Hose Crimper:

My granddaughter likes to make hoses and run the crimp machine for me and she does a right fine job. Never had one blow an end off and although only 10 years old, she has been doing this for about three years when the need arises. We had a little problem just a couple of months ago which I've finally got rectified. I was needing several 1" hoses made and crimped so saved the job back so she could do it. Unfortunately, (and it's my fault) she didn't know there are more than one type of crimp fittings in the cabinet. The "430" series is a "bite to the wire" high pressure type, and I typically use the standard "U" series type fittings. These call for different collet, spacer ring, and bowl series to be used. Looking in the manual as taught, she picked the collet, spacer ring, bowl, and 1" fittings she needed. Usually I get everything lined out and she only measures and cuts the hose, then installs and crimps the end(s). This time I let her run the job start to finish without oversight.

After donning gloves, and face shield, she cut a hose to length, assembled both the machine, and hose to fitting, but upon running the press to initiate the crimp, I, (from across the shop) heard three loud "bangs" with one being a ricochet of something off a sidewall. Strolling over to the crimp machine I find her almost in tears as she is pulling the deformed hose and fitting from the press. I then notice the collet is destroyed. Now I may be one cold and hard sumbitch, but it would take someone much colder than I to be mad at someone who made an honest mistake. After comforting, I showed her the correct collet, bowl, and spacer ring to use per the manual for the 430 series fitting and she cut another section of hose, then assembled fittings onto the hose without further adieu. All good. We had to use the higher pressure fittings as I didn't want to chance hurting or scratching my crimping bowl.

Here a few photos but I'll protect the innocent:

Crimper her and I assembled onto this cabinet and rolling cart I modified from an equipment tearout I kept the parts from:





Destroyed collet with three segments broken out, and two others fractured:





Replacement collet is still available from Eaton/Weatherhead but they cannot sell direct to me. Suggested I try Fastenal, (yeah, right) so went to Napa who can order it. Too expensive at $407.00 for me I'm thinking so I call a friend out in VA whom works at a hydraulic shop. They have a lightly used one so I sent a $105.00 for it shipped and all will be good again.

Granddaughter is ecstatic I was able to resolve the issue. I've not needed any other 1" hoses so not been a problem but have several to make in other sizes once I bring that old Clark backhoe to the shop.

I try to keep the granddaughters engaged with me as much as possible. Daughter in law seldom is happy when her kids are involved, but she keeps her trap shut as they always go after daughter's kids.

Tell her the cost of that collet will come out of her pay!
Three years experience on the job should be more than enough to get it right!

That one is an "up and comer" for sure. Supreme confidence once taught something and reinforced through actual production to the point of telling me what I've done wrong.....

I've found I no longer need to run get the skid steer any longer either, but we are still working on it's proper usage and control as it's really easy to damage things in close proximity. Quite versed running my winch truck but it's a stretch due to physical limitations, (size).

Skid loader training at seven years old:

I love getting the kids involved early. My son (7) will hear me fire up a chainsaw, drop what he is doing, and come find me to see how he can help. I introduced the backhoe controls on my 310A to him when he was 5. He will not run it by himself, but will happily run controls and dig a hole if I'm in the seat. His confidence is growing, and I'm sure it won't be long before he is trying to run the whole machine without me.

colson04 said:

I love getting the kids involved early. My son (7) will hear me fire up a chainsaw, drop what he is doing, and come find me to see how he can help. I introduced the backhoe controls on my 310A to him when he was 5. He will not run it by himself, but will happily run controls and dig a hole if I'm in the seat. His confidence is growing, and I'm sure it won't be long before he is trying to run the whole machine without me.

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Her dad is woodworker so she spends a lot of time in the garage/shop with him too. Far too many parents shove their kids off on some babysitter or activity rather than spend "quality time" with them directly which is something I/we, (wife and I) just will not do. Each will get their turns learning with me on the industrial/commercial side of life, and grandma teaches them more about sewing and academics than I'll ever know, (or wish to) so a pretty fair balance.

It always pleases me to hear of folks spending family time with their kids no matter the activity. This time when they are young and impressionable cannot be replaced at a later date.

Tell her to come work for us our hose monkey is slower than a postal worker on Valium. I bet even at 10 she’d be faster and better.

Perhaps you could demonstrate to her how easy and dangerous doing a wheelie with a skid-steer can be.

Tinkerer said:

Perhaps you could demonstrate to her how easy and dangerous doing a wheelie with a skid-steer can be.

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I really don't do, or condone that. Equipment abuse is actually what I refer to it as and have never "wheelied" one myself so would be no authority to teach that scenario.

She knows to back the tractor onto the trailer with forks on as it's too light in the front without the bucket too. We learned that very early on in the ownership when I was looking at the sky as it rolled back onto it's counterweights and stayed there when I was loading forward.

I don't/ won't condone it either.
But, I think if a person has never seen it happen and are not aware of the danger, it could eventually happen unintentionally.
I was quite surprised the first time I did it.

I just acquired one of those crimpers, my Kimball Midwest guy said they can get me any extra dies I might need since they are an Eaton/Weatherhead rep.

I hadn't made hoses for a long time with this Gate's machine they had at one place I worked and I stood there for about 20 min to figure out I had the die stack upside down lol duh.

I'm surprised that the crimper has so much pressure it can cause the dies to fail like that. I assumed that they were protected with a relief valve or lack of motor power. Otherwise I'd expect to see this happen more often. ISZ

icestationzebra said:

I'm surprised that the crimper has so much pressure it can cause the dies to fail like that. I assumed that they were protected with a relief valve or lack of motor power. Otherwise I'd expect to see this happen more often. ISZ

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The "430" series fittings are quite a bit physically larger than the standard "U" series. The correct bowl, and collet are larger to accommodate these differences. She used a standard "U" series collet and bowl so the collet did not enter the bowl and when it cocked under pressure, something had to give. Typically one runs the press till it bottoms out and the relief spills over and the handle is released with spring pressure retracting the ram so it is protected when used withing parameters. This time it was not so I can't fault equipment. Only training and that's on me.

I have 3 boys and when they were little they did everything with me. Working on my truck, working on the house, working with the backhoe, we had so much fun together. Then, when my middle boy turned 7, the mother in law came by (unannounced to me) with a gaming console. That was the end. I felt I lost my kids that day.

doublewide said:

I have 3 boys and when they were little they did everything with me. Working on my truck, working on the house, working with the backhoe, we had so much fun together. Then, when my middle boy turned 7, the mother in law came by (unannounced to me) with a gaming console. That was the end. I felt I lost my kids that day.

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They get that too but it is not allowed to become all encompassing. Scheduled times to play games or "down time", studies, and more activity time, (fun) and then some television, or movies. Both of my kids, and the grandkids are very accustomed to the lifestyles and really don't buck the trend at all. Kindness and compassion have been instilled in all of them. Sure they do things wrong too, but what kid doesn't? We've been consistent in expectations and certainly plan to stay that way, so hopefully the path can be stayed upon.

Sounds like the granddaughter has a work ethic few her age do. Parts can be replaced, I'm glad she wasn't injured, that was my fear while reading. I have fond memories of loading rifle rounds for my Grandpa in his basement with the press at about that age.

Here is some of the "down time" along with my youngest granddaughter:

1693TA said:

Here is some of the "down time" along with my youngest granddaughter:

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Glad to see she has the proper safety device in case of an accident!

kshansen said:

Glad to see she has the proper safety device in case of an accident!

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Usually the helmets and seatbelts are employed but I didn't know they'd went to the garage and grabbed the go kart till I heard it running around the yard. That was the first I'd seen of them but you can see the fright and reservation they have riding this thing.....

She's gonna be happy:

Friend found a serviceable spare and unneeded "U" series collet so shipped it to me to replace the broken original. It was slightly rusty being kept in a service truck for years. I removed the segments from the rubber cage(s):



Tossed everything into one of my small tumble blasters with glass beads:



Five minutes later:



Good enough for who it's for:



Next time I'm phosphate treating recycled fasteners for automotive restorations, I'll throw these in the vat to chemically blacken them up again. I typically keep these in a "ZipLock" food storage container which is air tight so they don't flash rust greasing the crimping bowl these fit before each use.

I can hardly wait to break the news to her.

Rereading my post(s) and thinking I need to clarify a bit:

I now have three of these 1" "U" series collets meaning the broken original, and two replacements. I didn't realize till this morning the one I'd purchased from Virginia had showed up at home on Monday. I'll drop it back in the UPS box for return as won't be a problem getting the $$$ back.

The collet shown blasted did not cost anything being donated.