The new Little Watch Shop

[LittleWatchShop]

Spent the day doing electrical. Service panel installed.  Ground rod TBD. Electrical boxes 90% done. Miles to go before I sleep.

[thor447]

That's fantastic!

[JohnR725]

I don't see the solar panels?

[LittleWatchShop]

4 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

I don't see the solar panels?

Plenty of sun here in Texas, but it don't always shine? Besides, mains AC is probably quieter.

[spectre6000]

Doesn't alway shine here in CO either. Still enough to more than offset grid usage with either batteries or a smart grid controller.

I share your excitement. I have a better shop setup in the works as well. Lots to do before it gets to the nearly done state you're in though!

Edited September 15, 2024 by spectre6000

[gpraceman]

17 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Spent the day doing electrical. Service panel installed.  Ground rod TBD. Electrical boxes 90% done. Miles to go before I sleep.

Had to drive a ground rod for my first house.  Ended up renting a jack hammer to drive it in (without the tip).  Mushroomed the top a bit (really hard ground), so I had to cut that bit off.

[RichardHarris123]

Could you have drilled a hole slightly smaller than the rod, basically a pilot hole and the driven the ground rod? 

[oldhippy]

Looking good. Stupid question. Is it safe to have it propped up on blocks. Have you got a fridge for the cold beer.

[RichardHarris123]

9 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Have you got a fridge for the cold beer.

Probably the best question I've heard on here.  Hehe.  

[JohnR725]

5 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

Plenty of sun here in Texas, but it don't always shine? Besides, mains AC is probably quieter.

interesting things they have in Texas? Like the YouTube channel that typically has nothing to do with solar and in fact he doesn't want to be known as a solar channel. But his early videos were quite informative I will only give you the last one.

what made his video is interesting if you go through from the beginning. He talks about Texas where occasionally the power might go out  Which is very bad if you're trying to make YouTube content. But much more interesting was this system he originally built where he purchased reconditioned commercial panels. The price of the panels he had was unbelievably very very good. Which I believe the reconditioning company is somewhere in Texas your shipping costs would be better than mine.

the only downfall is of his system as he makes YouTube videos power companies the battery banks love to give him free stuff that is astronomically expensive to purchase.  so I would personally in your case recommend a DIY and go with something much much cheaper. You should easily build to build a solar powered system and keep your beer cold day or night whether your power why not.

Oh and yes regarding the sunshine in Texas he did do a worst-case test during one snowy day and yes the lack of sunshine is definitely a problem for solar systems. But still I wasn't suggesting your entire house I was only suggesting a small project with recondition solar panels.

 

[LittleWatchShop]

33 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Could you have drilled a hole slightly smaller than the rod, basically a pilot hole and the driven the ground rod? 

I am going to dig a post hole about 2 feet deep.  Then I will put the ground rod in and drive it the rest of the way with a small sledge hammer.  Then I am going to back fill the hole with rock salt and soak it with water.

[JohnR725]

23 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Is it safe to have it propped up on blocks

hopefully those are solid  blocks of concrete? Yes it seems like it would've been better to have a foundation of some sort into the ground.  but maybe this is considered a temporary structure or non-permanence. Somewhere you can build things like storage sheds as long as it's not on a permanent foundation of any kind. A clever way to get around some building codes.

[LittleWatchShop]

2 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

hopefully those are solid  blocks of concrete? Yes it seems like it would've been better to have a foundation of some sort into the ground.  but maybe this is considered a temporary structure or non-permanence. Somewhere you can build things like storage sheds as long as it's not on a permanent foundation of any kind. A clever way to get around some building codes.

It is very common to install these sheds as shown here in Texas.  If you DON'T live in tornado prone area, it is generally not an issue. As you can see in this map, where I am there were only 29 tornadoes since 1950. 

You can buy strapping systems that provide 30" screws into the ground and a strap to anchor it at each side.  I have thought about doing this.

2 hours ago, JohnR725 said:

interesting things they have in Texas? Like the YouTube channel that typically has nothing to do with solar and in fact he doesn't want to be known as a solar channel. But his early videos were quite informative I will only give you the last one.

what made his video is interesting if you go through from the beginning. He talks about Texas where occasionally the power might go out  Which is very bad if you're trying to make YouTube content. But much more interesting was this system he originally built where he purchased reconditioned commercial panels. The price of the panels he had was unbelievably very very good. Which I believe the reconditioning company is somewhere in Texas your shipping costs would be better than mine.

the only downfall is of his system as he makes YouTube videos power companies the battery banks love to give him free stuff that is astronomically expensive to purchase.  so I would personally in your case recommend a DIY and go with something much much cheaper. You should easily build to build a solar powered system and keep your beer cold day or night whether your power why not.

Oh and yes regarding the sunshine in Texas he did do a worst-case test during one snowy day and yes the lack of sunshine is definitely a problem for solar systems. But still I wasn't suggesting your entire house I was only suggesting a small project with recondition solar panels.

 

Pretty cool video.  Here in my 'other' domain (where I am typing today), the power cool does not offer net zero billing.  People **BLEEP** about it, but they ignore fact that they are using the power company as a sort of 'battery' like the guy says.

The solar ideas are interesting and I have the skill to implement them.  However, I must remain focused.  For many months as I have split my time between two domains, I have been able to do very little watch/clock work.  So, I am working like hell to get this shop up and running.  While messing with solar might be fun, I will remain focused on horology!

I may install a fridge for the beer...definitely a good idea!!

Edited September 15, 2024 by LittleWatchShop

[Neverenoughwatches]

1 hour ago, JohnR725 said:

hopefully those are solid  blocks of concrete? Yes it seems like it would've been better to have a foundation of some sort into the ground.  but maybe this is considered a temporary structure or non-permanence. Somewhere you can build things like storage sheds as long as it's not on a permanent foundation of any kind. A clever way to get around some building codes.

The majority of building codes apply to habitable buildings, and there are ways to skirt around them by assigning a particular use for said building . On my own property personally i would build whatever i wanted and how i wanted. There is very little any authority could or would do about it unless it endangered the general public. Concrete pad stones would generally be used for something like this, wide ones that span a good amount of area, or better still raised shuttered pads but thats more of a permanent thing.

[LittleWatchShop]

Drove in the 8' ground rod today

[LittleWatchShop]

Progress. Four circuits wired. More to go.

[AndyGSi]

Looks like something we'd have used here in the 1970s

[LittleWatchShop]

Still not finished.  Need to figure out how to finish the ceiling.  It is mostly functional but I have yet to service a watch.

[GuyMontag]

It's looking amazing!

[markr]

Are you going to add any more watchmakers benches?

[LittleWatchShop]

10 minutes ago, markr said:

Are you going to add any more watchmakers benches?

LOL smartypants!  The history of me and watchbenches is interesting.  I started with one...the bench my Dad left to me.  It was a complete setup.  Every tool you need to service a watch.  Then I saw a custom watch bench on ebay, made by a guy in Maine.  I had to have it, so I bought it and it was shipped to Texas.  That makes two.  Then I discovered another on ebay and it was in Wyoming.  Bought it shipped to Texas (this was not a good deal financially!!)  That makes three.  Bench one was setup for long term repairs.  Bench two was the go-to bench for any repair.  Bench three was for lathe work only.  Maybe I am done...no.  Saw one in Dallas on FB.  Bought it.  It is the least aesthetic and is used only for clock work.  That makes four.  Then I saw another on FB in a nearby town.  Drove over there to get it.  It was full of tools and some watches.  Probably worth 3-4 times what I paid for it.  That makes five.  I decided to refinish it (or at least improve it).  I moved it to my second home close to my son and grand kids.  Then another bench showed up in a nearby town.  I put it in the garage.  That makes six.  Then the other day, a watchmaker's estate came up in Austin.  I bought it.  Got another watch bench.  Value of the last buy was maybe four or five times what I paid.  That is seven.  I am done.  No more watchbenches!!!

Each bench is close to a singular purpose.  In this picture, one is for lathe work, one for watches, and one for clocks.

So there you have it.

Needless to say, I have poured enormous amount of $$ into this 'hobby' but I don't care. It is fun.

[markr]

Well at least you only have one lathe right.

[tomh207]

11 minutes ago, markr said:

Well at least you only have one lathe right.

One per bench maybe…

 

Tom

[LittleWatchShop]

I think I have eight WW lathes and one Sherline.  Two were inherited.  Then a Levin with collet-holding tailstock and Levin cross slide and Levin 4-jaw chuck appeared on FB marketplace.  The guy got it from his grandfather.  Had no idea the value.  Needed to make a truck payment.  Got it for $300.  That makes three.  The problem with the Levin was that it had a long bed...maybe 18" so I wanted a typical WW bed.  Ended up buying two more Levins that had only the headstock and bed.  It was an error on my part.  Same guy was selling both and the delta time between them on Ebay was short.  I wanted to get at least one but ended up with both. That makes five.  Then I was playing around on another auction site and ended up with a complete Paulson for $119.  As I recall, I was expecting not to win, but had put a bid in to track the value.  That makes six.  Then some guy on FB marketplace advertised "clockmakers tools."  He had rented a bay at a small airport and all this stuff was in it.  He had no idea.  Anyway, it had a Moseley lathe (I think) and a FULL SET OF LEVIN COLLETS, along with a bergeon bushing tool with lots of bushings and some other stuff (including a grandfather clock which is now running at home).  All that for $500.  Then I recently bought out a deceases watchmaker for $1200.  Got another lathe with that.  That makes eight.  I dont need them all...obviously.  My main lathe is the first Levin.  One lathe at home is dedicated to sharpening.  One lathe at this watch shop is also dedicated to sharpening. 

A 2020 Nitro Z18 Bass boat with a 150 horse Mercury motor is selling for $38,999 right now in Abiline, TX.  I got less money into this little hobby...but not by much.  I do enjoy fishing.

[Nucejoe]

On 9/15/2024 at 9:37 PM, oldhippy said:

 Is it safe to have it propped up on blocks.

  Underground building might be tornado proof, in Texas, Oklahoma and panhandle.

Seen walnut trees uprooted there.

See photo of Dallas cowboys cheerleaders custume, lack of unnecessary safety features.

https://pin.it/6UKGn4eYE

Rgds

 

 

Edited January 10 by Nucejoe