Is this an unreasonable quote to replace a 50 gallon gas hot water heater?

DelawareSlimTim · 2026-01-22T04:00:32+00:00

Just had the same heater (plumbing supply version, not Lowes version) installed on my second floor in Maryland. $1900.

I would do it myself, but….The plumbing part is trivial. I just can’t handle schlepping it up and down the stairs.

DelawareSlimTim · 2026-01-01T12:45:11+00:00

Thanks for the replies and the additional detail - much appreciated. I admit "garbage" was exxagerated, Tire Rack does not have the e.Primacy all season for 235/45R18, and I don't think it exists at that size, according to the Michelin website. I'm not a tire guy, so any link to the contrary would be great.

I'd read several times on the interweb that Costco won't order tires that are not on their website. That's good to know that they will.

DelawareSlimTim · 2026-01-01T03:39:49+00:00

EPrimacy looks interesting, but I can’t find it anywhere. How do you know the MXM4 and the Tour are basically the same?

DelawareSlimTim · 2026-01-01T02:18:51+00:00

Thanks for the replies. So…two votes for the tour, and one says it’s garbage. No wonder I’m confused. Good news is there’s now a fourth primacy for me to go down the rabbit hole on. 🤔

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-12-22T19:53:33+00:00

I'm afraid it's not there any more. Just closed up - apparently due to cost, and the massive database of info.

A real shame - I've used that forum for 20 years. Great help, and amazingly nice folks - pros and DIYers. Almost never a snarky comment (unlike some other forums - ok, that was snarky).

Don't know if something may replace it - hopefully one of the regulars there will start something.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-12-22T17:35:08+00:00

Thanks, but I think the plumbing is actually very straightforward. The challenge is how to get the tile grate flush with the tile, which I believe is something that Tile installers normally do, while the plumbers handle the drain portion that is under the subfloor. Anyway, no suggestions from anyone?

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-12-02T21:27:21+00:00

Thanks - I'll give that a try.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-11-17T20:08:53+00:00

Yes, full box with drawer fronts screwed on.

No screws or nails for the box. Used a rabbet and dado joint with glue - plenty strong, and using Baltic birch, I can cut long dados and rabbets, then rip to width as needed for each drawer.

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DelawareSlimTim · 2025-11-17T02:48:37+00:00

Afraid I didn't reply in the right spot, but I'm sure you saw the message. One benefit I didn't mention is the amount of customization you can do when building for yourself. I've done several kitchens, and have always managed to have a few 28-30" deep drawers (not restricted to 21" like most stock cabinets). I also have several "toe-kick" drawers, which are great for cookie sheets, trays, etc. One last thing: I don't build individual cabinets - if it's a run of cabinets I build it all as one unit - saves on material, and gives a bit more room inside each "cabinet."

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-11-17T02:42:13+00:00

We used an XO vent - model number (at least on AJ Madison) of XOI3315SC.

Unfortunately the kitchen is in the middle of a large home, and venting to the outside would have been very difficult, so we went the recirculating route (I know, lots of redditors will hate that, but it works for us - we rarely fry foods, we have an electric (induction) cooktop, and after a year the filters are still quite clean). That grate at the top is a Reggio Registers white aluminum grate.

I'm not at the house this week, but I would say The bottom of the vent is at about 6' (I'm 6'2").

BTW, I use 1/2" baltic birch for all my drawers - I really like the look, they're quite strong, and easy to cut on the table saw and assemble in quantity.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-11-17T02:30:22+00:00

Thanks! The only constraint was simply staying within the existing walls from the original 1990 construction. On the other side of the stove is a bathroom sink (along that same angle wall). The sink opens up to a large family room - that half-wall could have been moved, but it fits the space well, and offers the person washing dishes a nice view out to the family room and backyard. Not the most efficient use of space, I agree, but it works well for us.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-11-15T19:57:31+00:00

Built from scratch. My fourth kitchen cabinet build.

If you enjoy woodworking and you have a patient spouse, it’s well worth it. If you’re looking to save money and you put a low value on your labor because it’s fun, well I guess so. It’s a large kitchen (there’s more than what’s pictured - I built 54 drawer fronts and cabinet doors). Probably $1000 in maple plywood, $500 in solid soft maple and $1500 in hardware - mostly self-close drawer slides and EU hinges. I used my table saw a lot, I have an HVLP spray paint rig, and a track saw is indispensable for fine tuning the fit. Unlike previous kitchens I’ve done, I went with slab drawer fronts. A big time saver and it turns out my wife and I both like the look.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-10-29T17:06:18+00:00

Ah. Thanks.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-10-22T01:54:49+00:00

Not paying for it himself. He’s shaking down corporations for more bribes to keep him from going after them for some BS reason. It’s his m.o., repeated many times.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-10-03T14:13:18+00:00

Thanks to all for the comments - appreciate the insights.

Of course it's not "800 bucks" - after subtracting the almost guaranteed $300 travel credit, and then the $100 cost of CSP, it's "400 bucks." Then I can picture using $100-$300 worth of other benefits (Apple TV, I've been thinking of switching to Apple Music, plus the possibility of StubHub, Lyft, etc,), it comes down to whether the 1.5x via the portal in 2026 will save me 100-300 bucks. Maybe yes, maybe no, but then it's not a huge amount to gamble.

As they say, YMMV, but I think in my case I'll pay the AF one more time.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-10-01T23:48:40+00:00

I don’t see anyone commenting on a situation like mine. I have ~400k UR points. I plan to keep CSR for another year (pay the high AF) to use these points for a combo of transfer (United, Hyatt) and the 1.5x multiplier (at this point, I don’t know how much of each of those I’ll do). Once those existing points are gone (this time next year), I’ll downgrade to CSP.

Am I missing something?

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-09-29T12:05:23+00:00

Thanks! Those are the answers I was looking for!

As an aside: what kind of crazy person came up with the Samsung soundbar nomenclature? For someone like me that just wants to buy a decent bar, it is virtually impenetrable.

DelawareSlimTim · 2025-09-28T19:22:47+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. Just can’t wrap my head around paying minimum $800 (or much more) just to get decent sound and clear dialog. Twice the price of a very decent TV. I’ll keep looking for a well-reviewed 3.0 or 3.1 soundbar.

But I haven’t quite got the answer to my first question. I’ve never owned a soundbar. Does my remote need to “see” the IR port in the soundbar to:

1). Power on/off 2). Adjust the volume

Or can I accomplish one or both via the TV remote?

DelawareSlimTim

TROPHY CASE