Replies

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Sep 24, 2009 04:24am | #1

   I love those pics.  Can't say I've ever run acrossed anything that bad before.

    

   "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

2. 
   docotter | Sep 24, 2009 04:27am | #2

   Oh man, that's the best laugh I've had in ages. Thanks.

3. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Sep 24, 2009 09:38am | #3

   Extension cable wire through wall to outlet, yep, I've just seen that on a recent project... Yep, I fixed it. It was done by a pro who installed the door security system for the preschool at the Temple. Another electrician that showed up the same day for another job... without wire, wire nuts, or tape - hey, no problem, I lent him mine.

   Then there was the Pro on the same project who put in the outlet box so one side was 3/8" proud of the drywall. And he cut the ground wire short on the romex. And he put the hot wire on the silver screws and the white wire on the gold screws. Oh, it gets better... he put in 14ga. wire in this new partition wall... connected to the existing 20amp circuit. Niiiice. I carefully pointed out his mistake, making sure not to offend his delicate sensabilities - hey, those Pros ALWAYS know more that us stupid DIY's - as I replaced the 20 amp breaker with a 15 amp so he wouldn't burn the school down.

   Then there was the Pro painter who I introduced to TSP to clean the crayon and tape covered preschool walls... he wanted to just start spraying paint... he decided primer might be a good idea too after I demonstrated how crappy the previous coats were. I even showed him how to mask a large window in about 1/4th the time it had previously taken him by using my 3M maasking tool. He had the same tool, but never thought of using it in that way... good thing I brought mine, he forgot to bring the blade for his.

   Then there was the framing crew that made 24" R.O. door openings for 24" doors. Do you see the problem there? I do, but I'm just a lousy DIY who doesn't know anything compared to the great quality Pros that are out there. For anyone who didn't pick up - you always need a wider R.O. (rough out) opening than the finished size of the door. That size is usually on the label - and it was. Those doors were sitting on the entryway outside the building - the Framing crew walked by them to frame the openings wrong.

   Step off poking fun of the DIY, until you can claim all the pics actually WERE DIY... if you've not seen hack proffesional work yet, you must have just been in the business for a week now.

   Tu stultus es
   Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
   Also a CRX fanatic!

   Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Sep 24, 2009 01:20pm | #4

   at the Temple.

   Does that say something about accepting lowest bids?

   Come on man, lighten up.

   Those pics were funny, no matter who did them

   One of the superintendents I worked for many, many years ago used dw mud and white latex paint to do some body work on a company truck. He hid the damage from the big boss  long eneough to get the truck sent off to another job.

       "Whaddya mean the truck was wrecked? It was fine when it left my job."

1. 
   Matt | Sep 24, 2009 02:02pm | #5

   Hey - I've been known to use DW mud for draft stopping.  Does that make me a bad person? :-)

   Sounds like your pervious super was almost as samrt as me :-)  Now all I need is a company truck.... 

2. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Sep 24, 2009 08:14pm | #10

   The pictures were funny - no question - the idea that it's specifically DIY's who do this gets my goat.

   Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

   Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.

1. 
   brownbagg | Sep 24, 2009 09:58pm | #13

   the idea that it's specifically DIY's I have seen contractor do work like this

1. 
   Piffin | Sep 25, 2009 12:26am | #15

   http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20206857_20470640,00.htmlHere is one just for you 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   pixburd | Sep 25, 2009 03:11pm | #27

   All the worst work I have ever seen was all inspected ... like that tag line about getting a D minus for minimal effort ...

3. 
   renosteinke | Sep 25, 2009 03:55pm | #28

   Now that everyone is finished with the clever replies ....

   That 'electrical box' is a three-pole indoor disconnect. If the wires are marked according to trade practice, it serves a 208v 3-phase piece of equipment. I can't read the fuses, but guessing by the wire sizes, they probably want 100 amps of power out of it (assuming it's for a motor, then the fuses could be as large as 175 amps).

   When that switch is opened - the contacts are at the top of the picture - there most definitely are some big sparks inside that cabinet.

   I'd like to point out that there is absolutely NO correlation between the physical size of a fuse, and the amount of electricity running through it.

4. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 25, 2009 05:23pm | #29

   "I'd like to point out that there is absolutely NO correlation between the physical size of a fuse, and the amount of electricity running through it."That is good to know. I have been looking for some 100 amp 3AG fuses. Where can I get some..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

5. 
   john7g | Sep 25, 2009 06:04pm | #30

   12v or 240v?

6. 
   Sphere | Sep 25, 2009 06:09pm | #31

   "220, 221, whatever it takes"Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   View Image

7. 
   john7g | Sep 25, 2009 06:12pm | #32

   'Scotch?'

   Edited 9/25/2009 11:12 am ET by john7g

8. 
   renosteinke | Sep 25, 2009 06:52pm | #33

   You're reminding me as to why they don't let donkeys go to college .... :D

   I've installed 800 amp/ 250v fuses that were little larger than a dollars' worth of quarters. I've seen 250v fuses that were twice as fat as the same amperage 600v fuses. I've seen fuses as big as your forearm that were only rated for 100 amps at 250v, and 100 amp 600v fuses the size of your little finger.

   Don't take my word for it; look through the Bussman catalog at your leisure. You'll find fuses in every variation possible ... and there's no law that says they have to round, either :D

   My point was that, without being able to read the fuse lable, I was not about to guess as to the rating of the fuse. Or, for that matter, even the type of the fuse.

   Now, we could use some clever thought .... in figuring out why they found it necessary to have parallel wires on the load side of that disconnect.

9. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 25, 2009 07:40pm | #34

   "You're reminding me as to why they don't let donkeys go to college .... :D"But a few of use sneak through anyway..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

10. 
    renosteinke | Sep 25, 2009 11:32pm | #35

    I'm glad you took my comment in the irreverent, humorous manner intended!

11. 
    tegt | Sep 26, 2009 12:16am | #36

    Parallel wires because the lugs wouldn't accommodate anything larger? We install dimming systems for theatrical lighting (for auditoriums, churches, etc) and they are commonly fed with 120V/208V 3-phase, 600A or higher. They are generally served by a fused disconnect just like this, though they are often specified to have a 200% neutral due to the dimming.

12. 
    renosteinke | Sep 26, 2009 01:22am | #37

    That's what concerns me. By all appearances, that disconnect is rated no larger than 125 amps. I could be wrong - pictures can be misleading - but the short version is, if the wires don't fit, you need a bigger disconnect, not just bigger lugs.

13. 
    PedroTheMule | Sep 26, 2009 06:50pm | #44

    You're reminding me as to why they don't let donkeys go to college .... :D

    Hey, technical school did my dad just fine........View Image  

14. 
    brownbagg | Sep 27, 2009 12:29am | #45

    pulling a plow, would that be farm ed or home ec

15. 
    PedroTheMule | Sep 27, 2009 01:26am | #46

    would that be farm ed

    Only his closest of friends call him Farm......that would be "Mister" Ed to you bb <Hee Haw>

     

     View Image  

16. 
    brownbagg | Sep 27, 2009 03:31am | #47

    of course , a course, a horse, a course, the famous Mister ed

4. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 24, 2009 02:31pm | #6

   For the Bandwidth Challenged, here's just the pics. (Over 2 posts)

   Funny.

   Er, maybe not. ;-)

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA
   Everything fits, until you put glue on it.

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 24, 2009 02:36pm | #7

   The rest of 'em:Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PAEverything fits, until you put glue on it.

1. 
   rez | Sep 25, 2009 03:40am | #17

   Thatnks for resizing those.

    What is this I'm looking at here?

   View Image 

1. 
   Mongo | Sep 25, 2009 03:42am | #18

   That's a storage shelf surrounded by a lot of electricity.

2. 
   IMERC | Sep 25, 2009 03:44am | #19

   What is this I'm looking at here?

   violatile storage cabinate... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

    

   "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

3. 
   Ozlander | Sep 25, 2009 03:58am | #20

   That much power can't be in a home. I doubt if any DIYs are involved.

1. 
   rez | Sep 25, 2009 04:08am | #21

   damn!

   I thought maybe someone was getting weird with some pex lines!

   ROAR! 

2. 
   Sphere | Sep 25, 2009 02:59pm | #26

   That much power?

   I beg to differ. Last big remod I was working on ( ~9000 sqft) we installed 1200 amps. in two 600 amp tubs that fed the 200 amp panels.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   View Image

4. 
   NickNukeEm | Sep 25, 2009 04:16am | #22

   Big-#### fuses on probably 480 volt 3 phase.   Which is unusual.  Protection for higher voltage lines is typically done at the load center/switchgear breaker.  Time overcurrent, ground overcurrent, that sorta stuff.

   They could possibly be potential/current transformers used for metering/protection on transmission/distribution of hi voltage lines, but probably not.  PTs/CTs are often ceramic cylinders filled with silica, so those are probably just fuses.  And PTs/CTs are required to have a grounding device prior to pulling to ensure the pull-er is protected, and I see none of that.

   So bottom line, I guess, I don't know.  Just never heard/seen fuses for protection on voltage like that.  Unless it's some sort of secondary protection. 

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

1. 
   john7g | Sep 25, 2009 04:58am | #23

   and wouldn't a CT have a line feeding to a comparator?

2. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Sep 25, 2009 08:42am | #24

   Looks like a "power box" on some type of machinery. On the Husky Injection Mold machines, this set-up looks about the same, minus most of the other items in the box. Same fuses, same lines. Ours is for a 440 v hydraulic pump motor, BIG motor." Although I have the right to remain stupid, I try not to abuse that right"

5. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 25, 2009 02:02pm | #25

   "What is this I'm looking at here?"

   Here's what the text with the pic says:

   Main load, acetone, grits, and tool storage panel.

   I thought everyone had one.

    Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PAEverything fits, until you put glue on it.

2. 
   nater | Sep 24, 2009 03:05pm | #8

   Actually, I believe all of those came from the This Old House Home inspectors nightmares - http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/home-inspection-nightmares - There's a new one that just came out as well.

1. 
   jet | Sep 24, 2009 04:27pm | #9

   The Lumber liquidators adds are a Killer on that site.

    

3. 
   Grier | Sep 24, 2009 10:09pm | #14

   I think the picture labeled Ceiling Fan is actually a blow dryer, since it's in the bathroom.

   I kinda like the idea...lol.

   Work for the greatest vital intensity - the greatest solidity and aesthetic reality. Finally, eliminate everything non-essential. Reduce to the absolute essence. ~ F.C. Trucksess

5. 
   GaryW | Sep 24, 2009 08:24pm | #11

   That's a hoot!  I forwarded it off to all the contractors I know.

   Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com

6. 
   Mongo | Sep 24, 2009 09:16pm | #12

   Now that was a treat.

7. 
   plumber_bob | Sep 25, 2009 12:53am | #16

   I've seen some similar work like that.

   Makes me want a camera phone.

   pb

8. 
   inD47 | Sep 26, 2009 02:20am | #38

   I see absolutely nothing wrong with the chew can for a junction box for low voltage wiring. How did that picture even get in there?

1. 
   Matt | Sep 26, 2009 04:28am | #39

   Your right - still amusing though....

1. 
   Scott | Sep 26, 2009 07:57am | #40

   What kills me about most DIYers (tho I am a DIY, I do strive to be informed), are the double standards. For example, a friend of mine just bought a house fraught with all sorts of DIY issues, which he beeches about constantly. But yet he himself proceeded to cover a whole bunch of junction boxes with drywall, in spite of my advice otherwise. Go figure....Scott.

   Edited 9/26/2009 1:01 am by Scott

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 26, 2009 05:51pm | #41

   "But yet he himself proceeded to cover a whole bunch of junction boxes with drywall, in spite of my advice otherwise. "

   Take a picture, post it here, and see if he beeches about his *own* muck-ups. ;-)Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PAEverything fits, until you put glue on it.

1. 
   brownbagg | Sep 26, 2009 06:11pm | #42

   everything I do is regulated by code, ASTM, ACI and IBC. No matter where I go in United States to work, These codes follow me. it admazing of being on a job with a contractor that been in the business twenty years, and he doesnt follow code. "Oh it be ok" "It cure out" "Its way over design"Now I know there are some codes that are extreme but I still have to follow them no matter what. been up again DIYer, "Oh I dont need codes, I"m a diyer, or its my house" Sorry bub, codes still apply.

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 26, 2009 06:18pm | #43

   "Oh I dont need codes, I"m a diyer, or its my house"

   It's amazing -- the laws of physics, the universe and all things logical are somehow voided and do not apply as soon as you get the Deed. ;-)Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PAEverything fits, until you put glue on it.