I'm calling it off for tonight.
Losing one screw-driver is enough of a clue that tonight isn't a good night for home reno stuffs.
Though installed according to instructions, and trying numerous fixes, the shower kit in the basement still has a small leak. It's frustrating, but luckily I can open up the wall behind it to work on things, as the media room still is no more than drywall and tape.
Tonight I was going to expose a bit more of the back of the shower, so I started to pry another sheet of drywall off. I had been using a screwdriver to help myself along, but finding a better technique I stuck the screwdriver, handle down, in my back pocket.
Now, one things that can be said about me is that I'm not always completely aware of my surroundings. Especially if I get in the midst of some task.
If I had been paying more attention, I would've seen the temporary outlet. This plug-in receptacle had been liberated from its original wall, and was a handy source of temporary power for trouble lights. It was attached to a 15' length of wire that went directly back to the panel, so the plug hung at about waist level.
This is a very important thing to note. Another thing that was now at about waist level was the shaft of the screwdriver in my back pocket.
As I worked away on the gyprock, I bent forward to get a better hold on what I was doing. This action very accurately inserted the screwdriver into the temporary plug box between the wall of the box and the line wire.
With a shower of sparks and the pop as all the lights went out I glanced back at my rear in the half-light and thought to myself, "I'd better not be on fire". At first I thought my trouble-light had just given up the ghost in a spectacular manner, and then when I reached back I felt my screwdriver was incredibly warm.
Once I got back to the light I realised my poor screwdriver was a write-off. Not only was it nicely scorched, but 1/3 of the tip was missing, part of the flat-head's face was filed down, and there was a second melting point where I'm assuming the power found its way to complete the circuit. Luckily, I seem unscathed.
Though I think I also fried either the temporary plug or perhaps the old breaker that was feeding it.
Yup, time to call it quits for the night. I can take a hint.
Though installed according to instructions, and trying numerous fixes, the shower kit in the basement still has a small leak. It's frustrating, but luckily I can open up the wall behind it to work on things, as the media room still is no more than drywall and tape.
Tonight I was going to expose a bit more of the back of the shower, so I started to pry another sheet of drywall off. I had been using a screwdriver to help myself along, but finding a better technique I stuck the screwdriver, handle down, in my back pocket.
Now, one things that can be said about me is that I'm not always completely aware of my surroundings. Especially if I get in the midst of some task.
If I had been paying more attention, I would've seen the temporary outlet. This plug-in receptacle had been liberated from its original wall, and was a handy source of temporary power for trouble lights. It was attached to a 15' length of wire that went directly back to the panel, so the plug hung at about waist level.
This is a very important thing to note. Another thing that was now at about waist level was the shaft of the screwdriver in my back pocket.
As I worked away on the gyprock, I bent forward to get a better hold on what I was doing. This action very accurately inserted the screwdriver into the temporary plug box between the wall of the box and the line wire.
With a shower of sparks and the pop as all the lights went out I glanced back at my rear in the half-light and thought to myself, "I'd better not be on fire". At first I thought my trouble-light had just given up the ghost in a spectacular manner, and then when I reached back I felt my screwdriver was incredibly warm.
Once I got back to the light I realised my poor screwdriver was a write-off. Not only was it nicely scorched, but 1/3 of the tip was missing, part of the flat-head's face was filed down, and there was a second melting point where I'm assuming the power found its way to complete the circuit. Luckily, I seem unscathed.
Though I think I also fried either the temporary plug or perhaps the old breaker that was feeding it.
Yup, time to call it quits for the night. I can take a hint.