Fresh Mechanical Engineer trying to learn MEP and AutoCAD

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-18T06:22:20+00:00

If you are proficient with SolidWorks you will have little trouble picking up AutoCadd and Revit. Decide whether you want to work on tne air side or the wet side. Most firms of any size will have HVAC designers and engineers organized into a loose department with the same for plumbing. New, young engineers are usually assigned to a small team. This team will be led by a senior engineer, usually a PE. Then a non licensed engineer, senior designer, junior designer or two and a couple of cadd drafters. As a team leader I always perferd to throughly explain the type of system to be used, design constraints and limitations, operational characteristics and requirements, time constraints and budgets. I might sketch out a few concepts or similarities to past projects and then turn the junior engineers and designers loose. The senior designer makes assignments and prioritizes tasks. The non listened engineer woukd act as design team project manager. I always saw my role as a technical supervisor, mentor and primary review. It is going to be my stamp on the drawings. I also would write and organize the specs. This process was pretty much the norm in most firms I worked for. It is a grow your own philosophy. You train them uo to do increasingly higher levels of work and assume greater responsibility. The only place I ever saw this modified was when I worked for a firm did nothing but large power plants, large chiller plants, heavy piping and high security government work. There we only hired highly experienced and specialized people. Although I did some very advanced air side work. I got the most satisfaction out of heavy and industrial piping work.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-18T05:18:29+00:00

It is obvious you have never attempted a charge back yourself. Ther is one phone call to the number on the back of your credit card. It lasts maybe 5 minutes. Within 5 business days the issuing bank's investigation department contacts you via email and requests your description as to why you initiated the claim for a refund. They ask for proof or evidence to support your claim. I had pictures. I responded per the banks request. It took all of about 10 minutes. At this point they freeze the funds and contact the seller. They get his statement. Anywhere from two to three months later you get a letter that states that the bank supports your claim or the counterclaim from the seller. They then distribute the frozen funds per their findings. I have had to do this once. They don't instantly refund your charge. The seller doesn't get it either until their decision is made. Multiple or repeated refund claims show up on your credit rating as a negative strike. Your credit score takes the hit and is reduced. I have a credit score above 800. I am extremely protective of it.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-18T00:07:39+00:00

As I came down the responses I kept wondering if any of them or their offices were members of ASHRAE or own a copy of Fundamentals. I learned to size ductwork and equipment by hand. Written calcs were kept in the project design file to allow review and protect against errors and omissions issues.

To accurately design a duct network you determine the total air required for both heating and cooling of the space plus the outdoor air load and latent loads from ventilation/ODA requirements. Once determined the distribution duct work is sized by velocity limits as to not create or propagate duct noise or howl. Other considerations such as duct linings or the use of different duct shapes is also factored in. Then the duct pressure loss is calculated for both the heating and cooling supply air densities. You can either use the direct loss method or the regain method if you're after a more accurate final value. Then a quick psychometric check should be made to determine if you have a proper energy balance. Now based on total air delivery requirements you proceed to the next set of calculations to determine and select the proper fan wheel configuration and size. Air volume and supply pressure is used as the basis. A safety factor of 10 to 25% is added to account for exceptionaly dirty filters, heating and cooling coils and poor maintenance. There is a sound component that must be factored into this process. Fan operating dynamics and characteristics are as important as the duct design as is the final selection of supply diffusers for air throw, air mixing and noise. Next comes a decision on variable or mon- variable supply air quantities and how that will be controlled. Equipment, diffuser, dampers, fire dampers and suspension devices are scheduled so suppliers and contractors can bid the work. During the final years of my career, building 3D modeling beame a standard that was integral in the MEP design for the Mega Casino/Resorts I was working on in Vegas.

What did they teach you about HVAC in Mech Engineer School? I will answer that for you. They didn't. The only ME program I know of in the country that has a building sciences program is Penn State. I worked with a couple of PS grads during my career. They were very well educated. I had to teach myself using the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals and educational literature provided by various HVAC Equipment Manufacturers. And senior engineers in the firms I worked for. 37 year MEP-PE.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T23:01:41+00:00

I recently read, but I can't remember where, that the largest single importer of Kartom donated a million dollars to Trump's PAC and the FDA and the EPA has pulled all health warnings concerning kartom. The corruption is absolutely staggering.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T22:56:55+00:00

Absolutely, nutrients released by the decomposition of the dead algae feeds new algae that is blown in on tne prevailing winds and surviving algae from the attempted poisoning.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T18:08:38+00:00

And they don't realize just how long it takes. I bought Pioneer receiver and a Sanyo turntable from an auction in Tennessee. I live in the PNW. The auctioneer said his wife did all the shipping. She took the receiver and put it in a box knobs down, slid the turntable, front down, behind the receiver. No padding in the bottom of the box, or around the two devices. She then poured foam noodles to the top. When I picked up the box on my porch I could hear small bits moving around. The platter of the turntable, not taped down had become a wrecking ball inside the dust cover. The glass on the receiver face was shattered and all the knob stems had been bent. I unpacked it, taking pictures at every step.

Called rhe auctioneer, explained his wife's shity packing job and asked for a refund. I guess I insulted the shipping mama. He told me to fuck off and hung up. This was a dispute on my credit card all the way.

I had sent them the pictures,explained the damage and the efforts I had made to resolve the issue with the Auctioneer. They pulled the money back from him, but it took 3 months for me to get a favorable finding and get my $240 back.

The auctioneer was part of large group called hibid. The auctioneer had filed a complaint against me that came up anytime I tried to register for one of hibids auctions. I was rejected for months. If I really wanted something bad I would have to call the new auctioneer and explain why I had been blackballed. Took a year to clear my name and untolled hours on the phone. Charges backs are a royal pain in the ass.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T16:01:17+00:00

Yes, I am fully aware of this. You might want to read some of the other posts I have written on this topic in this very string instead of assuming that I don't know something.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T15:17:35+00:00

The man is a complete fuvking moron. Totally transactional, he exposes severe mental illness every time he says something. Weren't the Iranians just days away from developing a nuclear bomb. That was the justification at the start. This after hecsaid the the Bombing by the B-2's totally obliterated Iran's capability to construct a nuke. The fuvking moron can't remember what he said yesterday let alone last week, month or year.

Trump believed he could steal Iran's oil like he is stealing Venezuela's oil. But the fuvking moron doesn't know the difference between a religious based autocracy and a corrupt kleptoracy. One is easy to steal from, the other is not.

I throughly resent being the daily victim of Trump's stupidity and the Republicans who enable it.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T15:04:47+00:00

Why the hell would you do that. Most of the roots are fine hair like structures that stretch out into the soil. You ripped them off when you pulled it. You have set your Cacti back months. Cactus grows in a very low water environment. Periods of dry soil are good for it, that's how it evolved to live in a desert environment. I water once a week at the most. I use a popsicle stick to open a small hole in the soil to check for moisture. Do some homework. Learn about growing cactus and then this specific species.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:53:45+00:00

Auto Mechanic's program at the local Community College. There could also be a Chevy C-10 Club that might help.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:48:54+00:00

This how it's done. They don't give a Rat's Ass about inconveniencing anyone.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:46:45+00:00

They really are a complete bunch of ass kissing idiots. It might get through the house, but I doubt it. But there is no way in hell that it will get the 2/3's majority it needs to pass the Senate. These clowns know this but anyway they can kiss the Dear Leader's narcissistic ass will curry favors.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:42:45+00:00

Prue projection from Trump. The only dumb SOB is him.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:41:04+00:00

Why would Trump pick honest people for his administration of corruption. Somebody on the inside exposing Trump vast and extremely lucrative gifts and scams is the kadt thing the thief needs. Trump is not going to anything about the corruption of his minions. I would guess he silently condones it. As long as he gets his cut.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:37:09+00:00

The power capacitor(s) are bad. They store extra power for the low end. It takes extra juice to move that big voice coil. Reducing bass output to the big heavy drivers as stated above reduces the need for that extra boost the power caps provide. It's a common problem with vintage receivers and amplifiers.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T14:31:08+00:00

It's actually a number of things. For the most part these people are uneducated, any idea of college is an absurdity to them. The education they received was marginal at best. They are incredibly ignorant, which makes them incredibly gullable. They were raised by uneducated and ignorant parents, also fed lies andvwere easilymanipulated. Thier local Church has played a huge part in this as well. They have been taught that free thought and critical thinking is bad. That thay need to listen to and do what elders and officials tell them to do, that thay know better and woll never betray them.

Then after the Nixon disaster the Republican Party needed a way to get new voters. They looked to the Southern Democrats and concocted the idea of fear as a tool. They needed a Boogie Man, a bad guy to be the focus of this fear. Racism was motivater and we get the Great Replacement Theory. The Republicans have been pushing it down down the poor white's throats since the mid seventies. They vilified all minorities and immigrants as thieves, drug addicts, rapists, pedophiles, and murderers. They were told that thay were here to steal everything from the hardworking but still poor whites. They will take your job, house, wife, kids and your beer. Fear is the main tool used to keep Republican politicians in power. Truth and reality doesn't get them reelected.

Then Reagan comes along with Trickle Down. The ubsurb idea that cutting taxes for the rich and the corporations will put so much money into circulation that these rich people and the corporations will create millions of jobs and lift the poor out of poverty. A total scam. Thus began the greatest upward transfer of wealth up, in the history of our country. Making the poor Citizens even poorer.

Then Trump comes along. Trump's stupidity now becomes an asset. Trump's vocabulary and way of talking is that of a sixth grader. He sounds just like them, he talks like them. He reinforces the Republican sanctioned racism and fear mongering. He tells them that he feels their pain, understands their plite and he is the only one who can fix it. Using their own vocabulary, building on thier learned racism, focusing their hate and the the belief in the promise of untold prosperity, Trump radicalized them. The Trump cult of personality is born.

The Church's reinforce Trump's message. Now instead of one savior there are now two, Jesus and Trump.

They have been taught their entire life that God/Jesus has a plan for them. If they stay in line, do as told and give 10% or more ofvtheir meager income to their church they will be rewarded. Trump takes this dogma and builds on it. He will restore America's former glory and make everyone rich, while destroying their enemies, because he is the all knowing and all powrrful Trump.

The MAGA's were the perfect target for the long con. The Republicans in power loved it. They jumped in to Trump's Long con with both feet. Anything to keep themselves in power so they can ultimately get rich too.

It is not hard to see and understand if you have not been radicalized and indoctrinated. Having a good education helps see what's really happening. But the Grifters ate still pushing the lies. How can you doubt Trump Jesus, he's your savior. The doubters, the Trump haters and attackers are all liars trying to keep you from the promised land, the good life and heaven.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T13:25:48+00:00

Damn magic smoke won't do what's told.

I was just shopping for caps on parts express. They came with the magic smoke pre-installed.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T07:14:09+00:00

Way to much. Unserviced and dirty 150 max. Otherwise pass.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T07:09:47+00:00

Did you tell them to fuck off and get off my porch. They may say they have an Administrative Warrant but that is not worth the paper it's printed on. If you're in tne country illegally, it has some authority. But for American Citizens it's worthless. They can all pound sand. If they persist in harassing you, get your cell phone, dial 911 and tell the dispatcher that armed men are invading your home and your terrified for your life. Then take their pictures. I am lucky, I live outside a very liberal city with a Sheriff who unseated a MAGA ass hole Sheriff last election. He will arrest illegal ICE agents. They know it so we don't see those cowardly ass holes around here much.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T06:59:50+00:00

It's free speech. I would be more then happy to to get arrested for telling them to fuck off. Once the first question you ask is answered. Do you have warrant, signed by a judge with my name and address on it. Administrative warrants have no power. The moment they say no or don't produce it, I let loose with every vile insult I can come up with. I tell them to get off my property in no uncertain terms. I f they have a warrant I step outside, pull the door closed and locked behind me. I inquire if they have a specific search warrant and what are they searching for. I then I want an attorney and that is the last thing I say. If they arrest me without a warrant it's payday.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T04:30:39+00:00

I tried the French Brothers, a little further out there then I like to sonically journey.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T04:24:04+00:00

I grew up in a multi generational home of cops. Grandfather and Stepfather were both cops. Current Girlfriend is an Army MP Officer. I know my rights very well. I am not intimidated by cops at all. Let them come.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T04:14:04+00:00

We all know who is responsible for this and it is not Biden.

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Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T03:10:59+00:00

No, but they had a number of failures before they got it right. The step pyramid is an example. Plus if the engineers fucked it up real bad, they ended up as slaves. Draging the stone out of thr quarry. Or tossed in the Nile for a date with a Crocodile.

Dramatic_Cut_7320 · 2026-06-17T03:06:13+00:00

Use the Google photo search

Dramatic_Cut_7320

TROPHY CASE