In Mexico they sell an 8 kilo bag of mesquite. lump charcoal for @90 pesos.. Blows Kingsford and all that stuff away.. I use wood tray with my gas grill ( 20%) of the timeWhile I've never owned or used one I guess gas grills have their advantages, but I can't imagine not having the smoky taste charcoal adds to food when prepared in a good old-fashioned charcoal grill. (You guys with your gas grills, much too modern for me!)
- Oct 30, 2023
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I don't even use a tray. I just put bits of cherry wood on the grill itself and it makes a nice flavor.
The bed in our guest room is our old (30 ish years) mattress that we put in there when we got a new bed 9 years ago. As you might guess, it was lumpy. The spring base seemed OK even though I'm sure that its softer than new so I decided to 'rebuild' it. I didn't want to order foam from the www because I'm pretty sure that most/all of it is like the stuff that ShopKo/BB&B used to sell...not worth buying. There is a small local mattress builder (started in 1910, still family owned/operated) here so I talked them, and bought a 4" piece of base foam.
-Remove 2" convoluted foam topper (very compressed in shoulder and butt area)
-Cut off pillow top (completely squished out in butt area)
-Remove 3" base foam (not really base foam though)
-Put in 4" base foam (held in place, side to side/end to end, by remaining fabric)
--test: too firm to uses alone IMO
-Add 3" convoluted topper
-Wrap everything together in fitted mattress pad
-Feels much better (flatter, more supportive...)
Not a difficult DIY, but it ate up too many hours just like all of my projects. Now on to the noisy, failing roller wheel in my dryer.
-Remove 2" convoluted foam topper (very compressed in shoulder and butt area)
-Cut off pillow top (completely squished out in butt area)
-Remove 3" base foam (not really base foam though)
-Put in 4" base foam (held in place, side to side/end to end, by remaining fabric)
--test: too firm to uses alone IMO
-Add 3" convoluted topper
-Wrap everything together in fitted mattress pad
-Feels much better (flatter, more supportive...)
Not a difficult DIY, but it ate up too many hours just like all of my projects. Now on to the noisy, failing roller wheel in my dryer.
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- Feb 9, 2013
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Of all the things to diy I never imagined fixing an old mattress was possible... fixing a dryer I can totally see though.
Me either!Of all the things to diy I never imagined fixing an old mattress was possible... fixing a dryer I can totally see though.
I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on the mattress in the guest room, and it seemed wasteful to toss a good spring.I got the dryer done too, and with only one puncture wound.
EDIT: When I thought about rebuilding the mattress this was the video that I watched on YouTube:
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Good work! And only one puncture wound is even better!Me either!
I got the dryer done too, and with only one puncture wound.
EDIT: When I thought about rebuilding the mattress this was the video that I watched on YouTube:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri2v0eShDHY&t=319s
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I'm crying into my pillow because this is a DIY I can't do myself because I don't have the muscle...
My electric water heater is 20 years old and the fittings up top started leaking. Judging by what I had googled water heaters usually last anywhere from 8-12 years, so 20 years was glorious! But it's time to replace the whole thing because it's just a matter of time and I don't want it simply fixed, so I called the plumber and with labor a new one will cost $2,200. It's not as much as I had expected, but still...
Reason I can't do this myself is because an empty tank weighs about 75 pounds and there's just no way I could haul something so heavy and so massive around. Plus I wouldn't want to mess anything up, so it was time to call a pro.
Have you guys either fixed or replaced water heaters on your own?
My electric water heater is 20 years old and the fittings up top started leaking. Judging by what I had googled water heaters usually last anywhere from 8-12 years, so 20 years was glorious! But it's time to replace the whole thing because it's just a matter of time and I don't want it simply fixed, so I called the plumber and with labor a new one will cost $2,200. It's not as much as I had expected, but still...
Reason I can't do this myself is because an empty tank weighs about 75 pounds and there's just no way I could haul something so heavy and so massive around. Plus I wouldn't want to mess anything up, so it was time to call a pro.
Have you guys either fixed or replaced water heaters on your own?
You can install a tankless water heater fairly easily. @$2200 is likely normal parts and labor for your region. But if you have time ( and can deal with leak) start working the phone to get estimates. Many home repairs have a great deal to do with psychology and salesmanship. When contractors show up you need to sell the idea that what everyone is looking at is a nuance but not an emergency. The leak everyone is seeing is something you will deal with until boiler just gives up. The more you plant seeds of simplicity, through a little research, it knocks the edge of of aggressive time line and pricing from plumbing contractor. Removal of old, heavy, bulky water heater is not for amateurs or faint of heart. Everything, everyone needs to be in place, couple of Fabio sized guys to get it into a truck that day. The tankless is the size of a suitcase depending on the flow level you need, more gallons per minute, bigger suitcase. Your homework is key, what are your existing conditions, electric, gas and the rest is the existing space or cavity where water heater is currently. Gallons per minute is really the only concern. How much hot water you use..In my experience I was wary of having someone washing dishes and both showers going simultaneously. It's happened but rarely. Are we doing wash and the machine is filling, 2 people need to shower and dirty dishes in the sink all create a hot water demand emergency.. Nah.I'm crying into my pillow because this is a DIY I can't do myself because I don't have the muscle...
My electric water heater is 20 years old and the fittings up top started leaking. Judging by what I had googled water heaters usually last anywhere from 8-12 years, so 20 years was glorious! But it's time to replace the whole thing because it's just a matter of time and I don't want it simply fixed, so I called the plumber and with labor a new one will cost $2,200. It's not as much as I had expected, but still...
Reason I can't do this myself is because an empty tank weighs about 75 pounds and there's just no way I could haul something so heavy and so massive around. Plus I wouldn't want to mess anything up, so it was time to call a pro.
Have you guys either fixed or replaced water heaters on your own?
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www.lowes.com
If you talk to your possible plumber with some knowledge and buzz words everything can go smooth.
We want to install it here, obvious, and just do PEX extensions to get it up and running, we don't really need to spend time and money creating another broom closet. Tankless is a fifth of the size , just looks like a banana box size thing mounted on the wall.
The only thing I regret about tankless water heater is not switching years ago
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I need to hire you, jmd, and scribers for all my heavy Fabio projects, payment will be beer!
- Feb 9, 2013
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The leaking started last Friday and I just called Roto Rooter that day because I didn't feel like doing much research... I knew this type of leak wasn't an emergency at least (I put a bucket under where the water was dripping, wasn't much all things considered), so I waited till today for the plumber to come because I didn't want to pay weekend emergency rates!
Anyhoo, I asked the plumber about a tankless water heater and he said they work great with gas, but his company and even some others have had issues with the ones running on electricity, customers were less than satisfied. So I just went with the traditional boiler for now, but next time I live in a gas-powered house I'll get a tankless one!
That's one I'll let a pro do as well. I'm not messing with these old pipes.I'm crying into my pillow because this is a DIY I can't do myself because I don't have the muscle...
My electric water heater is 20 years old and the fittings up top started leaking. Judging by what I had googled water heaters usually last anywhere from 8-12 years, so 20 years was glorious! But it's time to replace the whole thing because it's just a matter of time and I don't want it simply fixed, so I called the plumber and with labor a new one will cost $2,200. It's not as much as I had expected, but still...
Reason I can't do this myself is because an empty tank weighs about 75 pounds and there's just no way I could haul something so heavy and so massive around. Plus I wouldn't want to mess anything up, so it was time to call a pro.
Have you guys either fixed or replaced water heaters on your own?
You can't afford me!I need to hire you, jmd, and scribers for all my heavy Fabio projects, payment will be beer!
Just to put all things mattress into perspective..2 of the biggest concert venues in Southern California were sponsored by mattress vendors..Mattress Firm so don't be surprised if Taylor Swift or Justin Beiber, Bad Bunny concert is coming to JDirt Stadium somewhere in Western US.. I don't think any of those artists are allowed in Idaho so if JDirt Stadium opens there it will be Lee Greenwood or Morgan Wallen instead. Maybe Kid Rock..You can't afford me!
Mattresses are a money machine.
In jmdirt stadium there will only be metal!
Mattress Firm (money laundering) is like Starbucks here, they are on every corner. Mattress in a box for $1K that will last two years at best is not for me. The guy who I bought the base foam from said that in March and April he can't make RV mattresses fast enough for old (my age) campers, and it has really helped his retirement fund.
Hey since you and I can't PM about moto anymore, I will start a moto thread here in the NCD forum.
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So I got myself a new toy I'm as excited as a schoolgirl about, it's an 8", battery-operated mini chainsaw!
I want to trim back some completely bare tree limbs that are about head level and are just an eyesore, thing is except for using a small, battery-operated pruner on a pole I've never used a chainsaw before. Besides not cutting off my limbs what kind of tips do you guys have for using a chainsaw safely and effectively? Or, what should I definitely not do?
I want to trim back some completely bare tree limbs that are about head level and are just an eyesore, thing is except for using a small, battery-operated pruner on a pole I've never used a chainsaw before. Besides not cutting off my limbs what kind of tips do you guys have for using a chainsaw safely and effectively? Or, what should I definitely not do?
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-Don't think "oh its just a little saw".So I got myself a new toy I'm as excited as a schoolgirl about, it's an 8", battery-operated mini chainsaw!
I want to trim back some completely bare tree limbs that are about head level and are just an eyesore, thing is except for using a small, battery-operated pruner on a pole I've never used a chainsaw before. Besides not cutting off my limbs what kind of tips do you guys have for using a chainsaw safely and effectively? Or, what should I definitely not do?
-Safety gear (eyes for sure).
-Slow and steady.
-Never have the saw in a position that if something goes wrong it hits you (ie: directly above or below your head, directly at your leg...).
I use my reciprocating saw for <3" limbs that I can reach (I have 7 tools based on the Ryobi 18 system). I also have a manual pole saw for things that are higher up.
- Feb 9, 2013
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Yes to all! Including the Ryobi system, I have a bunch of battery operated tools of theirs, including a small lawnmower! With the chainsaw I was being cheap though and got a different brand at Amazon that was on sale...
I've actually upgraded to a 12" since I made my initial post because the 8" was a little too small for my purposes. I was able to mostly cut the 10" in diameter limbs with it, but the finishing touch I had to do with a handsaw because the 8" just wasn't enough. But the saw served me well and I definitely wore safety goggles and made sure what I was cutting wouldn't land on my person!
While my newest toy is only 12" and is battery operated it definitely can do some damage, so all your tips are on point and are appreciated!
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The chainsaw came with a file and having handled many a bike chain I was like, whaaa? I'm supposed to sharpen this one??
Love this dude's hat at the beginning of the vid, but I thought he explained things pretty well to a chainsaw noob.
Jigs make the process (nearly) fool proof (he called them devices).The chainsaw came with a file and having handled many a bike chain I was like, whaaa? I'm supposed to sharpen this one??
Love this dude's hat at the beginning of the vid, but I thought he explained things pretty well to a chainsaw noob.View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63kFcBlKPwY
I gotta say, a room full of people, a lost squeeze bulb from a turkey baster ..trying to improv an alternative was not easy, driving to local stores to find that they were sold out! Ended up driving to relative's house getting one out of the utensils drawer.. Surprise hit was spicy ginger beer with Captain Morgan spiced rum..it made for fun DIY turkey baster experiments.
I thought about using a used Harbor Freight liquid transfer pump that I used previously to drain motorcycle gas tanks. Cooler heads prevailed and my backup plan was scratched. When I am in a room under distress it's apparent that I have watched more MacGyver and Gilligan's Island than everyone else.. I see everything as a mad scientist opportunity.
I thought about using a used Harbor Freight liquid transfer pump that I used previously to drain motorcycle gas tanks. Cooler heads prevailed and my backup plan was scratched. When I am in a room under distress it's apparent that I have watched more MacGyver and Gilligan's Island than everyone else.. I see everything as a mad scientist opportunity.
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I don't know whether to laugh or to agree, but wherever there is a need the spirit of MacGyver comes to the rescue!
Speaking of MacGyver for the past 3 days I've also thought of what would MacGyver do with my new, super cheapy, 12" chainsaw - the chain keeps loosening while cutting some lumber. After some very close inspecting I've detected some serious design flaws, which I tried to fix with a tiny spring (I managed to punctured myself with), some bolts, and even a file and a drill... don't think Amazon wants this $38 chainsaw back!
Obviously I won't return my cheapy 12" because I've invested too much time and effort into it (and it still works!), but I still need to cut up those tree limbs I had just felled recently. So I've upgraded once again, and this time to a 16" - I don't mind that it's corded because all I'm trying to do is cut the huge limbs into smaller pieces. But this one I'm posting a picture of proves a challenge not because it's so huge, but because it's filled with red ants! So I'm just cutting a piece of lumber at a time while also spraying some ant spray on the little ***...
Edit: a pic of some oak limbs I had already cut into pieces, those will make for some fantastic 'hardwood' firewood!
And now my problem child that is just infested with red ants - if you want to see some pissed off red ants just get a chainsaw going!
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My friend got me some metal animals and some wrought iron plant hangers years ago. I asked what an arbitrary, unneeded, unwanted gift. When others were around he went to my garage, got my drill, half inch or 3\8 bit and drilled some holes in tree stumps that look a lot like yours. Inserted plant holder..and it was publicly explained that I had created a trip hazard in a very high traffic area, the path we used for bathroom, booze, beer path..watch those stumps!!! If they ain't below ground beware!!
You can use a dash of nail polish, paint or liquid paper to mark a starting point on the blade so you have an idea where you started sharpening. Don't go crazy. You can use a hand file or Dremel tool and a light touch at the angle of the manufacturer's angle is enough. Oil is also really all you have to worry about.. or the famous, infamous, running over the power cord.
Because I really only have US and Mexico, Mexicans to compare.. The world should know that Americans have zero shame in returning things. In Mexico hardly anyone would return a tool, like a chainsaw after punishing use( abuse) it's an American phenomenon!! People will ( do) return anything, clothing, bedding, tools, food, electronics, wives, husbands, family..
Amazon dropping people as customers is a thing for chronic returners..it's a thing.
You can use a dash of nail polish, paint or liquid paper to mark a starting point on the blade so you have an idea where you started sharpening. Don't go crazy. You can use a hand file or Dremel tool and a light touch at the angle of the manufacturer's angle is enough. Oil is also really all you have to worry about.. or the famous, infamous, running over the power cord.
Because I really only have US and Mexico, Mexicans to compare.. The world should know that Americans have zero shame in returning things. In Mexico hardly anyone would return a tool, like a chainsaw after punishing use( abuse) it's an American phenomenon!! People will ( do) return anything, clothing, bedding, tools, food, electronics, wives, husbands, family..
Amazon dropping people as customers is a thing for chronic returners..it's a thing.
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