Stupid Things I Have Done

[WinterDeere]

...still amazed how strong the building & rops were to go undamaged except for two perfect dents in door header trim.

I thought those two dents above every garage door was just how we tractor owners were supposed to identify each other. Our "rainbow flag", so to speak.

If you don't have them, you've never used your ROPS!

 

[Zerk]

I had to take my ROPS off, I know people said I would be dead by now. Was nervous once or twice. I would like to have it, just doesn't fit my door

 

[jjeff]

Happened recently in a hurry used some old t-posts to hang some newly acquired motion activated solar powered deer deterrent devices. Decided it was best to drill a hole on the flaired flange to mount devices of course i already drove the posts in the ground so using a drill press wasn't an option at the time . Good grief they must use armor plating on those posts broke 2 cobalt bits last bit I broke drill slipped and the broken bit impaled my hand, I was getting way to upset and short tempered being my 2nd bit so i was furiously applying way to much pressure on the post and when the bit broke besides impaling my hand the t-post sprung back hitting
me square in the face causing a bloody lip and broke my new sunglasses I got for fathers day. I usually foresee debacles like this and stay out of them, however I sometimes need to be reminded to take my time and do things correctly.

 

[WinterDeere]

You reminded me that once my father put an auger bit completely thru the palm of his hand, and out the other side. I’m not old enough to know the details, other than hearing he used the chuck key to remove the bit from the drill motor, and went to the ER with the bit still thru his hand.

He was an EMT working fire rescue, so probably had some good medical reason for not wanting to remove the auger bit himself.

 

[BnRidge]

Happened recently in a hurry used some old t-posts to hang some newly acquired motion activated solar powered deer deterrent devices. Decided it was best to drill a hole on the flaired flange to mount devices of course i already drove the posts in the ground so using a drill press wasn't an option at the time . Good grief they must use armor plating on those posts broke 2 cobalt bits last bit I broke drill slipped and the broken bit impaled my hand, I was getting way to upset and short tempered being my 2nd bit so i was furiously applying way to much pressure on the post and when the bit broke besides impaling my hand the t-post sprung back hitting
me square in the face causing a bloody lip and broke my new sunglasses I got for fathers day. I usually foresee debacles like this and stay out of them, however I sometimes need to be reminded to take my time and do things correctly.

I have a road grader from 1890 that I tried to rebuild, then realized everything on it was hot formed, hot punched, hot riveted. Like trying to machine rebar. Or fence posts. A grinder (kind of) and plasma torch worked. Drill bits just screeched. Kind of a spectacular learn it now lesson. Stupid things I've done.

 

[Alan46]

I’ve done too many to list!
Here’s one.
Getting high in the smoking section of a commercial flight in 1979!

 

[masseyrider]

Mine are in a 24 volume hard cover edition.
Soft cover will be released soon. Useful as TP when you finish reading.
A 2 year supply for the average family.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

I have a road grader from 1890 that I tried to rebuild, then realized everything on it was hot formed, hot punched, hot riveted. Like trying to machine rebar. Or fence posts. A grinder (kind of) and plasma torch worked. Drill bits just screeched. Kind of a spectacular learn it now lesson. Stupid things I've done.

And when things are hot riveted together, the rivet flows into the holes, and locks up the relation of the holes to each other. So, location and size of holes can be less precise than if you're designing and building with bolted connections.

Problem I had with refurbishing an 1890s, horse drawn grader was the babbet bearings. That is a lost art. And the archeologists threw a hissy fit about converting to modern bearing axle assemblies.

 

[ultrarunner]

And when things are hot riveted together, the rivet flows into the holes, and locks up the relation of the holes to each other. So, location and size of holes can be less precise than if you're designing and building with bolted connections.

Problem I had with refurbishing an 1890s, horse drawn grader was the babbet bearings. That is a lost art. And the archeologists threw a hissy fit about converting to modern bearing axle assemblies.

There is an old farm machine shop we would send babbitt work but can't say if still around...

They had all the molds to pour...

I have his work in some early Fords.

 

[orezok]

My dad born 1900 used to tell me how he used to “scrape” and fit babbit bearings. A lost art