1404A40E7A739A455D9776FBC@LivingRoomPC> Message-ID: <4951C327.20904@milleredp.com> FRED E THOMAS wrote: > Now if you should register as a =Antique or Historical"= you will > by-pass these regulations !!!! "FT" By California standards anything 1976 or newer will be subject to biennial smog checks no matter what unless you live in a rural area that's smog-on-change-of-ownership-only. 1975 and earlier models are exempt from periodic smog testing, which in my book for California purposes makes the 1975-and-earlier examples of any particular vehicle worth infinitely more than basically identical later ones, even if the later vehicle was of a better spec when built (e.g. E12 BMW 5er, VW Rabbit, etc.) John. From markmiller at threeboysfarm.com Wed Dec 24 00:29:23 2008 From: markmiller at threeboysfarm.com (Mark Miller) Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:29:23 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] engine swaps: keeping the jag a jag In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <560C521E14DC4F76B9C637B6B82E0744@OFFICEPC> One important thing: if you do the sbc swap be sure to get one of those plastic oil spill replicas to toss under the car so purists will think there's still a british motor under the hood. Mark Miller Prior owner of an MG midget, Nash mini-metro (Austin), and a Jensen Healey (not all at the same time) From mark at sccaprepared.com Wed Dec 24 10:17:19 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:17:19 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <4950F339.3040201@landform.co.uk> References: <494EED94.4060202@milleredp.com> <-7230899715683478714@unknownmsgid> <2400a5d40812220840y3cf13946w46d7f34abf80f11a@mail.gmail.com> <495052A8.8060207@bradakis.com> <4950F339.3040201@landform.co.uk> Message-ID: Howdy, On Tue, 23 Dec 2008, nick brearley wrote: > Er, what motor would you put in an M3 to give a performance improvement? : ^ > ) ls1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrbz8RXiDF4 Mark From cak at dimebank.com Wed Dec 24 10:22:48 2008 From: cak at dimebank.com (Chris Kantarjiev) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:22:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. Message-ID: <200812241722.mBOHMmWK021545@moose.dimebank.com> > Er, what motor would you put in an M3 to give a performance improvement? A later M3 motor! From dmscheidt at gmail.com Wed Dec 24 20:33:13 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:33:13 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: References: <3BEA33E1404A40E7A739A455D9776FBC@LivingRoomPC> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812241933t3c696364m504f4ad7d68e8088@mail.gmail.com> On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 7:50 PM, FRED E THOMAS wrote: > Now if you should register as a =Antique or Historical"= you will by-pass > these regulations !!!! "FT" > No. Federal law requires that if you put an engine from a vehicle with emissions controls into a vehicle with no emissions controls, you must meet the standards that applied to the vehicle that provided the engine. You stick an engineform a 2008 vette in a Model T, you have to meet 2008 standards. Now, it's up to the states to enforce this, and in many states, you can get away with this, but it's still not legal, and you run the risk of the state deciding that they want to enforce the existing regulations. Best case, you end up with a car you're not allowed to run. Worst case, they shred it, and send you to jail. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From jdinnis at gmail.com Wed Dec 24 21:05:27 2008 From: jdinnis at gmail.com (John Innis) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:05:27 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <2400a5d40812241933t3c696364m504f4ad7d68e8088@mail.gmail.com> References: <3BEA33E1404A40E7A739A455D9776FBC@LivingRoomPC> <2400a5d40812241933t3c696364m504f4ad7d68e8088@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: How does this law apply to crate motors or purpose built engines that did not come from any "donor" car? On Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 9:33 PM, David Scheidt wrote: > On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 7:50 PM, FRED E THOMAS > wrote: >> Now if you should register as a =Antique or Historical"= you will by-pass >> these regulations !!!! "FT" >> > > No. Federal law requires that if you put an engine from a vehicle > with emissions controls into a vehicle with no emissions controls, you > must meet the standards that applied to the vehicle that > provided the engine. You stick an engineform a 2008 vette in a Model > T, you have to meet 2008 standards. > > Now, it's up to the states to enforce this, and in many states, you > can get away with this, but it's still not legal, and you run the risk > of the state deciding that they want to enforce the existing > regulations. Best case, you end up with a car you're not allowed to > run. Worst case, they shred it, and send you to jail. > > -- > David Scheidt > dmscheidt at gmail.com > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jdinnis at gmail.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > -- ================================= = Never offend people with style when you = = can offend with substance --- Sam Brown = ================================= From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Wed Dec 24 22:09:24 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:09:24 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20081225050923.XCEN7108.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> > How does this law apply to crate motors or purpose built > engines that did not come from any "donor" car? It gets complicated. A "new" engine would need to meet current emission standards for it's date of manufacture. But a replacement for the same engine already in the car would only need to meet the standards already applied to the car. So, at least as I understand it, you could start by swapping in a 60's vintage SBC from the junk yard, get the swap approved, then drop in a crate motor of the same specifications and be legal. The tricky part is what counts as a "replacement". Last time I heard of someone getting in trouble for an illegal engine swap, they only paid a fine of $10,000 and of course were not allowed to register the car with the swapped engine. But that was a few years ago, so the fines may have gone up. And I have no doubt it depends on circumstances, etc. Randall From dmscheidt at gmail.com Thu Dec 25 10:56:26 2008 From: dmscheidt at gmail.com (David Scheidt) Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008 11:56:26 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars. In-Reply-To: <20081225050923.XCEN7108.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081225050923.XCEN7108.cdptpa-omta01.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <2400a5d40812250956v7a870773qd7d3b5cff3ec6bd8@mail.gmail.com> On Wed, Dec 24, 2008 at 11:09 PM, Randall wrote: >> How does this law apply to crate motors or purpose built >> engines that did not come from any "donor" car? > > It gets complicated. A "new" engine would need to meet current emission > standards for it's date of manufacture. But a replacement for the same > engine already in the car would only need to meet the standards already > applied to the car. So, at least as I understand it, you could start by > swapping in a 60's vintage SBC from the junk yard, get the swap approved, > then drop in a crate motor of the same specifications and be legal. The > tricky part is what counts as a "replacement". > Well, it's a lot more complicated then that. The law makes it a violation to try and avoid it by doing things like that. So if you start the process intending to end up with a modern engine in your old vehicle, you have to meet the current standards. If you end up with a modern replacement engine becuase the original breaks, you don't. It's not a very well written law, but there are all sorts of corner cases, which are hard to get right. (And the reality is that no one really cares, as long as you're not in the business of selling antique vehicles with modern features.) > Last time I heard of someone getting in trouble for an illegal engine swap, > they only paid a fine of $10,000 and of course were not allowed to register > the car with the swapped engine. But that was a few years ago, so the fines > may have gone up. And I have no doubt it depends on circumstances, etc. > A fine is the most common penality, but seizure isn't uncommon. Criminal sanctions (jail time) is unusual, and usually reserved for people who are doing things on a big scale. -- David Scheidt dmscheidt at gmail.com From pethier at comcast.net Fri Dec 26 07:41:43 2008 From: pethier at comcast.net (pethier at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:41:43 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet Message-ID: <122620081441.16511.4954ED27000479A50000407F22165486869D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> I suppose I could lie and say this toaster was in my shop... If this is too OT for you, please reply privately. toasters, under-cabinet -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We have a Black & Decker Spacemaker Optima Horizontal Toaster in our kitchen. We like it because it is mounted to the bottom of the upper cabinets and does not take up any counter-top space. It's dying. We'd like to get another one, but I think it was taken off the market. Apparently, people who can't read and follow installation directions were cleverly devising ways to catch their kitchens on fire. Does anyone else make a toaster that mounts to the bottom of upper cabinets? Alternatively, if we are stuck with buying a toaster that sits on the counter, what's a good one? We don't mind spending some money for something that will work well and last. Cheap crap need not apply. We would want it to have the capacity to toast split bagels as well as sliced bread. A stay-cool outside would be nice, too, so "clumsy" here does not toast a bread-wrapper some sleepy morning. -- Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7 pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Fri Dec 26 09:23:05 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:23:05 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet In-Reply-To: <122620081441.16511.4954ED27000479A50000407F22165486869D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> Message-ID: <20081226162306.MGWA13015.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> > Does anyone else make a toaster that mounts to the bottom of > upper cabinets? Not that I could find with Google. B&D supposedly had plans to offer a next generation after the recall of the first generation; but it doesn't seem to be available. > Alternatively, if we are stuck with buying a toaster that > sits on the counter, what's a good one? I've been happy with the T-Fal I bought 6-7 years ago; but I wouldn't say we use it heavily. Has extra-wide slots for bagels and such (plus a special button for bagels). SS case does get warm, but not enough to melt a bread wrapper, at least after only one bagel. I suppose it might, if you did a lot of bagels in a row. (I gave up bagels not long after buying it, but still use the bagel cycle to toast my multi-grain bread.) Randall From 57healey at gmail.com Fri Dec 26 09:53:07 2008 From: 57healey at gmail.com (Patton Dickson) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 10:53:07 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shopsmith Message-ID: <743b1e2f0812260853j497b1993j85d8f41283f38811@mail.gmail.com> I found 1960 Shopsmith for sale w/standard attachments and manuals for $125. I haven't gone to look at it yet, but it is allegedly in good shape. I am not into woodwork outside of the occasional project, but I can get rid of my tablesaw and have the ability to do more if I ever get the desire. Any experiences or reccomendations. Thanks Patton -- Patton Dickson - http://Austin-Healeys.com - Plano, TX 1957 Austin-Healey 100-Six "Built to run 'til the road wears out." 1977 Newport '28 From shochschild at att.net Fri Dec 26 10:44:56 2008 From: shochschild at att.net (shochschild at att.net) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 11:44:56 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet In-Reply-To: <20081226162306.MGWA13015.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> References: <20081226162306.MGWA13015.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> Message-ID: <49551818.6000800@att.net> I want the toaster that poaches an egg while it toasts the toast: www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500-Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9VVQLC0T4EDA&colid=3BH7KSY6UU44P Randall wrote: >> Does anyone else make a toaster that mounts to the bottom of >> upper cabinets? >> > > Not that I could find with Google. B&D supposedly had plans to offer a next > generation after the recall of the first generation; but it doesn't seem to > be available. > > >> Alternatively, if we are stuck with buying a toaster that >> sits on the counter, what's a good one? >> > > I've been happy with the T-Fal I bought 6-7 years ago; but I wouldn't say we > use it heavily. Has extra-wide slots for bagels and such (plus a special > button for bagels). SS case does get warm, but not enough to melt a bread > wrapper, at least after only one bagel. I suppose it might, if you did a > lot of bagels in a row. (I gave up bagels not long after buying it, but > still use the bagel cycle to toast my multi-grain bread.) > > Randall > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as shochschild at att.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive From eric at megageek.com Fri Dec 26 11:08:26 2008 From: eric at megageek.com (eric at megageek.com) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:08:26 +0300 Subject: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet In-Reply-To: <49551818.6000800@att.net> Message-ID: I love my under cabinet toaster. The one I have is from the 80's! It still works great (but it doesn't take bagels.) It's right next to my matching, under cabinet coffee maker (also from the 80's.) Both units are first generation Black and Deckers, and have moved to three different houses with me! Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. "shochschild at att.net" Sent by: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net 12/26/2008 08:34 PM Please respond to shochschild at att.net To shop-talk at autox.team.net cc Subject Re: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet I want the toaster that poaches an egg while it toasts the toast: www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500-Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I9VVQLC0T4EDA&colid=3BH7KSY6UU44P Randall wrote: >> Does anyone else make a toaster that mounts to the bottom of >> upper cabinets? >> > > Not that I could find with Google. B&D supposedly had plans to offer a next > generation after the recall of the first generation; but it doesn't seem to > be available. > > >> Alternatively, if we are stuck with buying a toaster that >> sits on the counter, what's a good one? >> > > I've been happy with the T-Fal I bought 6-7 years ago; but I wouldn't say we > use it heavily. Has extra-wide slots for bagels and such (plus a special > button for bagels). SS case does get warm, but not enough to melt a bread > wrapper, at least after only one bagel. I suppose it might, if you did a > lot of bagels in a row. (I gave up bagels not long after buying it, but > still use the bagel cycle to toast my multi-grain bread.) > > Randall > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as shochschild at att.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive You are subscribed as eric at megageek.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From cavanadd at verizon.net Fri Dec 26 13:07:34 2008 From: cavanadd at verizon.net (David C.) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:07:34 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shopsmith In-Reply-To: <743b1e2f0812260853j497b1993j85d8f41283f38811@mail.gmail.com> References: <743b1e2f0812260853j497b1993j85d8f41283f38811@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <49553986.1070906@verizon.net> My two cents worth- Every time I look at Craigslist there seems to be a couple of Shopsmiths for sale for a few hundred bucks. I understand they haven't changed much since the 60s, and are well made machines. New ones are advertised on the Shopsmith site for around $3000. That tells me a lot right there. My problem with the Shopsmith is the same as with any combination tool, like the 3 in 1 metalworking lathe/mill/drill presses (which I DID have once). They do a lot of things, but not very well, and are always set up for what you don't need to do at the time, so you spend a lot of time changing the setup. In the meantime, any settings you may have had for the prior setup are lost. I understand another problem with the Shopsmith in particular is that they use a lot of proprietary parts and attachments that you have to buy from the factory. If Shopsmith goes out of business (which wouldn't surprise me), then you'll be stuck looking on Ebay for parts. A lot of people have made some very nice stuff using a Shopsmith, but I suspect there are a whole lot of them gathering dust because they are a PITA to set up and use. I suppose if you have a very limited budget and can find one cheap enough, and are really strapped for space, they would fill a need, but I prefer individual tools that do one thing well. Dave C Patton Dickson wrote: > I found 1960 Shopsmith for sale w/standard attachments and manuals for > $125. I haven't gone to look at it yet, but it is allegedly in good > shape. I am not into woodwork outside of the occasional project, but > I can get rid of my tablesaw and have the ability to do more if I ever > get the desire. Any experiences or reccomendations. > > Thanks > Patton From 57healey at gmail.com Fri Dec 26 13:52:24 2008 From: 57healey at gmail.com (Patton Dickson) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:52:24 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shopsmith In-Reply-To: <49553986.1070906@verizon.net> References: <743b1e2f0812260853j497b1993j85d8f41283f38811@mail.gmail.com> <49553986.1070906@verizon.net> Message-ID: <743b1e2f0812261252v14042f48k6a15d41d1cc0daaf@mail.gmail.com> Thanks Dave, I did a little research and the model he has doesn't have parts available any more (only Mk V's). I didn't want to buy something that I couldn't get the parts for, regardless if it was a good deal so I passed. Space is by far the attraction for me. The garage is 20x20 and the Healey and it's bits and pieces will always get the bulk of the limited space. Unfortunately I can't expand up or out, and sheds are forbidden by HOA, so it's either move or make due. On Fri, Dec 26, 2008 at 2:07 PM, David C. wrote: > My two cents worth- > > Every time I look at Craigslist there seems to be a couple of Shopsmiths for > sale for a few hundred bucks. I understand they haven't changed much since > the 60s, and are well made machines. New ones are advertised on the > Shopsmith site for around $3000. That tells me a lot right there. > > My problem with the Shopsmith is the same as with any combination tool, like > the 3 in 1 metalworking lathe/mill/drill presses (which I DID have once). > They do a lot of things, but not very well, and are always set up for what > you don't need to do at the time, so you spend a lot of time changing the > setup. In the meantime, any settings you may have had for the prior setup > are lost. I understand another problem with the Shopsmith in particular is > that they use a lot of proprietary parts and attachments that you have to > buy from the factory. If Shopsmith goes out of business (which wouldn't > surprise me), then you'll be stuck looking on Ebay for parts. > > A lot of people have made some very nice stuff using a Shopsmith, but I > suspect there are a whole lot of them gathering dust because they are a PITA > to set up and use. I suppose if you have a very limited budget and can find > one cheap enough, and are really strapped for space, they would fill a need, > but I prefer individual tools that do one thing well. > > Dave C > > Patton Dickson wrote: >> >> I found 1960 Shopsmith for sale w/standard attachments and manuals for >> $125. I haven't gone to look at it yet, but it is allegedly in good >> shape. I am not into woodwork outside of the occasional project, but >> I can get rid of my tablesaw and have the ability to do more if I ever >> get the desire. Any experiences or reccomendations. >> >> Thanks >> Patton >> > -- Patton Dickson - http://Austin-Healeys.com - Plano, TX 1957 Austin-Healey 100-Six "Built to run 'til the road wears out." 1977 Newport '28 From gsteve at hammatt.com Fri Dec 26 14:11:11 2008 From: gsteve at hammatt.com (Steve Hammatt Mount Vernon WA USA) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:11:11 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] A serious snowblower Message-ID: <02A45F094398456A8E75E1749F82B33D@DesktopPC> If you live (or ever have lived) 'Up North', ya gotta love this! Yep, it is for real! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.10.0/1865 - Release Date: 12/26/2008 1:01 PM [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg] [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg] [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg] From pethier at comcast.net Fri Dec 26 14:35:17 2008 From: pethier at comcast.net (pethier at comcast.net) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:35:17 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] A serious snowblower Message-ID: <122620082135.14388.49554E15000BC9450000383422155934149D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> We don't do attachments on Shop-Talk, Steve. Is there a website we can see this? -- Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7 pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Steve Hammatt Mount Vernon WA USA" > If you live (or ever have lived) 'Up North', > ya gotta love this! Yep, it is for real! > > [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg] > > [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg] > > [demime 1.01d removed an attachment of type image/jpeg] > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html From markmiller at threeboysfarm.com Fri Dec 26 17:25:28 2008 From: markmiller at threeboysfarm.com (Mark Miller) Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:25:28 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shopsmith Message-ID: Patton says: <> I had one of these of a slightly older vintage, 1958 or so. It was a nice toy but had it's issues. The biggest was the table for the saw- it was way too small and its height adjustment was by undoing the screws that held the table up over the base and pulling or pushing the table to the height you wanted (like what you see on cheap drill presses to adjust the platform). Later models had an adjustment wheel like all reasonable saws. But: it was a great horizontal drill press and the disk sander was just fine. It was fun to use now and again as a lathe. Get it and keep your tablesaw, you'll be happier. This can be said for all tools - get them, and keep your old ones. Perhaps this is a sign of my (our?) disease. Mark Miller From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sat Dec 27 07:19:19 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:19:19 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Bare shelves at Harbor Freight Message-ID: The shelves at my local Harbor Freight (one of two in the St. Louis area) are looking a little bare. They have been that way for weeks. In today's economic climate that makes me wonder about the health of the company. Has anyone else noticed this at their local store? _________________________________________________________________ Its the same Hotmail.. If by same you mean up to 70% faster. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_broad1_12 2008 From wmc_st at xxiii.com Sat Dec 27 07:43:51 2008 From: wmc_st at xxiii.com (Wayne) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:43:51 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] Bare shelves at Harbor Freight In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <49563F27.4080304@xxiii.com> Jim Stone wrote: > The shelves at my local Harbor Freight (one of two in the St. Louis area) are > looking a little bare. They have been that way for weeks. In today's > economic climate that makes me wonder about the health of the company. Has > anyone else noticed this at their local store? Hmm, combo of crap, I'd guess. They try to load up on hot items for xmas. But then they usually owe property / inventory tax on it Jan 1. So they have to balance meeting holiday demand with not carrying excess inventory. Plus they normally need to do a physical inventory and count all the garbage. And, many people's budgets are exhausted from the xmas spending, so Jan / Feb may be slow. -Wayne From kvacek at ameritech.net Sat Dec 27 10:06:54 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:06:54 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Bare shelves at Harbor Freight References: <49563F27.4080304@xxiii.com> Message-ID: <0CDFCD03EAAA4C2FAD220812A49FD132@KARL> I saw the same thing at one of the Chicago area stores a couple of days before Christmas - it was very obvious in several areas, although I wouldn't by any means say the store was low on inventory overall. A decent amount of stuff still in the back, too, and workers promising customers that this or that would be in in a few days. While I wondered about store closings, in fact they only recently opened another one here. Like Wayne, I then assumed it was a drawdown before the end of their fiscal year, presumably January 1st. FWIW, their stores here (4 in the Chicago suburbs now) are always very busy whenever I go into one. Lots of people buying decent carts full of that Chinese crap. Ahem... me too..... ANyway, I bet HF's sales levels year-to-year are better percentage-wise than most of the major retailers here. I'm not a big shopper, but I know that in every recent year, you couldn't park at ANY general shopping center here for the whole week before Christmas, and a few days afterwards. This year the lots didn't look anywhere near crowded. For years Jill and I have watched shopping center after shopping center and warehouse after warehouse being built, and asked each other who's going to buy all that stuff. Maybe this is the answer - nobody. Karl > Jim Stone wrote: >> The shelves at my local Harbor Freight (one of two in the St. Louis area) >> are >> looking a little bare. They have been that way for weeks. In today's >> economic climate that makes me wonder about the health of the company. >> Has >> anyone else noticed this at their local store? > > Hmm, combo of crap, I'd guess. They try to load up on hot items for xmas. > But then they usually owe property / inventory tax on it Jan 1. So they > have to balance meeting holiday demand with not carrying excess inventory. > Plus they normally need to do a physical inventory and count all the > garbage. And, many people's budgets are exhausted from the xmas spending, > so Jan / Feb may be slow. > -Wayne From kvacek at ameritech.net Sat Dec 27 10:34:55 2008 From: kvacek at ameritech.net (Karl Vacek) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:34:55 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] LIon battery care Message-ID: <57F758225E9B4804970DB0D17D90B090@KARL> I just got a new (well, new to me...) laptop, and I'd like to keep the battery usable as long as possible. My steam-powered 2001 Dell's batteries lost capacity rather quickly after the end of their respective warranties. I normally run the computer on wall power rather than go back and forth between battery and wall power, and the computer usually just sits at my desk, functioning as a desktop until I want to work somewhere else. That computer hasn't been off my desk for years now, because it has maybe 5 minutes of battery capacity, all the while warning me to change batteries. I didn't get much more life out of either the main or the spare battery, and the spare wasn't on charge 24 hours a day. Soooo - what's the real deal on how to care for these expen$ive little babies ? The LIon battery in my 4+ year old cell phone is still fine, and its chargers are certainly nothing sophisticated. Karl From mark at nashvilletn.org Sat Dec 27 10:42:08 2008 From: mark at nashvilletn.org (Mark) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:42:08 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] LIon battery care References: <57F758225E9B4804970DB0D17D90B090@KARL> Message-ID: <5EEDB59004D64487B5169FB261754171@Dell9200> Karl, Check out this link http://www.batteryuniversity.com/partone-12.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karl Vacek" To: Soooo - what's the real deal on how to care for these expen$ive little babies ? The LIon battery in my 4+ year old cell phone is still fine, and its chargers are certainly nothing sophisticated. Karl From scott.hall at comcast.net Sat Dec 27 11:36:30 2008 From: scott.hall at comcast.net (scott.hall at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:36:30 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Shop-talk] heat pump water heaters? In-Reply-To: <5EEDB59004D64487B5169FB261754171@Dell9200> Message-ID: <517103584.1049181230402990595.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> it's shop related because it'll live in the garage and potentially cool it somewhat, if the websites are to be believed... so I've never even heard of these before, but the water heater at the new house seems to be gone, and I was planning to replace it with solar or tankless, or some combination of solar, tankless, and gas tank to get the endless hot water at the lowest cost. googling turns up heat pump water heaters. anybody know anything about them besides the sales pitches on the web? ahve one? I live in florida, so the incidental cooling benefit wouldn't be unappreciated. on the other hand, I have the highest electricity rates for 600 miles, and possibly the country outside new york. thanks. scott From jdinnis at gmail.com Sat Dec 27 12:01:12 2008 From: jdinnis at gmail.com (John Innis) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:01:12 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] heat pump water heaters? In-Reply-To: <517103584.1049181230402990595.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> References: <5EEDB59004D64487B5169FB261754171@Dell9200> <517103584.1049181230402990595.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> Message-ID: Not sure if it is the same thing, but our ground source heat pump (geo-thermal) home heating and cooling system also produces hot water. Ours is a Hydro-Delta brand, and is one of the best at producing hot water (does not use a de-superheater. However, it was a very expensive system. It will save us money in the long run but only partly because of efficiency improvement. We also get a special rate on the electricity ofr it (on a separate meter). Even with that, and the reduced heating and cooling costs, it will take seven years for the system to "pay for" itself. On Sat, Dec 27, 2008 at 12:36 PM, wrote: > it's shop related because it'll live in the garage and potentially cool it somewhat, if the websites are to be believed... > > so I've never even heard of these before, but the water heater at the new house seems to be gone, and I was planning to replace it with solar or tankless, or some combination of solar, tankless, and gas tank to get the endless hot water at the lowest cost. > > googling turns up heat pump water heaters. anybody know anything about them besides the sales pitches on the web? ahve one? > > I live in florida, so the incidental cooling benefit wouldn't be unappreciated. on the other hand, I have the highest electricity rates for 600 miles, and possibly the country outside new york. > > thanks. > > scott > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jdinnis at gmail.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > -- ================================= = Never offend people with style when you = = can offend with substance --- Sam Brown = ================================= From scott.hall at comcast.net Sat Dec 27 12:03:55 2008 From: scott.hall at comcast.net (scott.hall at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:03:55 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [Shop-talk] heat pump water heaters? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <1392253815.1051811230404635459.JavaMail.root@sz0146a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net> nah, I'm waiting for the a/c to go out for that. this is a dedicated water heater that sits on top of the existing water heater tank. looks almost like a pancake compressor. ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Innis" To: "scott hall" Cc: shop-talk at autox.team.net Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2008 2:01:12 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] heat pump water heaters? Not sure if it is the same thing, but our ground source heat pump (geo-thermal) home heating and cooling system also produces hot water. Ours is a Hydro-Delta brand, and is one of the best at producing hot water (does not use a de-superheater. However, it was a very expensive system. It will save us money in the long run but only partly because of efficiency improvement. We also get a special rate on the electricity ofr it (on a separate meter). Even with that, and the reduced heating and cooling costs, it will take seven years for the system to "pay for" itself. From eltonclark at gmail.com Sat Dec 27 12:05:16 2008 From: eltonclark at gmail.com (Elton E. (Tony) Clark) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:05:16 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shopsmith In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: *Beware the 10ER model of ShopSmith: It was actually made by "Magna" or someone and it was totally redesigned by the people who bought the "ShopSmith" name and concept about 40 years ago.* ** *I just finished restoring and selling a 10ER for my widowed sis and the ShopSmith people quickly tell you that there are no parts. There ARE however, many items on Ebay and even a support group on the net for the series 10 machines. There's nothing wrong with the concept, the functions are easy to change and it take very little time to switch. You don't want to buy a 10 series but there are loads of V series out there for sale CHEAP, parts are available, ebay has everything for them, and they are wonderful compact tools.* *Tony in Texas* From tr3driver at ca.rr.com Sat Dec 27 12:14:10 2008 From: tr3driver at ca.rr.com (Randall) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:14:10 -0800 Subject: [Shop-talk] LIon battery care In-Reply-To: <57F758225E9B4804970DB0D17D90B090@KARL> Message-ID: <20081227191410.EQOO13015.cdptpa-omta03.mail.rr.com@randall> > The LIon battery in my 4+ year old > cell phone is still fine, and its chargers are certainly > nothing sophisticated. You might be surprised. Mine is about that old, and when I pulled a charger with a broken plug apart, I found what appears to be a microchip controller buried in a blob of black plastic. Randall From 57healey at gmail.com Sat Dec 27 12:57:17 2008 From: 57healey at gmail.com (Patton Dickson) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:57:17 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Shopsmith In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <743b1e2f0812271157k3d53a1bana36ac0bca3e97915@mail.gmail.com> Hi Tony, that was exactly what this one was, and why I passed. I did a little research and saw these lack the ability to add safety parts as well. Thanks for all the input from everyone. Patton On 12/27/08, Elton E. (Tony) Clark wrote: > *Beware the 10ER model of ShopSmith: It was actually made by "Magna" or > someone and it was totally redesigned by the people who bought the > "ShopSmith" name and concept about 40 years ago.* > ** > *I just finished restoring and selling a 10ER for my widowed sis and the > ShopSmith people quickly tell you that there are no parts. There ARE > however, many items on Ebay and even a support group on the net for the > series 10 machines. There's nothing wrong with the concept, the functions > are easy to change and it take very little time to switch. You don't want > to buy a 10 series but there are loads of V series out there for sale CHEAP, > parts are available, ebay has everything for them, and they are wonderful > compact tools.* > *Tony in Texas* > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as 57healey at gmail.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive > -- Sent from my mobile device Patton Dickson - http://Austin-Healeys.com - Plano, TX 1957 Austin-Healey 100-Six "Built to run 'til the road wears out." 1977 Newport '28 From swimmer at ccc-cable.net Sat Dec 27 19:38:00 2008 From: swimmer at ccc-cable.net (Phillip Farmer) Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:38:00 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet In-Reply-To: References: <49551818.6000800@att.net> Message-ID: <0C2F3E2925EC4910AD2026862364651D@Laptoppf> Target has the B&D under cabinet mounted toaster ovens, coffee pots and of course can openers. Called "space saver". -----Original Message----- From: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of eric at megageek.com Sent: Friday, December 26, 2008 12:08 PM To: shop-talk at autox.team.net Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet I love my under cabinet toaster. The one I have is from the 80's! It still works great (but it doesn't take bagels.) It's right next to my matching, under cabinet coffee maker (also from the 80's.) Both units are first generation Black and Deckers, and have moved to three different houses with me! Moose Everything I know about knots, I learned from Alexander the Great. "shochschild at att.net" Sent by: shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net 12/26/2008 08:34 PM Please respond to shochschild at att.net To shop-talk at autox.team.net cc Subject Re: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet I want the toaster that poaches an egg while it toasts the toast: www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500-Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96/ref=wl_it_dp? ie=UTF8&coliid=I9VVQLC0T4EDA&colid=3BH7KSY6UU44P Randall wrote: >> Does anyone else make a toaster that mounts to the bottom of >> upper cabinets? >> > > Not that I could find with Google. B&D supposedly had plans to offer a next > generation after the recall of the first generation; but it doesn't seem to > be available. > > >> Alternatively, if we are stuck with buying a toaster that >> sits on the counter, what's a good one? >> > > I've been happy with the T-Fal I bought 6-7 years ago; but I wouldn't say we > use it heavily. Has extra-wide slots for bagels and such (plus a special > button for bagels). SS case does get warm, but not enough to melt a bread > wrapper, at least after only one bagel. I suppose it might, if you did a > lot of bagels in a row. (I gave up bagels not long after buying it, but > still use the bagel cycle to toast my multi-grain bread.) > > Randall > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as shochschild at att.net > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive You are subscribed as eric at megageek.com Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive You are subscribed as swimmer at ccc-cable.net Shop-talk mailing list http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk http://www.team.net/archive From pethier at comcast.net Sat Dec 27 22:51:34 2008 From: pethier at comcast.net (pethier at comcast.net) Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:51:34 +0000 Subject: [Shop-talk] toasters, under-cabinet Message-ID: <122820080551.13626.495713E6000DAAA10000353A22165258069D0A07089B0A9F@comcast.net> -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "Phillip Farmer" > Target has the B&D under cabinet mounted toaster ovens, coffee pots and of > course can openers. Called "space saver". Unfortunately the toaster oven is three times the size of the toaster. We are now resigned to a countertop model and will go shopping locally. -- Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA 62 Triumph TR4 CT2846L, 07 Saturn Ion 3 2.4, 93 Suburban, 94 Miata C-package, 79 Caterham 7 pethier [at] comcast [dot] net http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier From jandkstone99 at msn.com Sun Dec 28 06:08:53 2008 From: jandkstone99 at msn.com (Jim Stone) Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:08:53 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] Bare shelves at Harbor Freight In-Reply-To: <0CDFCD03EAAA4C2FAD220812A49FD132@KARL> References: <49563F27.4080304@xxiii.com> <0CDFCD03EAAA4C2FAD220812A49FD132@KARL> Message-ID: Thanks. That is good to know as I just bought a pair of their heavy duty engine lifts and wanted to be sure I had the full 30 days to return them. I am thinking about building a rotisserie for my Alpine, but really wasn't ready to pull the trigger. However, they were on sale for $100 (from $120) and I had the 20% coupon they seem to be sending out every day lately, so I figured I wouldn't find a better price. $160 plus a bit for scrap steel would be a great price for a rotisserie. Jim > From: kvacek at ameritech.net > To: shop-talk at autox.team.net > Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 11:06:54 -0600 > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Bare shelves at Harbor Freight > > I saw the same thing at one of the Chicago area stores a couple of days > before Christmas - it was very obvious in several areas, although I wouldn't > by any means say the store was low on inventory overall. A decent amount of > stuff still in the back, too, and workers promising customers that this or > that would be in in a few days. While I wondered about store closings, in > fact they only recently opened another one here. Like Wayne, I then assumed > it was a drawdown before the end of their fiscal year, presumably January > 1st. > > FWIW, their stores here (4 in the Chicago suburbs now) are always very busy > whenever I go into one. Lots of people buying decent carts full of that > Chinese crap. Ahem... me too..... > > ANyway, I bet HF's sales levels year-to-year are better percentage-wise than > most of the major retailers here. I'm not a big shopper, but I know that in > every recent year, you couldn't park at ANY general shopping center here for > the whole week before Christmas, and a few days afterwards. This year the > lots didn't look anywhere near crowded. > > For years Jill and I have watched shopping center after shopping center and > warehouse after warehouse being built, and asked each other who's going to > buy all that stuff. Maybe this is the answer - nobody. > > Karl > > > > > > Jim Stone wrote: > >> The shelves at my local Harbor Freight (one of two in the St. Louis area) > >> are > >> looking a little bare. They have been that way for weeks. In today's > >> economic climate that makes me wonder about the health of the company. > >> Has > >> anyone else noticed this at their local store? > > > > Hmm, combo of crap, I'd guess. They try to load up on hot items for xmas. > > But then they usually owe property / inventory tax on it Jan 1. So they > > have to balance meeting holiday demand with not carrying excess inventory. > > Plus they normally need to do a physical inventory and count all the > > garbage. And, many people's budgets are exhausted from the xmas spending, > > so Jan / Feb may be slow. > > -Wayne > _______________________________________________ > Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html > > You are subscribed as jandkstone99 at msn.com > > Shop-talk mailing list > > http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shop-talk > > http://www.team.net/archive _________________________________________________________________ Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. http://windowslive.com/online/hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_speed_122 008 From mark at sccaprepared.com Tue Dec 30 23:02:48 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:02:48 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets Message-ID: Howdy, My wife is bugging me to do a playset for our son. Apparently the park with all their equipment isn't enough. Anyway, leaving aside that, anyone have any pointers on the kid playset front? Sources for inexpensive slides / swing seats / whatever? One place I see online has a kit for $640 that includes a couple slides, seats / other swing hardware, and plans. You supply the lumber. Am I going to beat that by much? Less work by me is better, but I also don't want to be spending $3k on a playset. Thanks! Mark From pj_mcgarvey at hotmail.com Wed Dec 31 05:49:09 2008 From: pj_mcgarvey at hotmail.com (PJ McGarvey) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:49:09 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I built this for my daughter summer of '07. She was just turning 2. My next door neighbor was tearing down the playset in his yard that he inherited from the previous owner and was starting to be an eyesore. He gave me the slide and two normal swings. I bought the "baby" swing from Home Depot for very little. My daughter is tall for her age, so the baby swing barely fits her anymore. The slide doubles as a "water slide" in the summer with a little water from the hose. I think I spent a few weekends and a couple hundred dollars on the project. I had some leftover PT and non-PT wood from other projects and my deck. http://picasaweb.google.com/pjmcgarvey/Playset?authkey=QCwPR8MpKtw&feat=direc tlink -PJ> Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:02:48 -0500> From: mark at sccaprepared.com> To: shop-talk at autox.team.net> Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets> > Howdy,> > My wife is bugging me to do a playset for our son. Apparently the park > with all their equipment isn't enough.> > Anyway, leaving aside that, anyone have any pointers on the kid playset > front? Sources for inexpensive slides / swing seats / whatever?> > One place I see online has a kit for $640 that includes a couple slides, > seats / other swing hardware, and plans. You supply the lumber. Am I > going to beat that by much?> > Less work by me is better, but I also don't want to be spending $3k on a > playset.> > Thanks!> > Mark> From rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com Wed Dec 31 06:54:37 2008 From: rlwhitetr3b at hotmail.com (Rich White) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:54:37 -0600 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Are you looking at building wooden stuff or buying metal? The metal ones need to be secured to the ground while the wooden one might not need to be. I got a set of plans, which came with the hardware, and the lumber from Menards. I build a fort and large swing set in a weekend. Check Menards, Lowes and Home Depot. Have you given any thought as to doing something under it so it isn't as had a landing when he fall or jumps off? That is what took the most time!Rich White St. Joseph, IL USA '63 TR3B TCF587L That ain't a scrap pile, that is my car! See it moves! From opposumking at verizon.net Wed Dec 31 08:10:32 2008 From: opposumking at verizon.net (Nolan) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:10:32 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets References: Message-ID: <002601c96b59$edb2cff0$230bfea9@mde.state.md.us> You can find them fairly regularly in the local newspaper. "Free, you remove". That's where I got mine. Beware of splinters if you build it yourself. Many of the sets use a nicer wood that splinters quite a bit less than the cheap wood Lowes and such sells. Kids don't play a whole lot in playsets by themselves. If they have friends and siblings to play in it with, then they will be up there quite a bit. But if you've just got one child, don't be surprised to find them not using it very often. From mark at sccaprepared.com Wed Dec 31 09:27:58 2008 From: mark at sccaprepared.com (Mark Andy) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:27:58 -0500 (EST) Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Howdy, On Wed, 31 Dec 2008, Rich White wrote: > Are you looking at building wooden stuff or buying metal? Either, really. Its mostly down to cost. > Have you given any thought as to doing something under it so it isn't as > had a landing when he fall or jumps off? That is what took the most > time! Nothing beyond "gee it'd be nice to do something softer than a brick patio here..." Any recommendations? Do they sell the glued-together-rubber-bit cushion mats I see at other playgrounds? Thanks! Mark From cak at dimebank.com Wed Dec 31 10:46:28 2008 From: cak at dimebank.com (Chris Kantarjiev) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:46:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Shop-talk] ChemAire Message-ID: <200812311746.mBVHkSNG025040@moose.dimebank.com> We've occasionally mentioned ChemAire tubing here, an expensive but seemingly convenient technology for plumbing compressed air in the shop. I had an entry for it in the Monster List (www.dimebank.com/monster) and just heard from someone at Nibco, the manufacturer, that the stuff is no longer available. Just wanted to post something here for the archives, in case someone goes looking... From wmc_st at xxiii.com Wed Dec 31 11:54:58 2008 From: wmc_st at xxiii.com (Wayne) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:54:58 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <495BC002.5010702@xxiii.com> >> Have you given any thought as to doing something under it so it isn't >> as had a landing when he fall or jumps off? That is what took the most >> time! > Nothing beyond "gee it'd be nice to do something softer than a brick > patio here..." Any recommendations? Do they sell the Back when I was a kid in '72 and we had to walk uphill both ways to the playground, we had a 30 year old layer of cracked asphalt under the swings, and we all grew up fine! 'Cept for me with a big-assed scar on my forehead from a failed running belly-flop into the swing. Builds character, dang it; and I have a convenient reference line for where to part my hair. Really... I think I heard federal safety guidelines for today's over-protected kids call for like 12 or 18 inch "pit" of mulch under equipment. Which seems like what I've seen at current public installations. Seems like without some good drainage plan, it could turn into a nasty swap-like pit. -Wayne From ejrussell at mebtel.net Wed Dec 31 19:20:12 2008 From: ejrussell at mebtel.net (Eric J Russell) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:20:12 -0500 Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets References: Message-ID: <63532CA7E5D84B64A78E551C2898081D@ejrussell> I bought a set of plans from this site: http://www.jacksbackyard.com/ for a swingset for our grandson. It was less than $20 for the plans. I'm sure I could have made the swing set without buying the plans but it was helpful to have some of the details figured out plus a complete hardware/lumber list made shopping a bit quicker (and avoided having to stop in the middle of construction to run out to get a forgotten bolt, etc) Bought the swings & slide at Lowes. There were some on-line retailers a bit cheaper for the slide but with shipping tacked on it wasn't a lot less. I don't recall the total cost. IIRC, the budget was less than $500. Of course Grampy's labor was free... Eric Russell Mebane, NC http://home.mebtel.net/~ejrussell ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Andy" To: Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:02 AM Subject: [Shop-talk] kid playsets > Howdy, > > My wife is bugging me to do a playset for our son. Apparently the > park > with all their equipment isn't enough. > > Anyway, leaving aside that, anyone have any pointers on the kid > playset > front? Sources for inexpensive slides / swing seats / whatever? > > One place I see online has a kit for $640 that includes a couple > slides, > seats / other swing hardware, and plans. You supply the lumber. Am > I > going to beat that by much? > > Less work by me is better, but I also don't want to be spending $3k > on a > playset. > > Thanks! > > Mark