Best Of
Re: A Casual Survey: Homeowner GC'ing their job
250K Steam boiler with a drop header and all new NBP………………..extended stay job.😁
LRCCBJ
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
This is actually the reason I don't much care for sharkbites, o rings eventually fail, but technology keeps getting better and sometimes the old ways are not the best ways. As much as my life is characterized by old ways I have to be careful not to push where I haven't researched. I've talked to quite a few men who do some plumbing (contractors and light duty plumbing) and they all seem to have good success with sharkbites. I just don't see enough evidence to advise against it, sure it hasn't had the opportunity to fail the test of time yet, but it certainly has enough support to be a quality product. I am not a plumber, by any means, I've probably only sweated 100 joints but to me this is a pretty big gray area. Sorry for the long post, but the technical industry is highly lacking technical training and technical detailed talk. Which is what is going on here, I love the read!
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
I know the earth isn't flat. If it were, my cat would have pushed everything off the edge long since.
Re: Calling Peerless 63-series Owners: A Venting Mystery
Yep that's them.
Oswald doesn't stock this stuff and won't drop ship from PTYD if the order is < $25 and PTYD said "5-7 days" upon request, and then got back to me and said, we out & we ain't makin' any.
And they wanted to know what happened to the original, and what was I thought I was doing:
"Production would like to know what the serial number is of this unit. Also, what is the reason for replacing this and what caused it?"
Now PTYD sort of "is" Peerless, and that Peerless isn't talking to me, officially, so it's not like i can call the engineers and ask what they think they're doing.
mattmich
Re: Calling Peerless 63-series Owners: A Venting Mystery
I called PartsToYourDoor, which is their in-house vendor.
The parts we're talking about, of course, are not the kind that tend to wear out and need replacement. But I agree, not wonderful.
I'll just wait until you build your extension and then we swap parts in the summer ;)
mattmich
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
You can't trust code approval in my opinion any longer. You have to use your own smarts.
The electrical code approves CFCI and combination breakers that are nothing but trouble because the electrical MFG beat the code panel over the head and told them how many lives would be saved if you install our junk. "you have to do this"
But the electricians know this stuff is junk and is not reliable and is expensive and cause needless call backs. I installed a new microwave a year ago and ran a dedicated 20 amp circuit with a combination breaker (because I am supposed to.) It trips randomly for no reason 4 times since last July
Look at the construction of CSST. The stuff is junk and is about as substantial as a piece of tin foil. Yet it is approved and people install it.
Gas is hazerdous, look at what NYC requires as far as permits and testing but tin foil gas pipe is ok in some areas.
Re: When to NOT use sharkbite? A question
I'm with you, Dog. I'm not part of the "race to the bottom" of the trade.
Many professionals share our thoughts on this, and that is what keeps the trade and the profession alive. Every innovation has a place in the toolbox. Wisdom, knowledge, experience and morals tell us when it's proper to use what.
The mark of a professional is one who views code requirements as minimums.
In our jurisdictions, we have never seen an inspector who would permit a sharkbite-type push fitting. No engineer I know would specify them. I wouldn't - generally because they are too easy to install improperly and because many of them are Chinese imports with horrible quality control. They are permitted by Canada's codes, and many jurisdictions in the US allow them too.
An unskilled homeowner with no money is fortunate to have a quick fix available to them. Yesteryears' Grandpas could only wrap their leaks with rags and garden hose.
Internet forums give equal space to anyone.
It's important to know your sources.
Re: What Do Space Exploration, Beer, and Hydronic Heating Have in Common?
Bill (William) Coors was a good customer of mine. He hired our company to replace his existing poorly designed (DHW heaters as boilers) boiler system in his home on Lookout Mountain, As we were in the process of disassembling the existing plant, he came down into the boiler room and asked us to save the Grundfos circulator because it has one of his companys' ceramic seal assemblies built into it. Quite the interesting fellow. He had miniature steam engines throughout his home, connected to a compressed air system. He had built each and every one of them as a child in the Coors machine shop.
Talk about small world syndrome, my friend who owns the Space Ship house in Genesee, across the valley from Bills house, ended up purchasing. Uncle Bills house after he passed away (102 Y.O.) and is in the process of rebuilding/remodeling and adding a 20 car garage to his expansive (8k sq feet) home. BTW, when I asked him about the book, he said it contained a lot of "mis truths" about him and his family…
He was a lot of fun to talk to, because of his depth of not just mechanical systems, but he was also a very well known agronomist/horticulturist, and besides inventing the completely recyclable aluminum beer can, which he intentionally did NOT patent, he also invented the process for using ice crystals to enhance beers flavor.
I remember an incident where one of our employees got dressed down by his wife (Crazy Rita Bass), when it wasn't my employees fault. I called Uncle Bill to inquire as to what had transpired. He apologized for Rita's incorrrect response and reaction and said the employee could help himself to whatever was in the refrigerator in the garage. The employee emptied the refrigerator out (Killians, Coors Gold and others). Bill just laughed it off. He was that kind of guy.
Everyone at the brewery loved him, because he remembered EVERYONES name. He went in 2 times per week while 80 years old, just walked around talking to the employees. We were later introduced to his nephews and to my knowledge, are still taking care of their comfort needs.
I will share some photos of the completed installations when they are complete. I'm doing the design work and will supervise whomever gets the job. Too old to be burning and turning anymore.
ME
Re: Best electric pipe threader that won't break you
You can have my 65R when you pry it from my cold dead hands.
Although, I might feel different if I used it for more than the occasional handrail.
ratio