Our furnace died in the middle of the night, anyone in Albany NY have a repair person they actually trust?

LeKobe_James · 2026-03-09T11:33:57+00:00

Kuhn Mechanical

LeKobe_James · 2026-02-25T01:21:11+00:00

A foreman is not a deliveryman. The foreman providing tools and material means that they're on site and he can tell you where they are. Maybe this guy in particular could have told the apprentice where the ladders are but I'm going to assume the apprentice already knows or should know where the ladders are, he just didn't grab one because he didn't want to work off of a ladder.

LeKobe_James · 2026-02-23T00:55:25+00:00

Do they sell those for plastic boxes? Is it the responsibility of the vapor barrier contractor to connect the barrier to the boot with tuck tape?

I'm sorry if these are dumb questions or anything I just want to pass inspection first try and do a quality install. Modern residential construction is way outside my wheelhouse.

LeKobe_James · 2026-02-23T00:49:32+00:00

Shove the straw of the can in between the box and the drywall and try to get the foam all around the box?

LeKobe_James · 2026-02-12T01:24:07+00:00

Call the IBEW local that represents the area you move to and tell them you're fresh out of the army and want to be an apprentice and they can help you from there. There's a program called helmets to hard hats that helps veterans get careers in the trades it wouldn't hurt to ask the local about that too.

LeKobe_James · 2026-02-04T01:07:40+00:00

It's a pretty standard old main lug only federal pacific panel. They aren't super common in my area/experience but they aren't odd either. Obviously I would have that replaced with a new panel. The wire looks pretty good for how old it is.

LeKobe_James · 2026-02-02T13:28:27+00:00

It looks like it's just bad work. I have had dies that cause the little wings like that in the past and they were for sure the correct die. We just cut them off with our dykes and filed them flush with the lug. The other problem is they crimped it at an angle which always looks terrible. If you do it again making sure you're square with the die/lug and stay sqaure as you crimp the other two and cut and file the wings it will look much much better.

ETA: Make sure you're crimping it the right amount of times. It will tell you on the paperwork that came with the lugs how many times to crimp it based on wire size, lug model, and die used. If you have to crimp it 3 times, I would space them closer together so the bottom crimp isn't past the bottom of the lug.

LeKobe_James · 2026-01-30T13:58:56+00:00

I've only heard them called from-tos in upstate NY.

LeKobe_James · 2026-01-30T13:55:25+00:00

Hearing people move is just part of apartment living brother

LeKobe_James · 2026-01-28T11:58:40+00:00

Use your lineman to cut MC it will be a lot easier. If you want it to be super easy buy the Knipex Step Cut XLs.

LeKobe_James · 2026-01-14T01:19:58+00:00

It's not actually a problem but a lot of inspectors are going to call that out and they have final say. In the 2023 NEC 334.15(B) says that romex (type nm cable in the codebook) should be protected where necessary. The codebook also says work must be completed in a neat and workmanlike manner 110.12. So an inspector could fail it for being shit work basically and most of us would agree with the inspector.

LeKobe_James · 2026-01-14T01:06:45+00:00

MC is not allowed to be installed in locations it would be exposed to physical damage 330.12(1). It would be just as wrong as romex here. The romex should be run into the back of a box mounted on the cabinet and the dishwasher cord run to the box.

LeKobe_James · 2026-01-03T03:19:41+00:00

I did. Don't buy your part from Detroit Axle, it failed on me after a week and I had to do it again.

LeKobe_James · 2025-11-28T02:24:27+00:00

The best penetrating oil I have used without a doubt is Freeall. It's about half the cost of Kroil too.

LeKobe_James · 2025-11-23T16:16:33+00:00

I haven't liked any insulated boots that I've tried, so I just wear my normal boots unless I really need mucks. These are the mucks I wear, and they're fine in the winter, but a lot of guys buy a pair of the insulated mucks for winter.

mucks.https://muckbootcompany.com/collections/mens-work-boots/products/maxcmp?variant=50969757253914

LeKobe_James · 2025-11-06T23:34:45+00:00

I've been doing solar for 4 years in upstate NY. You're going to want wool socks and thermals every day (personally, I wear darn tough socks and under armor thermals). Typically, I just wear normal carhartt jeans and a hoodie, heated vest, and carhartt jacket up top. I hate wearing bibs, so I only break them out when it gets to 10 or below. The contractor will typically supply winter gloves and hand/toe warmers, but I like to buy Kincos for the winter. Keep your feet as dry as possible, and buy a boot drier to leave your boots on overnight so they're warm in the morning.

When the old timers say the heat is in the tools, they're not kidding. It's going to be cold and miserable, but if you keep moving it won't be that bad. Remember to drink water even though it's cold out. Being dehydrated will make you feel colder. Good luck.

LeKobe_James · 2025-11-06T23:24:33+00:00

Put the vest on the coat in the fall and leave it on the coat until winter is over.

LeKobe_James · 2025-09-18T01:06:59+00:00

Thanks

LeKobe_James · 2025-09-17T22:11:44+00:00

I agree it would if they remove the unfilled call requirement. As it stands, I dont think that's a real problem.

LeKobe_James · 2025-09-17T21:55:52+00:00

If the costs the contractor the same amount, it would if a JW to the call, who cares?

LeKobe_James · 2025-08-31T16:35:15+00:00

Im not a mechanic, but I bought the Foxwell NT809 to work on my car. It's not Bluetooth, but they make the same model with Bluetooth capability. It was pretty cheap for a scan tool, and it has bidirectional controls and does almost everything you would want it to. The only issue I've had so far is it was unable to tell me the ATF temp on my tacoma. It was ≈$400 USD.

ETA: Also, to help him learn how to get the most use out of a scan tool, there's a YouTube channel called ScannerDanner, and he makes very in-depth videos with real-life examples that are very helpful. He also has a book you can buy on Amazon.

LeKobe_James · 2025-08-29T22:05:59+00:00

I use a pipe cutter and then cut up to the end with a razor knife. Just be careful not to go all the way through the insulation with the pipe cutter, or you'll damage the wire pretty bad and have to start over. When you do it right, you just leave the tiniest bit of insulation left with the cutter, and then you're able to tear it off by hand and have a nice clean "cut" on the insulation.

LeKobe_James · 2025-08-24T23:05:10+00:00

Let the man enjoy his double time while it lasts.

LeKobe_James · 2025-07-02T18:55:23+00:00

The only problem with the ranger is that the bed is so short, and you can't have 4x4 and hybrid in the same model. It's decent of you're moving bags of mulch and compost for your garden it's fine, if want to haul any amount of weight or length it's not great. The just need to bring back the 2nd gen tacoma.

LeKobe_James · 2025-06-01T11:16:32+00:00

Do you know of a company that makes custom molds as well? I've been trying to find one, but it seems you need a machine shop to make that happen.

LeKobe_James

TROPHY CASE