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For 15-16 months now...

Tinman
Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
edited December 2019 in THE MAIN WALL
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
Steve Minnich
psb75ethicalpaulIronman

Comments

  • rick in Alaska
    rick in Alaska Member Posts: 1,457
    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
    Tinman
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    My thirst for learning came after I got of school. Go figure.
    Steve Minnich
    ethicalpaul
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,512
    Steve, your writing is delicious. Proud of you!
    Retired and loving it.
    Tinman
  • Solid_Fuel_Man
    Solid_Fuel_Man Member Posts: 2,646
    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!
    Serving Northern Maine HVAC & Controls. I burn wood, it smells good!
    Tinman
  • psb75
    psb75 Member Posts: 828
    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!
    Tinman
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    Thank you, everyone!

    @DanHolohan - That means a lot to me.
    Steve Minnich
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Great articles,
    I feel honored that you used some of my wacky ideas from the wall to include in your steam story.
    Tinman
  • unclejohn
    unclejohn Member Posts: 1,833
    Dan beer is delicious, writing is marvelous.
    Solid_Fuel_Man
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,512
    I taste and savor each word, UJ. 😀
    Retired and loving it.
  • retiredguy
    retiredguy Member Posts: 897
    edited December 2019
    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.
    TinmanSolid_Fuel_Man
  • Condoman
    Condoman Member Posts: 90
    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.
    Tinman
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    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?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Dan Foleyethicalpaul
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 1,880
    @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.
    Solid_Fuel_ManTinmanCanucker
  • Condoman
    Condoman Member Posts: 90
    Steamhead: 5XB. All incoming Aetna & Travelers, high speed data switching, full complement of markers, crazy busy office.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    I hope they issued ear protection :#
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    @Steve Minnich
    I enjoy your writing and feel like your are writing it just for me. Keep up the good work
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
  • Tinman
    Tinman Member Posts: 2,808
    @RayWohlfarth - Thank you, Ray. I’m getting a bit more comfortable with it every month. You and Dan inspire me.
    Steve Minnich
  • RayWohlfarth
    RayWohlfarth Member Posts: 1,459
    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
    Ray Wohlfarth
    Boiler Lessons
    TinmanSolid_Fuel_Man