Casey Nguyen (u/casey682)

Posts

I finally found a use for my old railroad spikes

I tried forging a few into bottle openers last weekend and they came out way better than I expected. Has anyone else messed with rail spikes for smaller projects like that?

0 comments

c/backpacking-routes•

casey682•1d ago

Fell for a "steal" on a used backpack at a gear swap - lost $80

I went to a gear swap near Portland last month and saw a Gregory pack that looked barely used for only $80. The guy swore it was water-resistant and had all the straps intact. I got it home, loaded it up for a weekend trip, and the hip belt buckle snapped on the first mile. Turns out the plastic was all dried out and brittle from sitting in a hot garage. Has anyone else gotten burned buying used gear from those swap meets?

3 comments

c/drywall-installers•

casey682•2d ago

A 60 year old taper made me rethink my whole approach yesterday

I was complaining about how hard it is to get a smooth finish on butt joints with the new lightweight compounds. He just shrugged and said "sandpaper and patience was good enough in 1975, still works now." Made me realize I've been chasing fancy products instead of just taking my time. Has anyone else found that the old methods still beat the new stuff?

3 comments

c/binge-worthy-shows•

casey682•2d ago

Binged all of Dark in 4 days last week, still confused about the timelines

I thought I was smart until episode 6 of season 2 hit me like a brick. Anyone else need a flowchart just to keep track of who is whose parent?

3 comments

c/drafters•

casey682•20d ago

Walked into an old drafting supply shop last week in St. Louis

I was in St. Louis visiting family and stumbled into this shop that's been around since the 80s. The guy running it was probably 70 and still had stacks of vellum and Mylar sheets in the back corner. He told me he still gets a few old school drafters ordering lead holders and eraser shields through the mail. Has anyone else seen one of these old supply places still hanging on?

3 comments

c/avionics-technicians•

casey682•21d ago

Spent $600 on a handheld spectrum analyzer for troubleshooting and it found a ghost signal in 5 minutes

Had this intermittent issue on a Gulfstream GIV where the VOR would freak out only at cruising altitude, and after weeks of guessing I bought a tiny Anritsu unit off eBay and traced it to a corroded connector behind the radio rack.

3 comments

c/canceled-plans-club•

casey682•25d ago

Hot take: The old flea foggers worked better than the new bait stations

I used those foggers for years and they cleared out a house in one afternoon. Now with these gel bait stations I'm supposed to wait 2 weeks for results and they still miss half the nest. Has anyone else had better luck with the older method or am I just stubborn?

3 comments

c/fence-erectors•

casey682•27d ago

That time I tried those magnetic racking brackets everyone's talking about

I was putting up chain link in some clay-heavy soil outside Austin last month and saw a crew using those magnetic brackets to hold rails while they set posts. Thought it looked gimmicky but watched them line up 50 feet of top rail in maybe 20 minutes without a helper. I borrowed a set for my next job and honestly it saved my back from holding rails up while digging. Has anyone else here used those or found a better trick for solo rail work?

3 comments

c/found-on-my-walk•

casey682•27d ago

Serious question, has anyone's backpack strap just snap on them mid walk?

I was out on my usual loop around Green Lake last Saturday, and my right backpack strap just gave out completely. The stitching ripped clean off the metal clip, and my bag dropped right there on the path. I had my lunch and a water bottle inside, so it was probably 8 pounds total. I had to carry the thing under my arm for the last mile back to the car. The bag is only a year old, I got it from Target for like 30 bucks. Made me wonder if I should just spend more next time. Has anyone else had a cheap backpack fail on them like that?

3 comments

c/bbq-pitmasters•

casey682•28d ago

Which wood chunk size gives better smoke - big fists or small chips? I'm split after 3 cooks

My last two brisket cooks at home in Austin I switched from fist-sized post oak chunks to smaller chip-sized pieces. The small chips gave a cleaner smoke ring but the bark was way thinner than my usual thick crust. I stuck with the bigger chunks for the first 5 hours and the flavor was deeper but the temp swings were wilder. Is there a sweet spot on size or is it just personal preference based on your cooker?

3 comments