TOAST Pt. 3 - Wrenches

Today we will look at the wrenches I use. I do have a few more than these pictured, but those are pipe wrenches, or what some would call "Monkey Wrenches", and I do not use them that often.

These are the wrenches I use for installing/removing meters, as well as basic repair and assembly of water services. I've purchased most of these myself. Sometimes the supply here at work is... lets just say, slow.

Rigid Hex Wrench

I use this wrench as sort of an assist or auxiliary tool. It's thin profile allows it to clamp on to narrow section of fittings, and it has a smooth jaw, so it leaves no marks on brass fittings. 

Rigid RapidGrip

These two wrenches are my go to heavy hitters. Affectionately named "Big Orange", I use at least one of these at all times when working. They are spring loaded, so they are able to be used one handed, sort of like a ratchet. Another plus of this tool, is that they have a thumb release, which allows for the easy removal of the wrench in case it decided to not let go of the pipe. They are a little large, and while that helps in multiplying the force you give, they can be a little cumbersome inside a meter box. 

Reed One Handed Wrenches (3/4 and 1 1/4 sizes)

Standard utility wrenches. These perform the same function as "Big Orange" but are more compact. These are specifically made to work in meter boxes. I usually use the 3/4 wrench along side one of the RapidGrips.  The large one is a new addition to the team. Named "Big Black" I use this one when spaces are tight and I need that extra oomph.

Irwin Quick Adjusting Pipe Wrench

These blue wrenches are odd. Sometimes they work, some times they don't. I bought them because of the offset jaws, thinking that they would come in handy in tight spaces. They only work if they're clean. The jaws slide up and down the wrench, and if any dirt gets on the slide, they are useless. I hardly ever use them. I don't even know why I have two.

Generic Ace Hardware Adjustable Wrench (Crescent)

I mainly use these to work on Backflows and other brass assemblies/fittings. They leave no marks on the softer metals. 

BONUS ITEM!

File (No pic, you know what a file looks like)

The file is mainly used to clean and reshape the teeth on my wrenches. As mentioned before, sometimes requests for tools go unnoticed. It took over a year to get "Big Black" I do what I can to clean and repair the tools that I own or are given to me. 

So that's it. Those are my wrenches. Amazing, I know.

What's for lunch?

Service Techs have to eat, right? Let me share with you the latest delicacy which I have had the pleasure in eating.

CHEESEBURGER SUB

This bad boy right here is downright delicious. There's really nothing outstanding about it, its just really good. A long cheeseburger is the best way to describe it. I prefer mine with no tomato or mayonnaise (because gross), and add bacon (because delicious). If you happen to be around a Larry's pick yourself up a Cheeseburger Sub, you won't regret it.

Lunch is pretty routine for me, and generally consists of a sandwich of some kind, or the occasional pizza. I'm a frequent Publix shopper, and have know to eat all three meals there. They make a pretty mean sub as well, and most of their premade stuff is good too.

Now I'm hungry.

It was a long week.

Sometimes you have good weeks, sometimes you have bad weeks, and sometimes you have long weeks.

Last week was a long week.

I won't go into details, because it doesn't really matter. I'm just glad to get started on another work week. I'm hoping to get out a few posts this week, as there is much to talk about.

On a side note, I have discovered Pandora! Late to the party, I know. My work truck has Bluetooth, and I've been streaming music from my Google Play account. My truck also has its own Pandora app, so I decided to give it a shot. Right now I've got a rotation of Bluegrass, Trance, and New Wave. I like to keep things interesting.

So here's to a new week. I hope it's goes OK. I could use an OK week.

JR+PR 4EVA

Received  a little package in the mail yesterday. A rubber wedding ring!!!

I havent worn my actual wedding ring in quite some time. Mainly because it no longer fits, and also for fear of getting it stuck or caught on something at work and ripping my finger off.

I know this bothers my wife, so when some seemingly random add popped up on Facebook for an "Outdoors" wedding ring, I took a look. This was the result.

It's from a company called QALO (qalo.com). I think it's pronounced Kway-Low, or maybe Kwah-Low... I'm not sure, maybe Kwah-Loo?  They look to sell some pretty neat stuff, and for a pretty cool reason. I'd suggest checking them out.

I'm going to try it out for awhile, it was a nice price, and at least I know what size ring to wear now. No more dinging my ring up at work either!

TOAST Pt. 2 - Basic Load out

Welcome to "Tools of a Service Technician" Part 2.

See what I did there? I shortened the title so I could make a catchy acronym.

Today we will look at what you could consider my basic "load out" or what I commonly grab when I get out of the truck for a regular service ticket.

In addition to the previously talked about screwdriver, the next most common tool would be what I call the meter key. Some call it a turn on wrench, or turn on key, but I'm sure it goes by many names. This is the tool I use to open or close the valve (curbstop) that turns on or off your water. These can be bought at most hardware stores, but generally are a little smaller and lest robust than the one shown.

This type of key comes with soft yellow padded handles, but I pull them off. Reason being is that they don't last that long, and... If you look next to the meter key, you'll notice a metal bar. I insert that metal bar through the handle sometimes, when extra leverage is needed. Some of the older curbstops (the on/off valve) are quite old, and need a little something extra to turn them.

Next up we have the pin lock, and the pin lock key. Again, I think these go by another name (barrel lock), but that's what we call them. This is what is used to lock a meter in the case of a nonpay violation, or other general reason. The key goes into the lock, and pulls two ball bearings in. When the key is removed, the bearings push back out, and the lock is set. The locks are somewhat easy to remove, of you give it a decent effort. That little red cap goes on the lock to keep dirt out of it.

Lastly, we have the Touch Reader. This small hand held device actually performs a couple different tasks, but the main one is to electronically read the meters. There is a wire attached to the meter that runs to an MXU (that's a topic for another day, but is basically a broadcasting device for the meter readings). You can pull reads off the meter my touching the reader to the plug at the end of the wire. Now I'm old school, and a good percentage of the meters I read, I read by hand, but the Touch Reader comes in handy for when meters are underwater, or four foot deep and covered in dirt.

So that's the basic tools I use day to day, running what we call a normal service run. More tools to follow!

NON PAY CUT OFF

It happens.

For one reason or another you didn't pay the water bill... and now your meter is off and locked.

     While there are many customers who dread "Cut Off" day, I can assure you, we utility workers, dread it just as much if not more. Non Pay Cut Offs are the most hated thing I do. I find it utterly depressing and would rather do just about anything else instead of them. When I show up in your front yard, I'm not there because I want to be. Trust me. 

     I think one of the reasons I loathe Non Pays, is the conflicting position it puts me in. On the one hand, I am (trying) to maintain a professional, polite attitude. On the other, I am weathering the verbal assault being hurled at me front behind the security of your front door. Now I am a pretty easy going guy, and for the most part these things just roll of my back. However, on occasion we have what I like to call a bad day. This is generally when customer after customer just so happens to be home, or out in their yard, and every single one of them want to express the thoughts about you and your company... in great detail. It's very hard to keep some sort of smile or at least neutral attitude when your being vebally attacked. At least for me.

     I wish you all would realize that I/we haven't singled you out, to turn off just your water. On average, I'd say you are one of 300-600 people getting shut off. On top of dealing with customers who are in waiting, there's dogs, other noisy neighbors defending their meters, that awkward feeling when a kid leaves the home you are about to shut off for school... etc. 

    I don't know what I'm trying to say here. I guess I'm just trying to tell you that your service techs are just doing their job, and its not always roses and sunshine for us. We don't enjoy turning your water off. 

Except for you Ned.... Pay your bill.

Now.

Tools of a Field Service Technician - pt. 1

The Screwdriver. The one tool I truly feel lost without.

This particular screwdriver is a Husky - 3/8 in. x 16 in. Square Shaft Standard Slotted Screwdriver with Butyrate Handle, readily available at Home depot.

The driver has many purposes, but its main use is to open meter box lids. Auxiliary tasks include positioning meters, prying things open, widening meter tail-to-meter gaps, canine defense, and intimidating customers. Others carry variations, but I prefer the feel and length of this particular driver. So much so, that I generally carry two on my truck.

I tend to lose them a lot ( I average two a month), so if you live in Clay County, and are a rate payer, keep an eye out for one of these poking up in your yard. You can keep it, consider it a gift from your local utility.

This is the first in a series of tools I use, that I will randomly stick in with my regular posts. Let me know if there is anything specific you would like to see!

Great Day in the Morning

And so starts another work week. Who knows what this week will bring.

Being an individual who is graced with a work truck, and a work load that keeps me driving, I have plenty of time to think. Sometimes I even get philosophical.

I consider it to be one of the perks to my job, as I am one who enjoys pondering different things, and mulling over old and new ideas a like.

I think we should all find a point sometime during the day, just to ourselves. It's good to take some time out to reflect upon where you are in life, and refocus you thoughts.

Third times a charm?

I just merged my old blog "Standard Grade" with this one, so some of the posts have showed up.


I need to blog more.