For 15-16 months now...

Steve Minnich

they’ve been kind enough to let me write a column for them 😎. There is life after Contracting. https://www.phcppros.com/articles/10566-are-you-the-curious-sort

rick in Alaska

Good story. I am also that kind of person. Except when I took things apart as a kid, they didn't necessarily get put back together. I just wanted to see what they looked like inside. My dad wasn't very impressed by the lawnmowers and such that were scattered around in parts, but I learned a lot that way.
One of the best ways I know of to be a good technician is to ask lots of questions and always be curious. You only get better after that.
Rick

Steve Minnich

My thirst for learning came after I got of school. Go figure.

DanHolohan

Steve, your writing is delicious. Proud of you!

Solid_Fuel_Man

I love diagnostics! I've stayed late more than a handful of times with a sawzall, bandsaw, or disc grinder to see what happened! Love it Steve!

psb75

Steve, very nice. I like the "push-back" against our throw-away culture.
I have quite a collection of 'dead' parts. I also like your set up for test leads!

Steve Minnich

Thank you, everyone!

@DanHolohan - That means a lot to me.

JUGHNE

Great articles,
I feel honored that you used some of my wacky ideas from the wall to include in your steam story.

unclejohn

Dan beer is delicious, writing is marvelous.

DanHolohan

I taste and savor each word, UJ. 😀

retiredguy

Great story Steve and to every person that touches any kind of equipment they should be as inquisitive as you are. I learned early on in my career that if you want to install or service anything, you need to learn and know what happens at every point in that operating system so when that device fails you can diagnose the problem and get that system operating again. Too many guys today are just parts changers and know very little of what makes that system function. When you think you know it all it is time to get a different job. I loved to learn and still do even after being retired 12 years.

Condoman

I can identify with Steve. My main responsibility these days, having retired 10 years ago, is keeping our 1959 ranch house running. My computer and shop are in the basement so I spend a fair amount of time listening to the sounds around me.

This is not unlike part of my career in the phone company. I was part of a crew that listened to the sounds our central office made in the late 70's. This was a large electro-mechanical switch that clamored all day making connections to and from customer lines.

I remember taking the electrical diagrams home and studying them to analyze the path a call took to complete the connection. I felt like an empty vessel that needed filling and could not stop my thirst for knowledge about this beast.

Later on I moved to computers and supported programmers to find the issues they had with their programs. It always annoyed me that some folks did not care at all what the root of a problem was. They were focused on their work not on finding how to solve an issue and hopefully make them wiser.

I guess it takes all kinds to make the world turn.

Steamhead

Condoman said:

This is not unlike part of my career in the phone company. I was part of a crew that listened to the sounds our central office made in the late 70's. This was a large electro-mechanical switch that clamored all day making connections to and from customer lines.

Step, Panel or Crossbar?

Intplm.

@Steve Minnich Great stories.

Reminds me years ago about a question that was asked of me at a job interview.
They asked,"Do you tinker?"
I answered "yes I do".
Thought it was a great question to ask at a interview. It can be very telling as to how curious a person can be, and how far they will go. How much trouble shooting they will do.
A good read.
Thanks for sharing.

Condoman

Steamhead: 5XB. All incoming Aetna & Travelers, high speed data switching, full complement of markers, crazy busy office.

Steamhead

I hope they issued ear protection

RayWohlfarth

@Steve Minnich
I enjoy your writing and feel like your are writing it just for me. Keep up the good work

Steve Minnich

@RayWohlfarth - Thank you, Ray. I’m getting a bit more comfortable with it every month. You and Dan inspire me.

RayWohlfarth

Its all about helping the techs in the field. We have all been there alone in a boiler room trying to figure what to do. happy New Year