Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Liebbe
Good job William, bloody cool.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Liebbe
Good job William, bloody cool.
Just sitting here thinking how cool it would be to have a lama named Barak O'Lama....
http://images.wikia.com/nao/pl/image...00224_lama.jpg
I LIKE it!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by marshall_mosty
"If you like your llama, you can keep your llama..."
Just got off a quick/emergency conference call with my employer over health plans. We were presented with the option at the last minute to "re-up" out existing plans starting on 12/1 and basically keep the same plans we had with a 15-20% rate increase across the board.
Right now I'm on at $200/mo, $5k deductible plan; my employer pays the monthly premium and also kicks over $185/month into an HSA to take a dent out of the deductible. They've already said they'll go ahead and eat the new tax for 2014 and see what they can do about the rate increase, some or most of which would likely just be passed on to me as a decrease in monthly HSA contributions. No biggie for me since I don't get sick often.
The other option was to renew on 1/1 and get fully obamacare-compliant plans. If we waited 'till then, my plan would've gone from $200/month to almost $450. Being a smaller company of 80 employees, we don't have much negotiating power...
Midterm elections are in 2014; hope we can kick the dems out just long enough to fix this clusterfuck.
I signed up for my last class I need for my AAS. I know that is small potatoes to pretty much everyone here, but I am pretty glad about it.
I am thinking about my BS now. Just not sure where to start and how big a task I am biting off. I would love to get some input from those who have done it the hard way like i am.
Good for you mate. As for advice, I graduated (with honors) from the school of hard knocks and may not be qualified to give any.Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
That's awesome Glenn, way to go!Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
I agree.. I was hard enough to get through college working full time before a wife and kids... I don't think it would be possible now.Quote:
Originally Posted by smitty328
Absolutely NOT small potatoes... too many people in this country not willing to make any sacrifice to move ahead.Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
Can you articulate why you want your BS? If it is just "because" that's perfectly fine. Is there a career goal that can/will be met by the diploma? Is there another path, technical certificate, etc. that accomplishes the same thing? Would you take classes online or in person?Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
Couldn't hurt to visit with the school and find a counselour or similar adults (maybe a referral to an adult study group) to get some real perspective on the time comittment before you.
Or said otherwise... that's awesome, you go girl!
congrats Glenn!
Good for you Glenn. Completing goals related to education, skills etc. - nothing small about that and it sounds like you are stoked! I'd offer you advice but I've had everything handed to me....Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
I am really not sure what to do next. This degree really gets me nothing at this point in my life other than I can say I have it instead of I almost have it.
Do I go for some type of management degree or is it worth working on an engineering degree.
Engineering, specifically engineering technology. I think with your background you could do well with one of the Engineering technology programs out there; anyone near you offering a good engineering electronics technology program?
That is what I need to figure out. Not really intrested in a EE. I've had electronics repair training and was trained down to the component level. Not fun stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pranav
When I first enlisted I was suposed to be a jet engine mechanic. At the last minute I changed my path to electronics repair. I know w/ 100% certainty I would have been more successful as a mechanic as it comes really easy to me. I also know I would have had to do much more physical work as well. Pretty much why I ended up in electronics.
My age is something to consider. At best I'll be 45-46 if I work my ass off to get my BS (in anything). Where does that put me carre wise w/ an ME? I'm really thinking some type of buisiness managment would be better, but I'm worried about my intrest level.
Good stuff Pranav. Thanks.
Yeah that's why I suggested engineering technology; compared to the full-on engineering degrees the pre-req requirement/load is much lighter; you aren't stuck taking a bunch of extra match/physics/chem/thermo junk so I assume you should be able to get thru it quick. Those guys are still finishing school and getting some good salary numbers; I know a couple that are doing pretty well for themselves right now.
There are different variants of this kind of program; at A&M during my time they had three: mechanical/manufacturing, electronics, and industrial distribution.
Of course the entry level engineer is going to push entry level engineering. Seems like it'd be a reboot / change of carreer paths to me....
Aren't you starting to oversee people Glenn - you know, manage them - in your current role & path within your company? Even if you changed companies wouldn't you be at a similar level & overseeing people?
With your background I'd be seriously considering an Oilfield position, particularly in the subsea discipline. The business is booming and the discipline is the most in demand with one of the highest pay. Besides that you've already got plenty of contacts.....
UNT has a good Engineering Technology program. We've picked up a few good engineers (both mechanical and electrical) from their program.
Got the transmission pulled and front cluster gear race resealed. Also pulled the rear diff cover pulled and reinstalled. Hopefully no more leaky rear... That's embarrasing.
TOOLS AND HOW TO USE THEM
SKIL SAW:
A portable cutting tool used to make boards too short.
BELT SANDER:
An electric sanding tool commonly used to convert minor touch-up jobs into major refinishing jobs.
WIRE WHEEL:
Cleans paint off bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you to say, 'Oh shit'.
DRILL PRESS:
A tall upright machine useful for suddenly snatching flat metal bar stock out of your hands so that it smacks you in the chest and flings your beer across the room, denting the freshly-painted project which you had carefully set in the corner where nothing could get to it.
Channel Locks:
Used to round off bolt heads. Sometimes used in the creation of blood-blisters.
HACKSAW:
One of a family of cutting tools built on the Ouija board principle... It transforms human energy into a crooked, unpredictable motion, and the more you attempt to influence its course, the more dismal your future becomes.
VISE-GRIPS:
Generally used after pliers to completely round off bolt heads. If nothing else is available, they can also be used to transfer intense welding heat to the palm of your hand.
OXYACETYLENE TORCH:
Used almost entirely for igniting various flammable objects in your shop and creating a fire. Also handy for igniting the grease inside the wheel hub out of which you want to remove a bearing race.
TABLE SAW:
A large stationary power tool commonly used to launch wood projectiles for testing wall integrity.
Very effective for digit removal !!
HYDRAULIC FLOOR JACK:
Used for lowering an automobile to the ground after you have installed your new brake shoes, trapping the jack handle firmly under the bumper.
BAND SAW:
A large stationary power saw primarily used by most shops to cut large pieces into smaller pieces that more easily fit into the trash after you cut on the inside of the line instead of the outside edge. Also good for Digit Removal
TWO-TON ENGINE HOIST:
A tool for testing the maximum tensile strength of all the crap you forgot to disconnect.
PHILLIPS SCREWDRIVER:
Normally used to stab the vacuum seals under lids or for opening old-style paper-and-tin oil cans and splashing oil on your shirt; but can also be used, as the name implies, to strip out Phillips screw heads.
STRAIGHT SCREWDRIVER:
A tool for opening paint cans. Sometimes used to convert common slotted screws into non-removable screws and butchering your palms.
PRY BAR:
A tool used to crumple the metal surrounding that clip or bracket you needed to remove in order to replace a 50 cent part.
PVC PIPE CUTTER:
A tool used to make plastic pipe too short.
HAMMER:
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the object we are trying to hit.
UTILITY KNIFE:
Used to open and slice through the contents of cardboard cartons delivered to your front door. Works particularly well on contents such as seats, vinyl records, liquids in plastic bottles, collector magazines, refund checks, and rubber or plastic parts. Especially useful for slicing work clothes, but only while in use.
SON OF A BITCH TOOL:
Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling 'Son of a bitch' at the top of your lungs. It is also, most often, the next tool that you will need.
Corey, pass this on to your better half:
But the only people who hated the body-scanners more than the public were TSA employees themselves. Many of my co-workers felt uncomfortable even standing next to the radiation-emitting machines we were forcing members of the public to stand inside. Several told me they submitted formal requests for dosimeters, to measure their exposure to radiation. The agency’s stance was that dosimeters were not necessary—the radiation doses from the machines were perfectly acceptable, they told us. We would just have to take their word for it. When concerned passengers—usually pregnant women—asked how much radiation the machines emitted and whether they were safe, we were instructed by our superiors to assure them everything was fine.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/sto...l#.UuvizvldXAQ
While in the UK, I've noticed how good the meats, vegetables, and fruits are in the UK. Besides zapping you in the airports, the FDA is poisoning you at the supermarket. Think about it.
Baby has a new set of shoes... and then some.
https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...55090174_n.jpg
Been getting a noise from the rear of the car, and after taking a look noticed that the bushing on the passenger's side upper control arm had somehow pushed it's way out of the metal sleeve and the metal sleeve was rubbing against the control arm. My plan was just to replace the bushing, but after taking the control arm off and having a look I'm thinking I probably need to replace it, or at least reinforce it.
Kevin,
That is pretty par for the course on the axle side of a quadra-bind rear suspension. Needs to be an annual watch item for sure.
Got down to the shop and got the new spindle installed. Quarter panel, nose, and fender are repaired and painted. Tightened a host of loose bolts as a result of the contact (rack bushings and forward heim joint on the control arms). Changed mounting points on the lowers at the k-member, but that now necessitates more custom crap. Napkin sketch complete and will get to the machinist tomorrow. Glad he likes this "one off" stuff.
Fixed the 2 wheels. Should have had the estimate first, as it almost cost as much to fix as buying new. Oh well.
New springs are also in the way to help keep the splitter off the ground under braking. Hopefully another 125 lbs/in in the front will do the trick.
Rear swaybar rotated a bit, so welded the mounts to the axle tubes. Guess I should have done that to start with.
Still have another 2 full days or so before it's 100% ready.
installed this guy - had to string the horizontal 2x4s because of the jacked up "ehhh, that's close enough to 16" on center" stud spacing the bieeeellllders went with - track for the rack ASSumed you had someone build the wall who knew what a measuring tape looked like.
http://www.hyloft.com/
pretty happy with it - will definitely be getting at least a second one to go side-by-side. Would easily handle anything from the tiny stuff I run to CMC/AI size to even AIX size set of tires. Rated for 400lbs total.
Aannnd did some other misc garage organization while I was at it.
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Fo...9-04-P544.aspxQuote:
Originally Posted by blk96gt
Ask Jerry how happy he is about replacing them.
The bushings and arms were replaced at the beginning of 2013, so they've got about 8 weekends on them.
I'm sorry to hear of that Kevin.Quote:
Originally Posted by blk96gt
Bottom line, it doesn't matter if you run the stock 4-link, the PM3L, have stock bushings, poly, or spherical. The 4-link suspension is just going to continue to destroy itself.
The best option out there is to spend $650 for the kit Jerry installed, then pay hundreds more to install it (or be fortunate enough to do it yourself), then pay hundreds on top of that for new UCA's, and then your upper issue will be fixed. Of course, then you'll still have the lowers to worry about.
The $400-500 torque arm is looking like a nicer solution IMO.
How long are most people normally getting out of the bushings/control arms running a normal 4-link setup?
If I would have noticed the bushing had pushed out of the sleeve sooner, I think my control arm would still be OK to use. With the amount of metal that got removed though, I didn't really think it was a good idea to try to re-use it.
The bushings are $40/set and I'm only replacing one side since the other is still good. Only took about an hour or so to get the control arm and old bushing out and the new bushing pressed in using the Maximum Motorsports removal/installation tool. I didn't have to take anything else loose from the suspension either, so while it's not something I just want to have to do every year, it's not a complete pain in the ass to get it done. I just need to be more vigilant in the future and check the bushings after every weekend and hope I don't destroy a control arm if this happens again.
When I was running the PM3L I was tearing up a upper control arm (the rubber in it) every other race weekend. I have no idea how long they will last with my current four link set-up. If I remember the last set of uppers I purchased from Maximum they were $220.00 per set plus shipping. As far as I know it's a single source. Oh and since I was going through so many uppers I decided to try what Michael was using on his car. I installed the Polyurethane bushing in the uppers. That is when I tore out the complete upper torque boxes.Quote:
Originally Posted by blk96gt
JJ
They're still $220/set from MM. That doesn't include axle side bushings, so add another $40.
Historically that have had small refrigerators, so lots of meat and produce to to market quickly and get sold and cooked within a few days...Quote:
Originally Posted by rleng1
My Aunt would go the the stores every other day, I can remember some awesome meals at her house..
I don't wanna offend anyone, but when you look at Ag/food in the US;
1. Everything has high frucose corn syrup in it
2. We let the most amount of crap (blood, puss, hormones) into our "standard" dairy milk
3. Our meat sucks
4. Pesticides in everything
5. Poor people have access to the worst food possible
6. Every school has soda vending machines in them
All this focus on fixing healthcare, I mean making health insurance companies rich, none on what's slowly killing us; I always thought just taxing the "bad" stuff (corn syrup, booze, cigarettes, sodas, etc) would've been a better way to pay for poor people's medical needs rather than screw healthcare up for all of us.
Sad if you think about it.
I myself have cut out dairy milk from my diet (i'll consume it if something i'm eating was made with it, but I drink almond milk at night now), try to avoid the corn syrup as much as I can, and just make sure I eat "good" meat as much as I can.
That being said I won't pretend to be some health nut, I still will chow down on a #1 with a coke at McD's every once in a while. Maybe that's why I'm still fat.
Did a lot of work with a company that had some of the top chemists/biologists in the world specializing in the evolution (or really de-evolution) of enzymes and in particular saccarides in various regions of the world. Our bodies are built to utilize many of the enzymes and in particular a good handful of the saccarides that are being filtered out of our food and drink. Since we have several pathways for metabolizing fuel we can adapt but that does not mean it will lead to a better or even good evolution of our systems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pranav
Major failing of public schools is that most people haven't got a clue how to keep themselves healthy.
I gained 30 lbs and got into shitty health (compared to when I was in my 30's) but I know why and I also knew how to lose that 30 lbs (just weighed myself yesterday and I am at my target weight of 180 for the first time in 15 years...3 lbs lighter than my youngest son.) - now I just need to fix my core (mainly my back muscles and lower spine).
Not what I eat or anyone that I can convince to do what we do. Best tasting meat and custom butchered, dry aged (22 days usually), cut and packaged to our whims a couple times a year a little more than half of what you'd pay in the store. We've gotten our beef and pork from my wife's uncle and friends of the family for 25 years. Hand fed, minimal shots, raised in the fields with plenty of sun. Best tasting meat you will taste. This year was best ever in fact. Took my bro-laws advice and had our meat cut thicker and man!! outrageously delicious!! Can't wait to get home and cook up one of those packages of pork chops....yummmmm!Quote:
Originally Posted by Pranav
One of my clients in Chicagoland goes to Omaha once a year and gets about the same price and quality. F' convenience guys...the 32oz soda days dug the US (and Canada - maybe worse in the GWN) a huge whole in the health department...dig out.
Picked up my second fresh engine for 2014. Glad to say the boys at HP came good by offering to zero the labor and machining costs. Great gesture but I thought sharing the cost was more appropriate. About to head out to the shop to stick it in the 65, noise by lunch.....
Nice of them and you to do that.
Glad to hear Craig. I'm heading to the shop to button mine all the way up tomorrow.