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Discussion Forum

Lessons the young bucks have to learn…

MisterT | Posted in General Discussion on June 25, 2002 03:03am

The HARD way.

was mixing some sakrete for my garage repair yesterday and I got to thinking.

What are some of the lessons that always seemed to be learned only through experience.

You know, you can tell them over and over but some times the young bucks just need to learn the hard way.

Like with concrete for example,

You can always add a little more water but you you can’t take any out.

Mixing two bags at a time is not twice as fast.

When wheeling crete in a wheel-barrow don’t fill it up heaping  over the top.

For general carpentry,

boards can only be cut shorter …without advanced technology!

I have more but I need to refresh my memory more often these days.

Mr T

 

 

Do not try this at home!

I am a trained professional!

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Replies

  1. Piffin | Jun 25, 2002 03:24am | #1

    It always takes longer the first time.

    It always goes better in your memory.

    Sometimes a guy can say more by shutting up.

    A girl can say more than a guy can by being quiet.

    This one up here is the head you're supposed to think with.

    It's always a good idea to check twice that your ladder feet are set and the dogs are too.

    Know where your feet are going every time you move them on a roof.

    Out away a third of your earnings for a rainy day - at least.

    Excellence is its own reward!
    1. AlanRoberson | Jun 25, 2002 09:53am | #2

      Make sure all your tape measures measure the same.

      1. MarkCadioli | Jun 25, 2002 11:19am | #3

        don't spit into the windhttp://www.quittintime.com

        1. MisterT | Jun 25, 2002 12:35pm | #4

          Mark,

          I beleive you spelled piss wrong.

          TDo not try this at home!

          I am a trained professional!

          1. MarkCadioli | Jun 25, 2002 12:38pm | #5

            I'm dylesix. what can I say?http://www.quittintime.com

  2. User avater
    rjw | Jun 25, 2002 01:13pm | #6

    I read somewhere (here?) that:

    A very few peoplw can learn by reading and research;

    A few people can learn by watching others;

    The rest of us just have to p i s s on that electric fence!

    1. MisterT | Jun 25, 2002 01:20pm | #7

      You have to be able to out wit the material you are working with.Do not try this at home!

      I am a trained professional!

      1. DavidEricson | Jun 25, 2002 03:43pm | #8

        If you have to wonder whether it's safe, it's not.

        1. jimblodgett | Jun 25, 2002 04:44pm | #9

          Work clothes are for comfort, not style.

          1. tjcarcht | Jun 25, 2002 07:04pm | #10

            Just because it's called a level, doesn't mean it is, even when it says so.T. Jeffery Clarke

            Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

          2. River19 | Jun 25, 2002 08:07pm | #11

            The classic measure twice cut once cannot be left out.

            Dragging the extension cord through puddles is not a good thing.

            Flipping the switch on the tool is not an acceptable method to test whether a fuse is 10 or 20amps.

            Hornets WILL nest behind that board you are pulling off.  This goes along with, a can of hornet spray is cheaper than all the lotion and pain after pulling that board off.

            Also, the above mentioned hornets will make you forget you are on a ladder...jumping back will not improve your situation in this case.  This brings us to the next one....the board that you just pulled off that all the hornets were living on should not be thrown nail side up directly below the ladder.....when you jump back from the hornets and fall 10' onto the nail side you'll know why.

            Peeing on the electric fence would not be advisable.....but peeing into the wind is also a no no.

            SJ

            Know a little about alot and alot about little.

          3. User avater
            JeffBuck | Jun 26, 2002 12:52am | #12

            Hookers are just in it for the money.........

            Jeff   She's exotic ,but not foreign, like an old Cadillac......she's a knockout!

          4. joeh | Jun 26, 2002 01:35am | #13

            But Jeff, she told me she...........

            Ladders and utility knives. Joe H

          5. User avater
            Homewright | Jun 26, 2002 01:52am | #14

            Asking for directions isn't an indication of your (or lack of) manhood.

            Making her happy will ultimately make him happy.

            The more I know, the more I don't know.

            If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time.

            Listening and watching have more benefits than blowing smoke and being the center of attention (unless you're Robin Williams).

            Learn what your instincts are and learn to trust them.

            In today's world, trust is earned not given.

          6. MisterT | Jun 26, 2002 02:15am | #15

            You have to show that you can do the basic stuff before you get to learn how to hang doors and trim and cabinets.

            Mr TI'm not the leader of this circus.

            I'm just one of the clowns.

          7. heck22 | Jun 26, 2002 02:28am | #16

            For the plumbers' helper:

            #### flows downhill

            buy shirts long enough to stay tucked inwhat the heck was I thinking?

          8. User avater
            Gunner | Jun 26, 2002 03:18am | #17

            " Don't go writing hot checks down in Mississippi. And there aint no good chain gangs."

            Edited 6/25/2002 8:21:20 PM ET by Gunner

            Edited 6/25/2002 8:23:26 PM ET by Gunner

          9. jimblodgett | Jun 26, 2002 08:39am | #22

            " Don't go writing hot checks down in Mississippi. And there aint no good chain gangs."

            "There ain't no good in an evil hearted woman, and I ain't cut out to be no Jesse James"

            good one, Gunner!

          10. Handydan | Jun 26, 2002 11:49am | #23

            The three word that I have the least use for,  NEVER, CAN'T, ALWAYS, seems that they cause trouble almost everytime.

            No such thing as working to hard, but it does help to think first, and ahead.

            Ask permission, or beg forgiveness, your choice.

            Cheap tools, are just that.

            If your labor is a good value, the boss is much more understanding of honest mistakes. 

            Close enough, is not a measurment that is easily recognized.

            Dan    Why ask directions now, I'm already lost.

          11. User avater
            Gunner | Jun 29, 2002 04:15am | #33

            "You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em."

          12. Sancho | Jun 29, 2002 04:18am | #34

            One Ah sh-- can wipe out a 1000 atta-boys Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

          13. Piffin | Jun 29, 2002 04:43am | #35

            Whadyamean "hafta learn" ?

            They already know it all, already - don't they?

            Excellence is its own reward!

          14. Snort | Jun 29, 2002 05:27am | #36

            Just got finished with 3 off- on weeks (the dolphins are playing off the coast, the other players had shows to play (they don't call them gigs anymore!)trips and business and other jobs to take care of)) trimming a house with four 20-something year old kids. One's a high school grad, dad's a contractor, has worked construction and now wants to trim...he just got back from a two week trip 'round Europe. I'd hired him full (yeah right, what if there's fish?) time. 'Nother, a way liberal (Oberlin) collitch kid, known him since he was 6, who inherited some willies, bought a house, wants to fix it up and rent it out, doesn't have a clue, and is trying to get something out of me;-). The other 2 are mine, one in collitch (NCSU), one kind of graduated (ASU), they have some experience. like it better than food service, and I just happen to have something on both of them, at this summer vacation moment...

            These bucksnorts were amazinly trainable for their unpracticed talents.As soon as they looked at (the key was looking, telling beforehand does not transmit the same information) what was not quite right, and, what was right, they were fine. They understood "do you want that in your house!"...still a lot of questions, but that's good, we don't have to tear out as much out... the house looks great to the homeowner, and I think it's a good job. I'm not going to have to say, well sure it looks like poop, I had a bunch of kids helping me on that one, whaddya expect...and they really like to get it nice...I like that.

            Anyway, four kids, one of them might stick around...all four could actually do any of the tasks I have to do, with a minimal amount of guidance. And in a pretty short time, pick up most of the nuances of trim carpentry...then contracting...then developing...and then, yoicks, big real estate...

            ...the young bucks have to learn all we can teach them...and to directly deposit their gratitude, into my Bahamian account, where I will be residing on one of the Out Islands(or on my sailboat anchored next to one)...

            and needlees to say, I had a very interesting 3 weeks. Not a lot of materials were wasted (we started with the big stuff first). These kids learned something they can use (like building or working on their own houses, or income producing rentals), and I learned to rethink what 8 AM really means, and, be flexible with the radio, oldies are only good for a week...they should let me format...

            If crews of people like this built houses, Quest and Masonite would probably be hot stocks...I think everybody oughta know how a house is built, is that a lesson?...

            The Supreme Bucksnort, Billy

            Edited 6/28/2002 10:48:57 PM ET by bucksnort billy

            Edited 6/28/2002 10:54:01 PM ET by bucksnort billy

          15. jimblodgett | Jun 29, 2002 06:46am | #37

            Workin' with your kids is the greatest. My youngest daughter helped me tear the fir flooring up in a house we're remodelling the other day.  Even that type of work turns out to be fun with one of the cubs.

          16. djmarro | Jun 26, 2002 04:53am | #18

            Why is it we don't have time to do it right, but we have time to do it twice?

                                                                    Dana

                                                               Salmon Falls Housewrights

          17. Ralph027 | Jun 26, 2002 03:18pm | #26

            Just remember, all the good looking hookers are cops.

          18. Snort | Jun 26, 2002 05:16am | #19

            Do you think it's got anything to do with living on a round planet?... honest honey, that's why these beers are tipping me over...

          19. Sancho | Jun 26, 2002 06:12am | #20

            There are 2 ways to learn.. Learn what to do and learn what not to do. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

          20. 4Lorn1 | Jun 26, 2002 06:51am | #21

            It is easier to promise to have it done in 2 days, finish it in 1 and be a hero than promise it in 1, finish in 2 and be a goat.

            These people live here. Treat it with respect.

            One day while working as a cashier I asked my boss what she thought of employees and customers. After thinking a bit she waved her hand indicating a group of customers and said "They are profit. You are overhead" and walked away. Valuable insight.

          21. tjcarcht | Jun 26, 2002 02:28pm | #24

            Probably.  The lesson I had in mind is that everything is relative to a frame of reference.  We call a level a level, but if you drop it enough times it won't correctly reflect level any more.  But we don't start calling it an 'almost level' do we?T. Jeffery Clarke

            Quidvis Recte Factum Quamvis Humile Praeclarum

          22. User avater
            BossHog | Jun 26, 2002 02:50pm | #25

            Real men don't read instructions. (The first time)

          23. bikerXski | Jun 26, 2002 11:30pm | #29

            If mama ain't happy, nobodies happy.

            Any service is worth at least a buck tip.  ($1.42 Canadian)

            If you can't afford the tip, you can't afford the service.

            A gentleman never divulges.

            If you want to pet the calf, you half to feed the cow nubbens.

            Always let the saw die before setting it down.

            Treat all women as you would have your mother/sisters treated.

            Nobody has a good brother in law. Live with it.

            Make your word stronger than any other force in the universe.

            Your child is not always in the right. Even if he/she is, back the authority and tell the kid to live with it. Nothing ruins a child faster.

          24. geonc | Jun 27, 2002 04:05am | #30

            There are two that shoot to the top;

             1- Be able to offer solutions- don't give reasons why it/you can't. This shows that at least you  ARE THINKING.

            2- Treat this job/project/house like you WILL NEVER see it again

             ie: Do the job CORRECTLY/CLEAN, as if you are doing it for YOURSELF.

            "You're LAST job is your BEST JOB"

                 GEO

          25. donpapenburg | Jun 27, 2002 04:17am | #31

            Never write a check with your mouth that your asss can't cash.

          26. Piffin | Jun 27, 2002 05:23am | #32

            "Make your word stronger than any other force in the universe."

            I like that! You can only take a check as far as the bank, but your word can beat both of you there.

            Excellence is its own reward!

  3. sdr25 | Jun 26, 2002 03:37pm | #27

    When using a circular saw always know where the cord is.

    When you're a helper try to think one step ahead of whom you're helping (have things ready)

    Know when to help and when to stand back.

    Gravity is twice as strong when somebody is working below you.

    It doesn't take an hour to take a dump.

    Scott R.
    1. Sancho | Jun 26, 2002 05:31pm | #28

      Be smarter than what you working on.

      Tomorrow may never come

      He who fails to plan..Plans to fail Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

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