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Recent content by Steve Marquess

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    A humble request for mentor. Potential new shop.

    Retired now, but I've started and run a number of small businesses (7 total IIRC though only three "real" ones that lasted more than a few years). Not machining, but I think the business side issues are the same. So things I wish I'd known up front: 1. Get an accountant to do your taxes. I made...
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    OT Educate me on home AC

    It's "formicary corrosion" (formicary as in like ant tunnels, because of the corrosion tracks as seen with a microscope), and yes it was a big problem with copper and aluminum coils from about a decade ago when manufacturers started chasing energy efficiency with thin copper coils. Both of my...
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    Measuring Energy Consumption of Furnace

    IMHO that will be your best option, get a kWh meter and meter base and wire it inline. I have thirteen kWh meters in my private residence and two outbuildings (in addition to the utility meter). Search for "reconditioned kwh meters" and you'll find several vendors of single and polyphase meters...
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    Quickbooks turns into ransomware, what Accounting software are you using ?

    Retired now, but FWiW I ran several small businesses for years with Gnucash, both cash and accrual accounting. Never did W2 payroll, though (I used a payroll service for awhile long ago). I started using Gnucash for a one-man consulting business, then eventually found myself running several...
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    What size tapered reamer is needed for a KO Lee grinder?

    FWiW I have a B860 and my equivalent of those pins are definitely tapered. I had the opposite problem; tapered holes were fine but no pins. I do recall it is an oddball taper. -Steve M.
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    10EE Taper Clamp casting possibility - Martin Model

    Got mine today too, looks good. Printed drawings and the support post were a nice surprise. -Steve M.
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    OT: Solar Panels for house

    Some thoughts FWiW ... I have a ten year old "off grid capable" 15 KWh system, with batteries and an auto-start generator. Power outages are common here and until I retired my income was dependent on power to the premises. That said for most people such a system probably won't make sense...
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    3 mini split heat pumps, first day.

    A big thumbs-up for Daikin here. I have a 1200 sq ft shop in Maryland, reasonably well insulated but with a 12' overhead door. Two years ago I installed a 2 ton Daikin minisplit purchased for $1,550 shipped, off Amazon no less (they had the best price which has since gone up a bit)...
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    Eureka ... had a hard time getting through on the phone, but while I was waiting on hold I poked around on their web site and found they show a bunch of part numbers from the old parts catalog I have. For reference...
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    Hmmm ... interesting thought. I generally don't run the forklift for long when I use it, e.g. yesterday I shuffled five cubes of concrete block and that was it, less time on that than I spent getting it moving initially. I've used Seafoam in engines only. Are you talking about that regular...
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    I called TVH America (800-255-4109) and as soon as they realized I didn't have an account they transferred me to their "sister company" Minnpar. Mia there was very friendly but not encouraging, though she did take the model and serial number to "send to research". From my notes I see I bought...
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    FYI, just called them (630-752-0600, now "Megadyne America"); was told they do belts and hoses only. Also tried 973-227-4904 and got a recording to the same effect. ???
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    Good info, thanks. With this forklift I should be able to easily unbolt the cowling and one-piece rollbar cage and hoist the entire engine+tranny up and out. Should be even easier than the engine swap on a ag tractor I did last month, as there are no splines to line up on reassembly (just a...
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    It's a Pettibone-Mercury GA-50. When the "no go" happens it does nothing in either forward or reverse. By "brake valve" you mean the hydraulics for the inching pedal (leftmost pedal that applies the brakes and puts transmission in neutral at the same time)? I use the inching pedal all the...
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    forklift powershift no-go after sitting

    Early 80s vintage forklift with a powershift transmission. It has served me well since purchased well-used 12 years ago (from another PM member). Of late I'm seeing a "no go" problem when I trying using it after it's been sitting awhile (which it often the case). I'll put the tranny in...
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