If you're going to dig a trench, a simpler solution would be to run conduit in the floor then run the 12 AWG extension cord through the conduit. Plug too large to fit? Lop off the plug and add your own AFTER passing it through the conduit. Fill in the trench with concrete.
No steel plate. No recess needed. No magnetic latches to deal with. A lot less fussy.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Hi Tom,
Your suggestion would certainly work but I'm not sure if it would be much easier. My idea with the rubber cord protector and a steel plate doesn't require any new concrete and I think there would be less concrete removal needed, although it would have to be more accurate to get things to fit properly.
The magnetic 'latches' are simply round magnets and round steel washers. The magnets would be epoxied onto the steel plate to keep them from moving around, and the washers would be epoxied to the concrete. They can be stacked if needed to get the height correct.
I will speak to my contractor to see which option would be easiest.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
They make a rubber gap filler for concrete floors to fill in over a gut gap, use the KISS principal.
Hi rrebell,
I don't want to do anything that would suggest that the electrical cord is permanently fixed in place.
My contractor said that using a steel plate sounds like a good idea. I have ordered a 4" x 48" x 3/16" steel plate. The concrete can be cut cleanly using a 4 1/2" cup style disc in a grinder.
I think your idea would work, in theory. It would be all about workmanship - I for one would not have the skills to make a trench with such precision, i.e., with the necessary side shoulders in the trench to hold the plate securily and level. There is probably rock in your cement - cutting that with precision would require a lot of skill.
Simon
Hi Simon,
The steel plate is only 3/16" thick so it really doesn't need to be recessed into the floor for the wheelchair to roll over it. However, the office chair wouldn't roll over that height because the wheels are much smaller.
Cutting the indent level should be relatively straight forward. We will use a cupped 4 1/2" grinding disc designed specifically for leveling and smoothing concrete. The 'cup' allows the grinder to sit square to the surface thereby eliminating any chiseling . The cup can also be used on its side to cut the deeper trench. At least, that's the theory!
hon30critterHowever, the office chair wouldn't roll over that height because the wheels are much smaller.
Dave, you can get aftermarket office chair wheels. My friend has 8" pneumatic wheels on his office chair, that he uses in his basement with an uneven floor.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Thanks Brent.
Great idea! The larger office chair wheels will negate the need to recess the plate into the floor at all. We only have to cut the cable trench.
You're welcome Dave. Here is a little something to help you pass the time, beats staring at the ceiling.
While I was exploring wall storage options I came across a paneling system by a company called Trusscore. They make PVC 16" wide corrugated smooth wall and ceiling panels up to 20' long, and they make slat wall panels as well.
Their installations look very sleek and professional, and the installation process is much cleaner and faster than drywall. There is no taping, filling and sanding of the joints and screws. The Trusscore mounting screws are all hidden and there are trim strips for all of the seams.
My contractor has agreed to doing two quotes, one for drywall and the other for the Trusscore system. I'm sure that the Trusscore system will be more expensive but if it is within reason, the professional appearance would justify the extra money and it would certainly enhance the value of the house.
As a bonus, the company is located in Ontario.
Big change of direction!
One of the nice things about being stuck in the hospital is having lots of time to read. So, I have been reading about the Trusscore panels and I have come across quite a few negative reviews. In fact, close to 20% of the reviews are rated at 2 out of 5 or lower. The comments range from being tricky to install to lack of durability, and perhaps most important, poor appearance. The panels would also cost about $2000 more than drywall.
For those reasons I have decided to stay with drywall. My contractor's drywall person is an artist! The work he did for us in our kitchen and dining room was flawless. He even took the time to straighten a section of the living room wall that was crooked at no extra charge.
This business of sitting around in a hospital is getting expensive! I just ordered 64 sq. ft. of slatwall to replace some old masonite pegboard and the crude hanging system for some long handled garden tools. If I like it I'll put a panel above the workbench as well.
Where did Dave go?
I don't blame you for asking. What happened was that the server at the hospital bit the dust and the IT technicians are still workiing on it. I also picked up a bug that left me left me with a very thick head and a fever. My sense of balance is way off the mark, and it has taken more than 45 minutes just compose.
hon30critterWhat happened was that the server at the hospital bit the dust and the IT technicians are still workiing on it.
Are they the same guys that are working on the forum issues?
Hi maxman!
That's a disturbing question
I am now in a private room! I'm going to be kept for another 2-3 days. They have finall realized what is causing all of my oddball problems like fatigue and muscle pain, bloated stomach and flu like symptoms. I have low sodium. It should be easy to treat but it will two or three days.
It is not an oversight by the lab. When I came in the levels were fine and they stayed that way for 3-4 days. The reason it dropped off was that I had stopped eating at all for two days and then I was put on a sodium free diet for another 4 days
They are keeping me until I am stabilized which shouldn't take too long.
hon30critterThey are keeping me until I am stabilized which shouldn't take too long. Cherrs!!
That's good news! Keep the body recovering and do what the docs tell you to do!
York1 John
Low sodium? Tonight's dinner special will be low carb beer with heaping side plates of potato chips and chocolate coated salted pretzels.
Hi maxman.
I'm kind of glad that you are not my dietitian. The light beer doesn't appeal to me, and ever other beer will have alcohol. Livers can also suffer what is called "fatty liver disease" which is more common than cirrhosis and equally deadly.
hon30critter Hi maxman! That's a disturbing question I am now in a private room! I'm going to be kept for another 2-3 days. They have finall realized what is causing all of my oddball problems like fatigue and muscle pain, bloated stomach and flu like symptoms. I have low sodium. It should be easy to treat but it will two or three days. It is not an oversight by the lab. When I came in the levels were fine and they stayed that way for 3-4 days. The reason it dropped off was that I had stopped eating at all for two days and then I was put on a sodium free diet for another 4 days They are keeping me until I am stabilized which shouldn't take too long. Cheers!! Dave
I don't see you complaining about the chips and the chocolate covered pretzel.
Hi maxman,
I'll save those for a special day. I have to keep in mind that the chips and the chocotate pretzels share lots of fat which can cause liver problems.
The good thing is that the cirrhosis will allow me to live a 'normal' lifestyle, albeit somewhat restricted in culinary choices.
I'll take this further off topic, but I remember in high school, our locker room had a salt tablet dispenser on the wall. I think today that is considered dangerous. I haven't seen those since the 1960s.
It tasted great after a hot, sweaty session on the practice field.
Dave, hope your recovery continues and you can come home soon.
Still stuck in the hospital waiting for my sodium level to stabilize.
Thoughts & Prayers for a speedy recovery and t be home soon.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Hi David,
Thank you for your thoughts. I wish all the best for you and Dawn as well.
I have to say that, despite the long list of medical issues that I have experienced throughout my adult life, I still have a very positive and hopeful outlook. You seem to share that approach.
I say "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!!"
Trouble these days are you have to be your own doctor to some extent. Wife had severe issues and doc's and all their tests did not fix, we did. Turns out she was extreamly allergic to vitimin D supliments and the new recomandation for such was what caused the proublem.
Wife and I have been watching House lately - seemed there was an epidose doing the first season about a vitamin deficiency. In my wifes case, she had muscle weakness when she was living in England - north and not much natural sunlight. She was prescribed mega doses of Vit D. It helped. Since she imigrated to Virginia, we have lots of sun exposure and it hasn't been generally a problem since then.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I have let the contractor know that I am back at home. Hopefully he and his electrician can come by next week to get the details needed to finalize the quote.
I spent the day relaxing on the deck. There was a beautiful warm breeze from the south, and I just put my feet up and chilled.
Tomorrow, it's back to work on the garage!
Glad to hear you are back home.
Mike