How to get any work done

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I'm sure some of you guys run into this problem, your trying to get work done, and every Tom **** and Henry drops by.Just seems, someone leaves and then another person drops in.  I get working, then have to stop.My line of work is not conductive to working and talking at the same time, short of welding all the doors shut, I am finding it harder to get in a full days work.  Thats my beef today, I needed a full day to get what I needed to get done, and only got half way there today.Here is a pic of a weld that I did this morning, I switched over to tri-mix gas as I ran out last nite.  Welds better, very little splatter too.  To boot, I got the bottle free.This is some brackets, I built for a trailer, the metal is old and rusted, so I had to grind down to clean surface.  I run the good equipment, Lincoln, hah that should stir something up.  Is that racist???????????? Attached ImagesThere's a method to the madness, disregard the method and the madness begins!!
Reply:Coupla questions:1.  Why did you grind?  Why not wire wheel it?  What kind of grinder did you use, 4" with heavy grinding wheel, sanding wheel?2.  Why is the HAZ so much thicker up above than down low.  I assume because you were going slower up above, but your weld looks quite uniform to me.This is in no way a criticism.  I'm a total newb and this is for information for me.Overall, looks great to me, of course!  Pretty funny that you can't say Di ck.  I guess you should have said Richard.
Reply:hand them a grinder and a pair of gloves and make the visitors work.......you will soon be all alone.A true democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for lunch.
Reply:I was thinking of posting something about insurance or company requirements then buying some really uncomfortable hardhats & goggles for all visitors to wear.
Reply:what type of tri mix gas were you using?been curious about that stuff...theres like4-5 different types at the local Praxair...madmaxxx
Reply:How about a strip search before anyone can enter the work area?
Reply:Nice looking weld Big,i used the have the same thing when i ran my shop here a home.Some time's u just to tell them in a nice away to go away!!!
Reply:Tell'em that it isn't a good time to stop & visit, that you need to get these jobs done, so give you a call later.Normally people will get the hint. If they don't, do what Critter suggested. I know what you mean. It happens to me alot; normally with retired people. Sometimes I'll pull them up a chair & tell them that they're welcome to stay and watch, but I have to work right now & I probably wouldn't be to much company.  Most of the time that works. Every now & then I'll get one who will actually sit in the chair for about 10 min. & then decide that they better go.Good Luck!We need to hear more about how to handle these types of "customers".                                                    JohnP.S.   Give them hard chair.
Reply:From one of those customers:Most people can understand a tactful brush off.  I suggest developing a stage strategy and actually writing it down and sticking to it.  First go with the explanation, then try the chair, then hand them goggles and a grinder, etc... for example.It's important to me to talk to someone if they're doing work for me.  I do want information, and one-man job shops are attractive for the reason that they WILL talk to you.  IMO that's one of the reasons you're in business.  Shut that tap off completely, and you're destroying one of your selling points.  So be careful about this one.  You're walking the fine line btw customer service, and actual quality of work.  Perhaps if you explain that in a diplomatic way, you can get the point across.That said, like me, most retired folk are big blabbermouths and quite lonely.  Can be tuff sometimes with them, especially with the elder respect and stuff.  Glad I'm not in your shoes.  Good luck!
Reply:Tie up a pitbull by the door. Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:HEY BRAIN,  how did that job in new mexico go ? glad to see your back on the board....(sorry for jackin the thread )brian
Reply:i run into the chatty people all the time .....and sooner or later they try to tell you how to do the job....so what i end up doing is handing them my hood and my stinger and tell them well show me then....then they know they pushed it ...and they start double talking...then i tell them since you don't know what time a day it is shut up and sit there or leave. as you can see i never did pass plays well with others but i do get my point across.....and yes i do get repeat business
Reply:I grind that with a 4 1/2 inch air grinder, the rust was pretty thick.  The haz you mention, due to heat, well the line that I grinded was not the straightest and I think that accounts for that.  I was not too particular about these pieces as they go under a trailer, then undercoated anyhow.Wire wheel would not  budge the rust as it was that thick.  Regarding the tri-mix, yeah its good.  My sales rep told me the percentage, and it escapes me right now.  My buddy turned me onto it as he does alot of stainless.  Yup frustrating day again today, due to people people and more people, I swear, I would lay down one inch of weld, then another person comes through the door.  This is getting to be a problem.  I like the suggestions, and I am going to have to implement something.  I always make time for the older guys though, does not matter how busy I am, as I enjoy their visit.  I am considering a sign of some sort.There's a method to the madness, disregard the method and the madness begins!!
Reply:We have a nick name for our local farmers elevator, allot of guys will gather there and shoot the BS,,,  Adult day care center,,,,  Rich
Reply:Yup,, I have those projects all ready where I "just need a hand",, glad you stopped by,, hawww.urkafarms.com
Reply:Maybe You need a "liar's bench" set up OUTSIDE the shop,where the loafers could set and talk with each  other...
Reply:hire this cuttie as your official garage "girl" Attached ImagesA true democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for lunch.
Reply:Wow!  Did you find her from an online dating service?  I had a simular experience but after a few fifth's everything was okay.   As for NM, the project is going to start in about 2 weeks.  I've found out alot of information on what to do and what procedures to follow.  The jobs on track, just a little behind.-MikeCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:nm is pretty cool i really liked santa fe and all the old cars were great!!!!!good luck, are you flyin or drivin? brian
Reply:My customer helper was in again this morning right at seven am, he brought his pickup truck this morning, so that made him the delivery boy today.  I needed a whole bunch of paint picked up in another town about 45 minutes away, guess who went.I need now, to figure a way to bill him out for shop rate???????I think I might have gotten  onto a good thing here.I'm thinking now of slowing down the progress on his truck, so that I can work the guy all week.  lol.  I ll buy him lunch of friday.  lol.One thing I need to know, if he shows up late, am I politically correct to give him heck???????????There's a method to the madness, disregard the method and the madness begins!!
Reply:The way  see it is that he is going to get a way better job on his truck if you are not occupied on the grunt work, you can pay more attn to other details.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:I'll fly.  They will provide all accomidations.  The job has taken a few turns since my first post.  The welding end of it has gone from 1.5 million to a 3 million dollar deal.  I've never worked on something so big before.  I've heard that the whole project is around 300 million. But I'm not sure if all of that is in NM.-MikeCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:So where in NM is this?Is it the new cheese plant in Clovis?