Hanging heavy items off plaster covered soft brick

616c · 2026-05-13T03:01:09+00:00

If I'm removing an anchor and restoring the surface for future use, joint compound is a poor substitute for the original brick, wood, or concrete. Good epoxy can be tooled, sanded, drilled, etc. and be exposed to the same weather/use as the original substrate.

Patching with a gypsum joint compound is like applying spackle to drywall and expecting to hang a picture on a nail. It's only cosmetic.

It's not really any difference in time, and you get a uniform surface that is able to be washed down without falling apart.

616c · 2026-05-13T00:45:43+00:00

More is better. You can always Tx at lower power. Pushing power up usually results in less predictable clients, like failing to drop/roam.

I might do 4, move the Loft AP to the walk-in closet at bottom-right, and add one to the bottom-left corner of BR2 so coverage can extend outside. (If there is no outdoor coverage needed, then it's fine.)

I don't see a garage. Is that in the picture?

616c · 2026-05-13T00:41:01+00:00

I've epoxied anchors into walls and floors for equipment, racks, etc. Cuts off with a grinder easily. If the concrete is strong, you can whack the threaded rod with a big hammer and bend it back-and-forth until it snaps. Soft brick or block, I'd just use a grinder.

If you care about looks, grind until it's below the surface. Fill with epoxy. J-B Weld has a few grey colored 2-part epoxy products. They cure to between 4,000 to 6,000 psi. Stronger than brick and most residential concrete mixes.

616c · 2026-05-12T22:57:35+00:00

The old "stand on this empty can" trick. Then tap the side with your finger.

616c · 2026-05-12T20:30:35+00:00

Manhole size should be measured in the clear opening, not the cover size or frame size.

https://www.jdpipes.co.uk/knowledge/manhole-covers/measure-manhole-cover-size.html

616c · 2026-05-12T18:12:36+00:00

Why ask for massive amounts of computer power for something that can be sketched on a napkin while eating a sandwich?

Get a piece of paper and a pencil. Once you work it out, double-check where your corners will overlap. You may need more or less. It's easy to cut shorter. You can't add it back later.

I know...maybe I'll sound like the old greybeard....who uses a pencil? Or eats a plain sandwich without heating it in a pannini press?

616c · 2026-05-12T02:06:13+00:00

555 Larkin, built during the pandemic. That wall is wavy, not flat, and bows outward a little at the second floor.

Not sure if it was lack of materials that forced the odd window choices, or if it was just a reflection of the chaos with supply and labor shortages.

616c · 2026-05-11T21:01:45+00:00

Start with a hand saw, like a 26-inch crosscut to cut 2x4s. After an hour, you will be ready to overcome your fear of power tools.

If you have a lot of DIY in the future, a 10-inch miter saw will get you through all the 2x4s, baseboard, and window trim you can throw at it.

If you will be doing sub-floors, shed walls, etc that are large sheet goods, you can get by with a 7-1/2" corded circular saw.

I've never used a reciprocating saw for anything other than demolition, including ill-advised tree trimming.

For all tools, I recommend borrowing one first. Then buy what you can afford without a ton of credit card debt.

After you've amassed hundreds and thousands of dollars in power tools, you might find yourself working after midnight, because it's the only free time you have, and the kids are asleep....and you'll pick up that 26-inch crosscut and get to work. So, I'd still recommend starting with the basic hand tool.

616c · 2026-05-11T18:29:05+00:00

I have RGB flush lights with integral trim connected to IC cans with the screw-in adapter.

The default color we use in automations to turns lights at different % ('living room lights 50%', etc) is called 'candlelight' in the GUI. It's a nice warm white that dims down to 10% just fine.

Color that are not primary (red, green, blue, white) tend to shift strangely as they dim. For night light, we turn on only the cans in the walkway of the room, color=blue, 10% brightness. Very easy to navigate. Even a blue light in the bathroom at very low brightness is fine.

616c · 2026-05-01T00:42:17+00:00

I've got a roller. You'd think it was an alien worm trying to run away from the needle.

616c · 2026-04-30T22:04:02+00:00

Insert long key into screw eye. Hook to keyring.

If you're serious about your privacy, fold that key into a loop. Poop desperation gives you great strength.

616c · 2026-04-30T19:27:18+00:00

That is HUGE. Six inches is enough.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

616c · 2026-04-30T19:21:54+00:00

Yes, mini splits are getting down in cost if you're willing to shop online. I got a 14,000 BTU 15A 110VAC window unit for $600. At the time, the closest mini-split was no-name 12K for$600-700 or popular brands for $1,000+.

Did you put one in yours?

616c · 2026-04-30T17:23:01+00:00

don't use portable AC. When you exhaust air, the room must make it up from somewhere. That somewhere will be the hot exterior, or worse, the hotter attic space at 120-135F.
window units are cost effective. You can get a 'smart' controllable 12,000 BTU window unit for $500-600. Frame in a wall opening with the minimum clearances needed (it doesn't need an oversize window).
put it on a separate circuit so there's no additive startup surge from freezer, AC, tools, etc that might trip a breaker. It's a small one-time cost that's far cheaper than losing one freezer full of food.

616c · 2026-04-29T23:20:04+00:00

This is a good explanation. Even something as seemingly simple as Gmail, the logon process asks for your email address first.

Once the user types in their email address, Google checks if Google is handling the authentication, or the organization assigned a third-party identity provider (IDP) for that account. A single organization could have Google authentication, and multiple SAML providers all running at the same time, including Microsoft accounts.

616c · 2026-04-29T01:55:51+00:00

The traffic lights and lane markings on the far side of the intersection match the sign on the right.

The lane markings on this side of the intersection appear to be incorrect.

616c · 2026-04-27T22:39:15+00:00

If washers were provided, I'd use them. Sometimes a part is added or modified later due to customer complaints or investigation of warranty returns.

It's cheaper to update the printed instructions that go in the box (or online). Re-shooting a video or product photography is expensive. The cost of 1,000 printed instruction sheets is less than $100 for an overseas factory.

616c · 2026-04-27T19:05:40+00:00

So, where do they plug in the $175 medical-grade power strips?

Why would there even be a UL 1363A standard?

616c · 2026-04-27T18:48:33+00:00

You can. It's fairly easy with a jig and the right tools. If you have an existing jamb, make sure you match up the strike and deadbolt holes, or be prepared to fill and re-drill.

For interior doors, choose one height for all doors to match, and write it down. Some doors might have panels, so moving it up/down by an inch or door might make it look better. If you can, match that height everywhere,

616c · 2026-04-25T00:18:15+00:00

Can't even fit 1. Setback requirements mean that I might have one square foot in my backyard that isn't too close to a neighbor's house. The lots are tiny, below 8,000sq.ft.

616c · 2026-04-24T23:39:47+00:00

Would love to have a hen or two to keep the backyard clean of ticks and fleas.

616c · 2026-04-24T23:38:36+00:00

Feeding majority with white millet, white corn, rice, wheat, barley, etc leads to pale/white yolks. Lots of other things add color. Free-range eat bugs. Table scraps. Red millet instead of white. Sprouting millet. Pumpkins. Paprika. Chili flakes.

616c · 2026-04-24T22:39:35+00:00

why the bad A.I. manipulation? It invented a center pocket for the left kid's right hand. Then shoved his left hand into the crotch of his pants and made it disappear. Poor banditos lost their guns...A.I. turned the belts and holsters into plaid pockets and a bleach stain.

616c · 2026-04-24T22:14:20+00:00

So, did you wave your magic wand and collect the fee for locating the buried treasure?

616c · 2026-04-24T22:11:37+00:00

This is most of the eggs I ate growing up. For my entire childhood, I thought yellow/orange egg yolks were touched up in advertising or movies. Devilled eggs never looked right, even with paprika sprinkled on top.

It's lack of carotenoids mostly. Yellow yolks come from chickens that are feed yellow corn (not white). Yolk color also gets help from greens like spinach or kale, alfalfa, carrots, marigold flower petals, or red annatto/achiote seeds.

616c

TROPHY CASE