Spiral Stair

There's been some good progress on the project front lately. We welded up the roller they use for the baseball field, fixed the upright for the pole vault - we fixed the other side not too long ago - welded up a chair for one of the substitutes, fixed the trailer the construction class uses to deliver sheds, made a shelf for the MIG feeder and they should finish up the cart for the new TIG welder tomorrow, and I got the spiral stair painted during Open Shop the other night. It looks pretty sexy. The boys did a real fine job. They didn't get as many jobs this year due to the construction but since we've been moving quite a few little things through, they're getting some experience. I've got a job lined up for next week but the only other things in the shop are the Rickati and the big ass log splitter. I need to fire up the ambition machine so I'll get back on those. The log splitter needs a little more engineering work before I can put the boys on it and the bike needs a couple of pieces machined up for the back wheel. Other than a seat and hooking up the back brake, that job is pretty close to being done.

I've been working on upgrading my curriculum as well. Some of it was mandated but as long as I was changing things around, I figured I might as well work on a couple of other things I've been kicking around in my head for awhile. I'm working on writing up my own instructional guides for the MIG and TIG welders for openers. Eventually I want to write my own text for the class. Basically it'll be a condensed version of a couple books that I currently use. The present textbooks are too difficult for most of these guys and there is a bunch of information we don't ever look at. I'm preparing a few Power Point presentations even though I can't show them. In fact, I got a new DVD from Lincoln Electric and I can't use it because my computer doesn't even have a DVD player in it. I'm assuming that will change some time in the future but even if I'm gone before it happens, I might try to come up with something I can market in the future. Welding DVD's from most sources are pretty expensive. A text that high school kids can read, along with how to video on the various welding processes might go over big. Especially if it's reasonably priced.

The Building Trades boys will be back on the barn project pretty soon. I'm not sure they'll be able to get the whole thing sheeted but as long as the roof's on it, I can take it from there. I bought the big doors the other day and I talked to a guy about buying all the sheet metal and trim. I think that'll be the way to go. Everything will be cut to length and the package will include all the trim and screws, etc. I'll have to wait and see on the price he quotes me.

I'm taking a fighter down to the Golden Gloves tomorrow night - last night of the 2011 tourney. We add another night when the tourney's going on, so I don't have much free time then. I need to get quite a bit done around the shack this year, so I have to start getting after it. That's the price I have to pay for galavanting all over the place during my spring break and the last few summers.

At least Spring is here, of course now I have to start cutting grass with the $4.00/gallon gas. Since the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, I need to figure out where to put a fence.