What Do You Think?

 Our Location today is Windsor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Once again I was ready to start my shift early at 6:00 this morning but Mile the Owner was wanting me to work on the Feedscrew that the Computer on the PTA would not follow. I convinced him that I would complete the Ten Inch unit by the end of the day so that was my start.

It took a Half Hour to get it out of the Sandbox and Clean it off. Even though I had only worked on the Bearing end of the shaft on Friday the entire thing was slightly warm to the touch. It was nearly 7:30 before I started working on the Bearing area again.

Around 8:00 Mile flagged me over towards the tool crib. The employees in this Plant have a custom unlike many others. When it is your Birthday you bring in Donuts and Coffee for everyone to celebrate your day. Today was Enrico’s 72nd Birthday. He is Semi-Retired being a Master Lathe Operator he only works the Mornings then at 12:30 when most have their lunch break he heads home.

I mentioned that Gabriel the Final Inspector had resigned and moved on to greener pastures. He had a single day to train his replacement Joe. When Mile kept adding to his duties last week and raising concerns that Joe knew nothing about it was too much for him to handle and he resigned last Friday. Today with the help of other Machinist it was Mile who spent the day measuring, checking for imperfections, lubing then crating them for shipping. He did not appear to be having fun.

It was nearly 11:30 when I started welding the Flights after completing the Bearing Surface. That meant a change of Powder and technique. Instead of the PTA Torch circling the unit, it had to oscillate in a spiral around the shaft. Many have compared these Feedscrews to Augers and they would be right. The only difference is an Auger is made from lighter pieces assembled as one, where a Feedscrew is made from a single heavy piece of metal machined into shape.

Since we have to keep the unit around 800 F when welding on it, we work through our breaks basically snacking whenever the urge hits us. You lose the ability to relax for those few minutes and by the end of the day you are more then ready to go home.

I was starting to experience a problem with the maintaining the Powder Thickness around 1:30 when I heard a familiar voice. It was Alec there to collect the last of his tools he had left behind. He coached me on the quick fix procedure and even answered some questions for me that will help me do the smaller Feedscrews.

We exchanged Phone Numbers so if there was anything else I might get stuck on he would help me out but if Mile were to ask the answer would be NO. He just figures it will make my job easier since he really didn’t have time to show me all the tricks of the trade. We had become fast friends in the short time we worked together. I always say treat everyone the way you want to be treated.

After burying the Feedscrew back in the Sandbox it was past 5:00 when I punched out and they wanted me to start TIG Welding another Feedscrew. It can wait until the morning. I picked up supper on the way home.

Kathy had been busy working in the Storage Unit and even ate her lunch in the Trailer. She had just gotten home herself. After we watched the News our showers felt wonderful. With a few minutes on my hands I sliced up a beautiful Pineapple that Kathy brought home. I see tasty desserts coming 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

You Might Be a Redneck If

You've ever stood in line to get your picture taken with a freak of nature.