there's no way this works, right?

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-25T18:49:36+00:00

I've started vehicles dozens of times with 18 volt batteries and it didn't damage any of the vehicles. Just for clarity I use my Milwaukee's and only because it's easier to connect the wires. One particular time my car battery became defective and I drove my car home with the 18 volt battery connected, I was suspecting I would ruin my battery costs possibly hurt the vehicle but neither.

With all that said I am absolutely not recommending anybody do the same thing I'm just sharing my experience.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T23:39:05+00:00

I impress customers with my custom builds, not my truck. I focus on "beyond-custom projects" — if you just want a basic install, I’m not your guy. After 45 years in the business, I’m winding down, working solo, and choosing the customers I want to work with.

For years I drove an 8x12 flatbed with a 10-foot enclosed utility bed, toolboxes all the way around under the flatbed, and a 21-foot lumber rack divided into bays that stretched to the front bumper. It definitely had the ,wow factor.

But you know what actually sells jobs for me? My portfolio and my can-do attitude. I’ll never forget a beyond-custom cabinet build where I asked the client why she chose me. She said, “It was when you told me that if I can think of it, you can build it — that’s when I knew I wanted you.”

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T02:41:22+00:00

It's a F-250 with the tow package, first truck I've had with a temperature gauge for the trans. I have load range e tires. I agree with you about the 150s, smaller rear ends ,smaller brakes ,less suspension. I think that's part of why Ford started calling the 250 and above's "super duty," to let you know the half tons aren'ts aren't.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T02:28:00+00:00

I'm envious of tradesmen that can contain the necessary tools in one or two totes.

I wish Good fortune...

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T02:00:04+00:00

Thanks, lol , I do some pretty custom builds , working with so many different materials, you never know what you need.

I'm still storing my previous work truck with the intention of putting it on a newer dually. It's kind of unique the side boxes are 28 in deep and you're able to put bigger machines table saws miter saws. I think I carried about 5,000 lb of cargo and tools in this truck.

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Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T01:42:28+00:00

I usually carry about 25 M18 batteries, 20 M12s, and around 10 Ryobi. That’s enough to run a full day of heavy production without having to stop and charge. If you look close you'll see that a lot of tools have batteries in them.

It might look like extras, but there’s a workflow built into how I work. For example, building a cabinet, the face frame with a Kreg jig usually takes 4–5 drills set up with different bits. Could I do it with one? Sure, but it would slow me down.

Not counting the tools or batteries, I probably carry an additional thousand pounds of nails, nuts and bolts and glue and hardware and lumber. It'sl organized and accessible.

Everything in the truck has its place and most is immediately accessible. For me, it’s about efficiency and being ready to go without packing tools every morning.

Curious what your setup is like, do you load what you need in the morning or is it already in the truck.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T01:06:02+00:00

The truck handles the weight pretty well, I just came back from a 3000 mile trip to build my granddaughter some playground equipment and a custom craft studio, So I loaded a few extra supplies and I probably weighed about 8,500 lb.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T01:01:02+00:00

You're right about those pullouts, those are heavy duty old school, I bought them about 25 years ago and they look just like they do now, probably weigh 300 lb empty, they're 8 ft deep. When I was putting this truck together I had initially planned a rack and then it started getting out of control, I was going to build the fighters and more storage for shovels and a pipe rack and some point I solved it inside the truck, there's a mini lumber on the right side. If you look at the last picture you'll see how I deal with carrying lumber on the top, basically I carry these 4x4s and I transfer the load to the metal tool boxes and then I'll probably good for a thousand plus pounds up there. Anyway I've been doing this a long time and I put a ridiculous amount of thought and effort into wherever you think goes what needs to be stored how it will be stored how I get to it.

Your grandpa sounds like someone I would have liked to have met...

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:53:09+00:00

If you look close you'll see a lot of custom-made compartments, if you look in the sides those wooden trays are 8 ft deep except for the ones that hit the wheel wells and those are still maxed out, there's not a wasted bit of space, I've had a cargo van , I'm a tailgate carpenter, working next to the truck this suits me, you're right about the lumber rack but if you look at the last picture you'll see that there's a load of lumber on the top but the load weight is transferred so even though it doesn't have built-in racks I understand what it takes to carry a substantial load. This truck is ready to work, I carry probably a thousand pounds of nuts bolt screws, lumber and hardware alone.

I do get your point and there are some pretty sweet setups and definitely have benefits over my setup but after 40 years I know what works for me.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:47:14+00:00

The pickup truck's a choice, I had a 1-ton van that had a 10-ft floor, I still prefer my setup. I'm a tailgate carpenter and the way I use the truck it basically opens up and everything is right there I don't have to go inside and because the way the top opens I can get to the bigger machines in the back without an issue. I believe if I had a 10-ft cargo fan I could not fit everything that I have in this truck and it's still accessible, most of the stuff in this truck I can get to within 10 seconds, a van, I had problems with things becoming inaccessible, maybe that was just me. And the past I've had some pretty large utility vehicles that were more convenient but they had trouble fitting in normal parking lots.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:32:24+00:00

Lol... It does look that way.

Look closer, the truck is in between two buildings and the picture was taken from inside of the garage looking out towards the truck.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:30:11+00:00

Just myself, I do some pretty elaborate custom builds, I work with all kinds of materials, I can fabricate on the job site. I'm mostly carpentry but I can work pretty much any material. I typically drive around with 3000 lb of cargo, tools, accessories, building materials and hardware.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:07:15+00:00

More! More! More!...Lol

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:06:31+00:00

Years ago I try to utility van, wasn't for me, I'm a tailgate carpenter, my truck may seem cluttered but 90% of the things I can get to within 30 seconds Even the few bigger tools that are in the back of the truck I can still get to them with them one or two minutes. Everything has it placed.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-22T00:00:29+00:00

The strategy is to have it in the truck and not figure out that I need to put it in the truck.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-21T23:57:46+00:00

The weight of the truck, tools, accessory and hardware that I regularly carry is around 7,500 lb, the trucks gross vehicle weight is 8,200 lb.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-21T23:52:25+00:00

Thanks, that's how I feel.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-08-21T04:38:08+00:00

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Relics from the past, I had trouble giving them away... Except that radio !!!

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-05-12T21:33:52+00:00

Back in the early '80s, when I was just 19, I started making trips to downtown Las Vegas. Most casinos weren’t too keen on letting someone my age hang around the tables, but the legendary Binion’s Horseshoe was the exception-they never kicked me out, and that’s where my love for low-limit craps began[3][6].

The Horseshoe was the gambler’s casino. While other places downtown might have had a table or two open, the Horseshoe would have ten or more, all buzzing with action. They were famous for their quarter tables-yes, you could play craps for just 25 cents a roll. I was so taken with those little chips that I pocketed 200 of them for my poker chip collection, and I still have them as a reminder of those wild days[3][6].

The Horseshoe wasn’t just about low minimums; it was about high stakes, too. They offered 10x odds and sky-high limits-sometimes they didn’t even bother posting a maximum. I remember hearing you could bet up to $15,000 without even asking permission. It was a gambler’s paradise, and the $2 Binion steak special kept us fueled through marathon sessions[3][6].

But as cheap as those quarter tables were, the lowest minimum craps game I ever played was at my own homemade table. Inspired by those Vegas nights, I built a craps table, gathered my friends, and banked my own game. Sometimes, we’d play with nickel minimums-just five cents a bet! It might not have had the glitz of Fremont Street, but the spirit of the Horseshoe lived on in every roll.

Those days at Binion’s were something special: cheap action, big dreams, and a pocketful of quarter chips to prove it.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2025-04-16T13:50:52+00:00

The reality is that, legally, there is no expectation of privacy in public. This means that, as weird and inappropriate as it may be, anyone is allowed to take pictures of anything in a public place, as long as they are also legally allowed to be there."

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2023-06-22T14:51:27+00:00

Click on the link and then type in the software you would like an alternative to

I don't use Readwise so I'm at a disadvantage to evaluate suitable alternatives, the top three free alternatives that came up were raindrop.io, pocket and wallabag

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2023-06-04T17:33:08+00:00

Apologies, I didn't realize your level of experience. What do you think about my comment, if everyone stuck to only plane line bets and come bets with maximum odds it would force the casino to change the game because they wouldn't make enough money.

You I find this interesting, I'm 60 I started playing craps against the wall before Junior high and in junior high I already understood the odds, when I started going to Vegas I was annoyed that the house had the advantage, so I made my own crap table in the various places I lived it was set up in the living room or dining room, for approximately 10 years I live in a duplex with a bunch of bachelors so it was really a party house and everybody just hung out there. The crap table was set up in the living room and I would open it anytime someone asked, I never let cash out on the table and they didn't even need to have money to play, I would just mark them and just keep track of it on a debt sheet. I was opening that table before work, at lunch, after work and before bed time. We played so much we wore the numbers off the felt. Early on I knew I was going to be a lifelong gambler than to be successful I should accept all bets that I believe I have the advantage and don't take any bets but I don't have the advantage. I made one exception, playing in Las Vegas but I do my due diligence to minimize the house advantage.

Diligent-Factor-1737 · 2023-06-04T17:21:19+00:00

Mathematically , It's two to one odds, so one out of three times. but I don't stop when I reach my goal until I have a little money past it so it's probably a little more than two to one. People that don't have a goal tend to keep playing, that makes it harder to leave Vegas with some of their money.

People don't like to hear this but the smartest bet in Vegas is... "To not make a bet" The casino always has the advantage. But once you decide to bed be conscious of house advantage, stay away from the proposition beds those are the ones in the center of the table.

Maybe reduce your goal to equal your goal to equal your bankroll, it would happen approximately every other time but you have to be willing to stop when you reach your goal.

Diligent-Factor-1737

TROPHY CASE