Replies

1. 
   Stever | May 26, 2003 08:21pm | #1

   Omigosh!

   You should think of a Swamp Cooler (and all of the benefits associated therewith) as a blessing!  I wish I could have/use one for my covered outdoor work space :-(

   Have you ever tried to apply paints, stains and finishing materials when it's 110 degrees and the humidity is around 8 - 12% ?? -- it's (not) a whole lot of fun when the stuff dries on the brush before you can apply it to the work :-) 

   The swamp cooler will not only cool your work area, but add some humidity as well so your woods don't kiln-dry too fast and warp and split on you. 

   Lumber & Tool sources? Try the yellow pages.  There are a few "Borg" stores in town.  Mount Lemmon might be a good source for finding lost skis to build things out of -- just watch out for mountain lions and bears :-)   You could always make the 90-mile drive to Phoenix -- or even get a portable saw mill and "loiter" in the Dragoon Mountains near Tombstone :-) 

   Steve

   Penury is the Mother of Invention

   http://www.ApacheTrail.com/ww/

   Mesa, Arizona

2. 
   Sancho | May 27, 2003 05:17pm | #2

   What all I did was have coffee with you and I chased you outta town..wazzzup with that.....:>)

   BTW those were some ice chairs you built

    

   Darkworks:  Its all 'bout da squilla

1. 
   BiotechBill | May 28, 2003 01:34am | #3

   Well Ron..... you really should have showered before coffee! ;) Actually, I did my Ph.D. in Tucson and a job opportunity has come up that may be too good to pass up. Approx 20K increase in salary and the ability to sell my highly over priced Orange County house to clear a BUNCH of money (40% increase in value in 3.5 years). We can afford a larger house with a larger SHOP!

   As for the Swamp cooler, I did not take the lack of humidity into account as I did the excess humidity. Very good point.

   Dr. BillThey would not call it REsearch if you only had to do it once, that would be just search!

1. 
   Elcoholic | May 28, 2003 10:31pm | #4

   Did you see the latest mean housing costs for OC and LA counties this week.  Both went up 19.3% since last year.  Wow!  Do they get the August monsoon's in Tucson like in Phoenix?  My brother lives there and the swamp coolers don't do much good then.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   BiotechBill | May 28, 2003 11:19pm | #5

   John,

   Yes they do get monsoons in July, August and sometimes September. When the actual rain falls, it is just like a swamp cooler...the temp lowers and humidity increases. from 110 down to 98, but with 80% humidity. The worst time of year there. If you can stand those 3 months, southern AZ is a great place to live. We used to play league softball year round. The attraction of clearing over 100K on our house is quite strong. So if they offer the job, look out because here I come! The good thing is that they have the internet there too (I know its a surprise!), so you won't see a difference. Well Ron T. will since we live very close.

   Dr. Bill

   They would not call it REsearch if you only had to do it once, that would be just search!

1. 
   Elcoholic | May 29, 2003 10:59pm | #6

   Don't forget when you strap on that hogleg that it's illegal to wear a quick draw rig so don't tie it down to your thigh and you'll be just fine.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   BiotechBill | May 31, 2003 02:00am | #7

   I had the interview yesterday and it went VERY well. I'm just waiting for the offer letter to see what they are willing to spend. It should be pretty good, so it looks like I will be figuring how to air condition the new shop! My only dread....breaking down the shop for moving and then reassembling everything again while working in a new job!

   Dr. Bill

   They would not call it REsearch if you only had to do it once, that would be just search!

3. 
   mstens | Jun 01, 2003 11:20am | #8

   Welp, it's rained 2 of the last 3 days in a preliminary monsoonal type activity ;)   Personally I'm (I just moved back from CA myself) just going to run a swamp in the shop once I build it.  So far the swamps on havent caused any ill effects on the machinery (all of it's in my living room at the moment).  It's nice to be back, although I have to admit Tucson's a different town with a wife and kids than it was partying on University and 4th ;)

4. 
   BiotechBill | Jun 14, 2003 08:16am | #9

   Well, it is official. I have accepted the job and will be moving in July, just in time for the real heat! If the house we by does not have a SEPARATE building for my workshop, SWMBO has authorized the construction of said building. She WILL NOT share the garage with the shop again.....Oh Darn!

   Dr. BillThey would not call it REsearch if you only had to do it once, that would be just search!