My rant on electricians... and why America is going down the shitter...

[Randy@StradaFab]

    Passing a written exam doesn't make you a good electrician. With some guys, years of experience doesn't help either. I have to agree with the original post, wiring a house shouldn't cost what it does. The skill level required isn't that great. And NEVER let a buddy that works for the local electrical utility co. do any wiring for you.

[brimo]

Any body can stick a thermometer in your rectum and tell you you've got a fever too, but I'd rather pay a professional than have my neighbour do it for a case of beer. (but then again....she is pretty hot...)

[Speedbag]

Any body can stick a thermometer in your rectum and tell you you've got a fever too, but I'd rather pay a professional than have my neighbour do it for a case of beer. (but then again....she is pretty hot...)

See?

My hot neighbor(s) can anal probe me anytime. For free.

If there's beer involved, all the better.

[ducatiz]

See?

My hot neighbor(s) can anal probe me anytime. For free.

If there's beer involved, all the better.

I found a picture of your neighbor.  Yep hot.  Hot and sweaty.

[1KDS]

neighbor(s)

[Preisker]

I paid an electrician $600 to put a 50 amp service next to my in garage  fuse panel, for a welder. mill and lathe.   About 6 hours of work, and my garage didn't burn down.   Plus he installed a rotary phase converter.   I thought it was reasonable.  

Painters take a lot of years to get cancer and die.   I work in a welding/machine shop, and will probably die from some sort of inhaled or coolant induced cancer.   An electrician can get all crispy in just a few seconds.   Like a good roofer, a good electrician is good to know.   Same with a tow truck driver. 

[Drunken Monkey]

I had a plumber quote me $1500 (SF prices) to replace a drain and a leaky pipe.

I solved the problem myself for $150 in parts and 5 hours of labor.

Admittedly, 5 hours to get rid of the plumber's body was a bit excessive, but $150 for a shovel and a gun was a really good deal 

[angler]

I had a plumber quote me $1500 (SF prices) to replace a drain and a leaky pipe.

I solved the problem myself for $150 in parts and 5 hours of labor.

Admittedly, 5 hours to get rid of the plumber's body was a bit excessive, but $150 for a shovel and a gun was a really good deal 

It is always important to remember the three S's of problem solving - shoot, shovel, shut-up.  You got two out of three on this quiz.......

[acalles]

yeah, electricians are expensive, but I'll pay it.

there are two things I won't screw with, Natural gas and AC.

seen the result of a house that had a tiny gas leak that eventually built up under a floor till it reached the pilot on the in ground heater.. Kapoof.   the floor was raised 5 feet and the roof dropped 2.

I just don't have a clear understanding of AC voltage, only enough to be dangerous.

I have a very clear understanding of DC voltage and how it works.

I'll install a ceiling fan, or replace a bad thermocouple but I won't go f'n around in the power box or screwing with the plumbing up to the heater.

[ducatiz]

yeah, electricians are expensive, but I'll pay it.

there are two things I won't screw with, Natural gas and AC.

i plumbed the gas lines in my old apartment.  even did a leak down test, the plumber i paid to inspect the work said it was the best job he'd ever seen (i just blushed..)  of course, it was to be for my HOME so i wanted it perfect..  never had a problem..   air pressurize the line with a gauge on it, come back in 2 days.  if the number is the same, you are golden.

[1KDS]

two days? must have been perfect.  Inspectors test here is 20psig for 10 minutes for low pressure and 50psig for 30 minutes for high pressure.

[ducatiz]

two days? must have been perfect.  Inspectors test here is 20psig for 10 minutes for low pressure and 50psig for 30 minutes for high pressure.

it wasn't intentional.  it was friday and the weather was perfect for riding, so i pumped it up and left..  came back sunday morning and it was still reading where i marked the gage.  low pressure gas, but i think i pumped it up to about 50 psi.. oops... but it was all 1/2" black pipe, and only 4 or 5 joints..