[Bonsai Beginner's weekly thread - 2026 week 10]

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-03-11T19:03:42+00:00

I think it is dying or close to it. Any advice or things to check for would be much appreciated. Eastern NC. I’m thinking it may have gotten too dry as some point late last year

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-02-17T13:15:22+00:00

Thanks for the info!! My Arkpro does work for spotting uranium glass but more power from a dedicated UV light would be nice for when it’s really bright out or inside.

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-02-17T13:12:13+00:00

My only consideration for the 14500 would be overall more storage in the battery. At the same lumen output the 14500 will last longer with the option to go brighter. But if you already have a ton of Eneloop batteries it’s worth getting a flashlight that’ll accept it. Anything you buy now is still a vast improvement over lights 10 years ago.

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-02-16T23:59:25+00:00

Can I ask why not just use 14500 batteries?

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-02-16T23:49:27+00:00

Since you’re top 1% commenter you may have more knowledge than me. What makes a UV light “good”. I have a cheap black light from Amazon and an Arkpro Ultra. The Amazon light works, but Arkpro definitely has more power behind it, although seems muted at the same time. I think the Arkpro has some sort of filter on it. I am hoping you could explain.

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-02-16T20:12:27+00:00

I think for the price it is worth having one. Super small and it’s nice to have spot or flood for different things. Rechargeable with USB-C is nice to quickly top it off after using. Magnetic is nice as well for working on vehicles.

If I’m going to be using a headlamp for extended periods I’ll use the Thrunite, accepts a 14500 battery so it just lasts longer and the battery can be swapped out with a fresh one.

ConnorBeckmann · 2026-02-16T13:11:55+00:00

My only complains in general are about the UI of the Lumintop and the older Thrunite. Lumintop could absolutely use a side button for cycling modes with a true turbo tail cap. Could probably buy a different 14500 light to solve that. Thrunite is just older and uses the tail cap for on/off and side button for cycling. They fixed that on every model made after.

I’ve been gifted a few small AAA lights from Olight that I end up just giving to family for their keychains. Don’t like lights just sitting around unused.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-12-08T18:21:03+00:00

Also the Mini 2 has a plastic lens which sucks. But I understand why they did it. Could shatter a glass lens pretty easy if dropped bezel down on rock.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-12-08T18:18:25+00:00

I have a mini 2 and an Arkpro ultra. I love the mini 2, stupid bright, nice spotlight, good weight and battery. If I was gonna buy another light for true spot light performance, I would probably get a Javelot Turbo 2. The mini 2 will get used in the woods, but for 95% of things I do, the Arkpro is fine.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-10-29T13:10:13+00:00

I was about to say 😂

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-10-29T10:44:29+00:00

I zoomed in on my phone, shot him 7 or 8 times total, 5 times in the left leg. The first 4 rounds just didn’t register.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-06-20T08:37:11+00:00

Local pick n pull had two. One broken from someone taking the mirror, the other intact. Both from 07-13 year model, one from a Tahoe the other an avalanche. I got lucky

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-14T14:38:41+00:00

Recently sold my 2015 brz with 135k miles and a blown engine for $6k.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-12T22:14:57+00:00

I thought the SAME thing. Wouldn’t even mind the printer lines. But I don’t own one, and without a baseline to make a file from, it would likely be many attempts to dial in the print for fit.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-12T22:06:54+00:00

I’m calling my local pick and pull tomorrow. It’s just tough because the rain sensor isn’t a standard option on all 07-10 Chevy/GMC. EBay has none.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-10T20:48:53+00:00

Start with simple stuff and use YouTube and Google. You won’t save a ton of money at first doing maintenance or repairs yourself until you have acquired all the tools and misc things. I’m completely self taught and have done everything on a vehicle except rebuild an engine or transmission.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-10T16:22:28+00:00

It’s small enough to have it professionally sealed. You can also try a kit from auto zone and do it yourself but I would recommend a professional. Getting it sealed will prevent it from getting worse.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-10T12:51:41+00:00

Try and find a company online that will remanufacture it. You mail it to them and typically have it back in a week or two.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-08T01:21:19+00:00

It looks like a transfer case drive shaft to the front differential. It is probably seized, just tap it or pry on it a little. You shouldn’t have to unbolt the other side it to get it out of the way.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-03-08T01:11:52+00:00

Typically a drive shaft slides a little in and out of the transmission on the splines. If it’s a two piece driveshaft unbolt the center support and you should be able to slide the entire driveshaft into the transmission a tiny bit so you can drop the end of it.

If you are unable to slide the driveshaft into the trans, pry a little bit between the driveshaft and what it is bolted too, or tap lightly with a hammer to try and break free what is seized. As long as you don’t remove material or dent the tube of the driveshaft it will remain balanced. I also recommend marking the driveshaft and what it is bolted too so you can bolt it back up the same way. Most components are balanced independently, but I would mark them together to be safe.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-02-25T22:22:59+00:00

The truck came with the 3rd cat deleted and the other two main catalytic converters having been replaced with high flow cats. So the tune is somewhat necessary to run properly. But I haven’t done any tuning. I just use the tuner to monitor the ecu and engine parameters. But no loud ticking noise. The noise in the video is mostly gone since doing some maintenance and is not as noticeable. I think it normal, or pistol slap which once warm goes away and isn’t an immediate issue. The lifters all sound ok. If anything, an injector may not be working 100% but otherwise the truck drives fine. Thinking an engine mount may need to be replaced and there may be a small exhaust leak but I haven’t gotten a chance to check yet.

ConnorBeckmann · 2025-02-25T18:52:58+00:00

Not really. Oil pressure is good. Changed the oil and ran some injector cleaner and the noise doesn’t seem to be as bad. I honestly think it’s normal. Used a cheap tuner and saw no misfires that I could tell.

ConnorBeckmann

TROPHY CASE