What did you do today?

[DarisMulkin]

20 years ago they still made decent carpet
Some will get wrinkles easier than others. Pad type makes a big difference, room size and shape come into play and so does the walking areas.
If it was installed in the summer and it was hot, that might be a #1 reason that a kicker was successful.
A kicker rarely works so your installation is an exception.
Most carpets that I've restretched were done with a power stretcher, but using a stinger, not wall to wall stretcher tubes.

The stinger has kind of taken over the industry even though it is not recomended. If you got carpet that is 20 years old its should be time to replace it.

 

[MSLI]

The stinger has kind of taken over the industry even though it is not recomended. If you got carpet that is 20 years old its should be time to replace it.

Editing take 2 :

That knee kicking job was 12 years old and it needed replacing, but what I’m trying to engage is ‘ how ‘ we do what we do, not the outcome.

So to sum up, we have three installation methods for stretch in Carpet. The Most popular to the least popular, Knee Kicker, Stinger Power Stretcher, and then the industry standard, Power Stretching Poles.

These three parallel methods traveling through the installation world are subject to choice or free will and without penalties, incentives or monitoring, acceptance of the different choices seems to makes good common sense…… Will criticism help? No probably not. We are creatures who respond more positively to praise, believe it or not. Consciously we may so no way, but subconsciously we react as yes !

SO ! ….What role do we play, as ‘ Standard Keeper’s’ in the Carpet Installation world? And ! In other areas of life ?

 

[highup]

Editing take 2 :

That knee kicking job was 12 years old and it needed replacing, but what I’m trying to engage is ‘ how ‘ we do what we do, not the outcome.

So to sum up, we have three installation methods for stretch in Carpet. The Most popular to the least popular, Knee Kicker, Stinger Power Stretcher, and then the industry standard, Power Stretching Poles.

These three parallel methods traveling through the installation world are subject to choice or free will and without penalties, incentives or monitoring, acceptance of the different choices seems to makes good common sense…… Will criticism help? No probably not. We are creatures who respond more positively to praise, believe it or not. Consciously we may so no way, but subconsciously we react as yes !

SO ! ….What role do we play, as ‘ Standard Keeper’s’ in the Carpet Installation world? And ! In other areas of life ?

I'm Polish.... always have beenski.

 

[C.J.]

Editing take 2 :

That knee kicking job was 12 years old and it needed replacing, but what I’m trying to engage is ‘ how ‘ we do what we do, not the outcome.

So to sum up, we have three installation methods for stretch in Carpet. The Most popular to the least popular, Knee Kicker, Stinger Power Stretcher, and then the industry standard, Power Stretching Poles.

These three parallel methods traveling through the installation world are subject to choice or free will and without penalties, incentives or monitoring, acceptance of the different choices seems to makes good common sense…… Will criticism help? No probably not. We are creatures who respond more positively to praise, believe it or not. Consciously we may so no way, but subconsciously we react as yes !

SO ! ….What role do we play, as ‘ Standard Keeper’s’ in the Carpet Installation world? And ! In other areas of life ?

Interesting read. Kinda sums it up. Nothing personal, it’s just business.

https://backgroundproof.com/yes-it-is-ethical-to-lie/

 

[highup]

Lies have different levels.

"I'm booked all next week"

(I'll be drunk all week, it's summer break)

"The Hilti hammer drill was in the tool cabinet last time I looked"

(Oh Lord, I hope they don't have a camera )

"I'm a rocket scientist, but I decided that installing carpet would be more fulfilling"

("I hope they don't ask which college)

 

[MSLI]

Interesting read. Kinda sums it up. Nothing personal, it’s just business.

https://backgroundproof.com/yes-it-is-ethical-to-lie/

Interestingly slippery and we’ve all been on that lying climb towards success, but once we get there, will we re-boot ourselves back to truth telling or will we make the association, lies equal success ? ….. and then, when Fred catches you in one, will you have to pay him off ? …. Reality is Slippery indeed.

 

[C.J.]

Interestingly slippery and we’ve all been on that lying climb towards success, but once we get there, will we re-boot ourselves back to truth telling or will we make the association, lies equal success ? ….. and then, when Fred catches you in one, will you have to pay him off ? …. Reality is Slippery indeed.

Different set of rules for making money vs being a good person. I suspect the attempt at combining the two would be a ‘Christian’ run business. I’ve worked for one once and never have I ever done so much free work in my life, and not by my choosing, all in the name of being a good person. Don’t know about you but when I go to work I do so to make money, so obviously that relationship was short lived. To this day if I see a business that advertises that they are ‘Christian’, I won’t do business with them no matter what. We can be friendly towards each other but that’s it as far as our relationship regarding money will go.

 

[MSLI]

Different set of rules for making money vs being a good person. I suspect the attempt at combining the two would be a ‘Christian’ run business. I’ve worked for one once and never have I ever done so much free work in my life, and not by my choosing, all in the name of being a good person. Don’t know about you but when I go to work I do so to make money, so obviously that relationship was short lived. To this day if I see a business that advertises that they are ‘Christian’, I won’t do business with them no matter what. We can be friendly towards each other but that’s it as far as our relationship regarding money will go.

Nice point C. J. …. IF 40 years younger and 40 points higher on the IQ chart, my goal would be to start a Secular Church An oxymoron, but they do exist….. Morals, Values, Decorum, Dignity, Responsibility, Respect etc etc. Is there really a need to scare us into eternal suffering ? Anywho I believe we can find a balanced solution for successful moneymaking and keep the lies far and few.

 

[highup]

Nice point C. J. …. IF 40 years younger and 40 points higher on the IQ chart, my goal would be to start a Secular Church An oxymoron, but they do exist….. Morals, Values, Decorum, Dignity, Responsibility, Respect etc etc. Is there really a need to scare us into eternal suffering ? Anywho I believe we can find a balanced solution for successful moneymaking and keep the lies far and few.

You do realize that you're going to be burning in Hell for eternity for thinking like that.

 

[C.J.]

You do realize that you're going to be burning in Hell for eternity for thinking like that.

That’s the reason I’m not out there running my business anymore. On a core level I just did not agree with some of the things I was going to have to do to be competitive in the market I was trying to compete in.

 

[highup]

That’s the reason I’m not out there running my business anymore. On a core level I just did not agree with some of the things I was going to have to do to be competitive in the market I was trying to compete in.

I should have done as you did a long time ago. I've never been in competition tho. I can probably count on two hands the jobs that I've bid on. From , '87 to 2000 or so I just showed up and got my running papers. To stop from having a long wait list, the shop got another installer or two. We're only talking 6 installers at this point, not a conglomerate.
The customers were happy. They got their jobs started as soon as the carpet arrived at the warehouse. Now there's no backlog, so when things slow down the jobs available got handed ont to one guy, and somebody has no work that day, or that week because they bounced available jobs randomly so that everyone still has at least some work.
People that I worked for have been extremely loyal. If they bought carpet elsewhere at a different shop, they'd call me up to ask when I had time ...almost never did they ask how much. I'd just hand them a bill when I was finished. The shop got new owners and work slowed down even more.... Starving and being saved for those "special" jobs.
I hated listening to a call on my answering machine saying "Give me a call, I have a 'Randy' job"
Randy job, meaning no one else could or would do the work.
It's nice to be thought of that highly, but again.... random work doesn't pay bills. The steady mill work declined, most mills shut down. Yeah, there's welding and machining jobs, but I'd be learning from scratch.... so not a reason to apply. There are a couple cabinet shops, but lot of cabinets now are ordered from the box stores.
I'd have to go back in time and get work longshoring while the getting was good. Very nice pay around here. I'd be retired and making at least as much as when working.
Flooring is a rough line of work to be in unless you're the right guy in the right place ....or if you can beat yourself to death outpacing the competition.

 

[C.J.]

Man, what a Monday. I went grocery shopping yesterday. Got some coffee for the shop. Lemme tell ya, this stuff will make you poop tomorrow’s poop today. It’s black and nasty but that’s what we like. I actually meant to grab some French roast but this is a pleasant mistake.

I also picked up a ham while shopping. That’ll make sammichs all week. I sliced a cheddar cheese bagel, slathered it with mustard and mayo then proceeded to dress it up. Lettuce, Tillamook cheese, lots of ham and some sliced tomato. So good I had to make one for my coworker. My wife was even impressed with my sammichs and asked if I would make her one for lunch tomorrow. Sure will, babe!

So now it’s beer thirty. Apparently my beer is so cold it decided to freeze on me after the first drink. I turned down the temp on the mini fridge then had a few more

Then the icing on the cake is getting home at the exact same time as Amazon is delivering my 4 port rapid charger. I’ve been wanting one of these for years now. Couldn’t afford it when they were $200. Then they jumped to $300. Not willing to pay that much. Fast forward to last week and my buddy is looking on Amazon and they’re still $300. I look the very next day and it’s down to $198. I know there’s an algorithm as well as our phones are all spying on us n stuff. Whatever, today it’s in my favor so I hit the buy now button and here we are.

 

[zannej]

Ooh, I love the battery charger.
I don't drink coffee so can't really comment on types. My brother makes barley tea that tastes like coffee but doesn't have the caffeine. I don't drink sodas either. I hate carbonated drinks.

In my area there are 100 churches and most of them are all about tax shelters and making $$$ and do not help people or practice what they preach.

Took my truck back to the repair shop because the front driver wheel was squealing. Just had the wheelbearing replaced on it. They having figured out what is wrong and why it's making that noise. Some rocks fell out when they took stuff apart, but it still makes noises. They can't see anything rubbing and said they will continue to investigate. Had the struts replaced and had driver front rotor replaced to match passenger front rotor being replaced. . I probably need alignment since I have to turn the steering wheel to the left to go straight. They were going to replace the whole hub assembly but decided they want to diagnose the problem in case the noises persist. Driver front wheel got hit-- pretty much T boned-- by a drunk driver when I was making a left turn. He decided to pass me on the left and thought I was taking too long and instead of braking he gunned it so the impact was harder. Busted the tire, fender, bumper, and bent the hood. Repair place the tower recommended didn't fix it properly. They didn't even secure the tie rod.

I plan to remove the carpet in the hallway and replace it with vinyl plank. Need to replace the parquet in the kitchen with vinyl plank as well. Wish I could find a pattern that looks like the existing parquet pattern or that looks like marble without grout lines that is affordable for such a large space.

 

[highup]

Man, what a Monday. I went grocery shopping yesterday. Got some coffee for the shop. Lemme tell ya, this stuff will make you poop tomorrow’s poop today. It’s black and nasty but that’s what we like. I actually meant to grab some French roast but this is a pleasant mistake.

I also picked up a ham while shopping. That’ll make sammichs all week. I sliced a cheddar cheese bagel, slathered it with mustard and mayo then proceeded to dress it up. Lettuce, Tillamook cheese, lots of ham and some sliced tomato. So good I had to make one for my coworker. My wife was even impressed with my sammichs and asked if I would make her one for lunch tomorrow. Sure will, babe!

So now it’s beer thirty. Apparently my beer is so cold it decided to freeze on me after the first drink. I turned down the temp on the mini fridge then had a few more

Then the icing on the cake is getting home at the exact same time as Amazon is delivering my 4 port rapid charger. I’ve been wanting one of these for years now. Couldn’t afford it when they were $200. Then they jumped to $300. Not willing to pay that much. Fast forward to last week and my buddy is looking on Amazon and they’re still $300. I look the very next day and it’s down to $198. I know there’s an algorithm as well as our phones are all spying on us n stuff. Whatever, today it’s in my favor so I hit the buy now button and here we are.

View attachment 20393View attachment 20394View attachment 20395View attachment 20396

Do the house lights dim when you plug in the charger?

 

[C.J.]

Do the house lights dim when you plug in the charger?

Nothing that cool. It does have cooling fans on it so it’s not totally uncool, maybe half cool. I’ve definitely needed a rapid charger for some time now. Some tools, like the sawzall and skill saw, will drain a battery pretty quick. What do you do? Get bigger batteries. Problem is big batteries take a long time to charge on a regular charger. No bueno when you can drain a battery in 15 minutes but then have to wait an hour for it to recharge. This charger will bust a move right now!

 

[highup]

Nothing that cool. It does have cooling fans on it so it’s not totally uncool, maybe half cool. I’ve definitely needed a rapid charger for some time now. Some tools, like the sawzall and skill saw, will drain a battery pretty quick. What do you do? Get bigger batteries. Problem is big batteries take a long time to charge on a regular charger. No bueno when you can drain a battery in 15 minutes but then have to wait an hour for it to recharge. This charger will bust a move right now!

I only have battery powered drills and drivers.... Well, ok... also a #1650 ft lb impact wrench, a #350 ft lb impact wrench, and a sawzall . Not gonna use those very often.
Adding a chop saw and table saw would definately change my charging requirements.
....then again I'd need to have some work for them to do.

 

[C.J.]

I only have battery powered drills and drivers.... Well, ok... also a #1650 ft lb impact wrench, a #350 ft lb impact wrench, and a sawzall . Not gonna use those very often.
Adding a chop saw and table saw would definately change my charging requirements.
....then again I'd need to have some work for them to do.

I ran into that situation last year and I ended up buying a generator instead because it was significantly cheaper than buying a new cordless 12” sliding miter saw and a cordless table saw. Then I woulda had to of course gone and bought more batteries for those new saws. I think I penciled it out to the tune of $1500 just for the miter saw and batteries I wanted (not Dewalt). Cordless table saw and A battery will run you $600. So now I’m spending over 2k for cordless saws because the builder won’t provide me with electricity? I don’t think so.

This actually follows along with MSLI’s line of thinking about ‘how’ we do what we do. Builder has no electricity so now you have to spend your hard earned money to upgrade to cordless. You know the job doesn’t pay any better than a house that does have electricity. It’s gonna be dark in that house as well which then limits your available working hours, unless you have cordless lights. More money, right.

Imagine you’re younger with kids at home. You got a truck payment, rent, and every other bill that the average person has. What are you going to do to make up for that 2k hole those saws are going to put in your pocket? Do you stop Titebonding and brad nailing miters? Coping is definitely off the table. What else?

Now it’s 6 months later and you’ve somewhat recovered from the 2k hit for those damn saws. You’ve quit gluing any miters, you don’t cope anything anymore and the builder is just fine with your work cus he’s still turning a buck. You’re not going to all of a sudden start doing those things again that you’ve previously quit doing, because you’re now making more money due to the time you’ve saved by quitting doing those things. This is how hackery becomes the new way. It’s not a moral thing, it’s a money thing. They’re two different things.

 

[zannej]

Repair shop didn't call at all so I'm guessing they didn't figure out the problem yet. I will have to swing by tomorrow. I was sick all day-- tummy ache and the runs and pretty much curled up in a fetal position and slept all day. My brother got food for Mom fortunately. He'd made red beans and rice. I think that may have been the source of my tummy ache bc he told my mother about some stuff he put into it that gives me problems. Still tasted good.

Neighborhood guy who we sold the tractor to (at a greatly discounted price) called to tell me he had dropped off a roll of hay for the cows. I asked him how much it cost (wanting to repay him) and he said not to worry about it. He really is sweet. Said to call if we needed anything and asked about my truck (he saw it wasn't there when he came by). I told him it was in the shop being checked out to see if they could find the source of the noise. The owner of the repair shop referred to it as "the racket". His people cringed when they heard it. I'm hoping they can figure it out and replace whatever needs to be replaced. If they can't I'll take it to the dealership in Lake Charles-- not going to Walker Honda ever again.

I'm planning to make beef stroganoff either tomorrow or day after. I'm going to buy a new microwave on black friday sale (the sale goes until dec2) and am looking in to a whole house water filtration system to at least slightly reduce the sediment. Waterdrop has something that has a spin down filter that goes before a filter with replaceable cartridges. I'm going to compare it to other options.

 

[C.J.]

I ran into that situation last year and I ended up buying a generator instead because it was significantly cheaper than buying a new cordless 12” sliding miter saw and a cordless table saw. Then I woulda had to of course gone and bought more batteries for those new saws. I think I penciled it out to the tune of $1500 just for the miter saw and batteries I wanted (not Dewalt). Cordless table saw and A battery will run you $600. So now I’m spending over 2k for cordless saws because the builder won’t provide me with electricity? I don’t think so.

This actually follows along with MSLI’s line of thinking about ‘how’ we do what we do. Builder has no electricity so now you have to spend your hard earned money to upgrade to cordless. You know the job doesn’t pay any better than a house that does have electricity. It’s gonna be dark in that house as well which then limits your available working hours, unless you have cordless lights. More money, right.

Imagine you’re younger with kids at home. You got a truck payment, rent, and every other bill that the average person has. What are you going to do to make up for that 2k hole those saws are going to put in your pocket? Do you stop Titebonding and brad nailing miters? Coping is definitely off the table. What else?

Now it’s 6 months later and you’ve somewhat recovered from the 2k hit for those damn saws. You’ve quit gluing any miters, you don’t cope anything anymore and the builder is just fine with your work cus he’s still turning a buck. You’re not going to all of a sudden start doing those things again that you’ve previously quit doing, because you’re now making more money due to the time you’ve saved by quitting doing those things. This is how hackery becomes the new way. It’s not a moral thing, it’s a money thing. They’re two different things.

So now we got to part two of how hackery becomes acceptable.

Jose is out there cutting corners and getting paid X for his work. Along comes Joe Blow who does a good job but he gets paid the exact same as Jose. How long until Joe Blow starts to say heck with this and starts to cut corners himself, because that level of quality is deemed acceptable by the customer (the window). For the record the customer is the one who is signing your paycheck. In this case that’s the builder or shop, not the actual person who’s paying for the job in the first place.

I’m gonna say the majority of the time there is a contract involved. I like contracts because now you’re no longer a good or a bad person based on the quality of work you provide, you’re simply meeting contractual obligations, and you either met them or you didn’t.

I used to return the ends on my base. That takes time. After a while I started to put a 10• or 15• back bevel on the ends instead of returning them because the contract didn’t specify that I had to return ends, it only specified that I had to fill my nail holes. Saved myself at least an hour a day by doing that and I got paid the same. I worked with one kid that would double chamfer the ends. He would make a 10• or 15• back bevel then put another 22.5• bevel halfway up the first bevel. It looked nice but I shut that down real quick because it took more time for the same amount of pay. He was kinda butt hurt that I shut him down on his idea but he was hourly so time doesn’t mean the same thing to him as it does to me, or anybody else that’s trying to turn numbers.