Longhorn Hoss,

lol...yes, you can blame me for that. Just don't blame for the the construction. The constractor is to blame for that. We just design what our client wants.

 

Hey BlueFlareside, I'm a CE too, I bet it's getting tough to build anything in Florida due to the Corps wetland and stream regs... In our developments, we pretty much avoid streams altogether now or completely span the "Waters of the US" to avoid any fills.

[This message has been edited by 2000 F150 4x4 (edited 06-19-2001).]

 

Yet another CE steps into the ring... I'm a water resources engineer up here in Minnesota - Land of 10,000 lakes (although there really is more than that - just don't remember the number!). I design drainage facilities like storm sewer and ponds for all sorts of reasons - including highway construction.

I always love the "its the engineers fault" arguement. I will admit there are plenty of idiot engineers out there (I deal with them every day), but most of the time when something comes out half-baked, theres more to it than the engineer. Like money, or politics, or some rule or reg, etc ....

The way I like to look at it is: Give me an unlimited budget, the power to make every decision, the power to wipe out everthing that might be in my way, and I'll give you the perfect solution that will never, ever flood. Funny thing is, it doesn't work that way! People would revolt if they had to pay taxes that high to support the 'best' engineering solution all the time.

So, not everything can be blamed on the engineer all the time - just some of it!

 

2000 F150 4x4,
Yes, it is pretty tough on new road construction because in Central Florida just about any open corridor for a road is filled with wetlands. I do a lot of work for the Expressway Authority in Orlando and FDOT.

gopher,
I know what you mean. If only we could design what our clients really need to care care of traffic but most of them cannot afford it. The only ones who come close are private entities like Expressways (toll roads) and Disney.

It's great that there are at least a couple of other CE's out there. Do both of you have your PE license? Got mine in '99 (graduated in '94).

[This message has been edited by BlueFlareside (edited 06-20-2001).]

 

Well, I'm an engineer (electrical), and I've seen more than enough engineers that have absolutely no common sense. They are only 'book smart' and don't have enough common sense to come in out of the rain. When I interview a guy to see if he's worth a darn and can think on his feet I ask what his hobbies are. If he has no technical hobbies at all and is just into 'fufu' activities I know he won't work out when the going starts getting tough.

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- 2001 F150 Harley Davidson Special
- 1993 Mazda Miata, wifes car
- 1994 Harley Davidson Heritage
- 1976 Honda CB750K, Original
- 1965 Honda 305 Dream, Original
- 1971 Triumph Trophy 650, Original
- 1971 Norton Commando
- 1970 Honda Trail 90, Original
- Yamaha 500 Short Tracker, racing #69
- 1984 Yamaha Virago 1000, wifes bike
- 1981 Honda Passport 70, wifes bike

 

Good point lrutt ! I have been hiring mechanical / electrical engineers for many years now and I always depend upon the "hobbies" question to evaluate true capability. Here's a few that are usually good:

-Model airplane / car construction and flying / driving.
-Car / truck buff, (like us here ! !) Restoration projects a plus!
-Have / had go-karts & mini-bikes (oh yeah...gotta love those old Honda's ! !)
-Construction projects
-Folks raised in the country...and exposed to farm equipment etc.
-Active boaters.

This has proven itself time after time for me. I'm mechanical and been in manufacturing a long time making powertrain components for Ford, GM, and DaimlerChrysler.

 

BlueFlareside - No PE yet, just a lowly EIT for the moment. I go for my PE Next year. In the meantime, someone elses sig always goes on the plans, reports, etc...

By the way - nice tastes in your selection of a truck!

 

The horror stories continue. I popped the outlet side out on the second try and two hours later the inlet finally released!

 

If you think Ford truck fuel filters are a pain in the A** to change, be thankful you don't own a late model Dodge truck----the fuel filters on those are located in the fuel tank! Talk about a Engineering blunder!


JJ

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2000 F150 XLT,Reg.Cab,LB,4.6,4R70W,3.55 F/D,Island Blue/Silver,Med.Graphite Int.,Keyless Entry,SRW,O/H console,All Pwr,CC,Ford soft Bed Cover,Sport Steps,Tow Pkg.,CD player,Prem.Cast Wheels

 

I will admit that the fuel filter can be as hard to get off as trying to find the door **** on an igloo. That is if you don'T know what you are doing and don't have the tools. It should take no more than 5 minutes to change on on our trucks. If it does you are doing some thing wrong. I applaude the engineer who designed these neet quick release fitings. BTW the first time I changed one I was cussing and swearing too.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

------------------
SEE us play;
http://www.F150world.com/michapter/
00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Hedman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips

 

george:
I'm just a lowly ME (graduated a year ago after working as a welder/diver since '85) but I'd ace your interview criteria. I'll be coming to see you when I finish my MS in about 18 months. We have the same first name so I'm in ... right?

Blueflareside:
You were the inspiration for my Expy console install. Did you ever see the gauge setup that I have in the console? I think you'll like it.

As for the topic at hand ... whenever I'm swinging wrenches and something isn't going right I usually start cursing the ##%@ing engineers that worked on the design. Let's face it, engineers screw up all the time, and the number one reason is that many have never had any "real world" experience. You wouldn't believe the number of blueprints I've laughed at due to some impossible weld that an engineer has included. I think it should be mandatory for graduating engineers to spend 12 months out in the field with the "grunts".

As an aside, I decided to get a degree in ME after completion of the movie set for Kevin Costner's "Waterworld". I was welding/cutting/diving on that project for close to 5 months ... 12 hour days, seven days a week in 90F temperatures. Now when I weld, it's because I want to. I have a couple of Miller machines at home and just spent yesterday modifying a brushguard/winch to fit my Wrangler ... argh, argh, argh (ala Tim Taylor).

As for the fuel filter. The reason for the "overkill" with regards to the metal band that holds the filter is probably so that the filter stays in place during an accident. The last thing we want is for the fuel line to separate from the filter. This could be a disaster waiting to happen.

And for all you CEs. You realize that God is a CE right? Why else would he have put a playground next to a sewage facility when he designed Eve!!!

An old joke ... but a good one.

------------------
'00 5.4L AUTO 4X4 F-150 Lariat
'98 4.0L 5spd Jeep Wrangler Sport
'02 F-350 PSD CC DRW 6SPD 4X4 Lariat (order this year)
www.hawthorn-engineering.com

 

Hehe the way my degree is comin' along I've got ALL common sense but no booksmarts One of the guys I work with was trying to operate a pallete jack by holdoing the lever down and pumping away like a madman. The directions are on there plain as day. (Push the lever away from you to allow you to jack it up.) I said "Have you NEVER operated a palette jack before?" and included some "you must be an idiot" stares. He seems to know what he's doing as far as relevant "book smarts" but when it comes to common everday matters I'm surprised he can feed himself.



------------------

 

Hey Jean, do you possibly have any lift on your truck. I am looking to put the same size tires on mine but I am worried about the rubbing factor. Do you have any of those problems. Oh, and to respond to the comment, I would assume it would take five minutes to do a job like that but when a mechanic at a "Quick Lube" oil place can't even remove it in less than 45 minutes, it's kind of sad.

Please let me know about that lift thing.

Jason

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97' F150 4x4 4.2L V6
3.55 Gears
K&N Filter, Superchip
Flowmaster Dual exhaust
265-75-R16 BFG TA/KO
2 12" JL subs w/ 300W Kenwood amp

 

gah,

I saw one picture of a console with the HVAC controls there but I am not sure if I have seen yours. Shoot me an e-mail with some pictures and I will add it to my Expy Console FAQ (if that is alright with you). I am trying to cover any and every question that may come up concerning the Expy console and any amenities. Check it out in my signature.

My e-mail is scmc75@netzero.net

I can relate to all of those people who know an engineer with only booksmarts and no real world experience. In my field there are a lot of engineers who have no idea how a road is built or a paver works. Knowing how the contractor will build it is essential to a good design. I grew up in rural Michigan around big farm equipment so I love to go out to jobsites and learn what all of the machinery can and cannot do so that I can take that into account when I do the design.

Here is a rendering of a job outside of Austin, TX that I just finished.


[This message has been edited by BlueFlareside (edited 06-25-2001).]

 

You can't be serious.....leave Hawaii for the mainland?????