Taking Measurements To Prove My Point, All-In-One Workshop and New Fridge.

 Our Location today is at Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

I’ve mentioned before that if someone assigns me a task until I have it laid out on paper or completed I’ll lose sleep doing it repeatedly when I should be sleeping at night. I had to take an Extra Strength Tylenol at 2:00 so that I could sleep.

Yesterday just before the end of the shift Kharen the Supervisor did just that. With his broken English and his excited ramblings it made it difficult at times to understand what he was saying. What got me through it was the fact that I’ve worked around much larger units and had a basic understanding of what he wanted.

Once I was set up for my shift this morning I informed Paul the Owner that I would be busy measuring upstairs. Being by myself I was able to calmly look at what was before me and get measurements that I could not get while someone was having a meltdown in front of me. It also allowed me to see that what Kharen wanted me to plumb to the Air Dryer was already built in. By utilizing that would save Materials and Time.

When I returned to the Maintenance Compound he was already there making a mess of the shop acting like he knew what he was doing. When he grew argumentative I pointed out my discovery and used my soapstone to draw it on the Workbench. He denied that existed but I insisted he needed to look again and pointed out what it would save us.

He insisted on checking other machines as we crossed the Mezzanine gathering more repairs that I would need to do. Even as I pointed out what was obvious it took nearly Ten Minutes of repeatedly explaining it to him before he saw what was before him. He finally agreed to what I was saying and the savings it would create.

Back at the Compound I had to revert to my Machining Skills and used the Taps and Dies to repair another problem.

I had barely finished that when Paul the Owner asked me a little favour. He purchased an All-in-One Workshop that many might remember being advertised in a Popular Mechanics Magazine from Sixty Years ago. I had it put together in less then an Hour. It had a single Electric Motor that with the use of pulleys powered a Drill Press, Table Saw, Disc Sander or Joiner. I then had to instruct Paul on how to make the different tools work as needed.

That’s when Kharen showed up trying to say it was useless. (For a business yes but for a hobby no.) I changed the subject asking him if he had ordered the V-Belts for the Cooling Fans. When he said no Paul told me to write what we needed and said he’d go pick them up today. I saw daggers staring my way.
Kathy had gone out for a few minutes and had just gotten in when I called. The temperature was perfect for having the Balcony Door and Bedroom Window open.

Back inside there was a quick repair on a Carrier when Kharen showed up with a small Roller Device that was jammed. When he returned minutes later he was shocked to see it all in pieces. Fifteen Minutes later I was returning it to the Powder Coating Room working the way it should.

Once again the Paint-Line shut down early so Kharen (must have had a burr stuck someplace) came in screaming orders that the Manifold Link between Section Seven and Eight had to be done this weekend. Ivan and I went inside the Washer and did a few needed last minute modifications. Then we hoisted Paul’s All-in-One Workshop to the Mezzanine for safe keeping. With Kharen being too busy to help with final measurements Ivan helped me so when we order the Pipes they’ll be made to size making the job much easier.

When I entered our building Joel the Assistant Manager and Handyman spotted me. He said they had another Refrigerator for us and just needed to know when to deliver it. I responded saying give us a Half Hour. Our old Fridge was sounding like the old Cast Iron Heaters clanging every Five Minutes to the point of waking us at night.

In the Apartment Kathy was shocked but at the same time happy to hear about the Fridge. Since we have been trying to wear down our perishable foods in case the old Fridge died we were able to use our Collapsible Coolers and Insulated Shopping Bags to pack everything from the Freezer and Fridge into. I called the Office only Twenty Minutes after talking to Joel downstairs. Ten Minutes later we were putting the newer Fridge in place. The shelving is different so it took a while to repack it.

We had a Store Bought Thin Crust Medium Vegetarian Pizza for supper.

There was no 6 o’clock Local News today to report on the Coronavirus in the Windsor/Essex Region due to a newly created Holiday for many. We’ll see them tomorrow.

The Weather Network showed our temperature reached a high of 70 F (21 C) again today but we’ll be slowly cooling down.

Hard to believe that September is over already. We can only hope the rest of the year is better.

Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion or is Spam.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

You know your getting old when You have more patience, but it is actually that you just don't care anymore.

Tuesday Turnaround Delaying Today’s Break.

 Our Location today is at Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

As I was completing my Morning Walk Around I looked at where the Air Dryer was sitting. Even though it was in a better spot then yesterday I decided to move it even farther. In the end it was moved Ten Feet further East and Two Feet further South by simply using a Four by Four. By doing that it gives a wider path of travel next to it as well as getting it more in line with the Pipe that it would connect to.

Back on the main floor there were already a number of Carriers that needed a quick fix. As I returned a pair back to the Line a quick glance at a Rack told me that if it wasn’t tended to ASAP it would totally collapse. It wasn’t the design of the Rack itself but the fact that it had more then double the number of Carriers attached then it was designed to hold along with the poor condition of the Floor that was causing the problem.

Not having any full lengths of material to use I was forced to splice a couple of shorter lengths together. The Line Workers only emptied the bottom tier which meant I had to crawl under the remaining Carriers to make the modification. Once the Cross Piece was added additional Bracing were also included. It was rock solid when it was returned to the Paint-Line.

When I spoke to Kathy at lunch she was recovering from having pushed herself too much at the Storage Unit yesterday. Having used muscles that she hadn’t used in some time so now they were reminding her of their limited abilities.

There were more Carriers and Hangers that needed attention which would take me right to the end of the shift. If you recall that yesterday I reminded Kharen that my break started at 3:15 so I could wash up well he remembered. At 3:10 he told me to grab my Tape Measure and Writing Pad and to follow him.

This could have waited until morning but he wanted me to know he is the Supervisor and how he expects me to Pipe in the Air Dryer to the New Compressor that are on the Mezzanine floor. We didn’t get back to the Compound until 3:43 but that only means he moved my Break by a Half Hour and I’ll remind him of that tomorrow. I called to let Kathy know of the delay.

Moments after getting in the Apartment I was on the phone with our Pharmacy ordering what Medications we needed refilled. By calling today they should be ready for us to pick up on Monday after I get off of work.

For supper we had the Leftover Meat Pie from last night along with Niblet Corn as a side. We also had Fresh Sliced Peaches along with a Rice Crispy Square for dessert.

The 6 o’clock Local News reported 29 New Coronavirus Cases for the Windsor/Essex Region bringing the total Active Cases to 281 of which 17 were Unvaccinated.

The Weather Network showed our temperature reached a high of 70 F (21 C) with much cooler night-time temperatures heading our way.

Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion or is Spam.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

Life is a lot like jazz. It’s best when you improvise.

George Gershwin, American Composer.

Turning Tuesday Around

 Our Location today is at Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

As I’ve mentioned before Tuesday seems to be the day when Kharen has his little Tantrums. That idea just seemed to irk me more the closer I got to the Plant but it also gave me food for thought.

Paul’s attitude has been changing lately to the point that he has been Complimenting things I’ve done and listened to a few of my suggestions. So when I reported finding V-Belts starting to show Cracks on a couple of Exhaust Stacks he told me to look if there were any in stock. Luckily the Belt Size had been written on the Guard but there wasn’t anything that size in the Plant.

I was about to bring him the size of what we needed when I was intercepted by Kharen the Supervisor. Telling him there was nothing in stock didn’t stop him from retracing my steps but I bided my time. He spotted a couple of Tubes that he had dropped off the night before called Anodes and said I needed to weld them. When I asked weld to what he said he’d be back. I also asked about where he wanted the Air Dryer on the Mezzanine. He just gestured with his hand in a downward motion as he walked away.

I spent the rest of the morning repairing 13 Carriers of different sizes with varying degrees of work. The Forklift Driver from Shipping and Receiving dropped off a New (a word we don’t use often here) Three Horsepower Drive Motor in the Maintenance Compound. After the issues we had with the other one Paul had said he was going to order another but I didn’t think he was serious.

While I was talking to Kathy during my lunch break Avry came to tell me he needed some Anodes welded on the Workbench. Finishing my lunch before returning I had to ask “What is an Anode and what do you weld on them”? They are used in the Paint Dip sending and electrical charge through the Paint to make it stick to the Parts that are being painted. Knowing what they did and seeing several intact it didn’t take long to not only weld the One that Avry had brought but the others that Kharen had brought.

I was repairing another Carrier when Kharen, Avry and Paul showed up. Immediately Kharen starts screaming about my welding the Anodes and did I measure. That was it. I reminded him that I asked what he needed welded and where over Two Hours before. I reminded him that he had yet to tell me the location of the Air Dryer on the Mezzanine. I reminded him that he was screaming that he always denies doing. His response was he had a meeting and walked away leaving Paul, Avry and myself smiling at one another.

Paul suggested putting the Drive Motor on the Mezzanine. I asked about the Dryer and he responded they were having Issues. (I know a way to resolve those Issues.)

After Ivan raised the Drive Motor using the Forklift to the Mezzanine I noticed the Lights on by the Air Dryer. Looking where it was and where I thought it should go I used a Four by Four and soon had it moved. Ivan came to see what I was doing and could not believe that I had moved it so easily.

A long time ago I set my last break at 3:15 so I could use the time to close up the Compound, get washed up and put my Tools in the Truck before punching out. I was standing at the Clock at 3:28 when Kharen starts screaming “What are you doing”? I walked over to him looked him square in the eye and reminded him “I’m on my break from 3:15 until I punch out. Have a nice day.”

I felt elated all the way home. Kathy could tell the excitement in my voice knowing Kharen didn’t get to me today as a fact I got to him.

For supper we had a Store Bought Meat Pie that was quite tasty while low in Salt. We like to try them and if they pass some of our standards we might have it again in the future. This time there is enough for another meal. We also shared an Orange and Cinnamon Roll for our dessert.

The 6 o’clock Local News reported 37 New Coronavirus Cases bringing the total Active Cases to 288 with another Unvaccinated Death for the Windsor/Essex Region.

The Weather Network showed our temperature reached a high of 68 F (20 C) today with continued comfortable temperatures for the next week.

Hopefully tomorrow won’t take the place of Tuesday.

Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion or is Spam.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Why couldn’t the leopard play hide and seek?

He was always spotted.

Good Day but Tuesday’s Coming.

 Our Location today is at Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

There was definitely a chill in the morning air that made me rush to get in the Truck. Again the breeze blowing between the Two Buildings is being funnelled which intensifies the feeling.

The door was already open when I arrived at the Plant this morning so there was no waiting to go in. By the time the shift started I had already gotten a big smile and wave from Paul the Owner. The Morning Walk Around revealed another set of Belts that will need to be replaced on an Exhaust Stack on the Mezzanine.

Back at the Maintenance Compound there were things to put away from Saturday’s jobs plus someone on Friday after I was gone for the day had brought a box of Mixed Fasteners in from somewhere. Paul had mentioned they had been searching for the right sized Bolts and Nuts for a job. I pointed out the mixed up bins that I hadn’t gotten to organizing yet. This morning that entire Box was sorted and the Fasteners put in the proper bins.

With that completed I checked the Paint-Line making certain there were no Carriers in need of repair. Back to the Compound I started cleaning more Spray Nozzles. I had shown Paul on Saturday that they could be completely reusable in less then Three Minutes. Even though New Nozzles and Saddles had been ordered these could be used as well replacing others that might fail. I also specified that these would only be worked on when there was a lull in my other jobs. That he was happy to hear and gave me the go ahead to continue.

Around 11:30 one of the Line Workers brought over one of the Carrier Racks that had been built before I started working there. It that had a Broken Handle that I was getting ready to repair when Kharen the Supervisor came looking for a Work Lamp. Surprisingly he was polite and didn’t stay around giving me the Third Degree.

When I went for my lunch it was quite comfortable sitting out at the Picnic Table. When I spoke with Kathy she was still a little down from yesterday but she had the Balcony Door open enjoying the Fresh Air.

Around 2:00 the Paint-Line was shut down due to the lack of Parts to run. I simply kept on cleaning the Nozzles since my shift ended at 3:30. Around 2:30 Kharen came in to return the Work Lamp and when he saw what I was doing said I didn’t need to do them. I told him Paul knew I was doing it in my down time.

He changed the subject saying we need to move the Air Dryer that we had taken off the Skid on Saturday. I said he would have to show me exactly where he wanted it. He said he get others to help because it was heavier then he originally thought. (Paul probably talked with him after he told Avry it was very Lite.) When he left I continued cleaning more Nozzles. I think I’ll get Paul’s blessing on more things.

Back at the Apartment after speaking with Kathy I returned to the Truck. I had to move my Toolbox behind the Driver’s Seat so that it would sit better. Now it will be easier to get it in and out because the Tray under that seat is wider.

Upstairs Kathy had tried unsuccessfully to install the new Slip-On Cover on our Love Seat Recliner. While she cooked supper piece by piece I put the Cover on since I have a little more pull in my hands. Somehow there were no “S-Hooks” in the package so I’ll pick some up on the way home tomorrow.

Kathy made Grilled Chicken with a Fried Potato to go with a Caesars Salad for supper along with a Peach for dessert. It was really tasty and satisfying.

The 6 o’clock Local News reported 40 New Coronavirus Cases for the Windsor/Essex Region today bringing the total Active Cases to 307.

The Weather Network showed our temperature feeling like 90 F (32 C) this afternoon. The temperature will be more seasonal for the next week with little precipitation.

Since tomorrow is Tuesday and I’m curious how Kharen will act since every time he’s found something to scream at me for has been on a Tuesday.

Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion or is Spam.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

Your local ambulance has a trailer hitch.

Getting Caught Up In Many Ways.

 Our Location today is at Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Being able to sleep in until 7:30 in the morning may not sound that exciting to most people but when that’s Two Hours later then your normal time it’s cause for celebration.

The first thing I did was to stir my Coveralls that were still soaking in the Bathtub. With the Water appearing to be clearer it was time for them to drain.

I was in the process of mixing Pancake Batter when Kathy came out to join me. She enjoyed her Chocolate Chip Pancake while I made my Buttermilk Pancake.

We’d barely moved to the Computers before I brought the Coveralls down to the Laundry Room. I was happy to see that the Room was completely empty giving me a choice of Washers to use. Once the machine was doing it’s thing I returned to the Apartment to start reading Blogs. With our night out on Thursday it put me way behind so that meant I’d be spending a lot of time sitting today.

I only stopped to retrieve the washed Coveralls and hang them to dry (like other Bloggers) in the Apartment. By drying them this way the Stains are not set like they would be in a Dryer giving me another chance at getting them out.

I accomplished more reading until lunch. We kept it simple with Split Pea with Ham Soup along with an Orange and Cookies for dessert.

Since we are trying to use as much of our perishable foods as possible we set up the Crock-Pot to cook supper while we be gone shopping. Suddenly Kathy started feeling Ill and after an uncertain hour she decided to stay home while sending me off to do what I could by myself.

Since the Vitamin Section of the Drug Store seem to be nearly bare on Seniors Day (Thursday) I was happy to see Three Employees stocking those same shelves this afternoon. I may not have gotten the Seniors Discount but managed to get all the Vitamins that were on my List and many were “On-Sale” so we still saved money.

I drove out to the new Princess Auto location. I didn’t go there to buy anything but to research Prices on Tools that were stolen and what we could use in the Maintenance Compound at work. I figured if I could present Prices of what the items would cost it might be an easier sell to Paul.

Next I swung by our Climate Controlled Storage Unit. With the temperatures dropping off I collected a couple of Spring/Fall Jackets that will help me at work.

I stopped at Dollarama where I picked up a few things from our Small Shopping List before going over to Zehr’s grocery store to finish the shopping.

When I arrived at the building there was a line up of vehicles waiting to unload so I parked in the lot and manually carried everything to the Apartment. It was past 5:30 when I delivered a Written Notification to the Office that I suspect our Refrigerator is about to break down. Hopefully it will be replaced before it stops working.

The Roast Pork with Green Beans and Potato were delicious with plenty of Leftovers for sandwiches and other meals.

The 6 o’clock Local News again only reported Provincial Coronavirus Cases but not for the Windsor/Essex Region.

The Weather Network showed our temperature feeling like 77 F (25 C) today but I would disagree with that. Walking up the driveway the Wind is funnelled between our building and the next making it feel nearly frigid.

We both agree with the Comments made on yesterday’s Blog. That man definitely needs a lesson in dealing with Employees.

Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion or is Spam.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Sometimes I tuck my knees into my chest and lean forward. That’s just how I roll.

Not As Planned.

 Our Location today is at Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

I’ll start by answering a Comment made on yesterday’s Blog. Being the only Trades-Person in the Plant whenever there is something technical planned I am basically told to be there. It was part of the requirement when I was hired. At first my overtime was limited on weekends but now it seems to be a given. When the time comes that the projects are all completed I’ll have more time to myself. With the high cost of Rent it also helps to keep our debt base down.

I was surprised when I only sat outside the Plant for Five Minutes this morning when I noticed the Employee Door open. With the Fall like temperatures now becoming the norm it felt comfortable getting inside where on the weekend there would be little happening or so I thought.

The first job I started to do was definitely necessary and the one that Paul the Owner wanted to see addressed. The Washers have been in operation for well over Forty Years and since they are constantly being subject to water being sprayed they are beginning to corrode. The one seam you could easily see light through the walls. After standing on a Ten Foot Step Ladder and using the Grinder to clean off what paint and Rust was left it didn’t take long to start tacking a strip of Metal in place to solve the problem.

I’d barely added a dozen tacks when Avry came to me saying he needed my opinion. Kharen the Supervisor had assigned him with the task of getting a piece of Equipment off a Skid saying it was lite and easy to move. It was an Air Dryer for the new Compressor that I had to take off a Skid over Two Months ago. It was mounted on an Oversized Skid a Foot off the floor and weighed in at over Four Thousand Pounds. Avry has no Mechanical Background so after telling him what needed to be done I had my helper Ivan help him get things ready while I returned to my welding.

Once they had things ready to make the move we brought Sadh and Louis the labourers for extra help. The companies Hydraulic Bottle Jack was a waste of time so I got the Twenty Ton Bottle Jack from the Tool Cabinet in the Truck. Things started moving a lot faster but it concentrated Five People on a job that been given to someone with no practical experience. Using Wooden Blocks we were able to safely ramp the unit to the floor just on time for lunch.

After talking to Kathy on the phone I returned to welding from the Ladder the others returned to collect the Company Tools and return them to the Compound. Looking down I noted more holes in the wall that seriously needed patches. After marking the size of the patches for those holes I sent Ivan to find material for Patches. It didn’t take long to have then in place but since I was using the Stick Welder the Slag needed to be cleaned off. Every tap of the Hammer was causing more Corrosive Holes a couple of Feet away to open. Paul came by to see how we were doing and knew it was bad. He made the suggestion to put Putty for those new holes. The Wall will have to be replaced at a later time.

Paul also mentioned that yesterday after Kharen had told me to get busy when I was in fact looking at the Roof Drain Pipes he went in the Office and complained to Paul that I was looking for Pigeons in the Plant. Paul had told him I wasn’t looking for Pigeons and he knew what I was doing. Maybe that was why he wasn’t at work today.

Kathy was surprised and happy to see me home minutes after 4:00 today. It gave us a chance to talk before we enjoyed a Store Bought Thin Crust Medium Vegetarian Pizza for supper.

The 6 o’clock Local News reported Provincial Coronavirus Cases but not for the Windsor/Essex Region.

The Weather Network showed our temperature only reached a high of 63 F (17 C) today.

After getting my shower I washed, dried and folded our Bed Linens and Bath Towels in the Laundry Room before finally washing my Coveralls in the Pail in the Bathtub. I’ll agitate them again before going to bed.

Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment unless it personally attacks someone for their opinion or is Spam.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

Words of Inspiration

Nothing in life is to be feared it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.

Marie Curie, Scientist.