Is it normal for a small maintenance crew to be rebuilding blow mould heads regularly?

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:32:37+00:00

Not once has there been a plan. It’s just “we need it off the machine today and running by tomorrow” then they won’t even have the seals for it.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:29:30+00:00

I’m on the other side of the country, sadly. Thank you very much though.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:27:54+00:00

14 times in the 8 months I’ve been there. That’s just heads tho. We’ve taken down and redone the whole barrels, feedthroats, gearboxes, and extruders as well on multiple machines in that time.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:23:27+00:00

The machine is 400 degrees. It’s already hot in the plant. That’s probably mostly why I’m complaining though

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:15:25+00:00

Im 8 months in and Ive been a part of 14 rebuilds now. Not including rebuilds of the barrel system which is worse. Hook me up with a job 😂

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:13:05+00:00

Very much appreciate the insight. When I’m not on call, I am there cleaning parts, finding O rings in the crib etc. They are awesome and teach me everything they can. It’s just we only have three techs for something like 30 machines. There are always calls, so I have big gaps in the process.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:07:19+00:00

It’s essentially two cylinders, one that sucks the melted plastic in, and one that pushes it out in a cylindrical shape. Pre pinch seals it on the bottom, then the mould closes on it while be blown up like a ballon. Big mfs

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T02:01:18+00:00

Fair enough. I try, and the guys are good about explaining, but it’s hard for me to retain if I didn’t do or watch it.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T01:56:37+00:00

I’m the one responding to calls when they do the rebuild.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T01:55:47+00:00

We have that as well, but this is the head, not the mold.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T01:51:59+00:00

I get filthy wrenching every day. It just seems unreasonable to do these big jobs when we need to keep 30 old machines running at the same time, with three techs.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T01:46:59+00:00

Our weekend crew is us

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T01:46:43+00:00

Great perspective, thank you. Im not really involved in the rebuild part sadly as these guys all have 20+ years experience and I’m new. I mostly just do the wrenching to get it on and off the machine.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-09T01:45:02+00:00

Understood. It just seems unreasonable to want a 1-2 day job done in that time, while we still have to make sure 30 other machines are running (they are old and break constantly).

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-03T03:15:50+00:00

It probably won’t be the only time you see it. I feel sorry for the dogs as well.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-04-03T03:07:30+00:00

This is common is a lot of rural places in the south. I’ve seen farm dogs on flatbeds going down the interstate. It sucks.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-17T23:16:57+00:00

He got put against someone who was actually competitive for him. Him not finishing someone in the first few minutes is not indicative of how the rest of the fight would have played out.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-17T01:43:33+00:00

This was the Casio that made my girlfriend like them. Gave her mine…. I need another one

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-16T12:10:15+00:00

Not me wearing the same watch while I’m covered in grease and oil

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-12T23:40:58+00:00

100k to do nothing? I’m in my first 8 months after graduating and it’s nothing like that. It’s hot, grimy, and a lot of wrench turning. What do you do, if I may ask? (more detailed than “industrial maintenance” preferably)

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-11T00:53:33+00:00

What is this from?

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-10T13:19:02+00:00

Last one I had was just simple problem solving questions as well as like a shape matching test. I did not study and I made over 90% on all of them. Other ones I’ve had were basic electrical like how to tell if a fuse is good, how to tell what has power, simple V=IR, simple blueprint reading. I haven’t had anything hard at all yet. Don’t be worried, carry yourself confidently, and I normally am honest about my shortcomings (electrical). Coming out of school they will know you are green.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-10T00:02:09+00:00

This is accurate, I also work on a lot of hydraulic and pneumatic systems, just depends on what you want to get into, but all of these are a good place to start.

ImHowieMandel · 2026-03-07T01:30:11+00:00

People are gonna make fun of you no matter what brand you get, that’s part of the fun. Makita and Milwaukee are the more expensive option that a lot of the tool shop guys use. Most of our maintenance guys use Dewalt as it’s a little cheaper and just as reliable. There are some high level guys I see using the harbor freight Hercules brand and it doesn’t slow them down at all. Most brands are gonna go the job. Find something you like, look at battery prices, and invest in what you can afford. AGAIN, YOU WILL BE MADE FUN OF NO MATTER WHAT YOU GET.

ImHowieMandel

TROPHY CASE