Covid protection of my fire pit business

[bushmanbilly]

I'm guessing the large ones weigh about 40-50 lbs. Great price and lots of room for a good margin. I bet you have the lowest input costs of all your competitors. Your mom didn't raise no dummy.

Now for your trailer, you must not have many DOT's down there.

[jamesp]

Apr 24, 2016 13:10:03 GMT -5 bushmanbilly said:

I'm guessing the large ones weigh about 40-50 lbs. Great price and lots of room for a good margin. I bet you have the lowest input costs of all your competitors. Your mom didn't raise no dummy.

Now for your trailer, you must not have many DOT's down there.

DOT is overrun with semi-trucks due to hub Atlanta that keep them so busy. Big ticket items, rarely do they turn a head to us peons with 7000 pound trailers.

The little fire pit biz has become an efficiency monster from a cost of material and fabrication logistics standpoint.
Tooling and logistics was my early career and a love. Getting scrap stuff a hobby.

Great guess on the weights 36-40#, 42-45#, 48-59#. Most common three.
The bases are 24,27 and 30". 29# to 35#.
All 10 or 11 gauge.

Must have several dozen scrap 64" heads, they are 10 ga or 3/16" and do start to get heavy @ 186#.
64 a big volume item so a higher scrap rate.

For some reason steel is at an all time low. Been stocking these and bowl stampings heavily.
If business goes south they can be sold as a commodity at a higher scrap value when scrap increases in value.
The future of steel making is bleak, environmental restrictions pulling them down and raising cost.
Poor man's gold Dale.

[jamesp]

Two pits yesterday. One a custom low table with 30 inch bowl to upstate NY.
The other a heavy 48 inch pit with snuffer top to Kennewick WA. Shipped to Kennewick a few weeks back, must be a word of mouth sale.
Gonna have to get a little electric fork lift at 315 pound pallet weight. In bed 4 days with kinked back till 2 days ago. Not good.
Kennewick WA 315 pounds cost $328 to resident. Mamaroneck, NY 170 pounds cost $180 to resident

Just found out UPS will ship up to 150 pounds !! And they pick up at house.
And no box required(more work boxing than building pit), just print label and stick on pit.
Ha, will punish drivers picking up. Young bucks, they will be fine.

Custom 55 inch table in truck, 170 pounds



Freight company handles it from truck. Freight companies 10X more reliable than USPS



Heavy 48 in loading position to load into pick up truck backed into ditch for easier transfer

[grayfingers]

Very cool to see how many pits you are selling, word of mouth is powerful selling point.
Sounds like you need to visit your pool spa in Florida for a few days.

[jamesp]

May 6, 2016 8:17:39 GMT -5 grayfingers said:

Very cool to see how many pits you are selling, word of mouth is powerful selling point.
Sounds like you need to visit your pool spa in Florida for a few days.

Sat on tractor for 5 hours mowing friend's pasture. Next day a 4 hour steep hike.
Perfect storm for back pain.
Finally after 5 years having ankles fused, I am not breaking metatarsals in top of foot climbing and picking heavy stuff up.
Hard to climb steep grades if your ankles are locked in place, puts a lot of pressure on your back.

We used to do 25 miles on a hog hunt w/dogs when in late 30's early 40's.
Start at 4AM, out of woods by 2PM. Mostly Cohutta Wilderness, 100,000 acres of short steep 2000-3000 elevations.
Grueling, no trails, just follow dogs and deal with hog travel patterns, straight up steepest and straight down steepest.
Dang hogs take the worst routes.
Older mountain fellow went w/us in his early 60's could do a bone crushing pace.
Loved smiling at us young bucks huffing it.

Of all forest navigation Cohutta was very challenging with random shaped steep sloped hills.
Cohutta in NE Georgia on Tennessee border. Rich Mountain and Warwoman two other lung destroyers, but bigger mountains and easier to navigate.

[Intheswamp]

May 6, 2016 8:56:17 GMT -5 jamesp said:

May 6, 2016 8:17:39 GMT -5 grayfingers said:

Very cool to see how many pits you are selling, word of mouth is powerful selling point.
Sounds like you need to visit your pool spa in Florida for a few days.

Sat on tractor for 5 hours mowing friend's pasture. Next day a 4 hour steep hike.
Perfect storm for back pain.
Finally after 5 years having ankles fused, I am not breaking metatarsals in top of foot climbing and picking heavy stuff up.
Hard to climb steep grades if your ankles are locked in place, puts a lot of pressure on your back.

I was wondering how you made out with your ankles...it amazed me you took the hike!!!  But, even with the back pain I'm sure it was good for you (in ways).  Next time grab your kayak, load it with 40 pounds of rock and drag it behind you...prepare for Iron Man Decath.

[jamesp]

Doc said it was a long healing process Intheswamp. Right foot kept having a few complications. Looks like it has stabilized.
Broke right leg compound at 20 yrs old and it was set 9 degrees crooked, messed up my foot a bit after 30 years.
Broke 2 metatarsals on 2 occasions after fusion, doc said the breaks are stronger than before. Human body miraculous.

Long ways away from iron man lol.

Happy just to be hiking.

Guessing your creeks are still quite full. Should be coming down, been dry here. We get your weather, right up I-85. Be nice to us.

[grayfingers]

Dang James you are a tough fellow. Can imagine how fused ankles would make climbing tough on the rest of the body. I broke my right femur at 22, compound sentimental fracture. They rebuilt it around a 16" steel rod that stayed in for 2 years. Was fortunate, healed really well. I was skiing a steep tree covered slope (Tree skiing) and zigged when I should have zagged...

[jamesp]

May 6, 2016 12:39:25 GMT -5 grayfingers said:

Dang James you are a tough fellow. Can imagine how fused ankles would make climbing tough on the rest of the body. I broke my right femur at 22, compound sentimental fracture. They rebuilt it around a 16" steel rod that stayed in for 2 years. Was fortunate, healed really well. I was skiing a steep tree covered slope (Tree skiing) and zigged when I should have zagged...

I wish the doc had pinned mine. Friday night at the ER and he had a hot date.
Never mentioned alignment issues, or 16 months in a cast.
You are very fortunate. Probably due to the severity of the break you got pinned.
I was 22 years old too. 1980

Cohutta, cut up and choppy. Always had the main creek to follow water to. Never used GPS, just topo
Lots of steepness and discombobulated hill shapes. Heavy forest blocking views, canopy rich and thick due to abundant ground water.

[grayfingers]

Mine was in 1983, they gave me a choice of 6 months in traction and 6 months in a cast or the then new Schneider rod. I was the first one it was used on in the northwest. I was told if I were to bend that rod during the 2 years, They would have to take the leg. (no skiing or motorcycling) And was told my leg may be up to an inch shorter, turned out the same as before. All that remains is a small screw that held the 2 halves together.

Was 50 miles from the hospital, I was knocked out, woke up to see my ski boot lying next to my head. Suddenly realized my ski bibs pant cuff was still over the top. Meaning my foot was still inside... As the fog wore off I could feel the muscles in my leg snapping like rubber bands, grabbed the cuff, and threw my leg back out straight. Passed out again. Woke up being hauled down the mountain in a sled going over moguls, then the ambulance was out of pain killers and oxygen, the ice washboards going down the canyon was hell. Got my first pain killers 5 hours after the accident. Learned to deal with pain on that day. Doc said if it had been my head that hit the tree it would have exploded like a pumpkin.

[captbob]

Fire pits, 2 pits yesterday. May hot, one a day so far

Don't you have some young guy making them for you now?

Just checked the Atlanta weather...

68°

Quit playing with the puppies and get back to work ya slacker!

[jamesp]

May 6, 2016 13:36:57 GMT -5 grayfingers said:

Mine was in 1983, they gave me a choice of 6 months in traction and 6 months in a cast or the then new Schneider rod. I was the first one it was used on in the northwest. I was told if I were to bend that rod during the 2 years, They would have to take the leg. (no skiing or motorcycling) And was told my leg may be up to an inch shorter, turned out the same as before. All that remains is a small screw that held the 2 halves together.

Was 50 miles from the hospital, I was knocked out, woke up to see my ski boot lying next to my head. Suddenly realized my ski bibs pant cuff was still over the top. Meaning my foot was still inside... As the fog wore off I could feel the muscles in my leg snapping like rubber bands, grabbed the cuff, and threw my leg back out straight. Passed out again. Woke up being hauled down the mountain in a sled going over moguls, then the ambulance was out of pain killers and oxygen, the ice washboards going down the canyon was hell. Got my first pain killers 5 hours after the accident. Learned to deal with pain on that day. Doc said if it had been my head that hit the tree it would have exploded like a pumpkin.

Throwing you leg back straight, thinking about that big artery(femoral ?). Sharp bone opens that one up and your goose is cooked. Cringe
Wilderness accidents, another whole category. Lucky you got found. Guessing you were hot rodding.
No idea of the pain, maybe fear out weighed pain. Sure you knew you were in a pickle.

Don't they drill thru your hip and push the rod in there, and open up your leg to line up the femur as they pass the rod down the other half ?

Were you thinking you were going to die ?

You are one fortunate person.

I stood up after my accident and the leg did a Joe Thiesman, reality hit followed by passing out.
Some images best forgotten.

[jamesp]

May 6, 2016 13:44:20 GMT -5 captbob said:

Fire pits, 2 pits yesterday. May hot, one a day so far

Don't you have some young guy making them for you now?

Just checked the Atlanta weather...

68°

Quit playing with the puppies and get back to work ya slacker!

OK boss lol.

May hot = May has furious fire pit sales, that kind of hot. Atlanta cool, fine weather. Sending it to you.
The young guy just does prep/grinding, me the welder and torch man.
If it keeps up the welding contractor will get a call, put old fart to pasture.

[Deleted]

Well... Its the 6th. Are you 6 for 6?

I am!!! Finally my season kicked in.

[grayfingers]

James, I was skiing with a couple friends, we were jump turning down steep terrain through the trees about 50 yards to the side of a actual groomed downhill run. Requires split-second reactions. Got away with it for several years... Very exciting. The guy that taught me said "you don't look at the trees, but look at the white spots," (openings) Well, a white spot I headed for turned out to be 3 feet off the ground. Two 14" pines beside each other, one with a curve in it 3 feet high which was the opening I was making for. I saw I was in trouble in enough time to crouch and try to jump up through it. My left ski made it, the right one did not. My friends were behind me, heard me hit, got to me after I was out the second time. They thought I was a goner, bark all over the place, they went for the patrol. Ya, learned later about the chance I took of slicing the artery. Would have been curtains unless could have got it tied off. But, they also said I had less damage to the tendons and muscles by tossing it straight. Had no choice really, indescribable sensation...

Yes, they did as you said, split the leg 15 inches, Had a nice railroad track for a few years after from the staples. They drilled down through the valley of the top of the femur.

The rod has a threaded ball tip. When they took it out the used a rod with a sliding weight that screwed onto the rod end. (Like an axle or seal puller) Sometimes they get one part way out and due to the curve in the femur the rod can bind up. They make one lay on a gurney on one side for 2 days with the rod sticking out to let the bone adjust enough to pull it the rest of the way out. Was a bit spooked about that but mine came out okay. Gave me a new perspective on life and risk taking for thrills. Give me a fish pole and a rock rucksack and I am a happy boy.

[jamesp]

May 6, 2016 16:20:50 GMT -5 @shotgunner said:

Well... Its the 6th. Are you 6 for 6?

I am!!! Finally my season kicked in.

Good, time to get off forum and do some work. Keep you out of trouble.
Yes, last night a little 24 inch with cover to St. Louis. It will be a UPS P/U here.
Maybe I can ship your doodads with it, gotta see what is down there.
any idea of length ? min diameter ?
may have 3/4, it is all pitted which does not hurt a thing.

[jamesp]

May 6, 2016 16:27:11 GMT -5 grayfingers said:

James, I was skiing with a couple friends, we were jump turning down steep terrain through the trees about 50 yards to the side of a actual groomed downhill run. Requires split-second reactions. Got away with it for several years... Very exciting. The guy that taught me said "you don't look at the trees, but look at the white spots," (openings) Well, a white spot I headed for turned out to be 3 feet off the ground. Two 14" pines beside each other, one with a curve in it 3 feet high which was the opening I was making for. I saw I was in trouble in enough time to crouch and try to jump up through it. My left ski made it, the right one did not. My friends were behind me, heard me hit, got to me after I was out the second time. They thought I was a goner, bark all over the place, they went for the patrol. Ya, learned later about the chance I took of slicing the artery. Would have been curtains unless could have got it tied off. But, they also said I had less damage to the tendons and muscles by tossing it straight. Had no choice really, indescribable sensation...

Yes, they did as you said, split the leg 15 inches, Had a nice railroad track for a few years after from the staples. They drilled down through the valley of the top of the femur.

The rod has a threaded ball tip. When they took it out the used a rod with a sliding weight that screwed onto the rod end. (Like an axle or seal puller) Sometimes they get one part way out and due to the curve in the femur the rod can bind up. They make one lay on a gurney on one side for 2 days with the rod sticking out to let the bone adjust enough to pull it the rest of the way out. Was a bit spooked about that but mine came out okay. Gave me a new perspective on life and risk taking for thrills. Give me a fish pole and a rock rucksack and I am a happy boy.

White spots eh ? Daredevil-ing, and an early retirement from such nonsense. Reality of destructibility. At least you quit. Ever watch Kienevel try to move around.
Good thing you had friends w/you. Bet things would have been different if they did not assist rescue.
Terrible reality to see such a distorted limb.

The guy I shared a room with had the same operation. He practically walked out after 3 days.
Had like 10 stitches/staples on a 10 inch incision. Remember that butchery and mystified about the coarse stitching.
He was in great pain when he arrived. Must be a painful break.

Glad grayfingers is still here to talk about it.

[Intheswamp]

May 6, 2016 12:19:47 GMT -5 jamesp said:

Doc said it was a long healing process Intheswamp . Right foot kept having a few complications. Looks like it has stabilized.
Broke right leg compound at 20 yrs old and it was set 9 degrees crooked, messed up my foot a bit after 30 years.
Broke 2 metatarsals on 2 occasions after fusion, doc said the breaks are stronger than before. Human body miraculous.

Long ways away from iron man lol.

Happy just to be hiking.

Guessing your creeks are still quite full. Should be coming down, been dry here. We get your weather, right up I-85. Be nice to us.

I went up to the gravel bars yesterday, creeks are dropping, bars are widening.  4-wheeler tracks.  Found a *few* small pieces of wood, broke some quarzite up to bring back.  Enjoyed the awesome weather and day UNTIL the very point I was getting ready to head to the jeep.  I started to throw my little daypack on my back, got the strap on the right shoulder, twisted my left arm around to put into the left strap...SNAP CRACKLE POP!!!!  My shoulder!!!  PAIN!!!   Years of bumping tires had taken a told on my joints (well, either the tires or the years, one or the other! ) and they already had pain in them but that awkward movement was apparently a tipping point that tipped things the wrong way.  Not sure what went on with it, still makes kind of a dull pop at times, can't raise my arm past chest high, basically keeping it tucked against my side.,,,,...should be lots of fun at the tire shop this week.<groan> 

[jamesp]

Intheswamp

dull pop
raising arm, perhaps having to adjust your shoulder to get it past horizontal
tucked by side to avoid pain
making sharp twisting motion at shoulder

Another odd symptom is having to sleeping on your left(hurt) shoulder to relieve pain.

95% chance you have a torn supraspinatus muscle, commonly called a torn rotator cuff.

You could have (very likely) torn it years ago, and the muscle is shrinking as it normally does till it wedges in the beneath the 'arch' in the photo.
When it wedges in the 'arch' it talks back to you in the form of pain.

I think I partially tore mine when I held on to the handle bars too long in a jet ski wipe out at age ~40.
Had it MRI 'ed at age 53, and it was 100% torn, after I did a knap sack thing like you just did.
Could not afford to be shut down for 6 month recovery and the pain chilled out till last year.
MRI 6 months ago showed that the supraspinatus had wedged into the arch and was causing much pain.
Been working and using shoulder carefully past 6 months and pain has relieved.
Am scheduled for surgery Sept, my off time till March next year. Maybe, that threatens my business...

So, this injury is bad for those of us that have to use their shoulders due to the long slow recovery.
In some cases, the supraspinatus muscle can shrink too much too reattach with out a preliminary surgery that pre stretches it.





It is easy to do a self analysis. There is a battery of movements that will tell you if you have torn it.
Do you some research on the net and read up on it. Commonly does this tear in men in their 50's that use body hard.
Don't be surprised if both of them are torn.

Being skeptical of medical field, I want to find out if surgery will make it worse.
Probably not a surgery done maliciously, baseball pitchers have this operation occasionally numerous times to extend their career.
Throwing a ball should be very painful if you have this injury, forcing you to side arm throw.

Doc said I still have surprising range of motion. each case different. But my left arm/tit has atrophy from babying left shoulder for past year.
No doubt it is operating at low efficiency. Doc insinuated long term effects can be detrimental. Artificial joint was mentioned.

May not be good Ed.

[jamesp]

Spent a lot of money putting these water holding containers in for growing water lilies 25 years ago.
Moved lilies slowly to concrete growing system over the past 10 years.
Spent a bunch grading this field, laying down geotextile and graveling it.

Time to trash containers and dump old water lilies.
Will make great space for fire pits and other welded fabrications.
Close to weld shop in background(yellow building).

Knifed bladders and flooded the area. Will use tractor and boom to remove.



Lots of critters and weeds, sun will dry it all out. Pots will dry out too. Easier to dump.
Rich soil, will get dumped in bamboo groves to kill aquatic weeds and convert nutrients to terrestrial plants.



Bamboo windbreak gone. Yes, potted plants blowing over constantly. Large bamboo moving fro center right to left. Please hurry.
Fire pit area was full 2 months ago, got to restock. That little field holds $30-40,000 net in fire pits when full.
Held $7000 worth of potted lotus plants in past. Fire pit more money per sq. ft., less watering, weeds and fertilizer. yea