Gently Removing an Electrical Box Punchout

[Toolmaker51]

Like marksbug points out, many of our pockets were deeper a couple years back.........until a crew of freaks, morons and puppets stole what they couldn't win.

I have materials collected (surplus, great auctions, farm sales, closeouts, and the deals you trip over) over a seriously long period of time for my shop, especially wire bought when the surplus of construction supplies flooded market after Hurricane Katrina.
What seemed then like a lot of outlay turned out better investment than ANY bank or saving would have done.

To start, I laid a floor plan beforehand, estimating total length from main panel to each load. Arranged loads so their boxes are near each other, because some will run more often then others, handy way of restricting amperage needed from the utility company.

A pyramid of brown/ orange/yellow/green awaits in the corner.
Not using conduit; found 360 feet 8" x 8" wireway (like cable tray but sheetmetal with a hinged lid), SOW-SJO 12/4 & 10/4 cord, L16-20 480v twist-lock plugs and connectors. While no panel yet, have disconnects for the various branches, local disconnects will be twist-locks on the cord drops, nothing laying on the floor.
Still need 1 pin & sleeve connector, handful of 30A or 40A plugs for welders.
Almost (90%?) all are 440v 3Ø, have VFD's for 2 that are 50Hz. 1 leg will supply 277v for lights. Will use VFD's or buck transformers for 2 or 3 that are 240v 3Ø.
Conduit will run inside perimeter for 120v, there's a disc/ belt sander that wants 240v 1Ø.

But today isn't electrical project. Found perhaps 160' of Sched 40 3" pipe cut into 5' sections (used of course, but 'ring' as being very solid). Researching how to splice those for columns, pillars to support a mezzanine. It's also been planned awhile, 2 years ago got 35 panels of fiberglass decking grate 4' x 12'. Normal price is $300 & up new. I got them at $50 each for the quantity, and a long drive, Feb of 21. That diesel compared to now would add about $5.00 each.
Having some idea what people ask $.$$-wise tells you when to jump. But knowing price only a third of the equation, be SURE to add the COST.

Regarding deep pockets, I never had them. As son of Depression era parents, learned it's worthwhile having a l-ooooong grocery list, alphabetize and look for less expensive ways to check items off. Nowadays, it's in my mobile phone. It sees more use than making/ taking calls.
Unless talking with a friend west of Dallas Fort Worth. He knows a bit about collecting material, about 50x more than I.