swamp cooler - evaporative cooler

[ChrisC_EIT]

I need to do a little preventive maintenance here before it gets a little too hot. I have an evaporative cooler (swamp cooler) that just needs a little TLC to carry me through the summer. It runs now, but I want to change the belt and grease the bearings. And, wash out the inside and re-position the float... but I don't know where to get a grease-gun or a belt.

The funny thing is, I used to do this kind of work all the time, but in terms of parts and tools, they were always provided (it was a local university and they had a parts department on campus). What I need is to purchase a fan belt and grease gun. I went to Home Depot today and they were loads of help, of course. One retard there actually looked at me like I was stupid and figured I made up the term "grease gun" there to jerk her (yes, HER) around.

The grease fittings on the bearings are "standard" in that they are what I'm used to seeing, so I'm guessing the garden-variety grease gun will suffice. The belt is tricky. There's no label on it, at least none there today. The belt absolutely needs to be replaced - and I may need to remove one of the wheels with a shaft-puller (I hope I'm saying that right). I might need to buy that too.

I'm thinking Grainger, but before I make a complete ass of myself (any more), could anybody here help, helpfully?

[Digital_Trauma]

check a local NAPA store, or pretty much any auto parts store (Pep Boys, Autozone, etc.) You can usually take in the old belt and they can match it up with a new one that is the same size, or at least close enough.

[gleet]

Auto parts stores have a little half sized grease gun that fits on standard zerks. I have one because I don't go thru a tube of grease in a year and the little size works fine.

Any parts store can match your belt, like Mr. Trauma said.

[MrBogey]

Yea, auto parts stores can hook you up with grease guns and gear pullers. If they don't have it, then they're not worth shopping there.

[ChrisC_EIT]

Okay, now I'm just stupid. How on earth did I just forget about auto-parts stores? Cripes, I have like three in walking distance.

Thanks guys.

[grail]

You might also order the belt off of McMaster-Carr. Fast shipping, good website, better than Grainger in my opinion. Reminds me I have to order some 10 gauge rod. www.mcmaster.com

[oandapartycock]

If you have to buy all these tools, have you checked out how much it would be to have someone with the tools do it? Check Craigslist or the "Services" section of your classified.

[ChrisC_EIT]

If you have to buy all these tools, have you checked out how much it would be to have someone with the tools do it? Check Craigslist or the "Services" section of your classified.

The shaft-puller turned out to be an irrelevant issue. The only tool I needed was the grease-gun. I can use it on other things, and aside from that, I like to do my own stuff. I try to pretend that even being college edumacated that I'm handy around the house.

Now, I get to ask questions about cutting concrete. Another thread. Of course, I might just grab a dude from Craigslist for *that*.

edit: Fuck another thread. Does anyone have any experience cutting concrete? I have a weird case, I think.

I have a driveway that connects the back yard and front yard. I am going to build a gate that closes off that gap so I can let the dogs out back without any problems. I need to cut through the driveway in two places in order to locate some posts. I'm planning on saw-cutting the concrete and then pouring the footings for the posts, and then at some point later (maybe even a year or so) re-pouring the driveway. I'm seriously contemplating a masonry blade for a circular saw and doing it like that. Honestly, the concrete is thin and weak to the point of being almost gravel, but the thing is, I think it's still a terrible idea and maybe I'm hoping someone will talk me out of it. Maybe I should have someone out to take care of it. Cutting the concrete is *maybe* five minutes of work, really. I just need to make sure the posts for this gate are install properly - I'll worry about the rest of the driveway later.

Anyone?

[jackjack]

Now, I get to ask questions about cutting concrete. Another thread. Of course, I might just grab a dude from Craigslist for *that*.

Here's one.. http://daytona.craigslist.org/ers/651688514.html

you probably don't need the dude, though. I rented a concrete saw when I needed to replace half of a garage floor. Easy job, very nice machine.

[Hydrosludge]

If the crete is thin enough just knock out what you need with a big hammer.

I have never seen a saw cut a large circle in concrete.


This is what I use for most of my concrete "cutting"
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/50000/49948.JPG

[ChrisC_EIT]

If the crete is thin enough just knock out what you need with a big hammer.

I have never seen a saw cut a large circle in concrete.


This is what I use for most of my concrete "cutting"
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/objects_lg/50000/49948.JPG

I wasn't planning on cutting a circle. A square, roughly 18" x 18". I'll 'overcut' as needed. If it wasn't clearly said before, or obvious, I've never cut concrete this way before. I've run a jackhammer before, and would do so if I was planning on doing the whole job right now but here I am, just wanting to install posts for a gate.

I think jacking wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, I just wanted to do something clean, so that I could re-fill the hole cleanly and when I lay the rest of the driveway, it'd blend reasonably.

I should have titled this thread, "Curious George Fixes His House".

*insert car crash*

Seriously, I don't know what that is. Is that an air hammer? I don't have a compressor or tank - not that I wouldn't buy one if given the reason to, but I'd rather buy a welder first than an air compressor. I dunno - just more reason to weld than blast shit with air, I guess.

edit: Nevermind, I looked under "super duty" and found it.

Here's one.. http://daytona.craigslist.org/ers/651688514.html

Did I get Rick-Rolled?

*insert another car crash*

[jackjack]

I wasn't planning on cutting a circle. A square, roughly 18" x 18". I'll 'overcut' as needed.

If you had a compressor that lovely Snap-on air chisel would do the 18x18 square, depending on the thickness. There are chipping hammers that would be better suited, though. Electric versions are available and rentable.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/compare/cphamr5.html

I'd use a circular saw and a dry-cut diamond blade for something that size.
Blades are cheap if you've got a flea market near you, five bucks for a 7". Find a tag sale saw you don't mind destroying with the dust. They aren't made for the job, but will do that size cut before seizing.