Reality thread...continued.
- Thread starter BO TIE SS
- Start date
Playsinsnow
Member
- Nov 17, 2012
- 9,727
It was something I was dealt with. Sometimes you have to take a cut and bust a$$ to prove your worth. Me I wanted out. I basically lost the cost of my TB payment (I paid it off) minus cheaper insurance. Having a better half to share the struggle helps 
I get more time with her now but I feel like I am aging faster because of the hours. Should probably job search instead of cruising hobbies.
I get more time with her now but I feel like I am aging faster because of the hours. Should probably job search instead of cruising hobbies.
Bartonmd
Member
- Nov 20, 2011
- 545
BOOM! CList WIN!
So, I've had a 5HP 2-stage Crafstman snowblower for a couple years (used off Clist), and it does pretty well. However, since my driveway is like 5 cars wide at one point, I end up blowing the snow twice, which the 5HP doesn't usually have very much fun with. I also have to blow snow over the 6ft fence that goes around the driveway as it goes back to my shop, behind the house. I have been on a casual search for a larger HP/depth snowblower for some time, and was just going to wait and find a good deal on one this spring or summer, then wait until next winter to sell my 5HP 2-stage blower.
This brings us to Sunday morning. There was a 10HP/29" Craftsman for sale for $300 (the used market for running examples is $500-$600 around here), and the second stage just didn't work very well when you actually put snow in it. My thinking was that it was the roll-pin "fuse" that attached the second stage to the first stage's drive shaft. So, I roll over there and the first and second stage seem like they move together when rotating them by hand. Interesting. I ask him to run it into some snow for me, and I see that both the first and second stages slow down to almost nothing when loaded. OK, probably a belt issue, then. The thing that bothered me is that it did NOT sound healthy when rolling it around with the engine off. Crunchy sounds and it would stop you every once in a while when you were just pushing it. On the self-propelled blowers, there's usually a brass/bronze gear that's the "fuse" in the drive system, and it's like a $50 repair and a PITA to get to, if you have to replace it. I figured, worst case, it's that gear. (it did self-propel OK, though) I hem and haw and hem and haw, and for effect, hem and haw a little more. I say that the blower thing doesn't really bother me, but I'm not sure about the crunching sounds in the drive. He agreed that it didn't sound healthy, and apologized for sounding like an asshole and offered him $200 for it. We settled on $250, and I rolled it up the ramps into the trailer.
I get home, and take the plastic belt cover off. The bolt for the tensioner adjustment for the auger belt is loose (not tightened all the way, tough it's an interference fit thread, so the nut was still there) and the tensioner is resting on the loose side. I add a 3/8" washer from my garage stock, tighten it up on the tight end of spec, and BOOM, works great! For the wheel drive, the belt and tensioner looked OK, but the chain was noticeably rusty and looked a little kinked in a couple links. I covered it in gear oil and rolled it back and forth, then started it up and used it for a little bit. After the oil got around on the chain and got some motion on it, it rolls just fine and sounds OK doing it! Neither belt was in great shape, but the thing worked pretty well. I picked up a pair or new belts for it (for $25 total) at Napa, yesterday, and ran it last night. HOLY COW, this thing is a BEAST! The thing ran just fine through the packed down 18" tall pile at the edge of the driveway, where I've been throwing all of this snow all winter.
In the "buying broken stuff for cheap on CList" game, you win some and you lose some, but I seemingly won on this one, as long as the engine doesn't blow up or something. I've used 1/2 a tank of gas in it so far, so it should be OK, but like anything used, who knows...
Mike
So, I've had a 5HP 2-stage Crafstman snowblower for a couple years (used off Clist), and it does pretty well. However, since my driveway is like 5 cars wide at one point, I end up blowing the snow twice, which the 5HP doesn't usually have very much fun with. I also have to blow snow over the 6ft fence that goes around the driveway as it goes back to my shop, behind the house. I have been on a casual search for a larger HP/depth snowblower for some time, and was just going to wait and find a good deal on one this spring or summer, then wait until next winter to sell my 5HP 2-stage blower.
This brings us to Sunday morning. There was a 10HP/29" Craftsman for sale for $300 (the used market for running examples is $500-$600 around here), and the second stage just didn't work very well when you actually put snow in it. My thinking was that it was the roll-pin "fuse" that attached the second stage to the first stage's drive shaft. So, I roll over there and the first and second stage seem like they move together when rotating them by hand. Interesting. I ask him to run it into some snow for me, and I see that both the first and second stages slow down to almost nothing when loaded. OK, probably a belt issue, then. The thing that bothered me is that it did NOT sound healthy when rolling it around with the engine off. Crunchy sounds and it would stop you every once in a while when you were just pushing it. On the self-propelled blowers, there's usually a brass/bronze gear that's the "fuse" in the drive system, and it's like a $50 repair and a PITA to get to, if you have to replace it. I figured, worst case, it's that gear. (it did self-propel OK, though) I hem and haw and hem and haw, and for effect, hem and haw a little more. I say that the blower thing doesn't really bother me, but I'm not sure about the crunching sounds in the drive. He agreed that it didn't sound healthy, and apologized for sounding like an asshole and offered him $200 for it. We settled on $250, and I rolled it up the ramps into the trailer.
I get home, and take the plastic belt cover off. The bolt for the tensioner adjustment for the auger belt is loose (not tightened all the way, tough it's an interference fit thread, so the nut was still there) and the tensioner is resting on the loose side. I add a 3/8" washer from my garage stock, tighten it up on the tight end of spec, and BOOM, works great! For the wheel drive, the belt and tensioner looked OK, but the chain was noticeably rusty and looked a little kinked in a couple links. I covered it in gear oil and rolled it back and forth, then started it up and used it for a little bit. After the oil got around on the chain and got some motion on it, it rolls just fine and sounds OK doing it! Neither belt was in great shape, but the thing worked pretty well. I picked up a pair or new belts for it (for $25 total) at Napa, yesterday, and ran it last night. HOLY COW, this thing is a BEAST! The thing ran just fine through the packed down 18" tall pile at the edge of the driveway, where I've been throwing all of this snow all winter.
In the "buying broken stuff for cheap on CList" game, you win some and you lose some, but I seemingly won on this one, as long as the engine doesn't blow up or something. I've used 1/2 a tank of gas in it so far, so it should be OK, but like anything used, who knows...
Mike
Today is my last night shift of this cycle. Days next week. The excitement mounts as Wednesday night we go into the city to see Pentatonix.
As a music and vocals lover this is really cool for me. Youthful and modern but such great singers I can really get into their stuff.
The really cool part is that I bought these VIP tickets that include a meet and greet autograph session.
Apparently I get a T shirt or something too 
More excited about the music!:wootwoot:
As a music and vocals lover this is really cool for me. Youthful and modern but such great singers I can really get into their stuff.
The really cool part is that I bought these VIP tickets that include a meet and greet autograph session.
Apparently I get a T shirt or something too More excited about the music!:wootwoot:
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
Soooooooooo
Put in an offer on a house yesterday. Fingers crossed they accept it as that would be friggin' awesome
Yeah I know, buy vs rent argument etc but in the end I just want "my own" place. Maintenance, repairs, and all. To rent a place like this one would be unaffordable for me per month. Buying? Easy affordable, even with the extra stuff I know I'll need to put into it.
Put in an offer on a house yesterday. Fingers crossed they accept it as that would be friggin' awesome
Yeah I know, buy vs rent argument etc but in the end I just want "my own" place. Maintenance, repairs, and all. To rent a place like this one would be unaffordable for me per month. Buying? Easy affordable, even with the extra stuff I know I'll need to put into it.
Phantom
Member
- Jun 17, 2012
- 277
We have a week left till we move, Bought a house, 4bd 2 full baths and 2 half baths, finished walkout basement and 2 car garage. About 3200 SF. All for about $175 more than what we are renting this little clam shack now.. Can't wait, Hate moving but this is one move I look forward to! Good luck Sparky!
myblk05lt said:
Always having fun as usual. I am afraid if I slow down too much my world will stop so I keep really busy! Lol!
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
Got word today that the bank accepted another offer 
The listing agent sounded a little confused that they accepted the other offer, which my realtor and I thought was a bit interesting. I guess it isn't over until it is closed, so still a chance for me I guess if the other guy's financing falls through.
The listing agent sounded a little confused that they accepted the other offer, which my realtor and I thought was a bit interesting. I guess it isn't over until it is closed, so still a chance for me I guess if the other guy's financing falls through.
IllogicTC
Member
- Dec 30, 2013
- 3,452
Sparky said:Got word today that the bank accepted another offer
Why, did they offer less than you? If they were willing to move a bit on the price or were planning on reducing it if he was first up they'd probably try with him first, but until closing everything is still pretty up in the air.
Sparky
Member
- Dec 4, 2011
- 12,927
IllogicTC said:
No idea on the exact amounts, but I got the impression they did. The house had only been on the market 2 days when I put my offer in. Maybe they were just going with the first offer they got that was above X amount because they wanted to unload it fast? We really don't know.
But yeah, until closing there is still a chance. Actually, I'll make sure that they know my offer still stands if the other guy falls through even if that is a few weeks from now.
Well its off to Palm Springs for a golf holiday. That's what we call it when we party and eat and drink to excess then throw a golf game into he middle of the day to keep us slowed down.
The experiment begins as we are taking our wives this year. The whining was unbearable so we finally gave in. But now if somebody feels like going for a drive they can bring a Black Diamond Firearms T-shirt and a certain mag along with them and have dinner
We have only five games of golf lined up this year as the pace (maybe the partying) seems to wipe us out by our last couple of games. Wednesday is our rest day. We will see how much rest we get. On the plus side of things there will be some eye candy around the pool. That really amounts to anything female that looks better than me in my shorts!
I sure am glad my wife never reads this ...Ha!
The experiment begins as we are taking our wives this year.
The whining was unbearable so we finally gave in. But now if somebody feels like going for a drive they can bring a Black Diamond Firearms T-shirt and a certain mag along with them and have dinner We have only five games of golf lined up this year as the pace (maybe the partying) seems to wipe us out by our last couple of games. Wednesday is our rest day. We will see how much rest we get. On the plus side of things there will be some eye candy around the pool. That really amounts to anything female that looks better than me in my shorts!
I sure am glad my wife never reads this ...Ha!
nieman88 said:
You will love his stuff!
And Palm Springs is always great! Good golf and good friends at an amazing house!
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Ahhh work. Another 36 hour week finally over with this last crappy 12 hour night shift. I must go do something now as I must earn my keep around here until I can retire!
Well Florida. Another 7 days and I will be looking around Tampa, Miami, and and short drive out onto the Keys. Not my first trip out that way but may be my last for a few years. My Canuck dollar is only worth about 88 cents US. 
I may have to just stay at home and ...... well maybe not.
JB .... we should see if we can get a coffee this trip.
I may have to just stay at home and ...... well maybe not.JB .... we should see if we can get a coffee this trip.
Looking forward to a camping weekend. Packing up the trailer and heading to the Squamish Valley. Probably will take a day trip up to Whistler/Blackcomb where the winter Olympics were held 4 years ago. Now that I have sold my bike I have to find other ways to amuse myself ........and maybe live a little longer.
I usually look forward to night shift but this is the first one in almost a month, so it eats at you when you don't do it enough.
I usually look forward to night shift but this is the first one in almost a month, so it eats at you when you don't do it enough.
Ah night shift again .....gotta love it.
Had a good day at the range last week. Shot all three guns and tried some purchased reloads. Kind of unhappy with the consistency of the charges. But it still made holes in the targets
Had a good day at the range last week. Shot all three guns and tried some purchased reloads. Kind of unhappy with the consistency of the charges. But it still made holes in the targets
Ok ...... so its my birthday on Friday. Too old to care any more. My wife has wrapped up some of my old stuff thinking I won't remember I had it. Kinda like when you buy that tool over and over again then find all the duplicates in one cleaning session. I know I get cake because I ordered it. I know people are coming over because I sent the Evite. I guess I better start getting my happy face on but it's so hard after the 4 twelve hour night shifts ......
IllogicTC
Member
- Dec 30, 2013
- 3,452
I've been doing 12-hour day shifts... not quite as bad lol. 5 a week (did a 13 yesterday to get out of working today), but it's all manual labor. Most other places in the plant have semi-auto machines. Tilt tables to assist in getting units on and off them. Big mechanical grabbers to move units from the rollers to a cart. Loading, it's just you, a pair of gloves, and 100+ pound units all day long.Blade said:
Holy crap. I don't feel so bad after hearing those conditions.IllogicTC said:
I am way too old to work that hard anymore. Must be a nice payday at the end though. I do one week days then one week nights. They are 3 day weeks. Then once a month I have to work 4 night shifts. It's an hour equalization thing so that we work a specific amount of hours over 4 weeks.
In other news ....the Escalade is nearing 85,000 miles. I still like the way it drives but I sure hate the way this stabilitrack system eats my brakes.
djthumper
Administrator
Wanted to keep you on your toes.. How are things with you? Haven't seen you in quite some time.
And Badbart misses another opportunity to drink coffee with the Blazernut! And it looks like Florida won't be in the plans for awhile now .......
and the news is ..... Our daughter and her husband are going to have a baby. That makes us pretty happy. Now I will be a grandfather for the first time and the due date is Dec 31! So it may be next year ..... I sure hope I don't have to act my age .......
The weird part is that the due date is my mothers birthday. That would be so strange if it happened. Nobody would be celebrating your b-day because they would be celebrating New Years.
And the poor kid will probably grow up cheering for those dirty stinking rotten no good for nothing Calgary Flames!
and the news is ..... Our daughter and her husband are going to have a baby. That makes us pretty happy. Now I will be a grandfather for the first time and the due date is Dec 31! So it may be next year ..... I sure hope I don't have to act my age .......
The weird part is that the due date is my mothers birthday. That would be so strange if it happened. Nobody would be celebrating your b-day because they would be celebrating New Years.
And the poor kid will probably grow up cheering for those dirty stinking rotten no good for nothing Calgary Flames!
Almost half way through another night shift.
The 'Lade has just kicked over 80k miles. It has been pretty good for maintenance and only requires brakes so far. Still trying to decide if a tranny cooler is required for towing.
Trailblazer is still going strong @110k miles under the easy driving of my daughter.
Been camping twice this year. Looks like it will be about 3 or 4 trips this year and trying to decide if the $20 grand on the trailer was good or bad money.Maybe some fall camping is in order.
Hope you guys are staying somewhat sane
The 'Lade has just kicked over 80k miles. It has been pretty good for maintenance and only requires brakes so far. Still trying to decide if a tranny cooler is required for towing.
Trailblazer is still going strong @110k miles under the easy driving of my daughter.
Been camping twice this year. Looks like it will be about 3 or 4 trips this year and trying to decide if the $20 grand on the trailer was good or bad money.Maybe some fall camping is in order.
Hope you guys are staying somewhat sane
It seems like every time I go back to work I get re-compressed. And I am only about $100k short for retirement money.