What are you doing today? [Part II]

[Blckshdw]

As luck would have it, I tried to swear off so many projects this year, and try to save up some money. So of course, something wants to pop up. Couple weeks ago my 20+ year old Bose Accoustimass bass module started having a resonance issue. Was having issues with certain midrange frequencies, acoustic guitar, certain automotive related shows where the engines hit high RPMs, and certain vocal ranges.

So what do we do around here when something goes sideways on us? Take it apart and poke around of course! Got the back cover off, and removed the amp/crossover unit easily enough.



With the connector to the speakers exposed, decided to do a little test, take the module out to the EXT and connect it to the subwoofer outputs on the amp there. Played pretty nicely, although could hear a slight distortion, which sounded like it was coming from the back corner of the box.



No amount of pressure in any spots made any change, so decided to pry the inner rear cover off exposing the 2 speakers. After getting the screws out, stumbled onto the solid strand wires, wound around the speaker connector posts. The wires had barely enough slack to get them taken out. Was able to connect them to the stereo receiver in the bedroom for another test. Neither speaker sounded bad when being held in my hands, even at high volume.




So at this point I'm kinda stuck, with no obvious problem. As cheap as midrange speakers are these days, I could drop a few coins on some 5.25" and see if they play nice. I know they wouldn't be perfect since this box was likely designed around these specific speakers, but the internals of the box are still pretty rigid. So I think aged speakers that have seen a lot of use over 2 decades are the likely culprits.

 

[mrrsm]

FWIW... ebay has this Odd Assortment of Bose Automotive Sub-Woofers that might could "Fill In The Blanks..."

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Sidebar... Some ASMR Snowmobile Trail Prepping being done by Andrew Camarata and Friends that @Mooseman and @BrianF might appreciate. We seldom get ANY Snow anymore down here in the Eff Ell AAA:

 

[flyboy2610]

Helped my son, his GF, and my soon-to-be 1 year old grandson move most of their stuff back to Lincoln from Omaha. I had Snowball packed pretty well, Frankie hauled the dressers, bed, and a couple other heavy items. My wife's '06 TB was well packed, also. The munchkin's car had a pretty good load, as well.
Didn't take I-80, took hwy 6 which runs from Lincoln to Omaha. Everything went well. Got to meet her adoptive parents, had a good time. My son has applied at the Purina plant in Crete, Ne. which is southwest of Lincoln. $23 to start. $24 after two months. Hope he gets hired!

 

[Matt]

Actually tomorrow.

Going to teach my son how to do an oil change on his Forester. Also rotate the tyres and replace the cabin filter.

 

[BrianF]

Not too much around here. My oldest has her learners now so let the games begin.... actually she is doing really well, the years of riding horses, sleds, quads and so on has really helped.

We got another massive multi day snow storm. High east winds, snow and terrible wind chill. It will bring in -30 ambients again next week but then subside to normal highs.

But, I still braved the weather because we have over a foot of nice powder on the trails. A few days back my one sled, Shitty Bill stalled out and had to be towed back. I tore down the carb for a clean and rejet, now she runs like a top again. The powder was deep and I got stuck heading up a little slope. Thankfully I have reverse and could turn around and take another run. Lots of fun!

Cooked up some ribs to finish the day.

 

[mrrsm]

If like me, you are looking for a Hypnotic Sleep Aid for Night Owls or if you live in an Earthquake Prone Region.... Drop in on this LIVE Channel that globally Monitors Seismic Activity and also sounds an audible Warning Bell that changes with the intensity and frequency of these constant events.This is Great ASMR Science for distracting yourself in an interesting manner:

PS in the Year 1700, The Japanese Islands experienced and recorded a Gigantic Tsunami Wave that arrived after propagating across the Pacific Ocean when the American Northwest Coast Tectonic Plate collapsed 300 Feet below Sea Level and then flooded inland Washington such that the local Indian Tribes reported later finding their Canoes stuck hundreds of feet above ground in the Tree Tops This event was later observed and reported to the Lewis & Clarke Expedition.

 

[BrianF]

Well I was supposed to get some sled time but we were hammered by the storm Saturday night. Took all Sunday and most of today to almost dig out. Still lots to do but now the extreme cold is here. Back to -30 ambients and near -40 windchills. But hey, by the weekend it will be above 0.

Yesterday I was cutting a 5 foot hole through the impassable driveway. If the machine had traction, I just kept pushing. I had snow end up on the roof. I had the wiper going but it got covered and eventually broke.

I tore it out and found what broke. I cleaned it up with throttle body cleaner and used two part epoxy to hold it together. Will see how it holds up tomorrow or the next day. If not, I'll order another.

 

[BrianF]

As I was packing it in for the evening, I forgot I had to park my sleds again. I have two in the shop but left Shitty Bill and Shaky Mike outside. They had been covered in snow. One was shoveled and rode out, the other had to be towed from beneath a snow bank. Just a size comparison from one of the snow piles we made this weekend.

 

[Blckshdw]

I need to start watching the job market again myself. The environment at my job had started taking a turn a long time ago, it's just getting ridiculous now. Lots of veteran employees have left in the past year, I've been here 7.5 years, and there's now less than 10 people who have a longer tenure than me. We've got a lot of resources for online training on our various platforms, but for whatever reason the COO is drifting backwards to a "someone (meaning me) should hold monthly, in person, training sessions..." Doesn't help that we keep hiring people who have very little computer experience, so they struggle from the jump, and don't stay too long, and then the cycle repeats. It's a hot mess.

Kinda getting the itch to start another project, or mess with some existing ones. Need to refrain though. I plan to get all my debts from the winter projects paid off this month, but I should be getting a new escrow statement in the next month or so. With my home insurance jumping yet again, we'll have to see how much the shortage is gonna be There's also talks of car insurance going up too, and mine renews in a month.

For whatever reason, I still can't seem to predict the Powerball or Mega millions numbers

 

[Matt]

Took the day off work due to "anal glaucoma".

One week before we head back home.

 

[59840Surfer]

1. Installing a roll-up bed tonneau
2. Installing a Boss BE920WCPA-C head unit + Crutchfield's installation module for steering wheel controls.
3. Installing new Harmon-Kardon 3-way speakers in all 4 doors
4. Installing front and rear cameras
5. Installing new Nilite headlight enclosures with Nilite LEDs
6. Installing new taillight lenses/housings with new LEDs.
7. Installing "Blue Ice" door lights and puddle lamps
8. Installing a Midland MXT575 GMRS radio and a 6.3dB gain antenna with NMO mount of roof.
9. I will be programming 4 new (blue) key fobs.

I will be working late --- good thing I'm retired.

I won't have any time for adult beverages today.

Monday --- OTOH ---> I will be installing the truck style towing mirrors with turn signals and puddle lights ... and trying to find a decent quality, formed dash cover.

There MIGHT be a Road Ranger 40-channel USB/LSB/AM CB with a 102" SS whip going in too.

 

[BrianF]

Not much here. So just as fast as the snow blew in, its melting. After the storm it was quite cold again. Come this weekend, it was melting heavily. I went for a rip with my daughter and 5 minutes in, I was stuck badly. With my bad back, my daughter and I worked hard moving this 500+ pound sled around. Barely made it back to park. There was a solid 2 feet of snow but it was sticky and slush was coming over the windshield.

 

[mrrsm]

@BrianF ... Brother... Having lived with the results of a life altering back Injury and back surgery since 2015... I'll tout the getting of THIS Back Brace... Not Once ...but enough times to have them strategically packaged in Large Zip Lock Bags and placed in the locations where I might NEED them at any given moment...My Garage... In the House...and IN THE TRUCK...so I can throw them on and avoid further injury... and why would I go to this extent to have them almost at arms reach? Because they are AWESOME... and they WORK without discomfort:

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Once you put this Thing ON...you immediately stop worrying about re-injury and can Get Stuff DONE.

 

[mrrsm]

@Blckshdw ... Re: Post #2,015 Give THIS Link A Look... You might just find a New View to your Future in their Information Technology Management *Space*: Best of Luck!

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[Matt]

Last day at both jobs, then I'm out for 3 weeks.

 

[BrianF]

@mrrsm thank you for that!! I am quite interested! I got my hip and shoulders adjusted a few days ago and it sure helped. But I may have waited to long before getting adjusted. My muscles are still stiff and I am having some mobility issues. But, I'll take it easy a few more days and keep stretching it out.

 

[mrrsm]

When you first put this "Thing" on...it will feel just like the first time that gorgeous girlfriend you had that REALLY adored you... threw her arms around you in her fond embrace and whispered... "Put them around me ... Baby!" ... I'm NOT Kidding... :>)

 

[Ilikemy3s]

Working from Home today, so after my son and wife leave for work, i have the house to myself. Got a haircut appt mid day and plan to replace the fog light housings (too old and hazed up) in my TB as well.

 

[Matt]

Finished packing and will be heading to the airport in 4 hours for a trip home...first time back in 15 years.

 

[flyboy2610]

Drove about 1-1/2 hrs to the small town where my mom lives. The kids, most of the grand-kids, and her only great-grand-child (my son's son) were there. We had a good time. My mom is 87. She's not doing badly, but she's not doing super great, either.
I don't think little guy felt too well, though. He felt kind of warm, and wasn't his normal happy smiley self. Just wanted to be held by his mom and grandma. He just turned 1, and the immune system is till figuring itself out. I think he'll be fine.

 

[northcreek]

Gutted the living room in preparation of the hardwood floor being refinished....this time in epoxy since the last poly job did not hold up too well.
Also had to fix a ladder to my upper deck so that I can access my bedroom during the process.

 

[Mooseman]

Yesterday was a good day. Had a friend over spend the day. After going out for breakfast, he helped with taking the cover off the RV while I replaced the auger motor on my smoker (stripped a gear after a jam). Also cleaned the smoker out completely. Then smoked some pork bellies and then some huge beef/pork meatballs, kinda like meatloaf. Instead of bread crumbs, used crushed pork rinds. Turned out good and tasty but a tad dry. Both were lean meats. I'll need to add some fat next time or grind up some pork bellies.

Sorry, no gratuitous staged pics.

 

[Matt]

Spent some time around Sydney Harbor and Manly yesterday.

 

[Blckshdw]

Gearing up for another long hot summer. The dandelions and other weeds had been getting comfortable all over the place, so I ordered a new computer for the lawn mower. Really don't want to go through another summer of the stop/start issue, so wanted to try and get that resolved before the rainy season begins.

I already had the body panels off, so swapping them was just a matter of getting the connectors apart. 6 were a breeze, the last one wanted to fight, of course.




Quick test run around the back yard was promising, so threw on the bagger, and cut up all the weeds. Only filled 3/4 of one of the bags, added that to the compost pile. It was nice to be able to get the 1/3 acre done while running each area straight through. Skipped the string trimmer, just wanted to not have the yard looking like a weed field. Put the mower back in the shed, and put all the body panels back on. Not sure what the deal is, but a number of the screw holes weren't lining up anymore, and I lost a couple of the speed nuts

At least it's all together now, and working properly. I may buy some metal ramps, as my wood ones are starting to get a little loose in the joints. Have my eye on some HF ones that should do the job, we'll see how much longer the current set lasts before it heads to the scrap lumber pile.

 

[TJBaker57]

What am I doing today? Oil change. And found a pretty good deal at the local WalMart.

 

[Mooseman]

I saw in the shop another 3.0L Duramax with literally the whole front end taken off just to replace the front crankshaft seal. Hope I NEVER have to get that deep into mine after the warranty expires.

 

[Matt]

We went to the Sydney Royal Easter Show yesterday, it's like a state fair. Saw some displays, watched some wood chopping events, fed some sheep and goats and got a show bag (Full of candy and some other crap).

 

[Matt]

Ran to Bunnings yesterday morning. Bunnings is the largest hardware store chain in Australia. I snapped the tip off one of my screwdrivers that my Dad gave me 30 odd years ago and I can only get them here, so that's why I needed to go. We also went to the sausage sizzle.

A sausage sizzle is a way of charities or sports teams to raise money and they usually do it at Bunnings on a Saturday morning. They cook and Australian beef sausage and grilled onions, put them on a piece of white bread and put on tomato sauce (ketchup).

 

[BrianF]

I had an interesting week so far. A new hire out at the farm made quite the impression their first week. Day one they took out the glass on the bi-directional and blew apart the hydraulic ram for the grapple. Glad they were not hurt but ok.....

4th working day and the skid steer is down. Moving frozen snow piles and blew the windshield out. Good-bye.

So now this week I need to find time in the evenings to clean this all up and source glass for the bi-directional (its a 1985 so probably get new ones cut) and the new door glass from John Deere should be in.

Not sure which hardware is coming on the door so I need to clean up all the parts and so on.

 

[Matt]

We went out to Bathurst yesterday to visit my cousins and Aunt and Uncle. If you're into motor racing, Bathurst is the home of one of the best road race courses in the world, Mount Panorama.



Having raced cars I never had the opportunity to race there, but as it's all public roads, I finally got my lap in yesterday. The speed limit is 60kph/40mph. During the race these guys are doing 280kph/175mph+ down the mountain and where I was down to 25kph/15mph in the really twisty bits, they're doing 60kph/25mph or more.

Here is a link to my video run.

We had a great time meeting all the kids. On the way home we stopped in the Blue Mountains and went to the Three Sister rock formation.

 

[Mooseman]

You know that front seal job at the shop I was talking about last week, they're still working on it.



Got home and got to work on modifying my smoker. It's a Sam's Club Members Mark (made by Pit Boss) that I bought from Princess Auto. It's an older model as it had a flimsy flat heat diffuser that had severely warped. Saw that newer ones have a domed type. During my searches, I saw on YT how to modify it to make it easier to remove the ashes from the burn pot. My difference is that I didn't care for the searing function so I just cut out the grates and used the sliding cover as the tilting cover to access the burn pot. Welded the hinges and also welded in curved end plates at each end (not shown) to help retain heat and not affect the temp sensor .




Burn in went well. Just waiting now for my first cook. That trap door makes it so much easier to vacuum out the ashes.

 

[northcreek]

Hardwood floor came out nice after the refinish, the guy I found was a rare perfectionist, took him two days and didn't even stop for lunch.

 

[BrianF]

So my wife picked me up a present today, just because she is awesome. A client of hers had this stored in an old house and forgot about it. Needs a bit of polishing and it will look great displayed with my centenial rifle.

Its a 1973 Wilkinson RCMP centenial sword. The pictures are crap and dont show the detail on the blade but its nice.

 

[Blckshdw]

The last time I took the mower out, I noticed the wooden ramps I built were starting to get some play near the top, meaning I'd have to likely rebuild them again before the summer ended. While it would have been simple enough, I didn't wanna be bothered with it (again), so broke down and got some steel ones from HF.



Needed to figure out a convenient storage method. The wood ones I left outside, just elevated off the ground to avoid ants and rot. Everywhere I put the steel ones inside the shed, they were in the way of something else. Came up with the idea of mounting them to the inside of the shed door. After all, that's where I'd need them. Open the door, lay the ramps, move the mower.... 🤔

Decided to take a scrap piece of wood, and screw it into part of the existing door frame up top, and then use some lag screws I had laying around as mounting hooks to go through the slots on the ramps. Came out as nice as I'd hoped, fitment is good with the length. They do tend to swing a little bit when closing the door, and thump a few times, but I can live with that.



While I was at it, I decided to cut up another piece of scrap wood, and make a pair of locating blocks to let me put the ramps down in a close enough spot, so I wouldn't have to bring the mower close, make adjustments to their positions, and mess with them. The bent metal wings at the top flex a little bit from just me standing on the ramps, and they're supposed to be rated for more than twice that on each one. Should those brackets give a little too much, the locating blocks will catch the ramps as well for some added load support, if it ever comes to it. 🤞

 

[Matt]

We made it home on Saturday night at about 10.30 after 24 hours of travel. We all crashed hard and woke up after 11.

Have to say, Ohio is a bit of a let down after being home for a couple of weeks.

 

[Mooseman]

Just came back from spending the Easter weekend at my son's. Apart from spending time with the grandkids, I also helped him repair the frame on his 2011 Sierra. The same one that I helped him with two years ago. The crossmembers we installed then are still solid. It's the frame rails that were rotted out this time as well as two of the mounting points on the box. Used a bunch of steel flat bars and tons of welding to fix it as best we could. Didn't get any pics but you've seen frame rot before.

He's already resigned that he has at most two more years with this truck. Next time he has to get one from somewhere else than the north where they use salt brine on the roads. It's insane!

Oh and as thanks for this help, his kids gave me and grandma their cold. Feel like absolute garbage and my nose is running like Niagara Falls

 

[flyboy2610]

I owe, I owe
so off to work I go
my bills are high, my pay is low
I owe, I owe

 

[Blckshdw]

I owe, I owe
so off to work I go
my bills are high, my pay is low
I owe, I owe

I felt this in my soul

I've had some chats around new years, with my boss, and with HR about my situation here. It's cool and all, but there's opportunities out there, so I've been thinking about leaving. They both want me to stay put, and finally came up with an idea to get me a little more money, although it does come with more responsibility.

It would involve me (re)learning a system for our fund development department. I got trained on it years ago when their person was leaving and they hadn't hired a replacement yet. The COO was also leaving, so the guy transitioning to that role, who needed the reports and data from it was trying to learn his ropes at the same time. End result, he was too swamped with other work to ask me for anything out of there, so the 2 weeks of training I got faded away from never doing anything with it. Then they hired someone who knew the system, so I didn't need to tell them anything. Of course my question was, how much is the pay bump, but that hasn't been finalized/approved yet.

I'm pretty sure it will only get me a few more pennies in my check, but I'd be reporting to someone at the top level of management, like I was doing briefly before. The good news is, I'd get to move back into my old office that was in a quiet hallway. I've been with the marketing department since then to help their director with system related stuff, and they are all social butterflies who like to hang out in the hallway and chit chat. Great for keeping up with gossip, but a pain in the ass when someone's hair is on fire and I need to concentrate on troubleshooting data issues somewhere.

 

[Mooseman]

I owe, I owe
so off to work I go
my bills are high, my pay is low
I owe, I owe

This is mine:

I love my f*cking job, I love my f*cking job,
I owe, I owe,
I love my f*cking job!

I whistle it on a regular basis in the dealership. Nobody has a clue as to what I'm singing in my head

 

[azswiss]

Re-seated the toilet in our master bathroom. Multiple issues became immediately apparent as soon as I removed the toilet and exposed the flange. Aside from being completely corroded (no surprise as it was the original, built in '89), the flange was 1/2" below the level of the floor, it was fully encased in concrete, and the tiles were nowhere near level with each other. No small amount of grinding, sawing & chipping later the new flange is in place.