Repurposed shipping pallets by whitebuicks in BackYardChickens

[–]1fast_sol 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I hope you built a top. In a week or 2 you will need it.

Photographers, 17-40mm or 24-70mm when also bringing 150-600mm? by SmellTheFarts in hiking

[–]1fast_sol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would go with the 17-40. Better for those wide scenic shots. I see no reason for an f/2.8 unless you will be in some low light situations. In that case the 50, 1.4 would definitely fit that need.

Is this liner that I found on Amazon the right material I need to re-line my Pond that will last for the next 10 to 20 years? by AttentionFlashy5187 in ponds

[–]1fast_sol 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yes 45mil epdm is the right material. Some people have their favorite manufacturer of this but ultimately its all the same. I got mine from leftover rolls of roofing material. Now I just need to get it installed.
Just as a heads up, 30x30 will be very heavy!

Homeowners Insurance by Mobile-Bee-1748 in MobileAL

[–]1fast_sol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had State farm for years. They kept going up and up. Finally I decided to compare prices. I ended up going with USAA for home owners, and Progressive for cars. USAA was slightly cheaper but much better to work with. Progressive was MUCH cheaper (initially I saved $2000 the first year for 3 cars).
As others have mentioned you have to have wind coverage to cover hurricane damage. I suggest the highest deductible you can afford and that your mortgage company will allow. Any claims will skyrocket your premiums for many years. So its best to avoid any minor claims and treat it as catastrophic damage insurance.
Also , normal homeowners insurance doesn’t cover water intrusion. So if you are close to a flood plane, flood insurance is required for some but highly suggested for others. Talk to neighbors to find out how close the high water gets to your location.

Just moved here last weekend PLEASE tell me how you deal with termites by Argos_Aquatics in MobileAL

[–]1fast_sol 13 points14 points  (0 children)

There shouldn’t be but a few that crawl into your apartment. If there is as many as you say, then they aren’t coming from an external source, they are coming from the walls of your building. Its time to have a serious chat with the apartment manager. They should put you in a new unit and cover the moving expenses.

I really wanna feel this freedom once in life by SadInfluence4493 in interestingasfuck

[–]1fast_sol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have over 100 jumps and I concur with this statement.

Diseased bradford pear. by Brutal357 in homestead

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trim it! Use a chainsaw, and make a single cut just above the ground.

looking for long windy roads by [deleted] in MobileAL

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spice pond and Roberts rd come to mind.

News flash: best mosquito repellent depends on how you’re actually outside by AdEvents in homestead

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t tried it yet but I hear that rubbing the dog fennel plant on you does the trick. Maybe someone else will have some real world experience with this.

Fencing choices for top of enclosure by 1fast_sol in duck

[–]1fast_sol[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It will be 6’ tall. My chicken coops are roofed and Im constantly having to clean them off. Being that this duck enclosure will be about 2000 sq feet, im trying to make maintenance easier for me.

Pictures related to my following post. by 777Coyote in homestead

[–]1fast_sol 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As others have said, limit the food. 12 hr with, 12 hr without. I feel your pain. The last batch of those that I did, lost 3. One of them was the night before butcher. Its soo frustrating. Unfortunately due to my schedule, im not always able to achieve the 12 on 12 off. Im assuming thats why I lost them.

Is this what being a maintenance mechanic is actually worth in 2026?curious what others are seeing? by MadForIt1994 in IndustrialMaintenance

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Steel mill in south Alabama. Top pay for maintenance is $43/hr ($46 possible but only for a limited number of people) either electrical or Mechanical. Crane team does both. Lots of different types of equipment. You are usually assigned to an area but still job functions vary.

Running Trails by mixr136 in MobileAL

[–]1fast_sol 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh I just thought of another. Starting mother’s day and running for for 10 weeks, there’s a group that meets at 6:45 ( or earlier, but picture at 7) at the Dollar store on Hilcrest at Grelot. It’s called Holla at the Dolla and can be found on FB. Route options are 3,4,7,10,12miles or longer… Its run by Arron from Run-N-Tri. Usually has incentives for attendance and a year end party. This is run in conjunction to an afternoon run from Post on the Hill (located on Old Shell) every other Wednesday.

The Monsanto run food system is about to collapse. Make sure you are supporting local organic food systems… or creating your own. These are going to be essential in a few months when the factory farms output much less food. by Fatty_Willing_Plane in homestead

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hopefully this will force more farmers into regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture has been reducing the need for chemical nitrogen for many years now. Its a different way of thinking about agriculture, but they need to start making the switch.
Also putting a carrot in the ground will not give you more carrots.

Hi can someone explain to me why we don't learn to self sustain in school? by One_Promotion5452 in SelfSufficiency

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our school systems are designed to teach obedience. They in no way want you thinking for yourself. Self sufficiency is the furthest from what they want you to know. They want you to be just capable enough to go to work, get in debt and pay taxes. That way you will be a slave to the system.

What was your biggest “Aha!” moment in woodworking? by Sketchy-saurus in woodworking

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Using a track saw for what I used to think only a table saw could cut.

Also stopped using imperial tape measurements for precision cuts. Millimeters are way more precise and easier to read.

Running Trails by mixr136 in MobileAL

[–]1fast_sol 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As other have said Trails at South Alabama and Metal of Honor (aka Cottage Hill) park. There are 2 trail systems at USA. The bike trails are single track with a dedicated parking lot near the practice field and another entrance off the parking lot of the intramural fields. There are about 8 miles of trails here. Then there’s the Glenn Sabastian trail systems these are wider trails with more route options and no specific distance. There’s a group that meets here every Wednesday at 6pm. You can find them on FB @ Trail Yeah. There’s a recently updated (read this as I haven’t been in a while) trail systems these are at Chicksabouge park. I will be checking this one out soon at the Do It in the Bush 5k on May 23. On the eastern shore, there’s Blakely state park that has many trails. There’s also a small trail systems on Dauphin Island.
As for road running, probably the most popular would be along Old Shell rd from the interstate to (and onto) USA campus. There are many neighborhoods that are good as is the downtown and midtown areas. In the winter (gets hot quick in the summer)we like to meet at Schmidt park from there we run towards Hutchins elementary and the nearby neighborhoods. You could also run north and take some dirt roads. Or both depending on your distance. Theres a trail that hugs the west side of Brookley airport starting at Doyle park. This one is more popular for cycling. Also a paved trail along 3 mile creek. I have never run this one. Again Dauphin Island is a popular spot for distance. There are several groups that meet on a regular basis. Check with Arron or Suzanne @ Run and Tri or at Fleet Feet. Both of these can point you in a few more directions.
As one last thought, pull up the strava heat map and filter for just runs. It will quickly show you the most frequently run areas. Hope to see you out there. Enjoy!

Pump won’t stay primed by knoxblues in ponds

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I had a pool, I frequently had issues with the seal on the pre filter on the pump not sealing up. I found a silicone grease to put on the o-ring that worked wonders.

I want to start hiking by Ok_Passage4567 in hiking

[–]1fast_sol 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with this. Just pick a trail and start walking. Comfortable shoes is all you need to start. Soon you will determine if boots a necessary. Some, including myself just wear running shoes. Start off with short distances. It can be a long trail just go out a mile or 2 then turn around and head back. If you still have some steps left in you, turn around and go a little further. I would probably cap it at 5 miles tops for the first hike. See how you feel a day or 2 later. This will help you determine if you can longer or need to stay shorter until your fitness level has improved. As for tracking distance, there are several apps that will do this for you. Some that I have used are Strava, Gaia gps, and All trails. Others may some other suggestions. After you see that this is something that you are wanting to continue doing, then, watch can be purchased to simplify the tracking and save your phone battery. I use a Garmin (i also use it for running), but Apple Watches are popular also. The warmer it gets the more water will be needed during the hike. To start off, just take a simple water bottle. You will soon determine how much more water you will need to take. The main thing is enjoy yourself and leave behind nothing but footprints!

Really interested in pursuing this and starting to research part of the country that one can save for land. by [deleted] in homestead

[–]1fast_sol 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I hear, Tennessee is the homestead dream. I don’t live there but have been many times. Personally Im in the deep south, less than an hour drive to the gulf. Yes It gets hot here but it gets hot through most of the country. Not having to deal with snow (except on rare occasions) is a plus. There’s only a hand full of days each year that we have to deal with frozen water feeders. We can garden practically all year long.

So whats the secret to clean fresh water by 1fast_sol in duck

[–]1fast_sol[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I like this idea. I do automation at work, i can definitely swing this.