I UN-RETIRED TODAY

[oldguyinTX]

Sort of. I took a seasonal job with the State Of CT DEEP at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT. The job lasts 6 months, but it gets me on the list for next year, too. I have to build 300 plus picnic tables for the park from base kits made by inmates in the state penal system. The bases are tubular galvanized steel bent into a "U" shape, with flanges welded on for attachment to the tops, two of them for each table with two cross braces. After futzing with it for a while, it turns that they had three kits that were all different, and only the one behind door #3 actually works. So I wasted a couple of hours this morning sorting that out, but I did get one built today. Now that I've figured it out, I can start doing production runs, cutting the 5 pieces of 6/4 x 5 for the tops, and 2 pieces of 8/4 x 9 for the seats to the proper length. The wood comes from a mill that the state owns. I'm thinking that I will cut enough wood for batches of 10 tables at a time, as indoor storage for the cut pieces is limited. Each table requires 36 carriage bolts, so for the next 6 months I am going to be drilling one heck of a lot of holes. The bummer is that it really cuts into my riding time, although today I rode to work, and will do so as weather permits. But hey, it's extra money that I can surely use.

 

[UtahPete]

Sort of. I took a seasonal job with the State Of CT DEEP at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT. The job lasts 6 months, but it gets me on the list for next year, too. I have to build 300 plus picnic tables for the park from base kits made by inmates in the state penal system. The bases are tubular galvanized steel bent into a "U" shape, with flanges welded on for attachment to the tops, two of them for each table with two cross braces. After futzing with it for a while, it turns that they had three kits that were all different, and only the one behind door #3 actually works. So I wasted a couple of hours this morning sorting that out, but I did get one built today. Now that I've figured it out, I can start doing production runs, cutting the 5 pieces of 6/4 x 5 for the tops, and 2 pieces of 8/4 x 9 for the seats to the proper length. The wood comes from a mill that the state owns. I'm thinking that I will cut enough wood for batches of 10 tables at a time, as indoor storage for the cut pieces is limited. Each table requires 36 carriage bolts, so for the next 6 months I am going to be drilling one heck of a lot of holes. The bummer is that it really cuts into my riding time, although today I rode to work, and will do so as weather permits. But hey, it's extra money that I can surely use.

You do what ya gotta do. I'm glad you found something that works out for you.

 

[ThreeWheels]

I'm just glad you're recovered enough to do that kind of work.
I had my knee worked on 10 days ago and I'm still hurting.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Each table requires 36 carriage bolts, so for the next 6 months I am going to be drilling one heck of a lot of holes.

And turning a lot of nuts! A real nut job!!! :roflblack:

Get a powerful drill/driver, minimum 18 volt, and an Irwin self pulling boring bit to drill the holes, and a good socket. A couple of spare batteries on a charger ought to keep you going all day!

I have the Milwaukee 28 volt drill/driver. Strong enough to bust a wrist! Just as powerful as a corded drill.

 

[ARtraveler]

Wishing you success in your new un-retirement job. :yes::yes:

 

[oldguyinTX]

I'm just glad you're recovered enough to do that kind of work.
I had my knee worked on 10 days ago and I'm still hurting.

Steve, what's up with your knee? I'm 16 months out from my left hip replacement, and 8 months out from my right one. Boy, were they sore by the time I got home today. A long hot shower and 5% topical Lidocane sure helps. I'm getting too old for this stuff.

 

[oldguyinTX]

And turning a lot of nuts! A real nut job!!! :roflblack:

Get a powerful drill/driver, minimum 18 volt, and an Irwin self pulling boring bit to drill the holes, and a good socket. A couple of spare batteries on a charger ought to keep you going all day!

I have the Milwaukee 28 volt drill/driver. Strong enough to bust a wrist! Just as powerful as a corded drill.

Yep, got the bit, an 18 Volt DeWalt, (both mine) and the park has an impact driver that my (personal) deep socket fits on so I'm ready to rock the nuts. The facility is somewhat "tool Poor", so I'm ending up bringing some of my own stuff to work, but that's OK, they're my tools and I'm used to them.

 

[Blue Star]

I can relate

Sort of. I took a seasonal job with the State Of CT DEEP at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT. The job lasts 6 months, but it gets me on the list for next year, too. I have to build 300 plus picnic tables for the park from base kits made by inmates in the state penal system. The bases are tubular galvanized steel bent into a "U" shape, with flanges welded on for attachment to the tops, two of them for each table with two cross braces. After futzing with it for a while, it turns that they had three kits that were all different, and only the one behind door #3 actually works. So I wasted a couple of hours this morning sorting that out, but I did get one built today. Now that I've figured it out, I can start doing production runs, cutting the 5 pieces of 6/4 x 5 for the tops, and 2 pieces of 8/4 x 9 for the seats to the proper length. The wood comes from a mill that the state owns. I'm thinking that I will cut enough wood for batches of 10 tables at a time, as indoor storage for the cut pieces is limited. Each table requires 36 carriage bolts, so for the next 6 months I am going to be drilling one heck of a lot of holes. The bummer is that it really cuts into my riding time, although today I rode to work, and will do so as weather permits. But hey, it's extra money that I can surely use.

I can relate with you, as I will be un-retired on June 25. I'm going to be a school bus driver, and work from 0545 to 0730. Returning at 1400 to 1800 giving me about 6.5 hours to ryde in-between shifts. Good luck with the wrench turning.

 

[Chupaca]

Welcome....back..

Don't get too organized and plan things out ..... you'll be done in 3 months :roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

As I understand the process:
You'll provide the tables...
We'll provide the food...

...and Mother Nature will bring the ants! :clap:

 

[bscrive]

Well Dwight, at least it will keep you out of trouble.....maybe....:thumbup:

 

[Deanna777]

Dwight,


Good luck!

Deanna

 

[oldguyinTX]

I prepped all of the material for six tables today. Start assembly tomorrow. What I need - and I will talk to my boss about this tomorrow - is for one of the young kids to carry the materials across the parking lot for me and stack it so I can prep the next run. It's like they tried to put it as far away from the shop as they could. Oh, and did I mention that the really nice raw oak has been sitting out in the weather for three years? Some of it is really unuseable, but will make good firewood for me.

 

[ThreeWheels]

Steve, what's up with your knee? I'm 16 months out from my left hip replacement, and 8 months out from my right one. Boy, were they sore by the time I got home today. A long hot shower and 5% topical Lidocane sure helps. I'm getting too old for this stuff.

I'm really good.
Today is two weeks from my surgery. I'm attending a convention in Las Vegas. Lots of walking. I'm moving quite well. Yesterday, I didn't use my cane at all.
It's 107 outside.
A week from Friday, Galina and I are riding to PA to attend the MSW Spyder Clutter..