You Can Now Follow Us on LinkedIn.com

One thing that I have been meaning  to do lately is update my LinkedIn.com page with some new company information. To my surprise,

Slow Beginning to The Year Brings Hope for Stronger Summer Business

The beginning of the year for us is often slow and like many, we begin to long for summer. This year is no different as the last couple months have dragged on with limited work and not much in the pipeline. When business was booming, before the economy took one on the chin, we would have quotes and contracts set for the first sign of spring.

Fabrication of Custom Exhaust Hood For Screen Printing Shop

Even though duct work is our bread and butter and what the majority of my work day consists of. We often get projects that are along the same lines, but just different enough that some extra thought and attention is needed. Case and point, the project I had for the last few days has been to fabricate an exhaust hood for a drying machine inside a small screen printing shop. I won't even pretend to know exactly what the machine does, the customer drew up what he wanted and I am making it to those specifications. Simple. Here's some pics.

Below is the wide shot of the hood. The customer wanted a rectangular box with pieces angled inside that would deflect the air to the center 4" collar.There are no welds, everything is done with the Pittsburgh machine, break, hammer and rivets.

This picture just gives a clearer view of the depth of the piece and a look at the collar in the center. The total dimensions were 62" wide, 6" deep and 12" in height with a 4" collar cut into the top middle.

Here is a shot looking inside at the angled pieces that will deflect the air toward the center of the hood.  It's tough to see, but I also added a 1/4" 90 degree lip around the bottom edge for some stability. Even though the hood is for a smaller application, the width of the hood will make it weaker in the middle and prone to bowing or popping. The angle will give it just enough strength to keep it stable when the machine is running and keep any noise to a minimum.

End of The Week Pin Action

One of my most hated tasks in this business is insulating duct work. I know that it is a necessity for some applications and obviously, more work means a bigger invoice. However, it is one of the most tedious of the jobs that I have and can eat up hours quickly, leaving me little time for other work. I know that it comes with the territory though and for the first time this year I have a full day of pinning and insulating. Any business is good business.

Filter Rack Installation Inside a Plenum

This morning I am working on a custom cold air filter box. Basically a plenum with a filter rack riveted inside. I fabricated the plenum and just finished installing the filter rack. Here are a few basic before and after pictures.

 Here are a couple pictures of the finished plenum without the filter rack installed. As you can see, I have left a slot in the plenum ( 1 1/4" wide ) where the filter will slide in and out.

Next I have to fabricate the 1"x1"x1" channel pieces that will become the finished rack inside the plenum. The plenum is a basic 16" x 24", so I will need two 23 3/4" rails for the long sides and one 15 3/4" rail for the short side. Notice I have subtracted 1/4" from each rail. That is so the rails fit easily inside the plenum without any unneeded force, while allowing for movement in the plenum for easy installation on the job site. I have also cut some 45 degree notches on the 15 3/4" rail so that when the filter slides inside, it won't get caught on a bent corner of metal.

All that is left to do is rivet the sections of rail inside the plenum and the rack is installed. I usually start by installing the 23 1/4" sections first and then slide the 15 3/4" section down inside the other two rails. Now the customer can pick it up and install it on the job site. I have used some basic filter material in the picture to show how the filter would slide inside the plenum. I would not suggest using this as a filter for a homeowner. Buy some high quality filters that will last.

Our Favorite Super Bowl Commercial: Detroit Rock City

Our favorite Super Bowl commercial was hands down the Eminem Chrysler spot. Gotta love the appreciation of manufacturing in this country and the importance of one of the great city's in America. Love it or hate it, Detroit Rock City is an important cog in the workings of the country as a whole. With the jobless rate still hovering in the 9% range, a busy Detroit is a good sign for the direction of the jobless market and the country's ability to build things going forward.

List of HVAC Manuals and Books For Kindle

The Kindle and ipad are quickly becoming the norm when it comes to reading books and magazines instead of prior print editions. Well, the same goes for those bulky HVAC manuals that you have in your truck or office that you reference for data regularly.  

Good news!....Some of those same books are in convenient digital form for your Kindle or e-reader device so you can keep more of them on hand without the stacks and mess of heavy print books. Now you can take them on the go when you need them on a job, a quote or to and from the office daily without breaking your back. Here is a list of some of the more popular HVAC manuals and books for your Kindle or e-reader.
 
HVAC Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb presents a wealth of state-of-the-art HVAC design information and guidance, ranging from air distribution to piping systems to plant equipment. This popular reference has now been fully updated to reflect the construction industry's new single body of codes and standards. Featuring an outline format for ease of use, the Second Edition of this all-in-one sourcebook contains: * Updated HVAC codes and standards, including the 2006 International Building Code * Over 200 equations for everything from ductwork to air-handling systems * ASME and ASHRAE code specifications * Over 350 rules of thumb for cooling, heating, ventilation, and more * New material including: coverage of the new single body of construction codes now used throughout the country    IDENTIFY AND SOLVE EVEN THE MOST COMPLEX HVAC OPERATING PROBLEM IN SECONDS! Here's a single-source reference that provides quick accurate answers to even the toughest HVAC questions! Portable, simple, well-illustrated and with just enough text to get the job done, HVAC Instant Answers provides fingertip access to the HVAC solutions needed to solve even the most difficult problem – in a flash. Packed with schematic diagrams, system layouts, flowcharts, and graphics for the quickest, most understandable solution possible, HVAC Instant Answers is both a great learning tool for those entering the field as well as a reliable reference from which even experienced pros will learn something. You'll find crystal-clear descriptions of common symptoms, controls, and problems – along with the best solution. HVAC Instant Answers will tell you exactly what to do when problems occur with: * Air distribution systems * Central cooling plants * Compressors * Condensers and cooling towers * Converters * Fans and Pumps * Rooftop units * Steam distribution * Thermal energy storage systems * Valves and dampers * Water loops * Zones You'll also find a handy list of tools, sensor specification charts, and just about everything else you need to get the job done right.   THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY AVAILABLE This handbook brings you solutions to virtually any problem in the field. Leading U.S. and international experts help you to create and maintain safe and healthy environments in structures from hospitals to residences, and handle a range of questions from health and comfort effects and physiologic thresholds to ventilation measurement and employee programs. For answers on instrumentation, contaminants, codes, and guidelines--for the solutions you need to assess, design, and maintain healthy and productive indoor environments, Indoor Air Quality Handbook is the one source to have. Assess Indoor Air Quality Complaints-Evaluation Methods-Risk Management and Communication Strategies-Critical Review of Sick Building Investigations -Indoor Concentration Data for Microbiologicals, Chemical Compounds, Particles, and Fibers *Understand Critical Issues-Health and Productivity Costs of Poor IAQ-Filtration, Air Cleaning, and the New ASHRAE Standards Design Healthy, Comfortable, and Functional Buildings-Application of Models and Advanced Techniques-Commissioning Buildings to Perform as Designed-IAQ in Schools, Hospitals, Sports Facilities, Office Buildings Apartments, and Transportation Vehicles  Keep it cool or heat things up This third volume of Audel’s HVAC Library gives you a comprehensive, hands-on guide to installing, servicing, and repairing all basic air-conditioning systems in both new and older construction. You’ll also find complete coverage of specialized heating units–radiators, radiant heating systems, stoves, fireplaces, heat pumps, and indoor/outdoor pool heaters, plus fans, exhaust systems, air filters, and more. It’s what you need to complete your HVAC reference library. * Make accurate calculations for AC system output * Tailor AC systems for older construction * Learn to install and service today’s popular electronic air cleaners and filters * Service less common heating systems such as coal-fired furnaces * Install, maintain, and repair humidifiers and dehumidifers * Handle radiators, convectors, and baseboard heating units   

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