What's everybody doing today?

[kenv1950]

I’ve made a decision in that I’m going to change the way I do things. My entire life I’ve worked with junk. I would get a broke down lawnmower or tractor whatever I could buy cheap and fix it and work on it from now on to keep it running. I’ve grown tired of working on junk and that’s the same thinking I’ve taught my son. If it doesn’t run now I’ll go get a new one. I wanted to wash the tractor and side by side this morning and the pressure washer would spray. It didn’t have enough pressure to spray dust off of a tractor. Rather than mess with it half a day I went and got one that would spray this morning while I was there I got a new roll around battery charger. I’m so over working on junk!

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You just described me . Did that my whole life , changed my ways a couple yrs, ago . So tired of spending my time working on wore out crap..

 

[Peanut]

Me 3, made my living carrying a tool bag. Once i hit 60, i was just tired of working on junk. It started with a new bush hog. I had 2 that were 40yrs old, worn out. I did not want to spend the winter rebuilding them. Instead i parked them very close the the farm's junk pile and bought a new one. Next was a new chainsaw. Took the old one and dropped it off with a guy who works on old crap for a living. Told him.. 'no hurry'. Now i have 2 chainsaws.

 

[Spikedriver]

Sitting in the truck at work, waiting for trains to pass so we can get time on the tracks...

So we just barely got to start working, and the crawler operator hit a power line with his boom. Now I'm back in the truck until the power company gets things put back together...

 

[Haertig]

I’ve made a decision in that I’m going to change the way I do things. My entire life I’ve worked with junk. I would get a broke down lawnmower or tractor whatever I could buy cheap and fix it and work on it from now on to keep it running. I’ve grown tired of working on junk and that’s the same thinking I’ve taught my son. If it doesn’t run now I’ll go get a new one. I wanted to wash the tractor and side by side this morning and the pressure washer would spray. It didn’t have enough pressure to spray dust off of a tractor. Rather than mess with it half a day I went and got one that would spray this morning while I was there I got a new roll around battery charger. I’m so over working on junk!

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For much of my life, I was always looking for "the diamond in the rough". You know, the cheap thing that was really the expensive thing that others just hadn't discovered yet. I never bought "bottom of the barrel", but I never bought "top line" either. Starting around 50 years old, I began a change of heart. Very slowly at first. But by 60, I had pretty much given up on the cheap stuff. But I will admit, when I see today's prices on things, I still have a strong urge to search out that diamond in the rough. But nowadays I catch myself thinking like that, redirect my behavior, and generally end up buying one step down from top of line or even top line. It seems more expensive at first. But better quality stuff lasts longer, needs far fewer repairs, and keeps your stress levels down simply because "it works when you need it".

So yeah, now we have a Honda lawn mower. That's very close to top line if not top line for a surburban lawn mower. It has lasted longer than any other mower we have owned. Never been in for a repair. Sits all winter, then starts on the second pull of the cord after five idle months. After that first start of the mowing season, it always starts on the first pull for the rest of the summer. I about had a heart attack over what we paid for that thing, but over time, it has probably turned out to be the least expensive mower that we've ever owned. It still runs like new.

We also have a ton of Stihl power tools. Stihl may not be "top line", but it's better than average and quite good for my uses. A heckuva lot better than some of the other trash out there. I know you're paying a lot for the name here, but in my experience, it does work well and it lasts.

But sometimes, I stay middle of the road. Something that I'm not going to use often does not require top line. A while back I needed some new sockets. Many of them had gone off on holiday and never came back. I didn't even research the super expensive brands. I knew I didn't need that. And I will admit, I did go to the Harbor Freight webpage to see what they had. But I immediately kicked myself in the nuts and said "What are you doing looking here?!" I ended up buying some brand in the middle of the pack. Didn't know much about them, but I had heard the name before. So that's a plus I guess. Turns out they seem pretty decent. Tekton brand is what I ended up with. Definitely not junk stuff (at least not in my opinion). But not super high end. I would call them "above average", but I really don't know much about hand tools to be able to proclaim that with 100% confidence.

At least I stay away from total junk these days! Took me 60 years to learn that lesson. I do still have "mental relapses" (searching the Harbor Freight website), but luckily now I stop myself before this turns into a "purchasing relapse". I'm not trying to pick on Harbor Freight - I do have some of their stuff and it has worked fine - other of their stuff, not so much. But their reputation is not exactly "top line" to say the least. It's kind of like the Chinese stuff that not even the Chinese want.

 

[Neb]

For much of my life, I was always looking for "the diamond in the rough". You know, the cheap thing that was really the expensive thing that others just hadn't discovered yet. I never bought "bottom of the barrel", but I never bought "top line" either. Starting around 50 years old, I began a change of heart. Very slowly at first. But by 60, I had pretty much given up on the cheap stuff. But I will admit, when I see today's prices on things, I still have a strong urge to search out that diamond in the rough. But nowadays I catch myself thinking like that, redirect my behavior, and generally end up buying one step down from top of line or even top line. It seems more expensive at first. But better quality stuff lasts longer, needs far fewer repairs, and keeps your stress levels down simply because "it works when you need it".

So yeah, now we have a Honda lawn mower. That's very close to top line if not top line for a surburban lawn mower. It has lasted longer than any other mower we have owned. Never been in for a repair. Sits all winter, then starts on the second pull of the cord after five idle months. After that first start of the mowing season, it always starts on the first pull for the rest of the summer. I about had a heart attack over what we paid for that thing, but over time, it has probably turned out to be the least expensive mower that we've ever owned. It still runs like new.

We also have a ton of Stihl power tools. Stihl may not be "top line", but it's better than average and quite good for my uses. A heckuva lot better than some of the other trash out there. I know you're paying a lot for the name here, but in my experience, it does work well and it lasts.

But sometimes, I stay middle of the road. Something that I'm not going to use often does not require top line. A while back I needed some new sockets. Many of them had gone off on holiday and never came back. I didn't even research the super expensive brands. I knew I didn't need that. And I will admit, I did go to the Harbor Freight webpage to see what they had. But I immediately kicked myself in the nuts and said "What are you doing looking here?!" I ended up buying some brand in the middle of the pack. Didn't know much about them, but I had heard the name before. So that's a plus I guess. Turns out they seem pretty decent. Tekton brand is what I ended up with. Definitely not junk stuff (at least not in my opinion). But not super high end. I would call them "above average", but I really don't know much about hand tools to be able to proclaim that with 100% confidence.

At least I stay away from total junk these days! Took me 60 years to learn that lesson. I do still have "mental relapses" (searching the Harbor Freight website), but luckily now I stop myself before this turns into a "purchasing relapse". I'm not trying to pick on Harbor Freight - I do have some of their stuff and it has worked fine - other of their stuff, not so much. But their reputation is not exactly "top line" to say the least. It's kind of like the Chinese stuff that not even the Chinese want.

I like Harbor Freight for most hand tools and consumables. I am a part time fix it type so I don't use them every day. Cut off wheels are fine for me.

We own two of the Bauer jack hammers and have beat the stuff out of them.

I have become a semi- snob with Dewalt 20v cordless tools however. I got on that bandwagon soon after they were introduced when Dewalt was giving away 2 batteries with each tool. Impact driver, drill, oscillating tool, sawsall, chain saw, sabre saw, weed-wacker, angle grinder... The only problem I have had with them is when I backed over the weed-wacker with the side by side. I was able to straighten it out ok.

Machine tools are exceptionally expensive for the high end Starret stuff. A 2" dial indicator runs more than $200 vs $40 for an off brand. The only Starret and Brown&Sharp I own I picked up at flea markets and auctions.

Ben

 

[Amish Heart]

Took husband to PT and I filled up the truck with feed. Going to wait till little granddaughter gets home, and then we'll unload it. Had a chocolate turkey hen down this morning, not sure why at all, no obvious injuries. Put her in the milkhouse, but she didn't look like she was going to make it. The rest of the afternoon is catching up with things around here. Tomorrow is an early morning for chores, then a doctor day all day.
We've revamped our favorite tools the last few years, too. Pole saws, weed whackers, chain saws...liking the battery ones better now that we're older. Like the Ryobi brand. Can charge them just fine with the solar charged battery and inverter.

 

[Neb]

Today I started the preliminary work to move the furnace from this service entrance...

To the other service entrance that has the manual transfer switch.

I think I found the correct 15A breaker so I ordered 5 which will allow me to power all of the 15A circuits.

Scoped out a path for the wire run.

Staying on the electrical theme I put the tractor battery on a trickle charger.

Behave!

Ben

 

[Grimm]

Put a quart of honey lemon up for this winter. My honey had started to crystalize but the lemon will melt it as it sits. This works well for cough, sore throats and general illnesses for the vitamin C boost.

Still straining a quart of Echinacea Glyceride for the kids for the last 20+ hours. I made a pint a few months back and it was about 8oz. when strained. The quart ends up being less than 16oz strained. It is thick and taking a while to flow through the filter. I should have heated it a bit before pouring it through the filter. Live and learn.

I will be starting a quart of Echinacea Tincture for K and I. He was sick earlier this week and had to take it for a few days and my bottle is down a bit. Hopefully we can get to a point of better overall health to not need as much in the winter months.

They think I am an alcoholic at Costco. I always buy a case of vodka and whisky each when I buy it a few times a year. (trade and medicine- not to drink) I need to build a still.

 

[dademoss]

Put a quart of honey lemon up for this winter. My honey had started to crystalize but the lemon will melt it as it sits. This works well for cough, sore throats and general illnesses for the vitamin C boost.

Still straining a quart of Echinacea Glyceride for the kids for the last 20+ hours. I made a pint a few months back and it was about 8oz. when strained. The quart ends up being less than 16oz strained. It is thick and taking a while to flow through the filter. I should have heated it a bit before pouring it through the filter. Live and learn.

I will be starting a quart of Echinacea Tincture for K and I. He was sick earlier this week and had to take it for a few days and my bottle is down a bit. Hopefully we can get to a point of better overall health to not need as much in the winter months.

They think I am an alcoholic at Costco. I always buy a case of vodka and whisky each when I buy it a few times a year. (trade and medicine- not to drink) I need to build a still.

Fictionally speaking, since the distillation of alcohol violates federal law, the break even point is higher with a small still than with the mass produced vodkas. If commercial is unavailable, then the other becomes the most feasible option, hypothetically.

 

[LadyLocust]

Home sick. Just woke from a 3 hr nap.

 

[Haertig]

I like Harbor Freight for most hand tools and consumables.

I have a drill press from them. It has worked fine over the years. It's definitely low end quality though. The platform (or whatever you call that part that slides up and down on the pole and holds your work) has rusted. Not on the smooth top surface luckily, but on the bottom/sides. But ... it drills holes, and those holes appear to be perfectly vertical, so it's doing it's job. It's fine for what I paid for it.

I bought some pin punches from them. The first two light taps with small ones from the set and two of them bent like wet spaghetti noodles. A total garbage product. I re-bought a better brand elsewhere and those replacement punches (same small sized ones) are working just fine. No issues.

Sometimes low end is all you need. Sometimes it comes back to bite you in the butt. Because of this uncertainty, for things of any consequence (meaning: kind of expensive), I stay away from low end now.

 

[zannej]

Forgot to set my alarm but my cat Itsy woke me up by very gently touching my lips with her paw. It was such a light touch I think she was checking if I was breathing. When I opened my eyes she licked my forehead. I had to get up and shower and unload the truck so its good she woke me up. I'd slept through my alarm yesterday.

Took mom and brother to the doctor. Confirmed we all have Covid. Another week of quarantine. Prescribed Paxlovid. Called pharmacy and the really sweet pharmacist there said he'd send someone out to my truck to deliver the meds so I wouldn't come inside while contagious. Grabbed some McDonalds and dropped Mom & bro back home and came back bc it gave them time to fill the RX.

Developed a headache and started having charley horse in my back. Took some naprosyn and hopefully that will help. Having to sleep sitting up so I won't cough uncontrollably and empty my bladder again.

Mom racked out already-- she wasn't feeling good at all.

I'm about to take a much-needed nap. Rest and hydration time.

 

[dademoss]

Home sick. Just woke from a 3 hr nap.

Get Better SOON!

 

[backlash]

You can cry when you pay for something or you can cry every time you use it.
I like to buy hand tools at yard sales.
I once bought a set of sockets that were made in India at a yard sale. I wasn't paying attention.
They were junk and I threw the entire set in the trash.
I actually broke the head off the ratchet.

 

[Grimm]

Fictionally speaking, since the distillation of alcohol violates federal law, the break even point is higher with a small still than with the mass produced vodkas. If commercial is unavailable, then the other becomes the most feasible option, hypothetically.

OH! Did I forget to start a new paragraph?!

I was thinking about a still for steam distillation for water. Yea. That's right.

 

[dademoss]

OH! Did I forget to start a new paragraph?!

I was thinking about a still for steam distillation for water. Yea. That's right.

That's what mine is for also . The distillation of fine botanical preparations and purification of water are prime choices for a distillation apparatus,

 

[sonya123]

Fictionally speaking, since the distillation of alcohol violates federal law, the break even point is higher with a small still than with the mass produced vodkas. If commercial is unavailable, then the other becomes the most feasible option, hypothetically.

vodka is still $19 for a very large bottle here, for medicinal purposes it lasts a very long time . I would not risk making my own for that

 

[Neb]

OH! Did I forget to start a new paragraph?!

I was thinking about a still for steam distillation for water. Yea. That's right.

Ben

 

[sonya123]

Ended up doing more than planned. I cleaned up 3 kitchen shelves, ended up with a bag full of trash ( outdated spices, a bag of forgotten old grits in the back, very very old tea bags from China and so on.
Then I baked banana bread

Zannej, hope you guys recover fast from the covid.

 

[Neb]

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Ben

Ben

 

[sonya123]

Ben, the Revenuers are gonna get you!!

And I think I need some vodka for medicinal purposes now....ate too much banana bread

 

[backlash]

Moonshine is why I live in Washington.
My Dad and Uncle were running a still in Arkansas in the early 50s. One day a cop stopped them coming out of the store with sugar.
He told them he knew they were making shine and he was going to catch them and put them in prison.
They went home and told my Mom and Aunt they had 30 minutes to pack everything, they were moving to Washington.
Mom said she would have turned them in if she knew that was all it took get her out of Arkansas.

 

[dademoss]

vodka is still $19 for a very large bottle here, for medicinal purposes it lasts a very long time . I would not risk making my own for that

a 1.75 liter bottle is $11.49 USD here. Don't ask how I know

 

[Spikedriver]

I have a drill press from them. It has worked fine over the years. It's definitely low end quality though. The platform (or whatever you call that part that slides up and down on the pole and holds your work) has rusted. Not on the smooth top surface luckily, but on the bottom/sides. But ... it drills holes, and those holes appear to be perfectly vertical, so it's doing it's job. It's fine for what I paid for it.

I bought some pin punches from them. The first two light taps with small ones from the set and two of them bent like wet spaghetti noodles. A total garbage product. I re-bought a better brand elsewhere and those replacement punches (same small sized ones) are working just fine. No issues.

Sometimes low end is all you need. Sometimes it comes back to bite you in the butt. Because of this uncertainty, for things of any consequence (meaning: kind of expensive), I stay away from low end now.

I use Harbor Freight for most of my tools at work. I don't need a big tool kit, just some basics to keep on-track equipment running. My wrenches are mostly HF. But I refuse to use their Crescent wrenches. The jaws are too loose and wobbly. I won't use their Allen wrenches either. I have Bondhus Allen wrenches and an actual Crescent brand adjustable wrench. My ratchet is an old Craftsman and my sockets are a jumble of brands I've gotten from farm sales and estate auctions.

I don't buy much expensive stuff because out on the tracks, tools like to walk away. People will "borrow" them when you're not looking. I don't know how many 9/16" Gear wrenches I've had stolen. I have HF gear wrenches now too. Nobody steals HF tools...

 

[Bacpacker]

I have an assortment of tools, Craftsman, Mac, Snap On, Wera, Wiha, Klein, Kobalt, a few different German brands, & some HF. I wouldn't use HF for daily use as a mechanic, but for occasional use I've found it to be adequate for the price. I don't care for most of their electrical gear. But hand tools are ok for the most part. I don't like their screwdrivers and measurement tools. But wrenches, rachets, and sockets, impact sockets in particular are pretty good. I got quite a few items for the camper.

 

[Haertig]

I don't buy much expensive stuff because out on the tracks, tools like to walk away.

I would have expected the railroad to provide you with tools. Besides, I would have thought that around trains, you'd be more likely to need a 10 inch socket, not a 10 mm one. You don't see many of those 10 inch-ers at Home Depot...

 

[Amish Heart]

Our daughter and her husband are Oaks Blood Distillary in Washington state. It's been a pain in the butt for them to get started. Anyway, look them up if you're in Washington state.

 

[Spikedriver]

I would have expected the railroad to provide you with tools. Besides, I would have thought that around trains, you'd be more likely to need a 10 inch socket, not a 10 mm one. You don't see many of those 10 inch-ers at Home Depot...

My employer doesn't provide hand tools for Maintenance of Way operators. There are certain exceptions, like most wrenches over 1 1/8". I have a Harbor Freight 1 1/8" wrench and impact socket of my own that I carry because certain machines require that size for tightening drive chains. It doesn't require an impact, but I use the impact socket because regular HF sockets that size are junk. But nobody will break or round off even a cheap HF impact socket if turning it by hand.

Most of our on-track equipment like the ones you see replacing ties or rails don't require tools over 1 1/8". A lot of the bolts and nuts that hold then together are 9/16", 3/4", and 7/8", with a few 1/2", 5/8", and 15/16" thrown in. Plasser-Theurer branded machines come from Europe and have more metrics on them, but those are for surfacing track and I don't work on surfacing gangs very often...

 

[dademoss]

Pulled a metric ton of unused entertainment electronics out of the media center today, after the outside stuff. Soon it will be free to good home on a local facebook page.

Ordered a new XS sights night sight for the new 856, the factory one sucks (REDACTED)

 

[Weedygarden]

We got up early and worked cattle on a friends farm. Jake castrated all of the bull calves then we came home dropped Jake off to school so he could go to a barn warming party in Hollister. I ended up spending the afternoon sitting in a tree in the woods waiting for a buck.

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This is what one of the cousins wrote about the man who was married to my great aunt:

"My favorite expression of frustration and exasperation is “Piffle.” I learned that word from great aunt's husband, my Great Uncle CK. I remember it particularly being used when he was castrating my lambs for me...using his teeth!!!"