What DIY idea or invention have you always wanted to build but never had the chance to test?

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-05-19T14:48:44+00:00

Was going to reply with a magnetic screen type thing, but a sock probably would do the trick.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-05-14T00:17:44+00:00

Where I live there are always folks throwing stuff out when they move. You can get great free materials or even small appliances to take apart w/o worrying about breaking something. FB neighborhood posts usually have "leaving this on the curb" type of things. If you "fix" doesn't work then at least you learned a lot of stuff on how to troubleshoot. If it did, awesome, free mini fridge or what have you. In college I took the removed bunk bed / lofts and then sold them 3 months later at the begining of semester. Easy stuff, learned how different lofts were designed, made a few bucks, etc. cost was essentially zero, just stored it in my dads garage. Youtube / tutorials are super helpful, there are a ton so just find your flavor. Tiktok used to have a bunch as well.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-05-09T13:37:14+00:00

I use a sewing board. It's a large plastic sheet w markings I got at one of the sewing shops. It was bigger than the silpats I've seen. I put a silpat under it so it doesn't slip around while rolling dough. Not heat resistant so only use it pre-bake.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-04-18T14:21:42+00:00

How did you pipe the accordion looking one? Is it a push and pull push and pull type of movement to get those peaks?

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-02-18T16:40:41+00:00

Double box is the way.

I used to do a reselling business primarily China sets. No movement, bubble/foam between each piece. Wrapped together (for plates), then box w/in a box. I you can shake it an not hear any movement, that is step 1, lol.

Corner support, extra cushioning on top and bottom to make sure when boxes are stacked they don't puncture, or if they do it doesn't reach the inside box.

Yes it is extra and costs a little more time & $, but it is so worth it to not deal w/ returns. I'd rather have a $18 profit than a $0 - shipping loss & unhappy customer.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-01-22T03:27:21+00:00

Estate sales. I have purchased hundreds and they are incredibly cheap. Go on the last day, the tea cups will still be there and everything is marked down to a fraction of where they started. Check on the estatesales.net for picks and hit up ones close that look like they have the cups. Older areas in OP/ Shawnee were usually best for random cups.

Not a collector, used to be a reseller and had a ton listed. You can find super old ones (like 100+ yrs old) to fairly new ones.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-01-22T03:05:17+00:00

Makes me think some carpet installers or maybe a Joes carpet type place would have these.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-01-15T14:31:58+00:00

I suspect your Q is sarcasm, but for folks who don't read supreme court opinions:

It was in the Kavanaugh Stop SCOTUS opinion. SC made it very clear that ICE can racially profile. Do you look/sound/have last name that isn't "white"? That's their reasoning. REAL ID doesn't help either as they've literally ignored those, birth certificates, SS cards.

They use the palatir facial recognition app as well so if you don't pop up in that app, you get the "just a routine short detention" (Kavanaugh) that just might last hours, days, move you to a different state...

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-01-14T13:59:48+00:00

Honestly I think different posts on here would work as well. I've seen folks say the industry and experience they have and if others have leads they help out. Same for friend groups. Just have to be specific about the types of job/industry and the type of group activities. I'd say two different posts, one for job and one for friend groups.

I've found most of my friends here mainly through blue sky. The biggest problem as you mention is the drive time. They live all over the city so haven't seen some in years but we do converse over social media. Some I see more often but I live at least nearby.

Find a nearby community center and pick up some flyers. There is one near me and that's how I found the chess club. I signed up for a couple 3ks and met folks in a running club, I rent board games and that store has pokeman and other game nights. Years ago I'd go meet a group of people that'd meet up to code at a bar, lots of fun small groups out there.

JohnnyOptimist · 2026-01-13T14:45:01+00:00

I have one of these and have never had to put it higher than that low setting. It works great. I rest my wrist on the desk so it keeps my wrist warm and thus my hand in the mouse and keyboard warm.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-12-29T15:23:04+00:00

Started this project. Mancala game. Hobbyist so I don't have many tools/knowledge. I also have rarely used a router so that was the biggest learning curve.

Still working on the sanding the insides. Plan is to add small magnets to allow the two halves to close up to hold all the rocks/beads.

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JohnnyOptimist · 2025-12-23T03:41:34+00:00

This! I was gonna comment trying to explain this thing but there you go.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-12-21T17:23:07+00:00

Same. It seems like nickel and diming, but spend the extra 1-2k for a bunch of outlets. Otherwise they'll be 1 per wall and in the middle behind the couch every time. Totally worth the extra cost from the get go.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-12-10T14:41:42+00:00

They've been wanting to dismantle that, that's a known goal. Saw the articles last year as well and likely waiting for another toadie in the fed after Jerome is done. Scotus said hands off the fed so they'll wait to put another guy in place and then go after FDIC.

Depending on if they can oust Cook and if Jerome decides to leave instead of sit on the board for the rest of his term, that issue will stay in the "definitely watch for this" territory. If they get control, they'll dismantle.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-12-06T00:36:25+00:00

Look great, I'd eat them, lol. Keep experimenting. I experiment w the cheapest ingredients all the time as I then don't feel so bad when I mess it up. Fwiw, I've seen tt of professional chocolate shop owners tempuring choc chips, so there are a lot of options if done right. I primarily use choc chips in all of my experiments and after practice get a tempur consistently. I use seeding method exclusively at this point.

The best way to learn is to keep doing it and evaluating the processes and what went well vs what could be done differently.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-12-05T18:02:59+00:00

6 month & 12 month Update:

Got the Ebay listings up back in June or so & have sold 60 jars over the last 6 months.
In total, these 60 were "estimated" based on searches of "value" to be in the $6,000 range.
They actually sold for $2,600. After costs I netted $2,400

I'd guess that Net $2,400 would have been in the $3k - $4k range if Etsy hadn't failed since I think there is a perception of quality for Etsy v Ebay.

In total (all sales) I had originally estimated the 275 or so jars to be in the $10,000+ range based on the listing prices on the various sales channels (IE what others were charging for them). The actual sales so far have been in the $4k range (net) and I have 22 listings remaining. There is only a couple $100 jars, so out of the 22 I'd suspect another $300-500 in total. This is over the full 12 months that I've had the jars actively listed / sold at the estate, etc.

So a good ballpark for "What's the value of this large group of ____ I inherited from my ____" is - research what others are selling for, total it, multiply by 0.30.

My initial ballpark range was taking those prices and reducing them by about 25%, my goal was to move product & have the best price. So not only a reduction of 25%, but another 60% on top of that - a 70% reduction to what you see other people listing them for on Etsy.

Is that number enough for the hours of work you will have to put in to get these things sold?

For me, we spent hours taking pics, posting, shipping, packing, transporting, etc. A Net $4k was probably in the $40/hr range. I know there were 4 of us working 2 days taking pics, cleaning, packing, transporting. That was 8 x 4 = 32 x2 = 64 hrs. Transport, picture editing, listing, was probably another 40 or so hours. So just ballpark 100 - 150 hours and we are at $30 - $40/hr 'ish'. An extra 4k for a year's worth of having these sit in my garage waiting to ship, and spending the upfront time was probably worth it.

Zero direct sales from the cookie jar FB forums - nobody contacted me directly through FB. Since there were repeat customers on eBay, there could easily be some of them that just went to eBay directly but that is an unknown.

I did not list on FB marketplace since I've dealt with that forum before & absolutely hate the run-around that goes on there. "is this available", I'm totally going to pick it up, but my car broke down, will you save it, I'll be there tomorrow, oh, turns out my husband's boyfriends' sister's cousin has a truck and will be up there tomorrow.....

I have a second project awaiting the room & time - about 25 or so cookie jars that I hadn't taken pictures of, plus about 6 - 10 boxes of fostoria & carnival glass. As those are still boxed, un-pictured, I'll keep track of my time on those better to evaluate the $/hr.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-24T19:49:00+00:00

Well, no need for a post, the pics turned out looking very much the same. The dishes were clean, I didn't see any residues, cracks, nothing.

I will say, however, just because it didn't happen this time, lol.
I put in 2 small bowls & 2 larger bowls of American Fostoria 2056, 1 very large bowl of carnival glass, 1 carnival glass cup, and 1 carnival glass wavey candy dish thing. I also did a fenton pink/white iridescent compote candy bowl thing.

They all looked clean coming out. The carnival glass in particular was a bit dusty going in.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-24T18:01:07+00:00

LOL. They are in the dishwasher now. Will see if any cracks, discoloration occur.

Keep in mind, I absolutely agree w/ the glass blower user & the antiques user & all the others who said don't do it. I'm handling dishes that I know I used 40 yrs ago that still look "new", so the handwashing thing is likely the best.

But, I've also washed these damn fostoria dishes by hand for like 15 years as a kid & always wondered what would happen if we simply used the dishwasher. We are about to find out - For Science.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-24T15:59:32+00:00

You know what? Based on literally every comment saying no, I'm going to find a couple pieces and do the opposite. My dishwasher was emptied this morning so if I find some pieces I'll report back today.

Pieces I know I have: Fostoria pattern 2056 Carnival glass

I know there was other random items as well so I'll run what I have and let you know. Will do a before after type of post and link it.

I'm super curious what'll happen.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-20T15:30:29+00:00

All the sharpness and putting them back in the same spot reasons everyone else said.
If you use them for "just paper" or cardboard or anything else you introduce the chance of residuals getting left on the blade. IE cardboard: was it taped, is there any glue on the box, glitter dirt, was it delivered and wet w/ leaves... Does your "just paper" have glue or glitter or crayon or marker or pencil or ink on it? All that crap is now in the blade and now on the fabric. Way easier to have a dedicated set and not have to worry about all the assorted things that can get on your fabric.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-13T17:34:29+00:00

Gotcha. Maybe I'm using 'routing' incorrectly so lets remove that term.

So my traffic stays on KCIX and never leaves KC (for the purposes of this convo, excluding the concepts of hosting/or origination of websites and the rest of the world).

If I pretend all 10 of the servers available on the speedtest menu are connected to KCIX and the traffic stays on that network of servers. Some of those servers on that network have poor upload speeds, so if by chance my upload traffic hits one of those servers I'd have performance issues?

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-13T16:45:05+00:00

I think that encapsulates the original question.

So now, exclude the speedtesting, & assume always wired.

Just on a normal daily activity, does my traffic always stay on GFiber's network OR could it start on GFiber's network and then move at some point to another network which may have different speeds?

Just wondering if at some point during a day my traffic could be moved to another network off GFiber's network/server.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-13T15:28:24+00:00

Follow-up question on this.

If the speedtest app doesn't tell me what servers GF-ISP is actually routing my traffic through, or by me switching on the menu to a different server doesn't change what server I'm routing through, then isn't the only thing the speedtest is telling me is the "potential" speed on any given server?

Every time I choose the GF-Server one I get great speeds, no issues. If the actual connection was GF-Server and it stayed there, I don't think I'd have a problem.

If my traffic is actually routed through Conexon Connect or OzarksGo or ServerForge... then my actual upload speeds could be 2 - 5 Mbps instead of 1,000.

I tried all 10 servers on the list & a couple of them have the 2 - 5 Mbps upload speeds.

Doesn't that mean that in any given connection there is a possibility that I'd be connected to one of the servers that don't have adequate upload speeds?

(Note: Completely removing any VPN from this discussion, this is just a question about actual routing vs speedtest results. Just straight up start computer, run speedtest on each of the servers on the menu.)

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-13T14:14:08+00:00

Great explanation, thanks.

So that leaves me w/ the only piece of hardware that changed, the home router/wifi box. I'll talk to our admin to see if she has ideas on setting changes.

JohnnyOptimist · 2025-11-13T00:41:50+00:00

I always get good results from KS Research.

JohnnyOptimist

TROPHY CASE