Fun at work

[wroughtn_harv]

I like work. I think we were made for work and are happiest when doing it. It's what we're genetically engineered to do. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

One of the things I like about the kind of work I get to do is the challenges. I'm not talking about Everest or rocket science. I'm talking those things that come up sorta like acne to make you grow as a person and worker.

This job is a good example. Conventional construction of an ornamental fence wasn't appropriate. The cinder block wall with it's grout cap meant plates weren't a solution. It also meant coring would present finishing issues. Attaching to the outside of the wall would look about as good as a tutu on Vice President Cheney.

I suggested offset posts. Customer bought the idea and Payne Metal Works made the panels and posts custom for the job.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Did you notice that alternate use for shrink wrap?

Twenty one of those bushes danced on me like I was an off colored step child that stuttered and had a horrible limp.

I had two hands on the post hole diggers, hand dug every hole. Two hands holding one bush over for clearance and then the last pair of hands holding back the bush on the other side of the hole. It was heck on a holiday wanting to party.

After about an hour of such fun and pleasure I started trying to free up some hands by tying the bushes back. That's when frustration grabbed common sense for a minute by the throat and choked us all. Just short of aphixiation a vision of shrink wrap appeared. Home Depot was only minutes away, so was lunch, two birds one trip alive and well.

It's those simple successes that make work so wonderful. One minute it's coming over the bow and the next it's cutting the waves like a big dawg.

There is this glitch on the highway to happy days though. First there has to be the challenge. That's the part that is often misunderstood and unloved. There cannot be the thrill of victory without the threat of disaster and defeat.

I'm not sure which is worse, management trying to eliminate challenges, sabotaging for goodness sake. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Or the individual that hasn't learned that the challenge is just as important as the success. You can't the one without the other.

Here's another shot.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I really enjoyed this job.

Of course I'm easily entertained. It doesn't take much. Getting to get in, do work, finish, and then have it looked like what you've done has been there forever, now that's fun.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

another view

 

[MossRoad]

Harv, you're the master! That is some beautiful work. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[19th_VA]

Next time you're in Virginia, look me up! (and bring your tools!)

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Thanks guys, I'm not good, just lucky.

Here's a fun project I'm on now.

Five foot high schedule forty galvanized pipe fence, welded joints, two by four non climb horse wire, five foot high.

Here's some of the posts standing at ease waiting for captain concrete to show up so they can stand at attention.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's a close up of a line post. I notch them before I set them.

One of the fun moments during a hard day is when someone comes by and comments about me not using a string setting posts or digging holes. Most folks just don't get it that the eye is the best tool we have for lining things up. I set for line and grade by eye, get lucky most times.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I had twenty yards of remix (concrete sand and three quarter rock remixed) dropped in place for the job.

Yup, I'm the one that gets to put all that into the mixer, one shovel at a time.

I told you I was lucky.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's the fit before welding.