Hello. Have you ever wanted to speak like a highly skilled tradesperson but could never quite find the right words? Conversational Tradespeak 101 will help you talk-the-talk with no trades experience necessary. Each week we will look at some common, and not so common, trade terms. We will define the term before putting it to use in everyday conversation. We will also misuse the term for no particular reason other than a mild form of entertainment.
Term: Baghouse
Trade: Boiler Maker
Definition: An enclosure through which dust particles are collected as exhaust gases pass through a fabric filter.
Proper Usage: “Functioning baghouses typically have a particulate collection efficiency of 99% or better, even when the particle size is very small.”
Improper Usage: “I rented a baghouse for Carl’s seventh birthday. All the neighbourhood kids loved it but it was expensive so I’m not sure I’d do it again.”
Term: Birdsmouth
Trade: Carpentry
Definition: The triangular-shaped cut-out that allows the rafter to sit on the top plate correctly the two cuts to form this is known as level and plumb cuts. Used in roof framing.
Proper Usage: “The main use of a birdsmouth is when sitting roofing rafters onto a wall plate.”
Improper Usage: “Don’t tell Jimmy anything unless you want the world to know your business. The dude’s got a birdsmouth as big as the Grand Canyon”
Term: Melamine
Trade: Carpentry / Cabinet Building
Definition: Melamine plywood is a thermally fused, resin-saturated paper finish over a particle board core. It is highly resistant to stain and abrasion. Normally used in the cabinet building industry.
Proper Usage: “While melamine is very durable, if you incorrectly install or assemble a piece of laminate furniture in a way that damages its particle board, it could cause the melamine to chip.”
Improper Usage: “Melamine on toast is the perfect light snack before you go to sleep.”
Term: Pettibone
Trade: Carpentry
Definition: “A large rough terrain forklift used to move and access material around much more efficiently on the job site.”
Proper Usage: Pettibone telehandlers have increased the ability to reach heavy loads to high, difficult positions, and are also more ruggedly built for greater safety and longevity.
Improper Usage: John jumped off the roof into the swimming pool and broken his Pettibone. The cannonball was spectacular making John a neighbourhood hero.
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