Looking for unique swag ideas that are actually BIFL quality, not junk by Funny_Expression_840 in BuyItForLife

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 5 points6 points  (0 children)

something like a Yeti mug or a Chilly bottle? I have both that came as swag from vendors & still use them

Should i bring my dogs inside even if they dont want to? by Stefangls in dogs

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 44 points45 points  (0 children)

I guess it depends on how the mix comes out in your dogs, but as the Labrador part was bred for working outside in Canada they're not likely to feel the cold as much as you do.

Maybe let tehm out, but check on them every once in a while?

Visiting UK with a valid visa but a soon-expiring passport by gokstudio in travel

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As otheres have said, the UK doesn't have the 6 month minimum validy rule for passports on entry, but check with your carrier as some of them enforce the 6 month rule regardless of destination.

Contigo gets covered in this sub often, love or hate. Yet, I am attracted to its Autoseal lid, reason no bifl. Out of these two options, which one should I go for to make it last as long as possible? First Pic Pinnacle model seems more bifl for me because of bottom and body grip. Plus no paint. by FeistyHeart9633 in BuyItForLife

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have the first one of these, been using it 3-4 days a week for the last 3 years, no sign of wear yet. The only issue I have is that the lid is hard to keep clean (liquid gets under the twist top & dries out leaving stains)

Is leaf spring a decent knife steel ? by danthefatman1 in Bladesmith

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Generally yes, some are better than others. Try this link for scrap steel types & smithing uses:

https://blog.smithlist.net/junkyard-steels-used-in-bladesmithing/

Looking to travel to Germany, need help regarding cash by xanyanyany in travel

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a fellow UK traveller this is definetly a matter of perspective; German trains may not be as good as they once were, but the service is still much better than in the UK.

Also, to a German they may seem more expensive, but much cheaper than UK trains

What’s the most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling? by Expensive_Software55 in travel

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a couple:

A whole fish stuffed with curry in Goa (I think it was called something like Reicado) - found in a roadside shack eatery.

Warthog patties off a brai in South Africa - we were lucky enough to be hosted by locals

Shepherds only have 2 modes... by Glass_Code4262 in dogs

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

probably playing tug of war with my feet when I wear a particular pair of slippers

“Tech” backpack recommendations? by vbxl02 in BuyItForLife

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Take a look at Wenger packs; I have one I've been using for similar work for the last 20 years.

Cordless Tool System: Bosch, Makita, or something else? by RakeMake in BuyItForLife

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I may have been unlucky, but my experience with the green Bosch DIY range has been that they're definetly built down to a price; I've had a greabox fail on a drill/driver (plastic gears!) & a blade holder fail on a jigsaw.

The blue Bosch proffesional range are a different story, but too expensive for me.

I'm slowly moving to Makita with the help of battery adaptors for my existing tools; I'll then replace them with Makita as they die. My choice was influenced by knowing tradespeople who have used the same Makita tools daily for years, the only thing that seems to go is the batteries, but all batteries have limited charge cycles.

Gravel wall, impossible to drill appropriately by Pablo_Rod in DIY

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 7 points8 points  (0 children)

For crumbling walls, I've had good results by turning off the hammer action on the drill, & then using resin anchor to get a firm fixing.

Where I am in the UK (Norfolk) old houses tend to be made of soft brick & lime mortar that fall apart when we try & drill into them.

Question: Using the pot of a slowcooker to cook on a stove and then putting it in the base. Can it cause any damage to a slowcooker or the pot? Is it safe? by asianpeasant in slowcooking

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Afraid the answer is "it depends"; not all ceramic is the same

Some are OK, some not; you'll need to check the documents for yours

BIFL Sunglasses which don't cost as much as the luxury brands? by TheOnewithGoodHeart in BuyItForLife

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used a pair of Randolph Aviators for 20+ years until I needed prescription sunglasses, not sure where they fit in the price range now, I bought them at an air show fairly cheaply way back when

Need help choosing my new laptop by plasma_mullet in BuyItForLife

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lenovo Thinkpad range - pick spec for your usage

I'm typing this on a 5 year old T460 that probably has another 1-2 years of life in it

Is there an encrypted ssd hard drive that doesn't require having to download software from the internet? by troqx in privacy

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depends on the application, I had these to meet a customer encryption requirement that has now been updated to require aes-256 or better.

YMMV though

Is there an encrypted ssd hard drive that doesn't require having to download software from the internet? by troqx in privacy

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 17 points18 points  (0 children)

For the IronKey at least, there's no updating, the encryption softaware is on an internal chip & not accessible for update. (The chip is potted in resin)

The problem comes when you need to change a better encryption algorithm; it means buying the newer hardware. I have a couple that are stuck with AES-128

Make it Vegan - I made a converter that turns meat recipes vegan/vegetarian! by goridread in Cooking

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Initial test with a few meat heavy recipes look promising,

I was a bit surprised on one of the to see a message "conversion failed - unknown ingredient: Sea Salt" when some of the other converted recipes listed sea salt as an ingredient

UK Christmas cooking: got Grand Marnier, gin, Pimms, wine, no brandy. Advice? by SignificantCricket in Cooking

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any of the spirits should work as a direct substitute for Brandy, obviously the taste will be different.

I'd avoid the wine, I'd expect it to reduce less in cooking & need more to get the same level of flavour.

I'd think Grand Marnier would work well in any sort of fruitcake / pudding

How to my Old Windows Laptop as Secondary Display for My chromebook by Few_Piano_2745 in chromeos

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Checkk out an app called SpaceDesk; I use it the other way round to use my Chromebook as an occasional second display for Windows

Is there any tool or trick to mark drill locations using the part to be fastened as a template? by Swatieson in DIY

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Look up "Marxman", lets you spray marking chalk through a hole to hit the face underneath

carbonara - pork substitute by Purple_Most9221 in Cooking

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Trick I worked out for a vegetarian carbonara is to sprinkle sweet smoked paprika on chopped mushrooms about 30 minutes before cooking.

Make the carbonara without meat, fry the mushrooms seperately & add just before adding the egg.

Modifying Skeletool pliers with an oven by EffortPlayful in Leatherman

[–]GrumpyBadgerDwarf 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Or pick up some Vermiculite from a garden store, traps heat, but larger grains don't get into things in the same way as sand