Workin on junk

[@danjohnson1172]

Haters are going to hate. I like watching how you keep the old stuff alive.

[@obfuscated3090]

@@iridium8341 If it makes me money I'll work on anything.

[@daleburrell6273]

​@@obfuscated3090...well, that's ONE way of looking at it...(!)

[@WACRE44]

It came out of the ground

[@farmin4468]

Most “normal” people don’t understand not being an employee. Thanks for another super interesting video Zach!

[@TheZachLife]

This is 100% the deal.

[@demartin5366]

Another great video, Zach. Thanks for always taking us along with you. I like the way you "talk" to us like we are standing right beside you. You make your work look so easy and its great to see you enjoy it so much. I am learning so much about working in the oil fields watching you. I am glad you are getting this lease a second chance. Keep these oil field videos coming. Always a joy to see a new "ZachLife" video.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks, Thanks for watching.

[@shawnantel8238]

I absolutely love watching your videos! Learn something new every time. Maybe if other people would learn to just make it work with what you have available(the farmer way) this country would be better

[@arthurbrumley5186]

Those of us that can keep junk running will win in the end!! Keep up the hard work and I hope that you keep sharing it with us!!

[@TheZachLife]

That's the plan!

[@racerdude7149]

Funny thing is most of this is not junk… it’s just old, and frankly, old stuff was built to last…. With a little tlc

[@davidskiffington7039]

Zach, you say you’re an oilman, and you are, but you are spiritually identical to a farmer! I have an old water pump that feeds my cattle, it’s about 80 years old and the weld on its cast iron head has held for 15 years in spite of me using 7018 rods because that’s all I had on a Saturday evening. Not every job is a space shuttle mission. Good enough is good enough.

[@TheZachLife]

Haha that needs to be a t-shirt.

[@Zt3v3]

Not every job is a space shuttle mission. Well put friend.

[@greenerell484]

yes but on the other hand some jobs do need to be done 'right'

[@robertsprafke9376]

You and your business is what made the USA the greatest country it once was. As a kid at 17 years old I worked for a guy like you in LA California servicing about sixty wells and tank farms in town. Even then in 1973 the public generally hated us every day because they thought we were dirty and greedy. We were constantly being persecuted for one thing or another. They never took time to realize that there was no town there when those wells were drilled and put in service, and without the revenue from this specific business there would be no town. God bless the independent oil companies.

[@TIMMEH19991]

I just love those thrustless herringbone cut gears. Invented by Andre Citroën of the Citroën car company. If you look on the front of their cars, there are two herringbone teeth. Another great video. Thanks for uploading!

[@markhobby7481]

It's called Adapt, Improvise and Overcome! You got it going man, it'll probably run for the rest of the life of the well.

[@RODALCO2007]

Fantastic work Zach, those 47 minutes flown by. Your engineering skills are superb, getting these machines going again. The dipstick is brilliant, easy to check. It is what demartin says, standing beside you in the workshop and on-site.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@SFZ6hp]

I like keeping the old stuff running also, I collect and restore old flywheel engines. The old stuff was built to be repaired, not thrown away. Great video Zach.

[@TheZachLife]

I agree I like old stuff.

[@TexasStormChaser]

You're not an oil man, you're a real man. Keep up the good work!

[@clintonmississippi2108]

Zach, I also really enjoy watching you repair the old oil field equipment. That's one thing I don't know anything about so I am learning a lot. Sam

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome thanks for watching.

[@jimshives8557]

I have great respect for you. You make things work and not everyone can do that. I worked in the oil patch almost 40 years. Started as a roustabout, worked well service rigs and earned my Journeyman Electric license. So I enjoy your videos a bunch.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks for watching.

[@peter7624]

Zach, you' ve been doing this stuff for years and you know what works. Remember no matter what you post on the 'net, someone will disagree with it just because they can. Great video, thanks for posting.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@arlynsmith9196]

I love your channel and I appreciate and respect the way you work. I retired after a 20 year p;olikce career in a urban area and if I had been a safety maven I would never have gotten out of the car. Safety first is one of the phrases that really sets me off. Good work!

[@lt1nut]

Thank you for serving your community, that career has become an unbearable job in many locations. (Source -- My best friend is a retired Deputy of 30.xx years.)

[@marc0110j]

When you are actually doing the work, "good enough" is good enough. Watching these videos lets me know I'm not the only one that suffers from "forgot the right tool" and the "all day one hour job". I admire your ability to take on a job and do what it takes to get it done.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Thats a motto of mine. good enough.

[@trottermalone379]

Gib Key. They’re called Tapered Head Gib Keys… Yours is one of the best channels on KZbin, Zak. I have a stack of engineering degrees, accreditations, and credentials thick enough to stop a 45. Your breadth of knowledge, judgement and acumen are a marvel and a testament to the fact that Engineers are born not made.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@russellknight26]

I was thinking you were going to put the gear in the oven for the gear but then you busted out the deep fryer for the bearing races and that just made my day. Genius level shit right there. Love the videos keep it up!

[@rogervonschleusingen4603]

WE ARE REALLY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR SKILLS AND YOUR WORK, AWESOME TO SAY THE LEAST, LOVE THE T SHIRTS !!

[@twisthard]

Zach, you are NOT a hack! You are an oilfield man and the work in the oilfield is not like building/tuning pianos. Good enough is good enough, if it works, it works! That's the way of the patch for over 100 years. More power to you man!

[@briantetreault1875]

Love this channel. Been watching it for a long ass while, such wholesome and honest work. Tips for heating up bearings, and races; put the parts in a wet paper towel and into the microwave for like 1-2 minutes. Alternatively; toaster oven. The deep fryer is a new to me method!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. What ever works.

[@centexan]

Thanks for the videos ! Always fun and educational. I'm no expert, but these parts and workings on these wells sure seem to show some pretty unique mechanics. And they seem to last and last.

[@d46512]

You are crazy. Sizing the dipstick with a sledge. Rainwater in the oil. Welded shaft. Loved every minute.

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha

[@blondestrainger]

Keep it up Zak ! I love old equipment and always rebuild our tractors and equipment myself

[@rocksandoil2241]

Enjoyed this very much. If I had all the right new equipment to do the job, I'd be broke or so rich I didn't need the equipment in the first place.

[@missyd0g2]

Zach, I enjoy watching you work on older technology where we can see it.

[@ericrotermund1004]

there is nothing new under the sun

[@gavinhodge2290]

You know I use to show a lot of new machinists how to use telescoping gauges....glad you are doing it the right way!

[@baratono]

It lives again! I really enjoy your fix-it videos on this old equipment.

[@douglassfwilson]

Did all this in the 70's in the lower San Juan basin. Brings back lots of memories. Enjoy your videos.

[@SuperKONR]

Nice save on making the gear work! Thanks for taking us along! As far as your transformer video goes, I'm with you on doing what it takes to get the job done. I do have to say, however, that you always think it's worth it to get the job done until one day you suddenly realize you're messed up in a life changing way. I've had some close calls, finally decided that the time that I might save on a job to go grab safety glasses, gloves, a chain hoist, etc. is not worth trading the well-being of the whole rest of my life. I'm a mechanic, I'm going to die with a wrench in my hand. But I want to die actually wrenching, not sitting there with cancer or a crippled back, not able to work, just waiting to die, because of some nasty PCB oil incident from 10 years ago. I know you already think about that stuff, and I'm not trying to shame you for doing what you do, like I said I've got the same mentality. But just try and think of what your doing for your own sake. We need many more years of ZachLife videos, none of us want to see you get messed up from this stuff. The quick and easy way is always quick and easy until it isn't.

[@craigsymington5401]

Well put. I did years of rigging radio towers and so on. One day I realized that if I didn't do it, it wouldn't get done, and therefore the money, which had diminished, wasn't worth it. I guess it was coz I realized my boys needed a dad for at least a decade or two. I work a much safer cleaner job today, with my teen sons, but the body reminds me of my dumb antics every day. Of course I'm an adventurer, so factory work is slowly killing me. Also, lived 50 years in Africa, never a dull moment, including getting shot, safe and uneventful is great, but I can't help feeling like summing is missing!

[@craigsymington5401]

Hey Zack, great stuff! I never vlogged ' cos I didn't want any evidence 😊. There's a load of jobs I did in South Africa that just don't get done anymore coz guys like us just ain't around!

[@scttchrm8515]

Enjoy watching you work, your a Jack of all Trades God Bless

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks 👍

[@TheQwik512]

That’s why they’re called spring passes. Great to see you back Zach.

[@batchief]

I appreciate your real world common sensical experiences. Would like to meet you sometime! From Ellis county Texas. God bless!

[@restaurantattheendofthegalaxy]

I think it’s fascinating that I’m thinking of engines and you knew that! 😂 the properties of this gear case are so different than a truck motor and the tolerances are naturally different. Fascinating bits about the gear shaft and the oil slinger drains! Old VW engines worked the same way!

[@Joeandfran]

Zach, I’m an older man, repair clocks and everything else, 40 years now, and you do just great! Keep it up!

[@imchris5000]

you should get one of those horse stall mats from tractor supply and put a chunk under your press so things have a nice rubber surface to land on. they also make great pads to throw down on mud so you can work on things without bogging your boots

[@TheZachLife]

Good idea

[@obfuscated3090]

Horse stall mats make great shop floor mats. My old pipeliner welding instructor had me line the toolroom floor which worked a treat. I use mine as ground mats between my house and shop because I don't want to pave over the water and electrical lines. (That immediately paid off because the garbage PVC water line installed by a previous owner failed a week later.) I wrench vintage motorcycles and when I redo my engine build area it will get more stall mats.

[@TomM-iw3te]

I’m an oilman and proud of my 40 years. You’re doing all the good and know how to self correct to keep your business running and others safe. 👍

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome thanks.

[@cdabg]

You are a typical "do it yourself" oil man, farmer and you should be proud of it. It's people like you that made this country as great as it is. Keep up the good work!

[@terrygoforth6436]

From a 61 year old oil man, it does my heart good to watch your vids. Thank you,

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks for watching.

[@AnthonyStankiewicz]

Na, didn't get that dizzy. Thanks for straightening us out, lol 😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BigMikesGarage]

Nice repair Zach. Always enjoy your content.

[@saintsi6997]

Top tip, get your self a big plastic washing up bowl. Then when you're taking stuff apart at site you throw all your nut a bolts washers and tools in it, keeps all the stuff together for that job. Great video keep them coming.

[@TheZachLife]

I've usually get a bucket or something.

[@johnie9497]

Exactly, Haters are going to hate. Most of them haven't a clue of what you do to keep your gear running. I know about keeping things running with what ya got. LoL Allsups, I have them here too and not too far away from your neck of the woods. Beef and bean and a Chimi with a big drink. That's a power lunch!. Love the channel and you've answered many questions I've wondered about for years. Water separators, tanks, pump jacks and how that stuff works.

[@danielwalker310]

the realist oil field work horse on the internet. love your videos sir!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@JohnReid-p3o]

Dear Zach. I enjoy watching your videos that show me how the oil lease all works. I enjoyed the motor/generator welder with the differential wound generator episode. It was classic machinery that stimulated my electrical engineering interests. I also enjoy the plumbing and the separator videos. We don't have any oilfields where I am in Australia so your work and ingenuity really stimulates my interest. Keep up the good work Zach and I wish you success and prosperity. You have a warm personality free from vanity which makes you an excellent instructor and entertainer. Best wishes John

[@garrison3675]

Zach ... a genuine, authentic, real-mc-coy Renaissance Man !! ... just keep that crude pump'n ... another most enjoyable you-tuber ... thank you ...

[@robpinter5431]

Mate the T-shirt made my day. Greetings from Australia. At times you can't just pop down to the store and buy parts or even a new item, I live in a rural area too and being retired mechanic, I make a lot if items to keep things going.

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha thanks

[@davidkuehl8713]

🎉 Your shirts crack me up. You have excellent mechanical knowledge and you use it well. Enjoy your videos.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@robertchall8576]

Keep up the good work. I have 42 years working on drilling rigs most old school did what you had to do to keep them going.

[@6usaa]

Another great video Zack. People that never owned their own business don't understand. I have and you can't always be perfect at the cost of missing a day or more of the equipment working.

[@Harrzack]

As a former hobby machinist/metal butcher, I REALLY enjoyed seeing your efforts to bring it all back together. WELL DONE! 🍺🍺🍺

[@cjbain8975]

This is only my second video of yours that I have watched, and all I want to say is...wow my grandfather would be impressed with how you're keeping old machinery alive today. Hell, I'm impressed from what little he taught me of the "old school way to do things" yeah shit might not be done necessarily the correct way but as long as it works, and you don't break anything and it's not *that* sketchy/dangerous hell let's try it!

I have a few oil royalties here and there. I always was fascinated by oil wells. Thanks for your videos. It’s like a free education!

[@13donstalos]

I really appreciate your comments about employees and safety. This is your gig to be as safe (or not) as you damn well please. Anyone who watches regularly knows you do just fine.

[@þþþþþþþþþ]

Ya know - this makes me feel like it's a very peaceful 'job' you've got there - at least while you're out in the field. I just found your channel earlier this week, very interesting content. Keep it up my man.

[@kylerayk]

I work in the pharmaceutical industry, so obviously most things you do make me cringe BUT, I understand clearly that your work doesn't have to be anywhere near pharmaceutical grade! I love watching you fix oilfield equipment. Don't let the haters interfere with your work!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@RichardThompson-gc1cf]

Mr Zach you have lots off knowledge in your beat- up head Love your videos keep them coming

[@randacnam7321]

That oil you spilled on the ground is dinner for some oleophagic bacteria in the dirt. Yes, things eat oil. Also, you should put some filler bolts in the cover jacking holes to keep the threads clean.

[@christianmccollum1028]

I was screaming to the wife while watching saying I hope that gear was going on the right way. 😅 Luckily it was. Enjoyed the lathe work and seeing what the inside of the gear housing looked like. Thanks for the video!

[@whitesapphire5865]

That's my first ride on a walking beam! Wheeeeee!! As long as the job is done to your satisfaction, that's all that really matters. If folk want to crib and criticise, then they should be willing to come along and show you how they'd do the job?! I don't know much (anything at all really) about oil wells, but I do get a peculiar satisfaction out of watching you in your own element. It looks like a peaceful place to make a living, even go as far as to say almost a timeless place. I could imagine being a kid in the glory days. I'd just be mesmerised by the machines all doing their job. I have to admit, I have a distinct liking for rod lines, for some strange reason, but any machinery that stands there 24/7 working its heart out just fascinates me - I must have been a weird child! Just imagine it.... Other kids "We're all going to the beach, what are you doing?" Me "Oh, I thought I might take wander around a Texas oilfield, watch a few pumps going up and down!"....

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha I agree with the idea of enjoyment of the timeless perpetual existence of this stuff.

[@hmrody]

Please take each and every comment (including this one) with a shaker of salt. You are a doer. Yeah, as you say, maybe something could be better, but everything has a cost, and time and money come into play. Some folks (likely me), just comment and criticize just to flap their gums. Of course, everyone should learn from others, but... Well, I am sure you get my drift. I enjoy your videos immensely. I learn a lot. Please keep them up. Best!

[@okgroomer1966]

Don't let the safety police get to you. Some people value true freedom, and some don't. I'm with you on not living in bubble wrap.

[@Orbacron]

Let the useful items be useful. Put a rubber o-ring on your dipstick handle so it won't rain in your gearbox. Good call on that thicker gear oil👍

[@TheZachLife]

good idea

[@josephpadula2283]

Better to glue the o ring to the case so no way standing oil gets in , as the dipstick may not be flat if heavy enough to keep water out.

[@q2bman]

Yes. Another pumping unit video. Man I’m itching to see the detailed video of your scada stuff. Great video.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. Should have some ready in a couple of months.

[@matthewmcdaniel8846]

🤣🤣loved the video man, the dip stick out of a welding rod was a great idea wish I had thought of it lol

[@apodolsky08]

You are absolutely awesome!. I just found your channel today and enjoy every aspect of your 'content' especially your editorial comments about safety & the environment. I can see that I am going to spend a lot of hours here.

[@RobsWorldWV]

You done it just the way it needed done, it works now. Love oil field maintenance vids.

[@jamespayne8781]

Gotta say you don’t see old jack pumps worked on every day. Looks good.

[@michaelsedway9703]

It’s not a how to video, it’s a how I do it video. Keep on doing what you do. Love watching you do your thing, you get it done

[@slypig24]

I admire your Get It Done mentally.. And impressed with the equipment that is still running with its Age.

[@goeachitt]

Amazing mechanical repair. Thanks for the video !

[@derekbryant6137]

I'm watching your stuff because I want to learn how to do what you're doing and you do some neat stuff too

[@TerryLawrence001]

It's ironic that a gearbox for pumping oil out of the ground, fails from lack of oil! :-) I love the way you tackle field work!

[@TheZachLife]

Hahah

[@bt9653]

A good millwright knows what is critical and what is not. That gearbox will run for years. You are a talented man.

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@topiasr628]

Man. Great work, sir! Love your channel. Never woulda guessed I'd be interested in a random oil dude's life but you make it interesting!

[@terrylembke8100]

Wish I was helping you , I love working on old stuff . I enjoy your channel my friend .

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@nezrom9864]

I enjoy your videos about oilwell equipment including the small details as I know nothing about the oil industry.

[@daleburrell6273]

0:18...WELL, NOBODY'S INFALLIBLE...and you're MY kind of people...

[@mikeburgess7331]

I love anything oilfield. Please keep the videos coming!

[@tsmith235]

I like seeing stuff apart that I've never been even close to. But I've also had an interest in what they work like

[@jacobsherven4175]

As Weezy once said, "Some of us are lovers, most of y'all haters But I put up a wall, and they just wallpaper". Fuck the haters, love what you're doing. Keep up the great work and content.

[@dcata251]

Zack can't get enough of your thoughts don't keep them to your self share your insightful knowledge for the masses to hear

[@danielrepman5606]

Another awesome video! I like the deep fryer, except your limited on your heat with the oil. We used a crock pot at the shop i used to work at for heating press fit camshaft gears. You can go up to 400-500 F if you want to.

[@restaurantattheendofthegalaxy]

One more thing, I’d love to hear ALL about that automation / observation/ control system you’ve got going!

[@TheZachLife]

It's coming soon.

[@Speedy2222]

that double herringbone gear pattern is so cool

[@kandkmotorsports]

I been a mechanic 28 years, you're doin' just fine!

[@paulstaney325]

My son just earned his millwright card, I will refer your content to him. Excellent coping with all the set backs .I like old equipment that was made to be serviceable, ever since I saw a hit and miss engine that ran flat belts to run various types of equipment. There's some things that Don't need R&R with Chinese parts! All the best. Hope you found some gloves.

[@jonusjonus9271]

i love how you got the old motor just layin on the ground...those damn lightning strikes, you werent kiddin!

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks.

[@Dandle01]

These are great videos. Your range of skills are really something. Thanks for sharing.

[@rigger88]

Hello When you say, "This well makes about 3 barrels per day," is the 3 barrels water+oil? Or straight oil? Nice channel btw. Reminds me of when I first started working in the oil patch back in the late 70's ( Permian Basin, Panhandle, So Cal) First rig I ever worked on was a 1948 franks Explorer double gin-pole ( no tubing-board or hydraulics), we were doing oil well abandonments, we rigged-up and down with drill line & snatchblocks, we would run Haliburton wire downhole with nitro fertilizer mixture and pulling a strain on the casing with spider jacks and blow our own casing. Spining rope, rotary tongs & rod wrenches, no hydraulics, pretty good huh? ha ha

[@TheZachLife]

Thanks. 3bbls of oil and 20ish bbls of water. That sounds like a job lol.

[@joeldawson442]

Thank you for keeping the life blood of the American economy flowing.

[@georgeclay3964]

Zach, no apologies needed from this viewer! Really like the content. I like and am subscribed!

[@TheZachLife]

Awesome Thanks.

[@irgski]

Hey Brother, you do what you gotta do!

[@render8]

I will say I'm all for the mentally of always go forward, progress not perfection... But I will also say you could probably be 20% safer/detailed that extra little bit of attention would go a long way, imo. Great video👍

[@rustynail4676]

Like the shirt. Need that printed on all my work uniforms

[@WorldPowerLabs]

Don't worry about the haters. It's easy to find a "better" way to do things when it's not your own time, money, or productivity at risk. Plenty of times, good enough is truly good enough, especially when it comes to heavy, overbuilt, slow-moving equipment. I appreciate your videos, whatever the topic. I'm a design engineer and although I'm tangentially involved with the energy industry, I don't usually get to see what goes on in the actual fields, so that's cool.

[@jreg2007]

never clicked on a video so fast. i just love your content. i have watched every video.

[@13kva10]

glad to have found your channel..... brings a smile to me chops

[@brokeminer475]

Keep it up! I just love watching this stuff.

[@kennyward4674]

🙂 Best part of the video was "I've never actually had one of these apart, but all I'm gonna do is start putting bolts out of it" Just git'er done!! 👍👍👍😊😊😊

[@TheZachLife]

Hahaha