Electrical Tape Tricks

Now that you've learned the importance of having more colors of tape than you thought necessary, it's time to learn some a few like tricks.

Why you need colored electrical tape

Colored Tape is Your Friend

We all have a need for electrical tape. You likely have a roll in your bag, pouch, box or with a majority of your tools back in the shop. But what color is it? Most will answer black unless, of course, they have been an electrician. Some people may have never seen the variety of colors, or may even question the usefulness of such colors.

The Danger of Oily Rags

Don't Throw Them in the Garbage!

You could burn down your shop or your yacht! Though I doubt anyone with a yacht has a need to read about rags. The key take away, that oil and chemical-soaked rags are surprisingly dangerous. The yacht in that story was burned down from simple linseed oil. Yes, the same kind you use on your weekend woodworking projects.

Why You Need to Carry a Reflector

Photoelectric Sensor or Photo Eyes

They are all over almost every machine you will work on in an industrial setting. You will find hundreds to thousands of them on most types of material handling equipment. Think of your shipping sorters and conveyors.

Stop Pencil Whipping PMs

Your lies screw up metrics

Close all work orders by the end of the shift! We've all heard this line. Managers always talk about metrics and how we need every PM completed no matter what. In theory, it makes sense. We need to complete these jobs to keep the equipment running as efficiently as possible. If the work is done, great no problem. When we complete work orders for the sake of completion, problems start to arise.

How to Justify Money on PMs

It's Costs More to Not Spend Money

Maintenance departments are often the first to have their budgets slashed or be denied approval for increased funding. This is often on account of the people in charge of finances up the chain of command being quite unaware of how much money is actually being saved by a properly maintained facility. The term no news is good news is very true when it comes to maintaining your facility.

Why you need low-tech

Your phone isn't enough

Having a phone is obviously a great tool to keep on you during the workday. Being able to send and receive pictures, documents and important messages will always be beneficial. That said it is still limited. Phones have certainly come a long way. The variety of apps and software that can make your life easier is unquestionable. Of course, you can take notes on your phone, you can even draw diagrams with a stylus, and you can share these all with the touch of a button. But what about when you can't?

Grease Up Your Light Bulbs

Introduction

We've all been in that situation. A dead light bulb. Easy enough to fix, right? You start spinning and SNAP! It breaks inside of the screw shell. Fortunately, there is a way to minimize the chance of this happening. Light bulb grease.

No or Slow Hot Water in a Culinary Facility

Introduction

Many food safety regulations require your facility to have a certain temperature of water within a certain amount of time. As of 2022, the FDA requires hand wash stations to be at 85°F(29.4°C). Your local jurisdiction may have more stringent measures. When in doubt, follow whatever regulation is more strict. The local health inspector is more likely to shut your facility down for being out of compliance. 

Carrying and Storing Tools

Lugging around your tools

There are a seemingly endless number of ways to bring your tools to and from your jobsite or work area. Pros and cons of each type exist. There is no real right or wrong way so long as you get the job done. I've bought and tried more kinds of tool carriers than I care to admit. If you're just starting out it can seem daunting with all the options. Here's my overview on the what, when and where these various carriers have come in handy.

How to Break into the Industry

There are a number of different avenues to break into industrial mechanics. The skills needed to perform the job can be found in many of the other occupations that are classified as maintenance, installation and repair. Whether you want to branch into a more specialized role, break into a new industry, or are still in school trying to figure out what to do for your future, the information to follow should help guide you into seeing a path forward.

Dirt, Grease and Grime

For those considering the trades

It may sound like I'm stating the obvious, but this industry is dirty. You will be working with your hands. Crawling under machines, up ladders, through tight spaces you couldn't imagine being able to fit in at first glance. There will be grease, oil, chemicals, tar and dust. Somehow you will be both sticky and slippery.  

Drill Press Speeds

Introduction

Drill presses are one of the most common shop tools. Chances are if there is only a single stationary tool at your workplace, shed or garage it is a drill press. I'm also willing to bet that the speed on it has probably never been changed. Picking the right speed will not only extend the life of the motor and bits, but also make quicker cleaner cuts in whatever material you are drilling into.

Wrenching and Knuckle Bashing

Preventing Knuckle and Hand Damage

We've all been there, working on a stubborn fastener when your hand slips. You punch a motor, a housing, or worse. You're bruised or cut up and in pain. Then you realized, I should have pulled instead of pushed. When pulling and you slip, you'll likely either hit nothing or at worst your chest. It's not always possible to pull a wrench towards you but do it every time you can. 

Just remember, PULL PULL PULL.

GFIC Nuisance Tripping

What is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter?

GFCI for short, some refer to as GFI. It's that special plug you find in your bathroom, kitchen, garage and anywhere else that is considered a wet location. Contrary to what some may think, they do not protect your electrical equipment, fuses and circuit breakers do. GFCIs are there to protect personnel. The circuitry inside compares the current coming from the ungrounded conductor to the grounding conductor. If the current is off by a few milliamps, it trips. This is normal if there is a ground fault so that you don't get shocked, or electrocuted. Think of it as a safety measure against a toaster in the bathtub, if you're ever trapped in an 80s horror movie.

What is an HMI?

One of the most common components on any large machine is an HMI or 'human machine interface.' These are often touchscreens built into an electrical panel on the side of a machine. You will often see a number of buttons and switches that below it designed for an operator to reset a machine after a safety has been tripped, a setting has been changed, and to stop and start in a controlled manner.

Why Industrial Mechanics?

It's Fun

Not many jobs allow you to 'play' with such a large variety of tools and machinery. Grinding and cutting a variety of materials with an angle grinder is a special kind of joy. Using a torch to make metal glow so bright you need eye protection, watching it melt like butter if you go too long. Hitting a stubborn nut or bolt with a hammer till it obeys your commands. Going to the areas of the building that are otherwise restricted and being able to essentially control every part of the building or a machine. That's just called Tuesday.

Basic tools for those breaking into the industry

Tools to Get Started

Depending on the specific facility you end up at, you may need more or less than what is explained. Some places will give you a basic tools list themselves that are required. Others may not even allow you to bring anything in, instead opting to provide you with a personalized set that stays on property. I like to ask during an initial interview if there is a tool list for the property. If they provide tools, make sure you know how to request for additional or specialty tools. You'll inevitably end up in a situation where you're missing just that one thing that would cut job time in half. Knowing how to get them is vital. That being said, here's a brief list of some basics that should provide useful.