What's everyone's background?

[Mustang Dave]

I'm a machinist with an Electrical Engineering degree. My specialty is Wire EDM. I don't need the EE degree to run this Wire EDM, but it doesn't hurt...

[China Monkey]

Originally Posted by Intrigued

Yeowza!! Man, that's cold!!! Us silly Americans still haven't caught up with the rest of the world on measurements, so I went to convertit.com to see just how cold that is. Here is the printout:

-35 Celsius degree =
-31.0000000000001 Fahrenheit degree
(thermodynamic temperature)

Now besides getting a laugh from all the decimal points...

31 Below Zero!!! Man, that's like living in Alaska in the winter!!! Are you up high in the mountains, or way up north, or both???

On the fertile dongbei plains - just way north. only thing north of me is siberia but then its also to the south east as well LOL!! not rice paddies here but do have some great skiing.
the ice and snow festival is mind blowing so is watching tigers eat at the local park. Its a nice place

[gabe502000]

Hello! I just recently retired (in 2006) from three million miles of driving a truck. (to all 48 states and into beautiful Canada.) I've been licensed to repair aircraft since 1979, made 30,000 pizzas for Dominos Pizza, Have driven a Taxi at night while in College, been a Janitor, + driven a School Bus..... I started riding two wheeled vehicles in 1969, and have logged serious "Tent & Sleeping bag" miles on bicycles, mopeds, scooters, and 5 or 6 different motorclcles. My current ride, a '07 Yamaha C3 Scooter is as good a peice of equiptment as I've ever owned, and the best money I've ever spent! I'm about finished modding it, (with a Dr.Pulley variator, and DP 3gr (soon to be 4gr) sliding weights, Bridgestone 120/90-10 front tire+ 130/90-10 rear,and a jiangewayne exhaust system. I expect top speed approaching 50mph, and economy near 117 mpg with the 4gr weights. We'll see.

[cirwintech]

I'm Chris, with a 97,Geo Metro with a lot of body rot
I'm a Tech Suport Specialist wh doesnt mind getting his hands dirty, I paint, sculpt and am a basic Jack of all Trades I've got alot of work to do on my car so nows the time to think about Mods. My goal is to make The Metro cool and efficient bo I can be happy with it and yet not embaraced to drive it right now it's pretty sad. You folks have a nice group here so I think I'll learn a few things

[Kaoru]

Student at first year of automotive engineering LOL high school graduated in computer science and I also make some music =)

[OwenThursday]

I've just found your site, after it was forwarded to me by a colleague. I work in an air quality program in the Midwest. I'm certainly no gearhead, of any type.

And I have some questions about this group, actually, maybe just one question-- are you at all concerned about the emissions from the vehicles? Just because a vehicle gets great or even amazing fuel mileage doesn't mean it is less polluting. For example, motorcycles produce more emissions than cars, yet generally get much better mileage. EPA established new emissions requirements in motorcycles in 2003, beginning with the 2006 model year; I think it was the first time these had been updated in 25 years.

High mileage is great, but if people are serious about "green" vehicles then you should consider emissions. Maybe it's on the site and I haven't found it yet, if so, please point it out to me.

Thanks

[groar]

Originally Posted by OwenThursday

High mileage is great, but if people are serious about "green" vehicles then you should consider emissions. Maybe it's on the site and I haven't found it yet, if so, please point it out to me.

Yes, some of us are concerned about pollution.

As there is different kind of pollutions, there is different kind of consequences. IMHO the worst pollutants aren't the more visible.

Yes diesel generate more particles than gasoline, but particles emitted today will soon disappear (cf London city toll and asthma regression). France has more diesel vehicles than gasoline ones, Diesel Filter Particles are rare and I don't count all the trucks that are traveling through France... Despite this in France transport is the third particle emitter after heating and agriculture, and our sky is always blue.

IMHO CO2 is the worst pollutant emitted by vehicles because any CO2 emitted now will always be present during several generations. As CO2 is proportional to consumption (in L/100), consuming less is emitting less.

Now in an ecological point of view, you must also look at the recycled material used in your car, how much of your car can be recycled and what are the costs of building and recycling the car.

Even if I'm driving a 12 years old Euro II diesel, it's better to use it while it doesn't generate more particles than it was conceived to because recycling a vehicle and building a new one use a lot of energy. But I'm the first to correct anybody talking about "clean diesel" as only "cleaner diesel" exist nowadays.

If you want to talk more about that, please open a dedicated thread.

Denis.

[thaelin]

Been hanging out reading the diy controller thread. I have for the last 2 years been playing with electric bikes and such. No cars to date but then I have not had the funds either. Nice pickup would be a great toy for sure.
As you see in my pic, I did a chop bike and had a fun time but too heavy for it to move far. Need a lighter frame and a inwheel motor to do it better. And a "good controller" like pauls. great thing he is doing.

I do CNC for a living on the night shift. Its a rough job but, hey some one has to do it.

thaelin

[Dean]

Librarian
Butcher
Engine reconditioner
Furniture delivery
Trades assit.
Industrial corroision prevention
House framer
Galvinisor assit.
Copper plant/ Crane driver/ Tech
Steel Worker (current)
Ecomodder

Dean

[hamsterpower]

Originally Posted by nigelfrazer

I'm a Helicopter Pilot Instructor, though I'm just in the process of applying for recruitment into the NZ Police.

Just when I thought I'd have a different job...

I too am a helicopter pilot by trade.
I also have the mind of an engineer, but no formal training.
I've been a truck driver, mover, teacher, cnc operator, wood worker, office temp, payroll manager, glacier tour guide, and my favorite- stay at home dad.

Ps. my copter averages 12 gal/hour and my civic averages 12 gallons / 2 months.