Ever try downshifting earlier than you think you need to? I found that keeping the RPMs up before the grade really steals your power helps a lot. It keeps you from bogging down completely when the air gets thin.

Wonder if those old recipes used plants from her own yard too. Makes you think about how people used what was right outside their back door.

Made the same mistake for years, honestly.

My tools died fast dry cutting 304 last time.

It's hilarious how we spend big money on clamps and jigs but ignore the pile of scrap in the garage. That wood is the ultimate backup plan we all treat like trash. We act like we need some special tool for every little problem. Then a few old blocks of plywood fix everything and make us feel silly. Your story proves the best solutions are often free and covered in dust. My scrap pile has more wins than my actual tool cabinet at this point.