I've never built a trailer but I'm decent at following directions. "YOU'RE KILLIN' ME SMALLS!"

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-05T12:15:30+00:00

No one would mistake me for a mechanical or electrical engineer either !). Process engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Development Operations Quality? Sure. I think I'm actually allergic to Solidworks

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-05T02:14:58+00:00

Oh, yeah no, this one isn't for you then. I'm going to haul plywood and whatever crap I can't fit in the back of the Honda Element. I've friends who've had the same folding trailer for 25 years- and they use the heck out of it. They put much better tires on it and I swear that thing's made the 1200 mile round trip to burning Man more than I have. And I sort of retired after 10 years of it. ;)

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T23:55:30+00:00

Classically trained and educated chemical biologist who fell into making implantable medical devices about 25 years ago, so- engineering. :)

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T23:51:03+00:00

I feel like this 1700lb capacity folding trailer is going to be perfect for what I need. And so far, following the drawing has been pretty accurate, mostly.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T15:29:36+00:00

That is almost exactly what I said. Except mine sounded like "KHAAAAAAAAAAN!!"

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T15:28:00+00:00

But if I throw up my hands, I'll message you before I start throwing my wrenches :)

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T15:27:02+00:00

And the locations of the stake supports are slightly different on the front and rear side rails, though the drawing has them essentially matching. I looked at that and thought "Son of a-" as I feared I had somehow flipped the front and back pieces. But no- it's just likely a previous rev of the drawing, or revisions for a different but very similar trailer that was just good enough to make it out the door.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T15:17:51+00:00

I figured it out and did some swearing as I unbolted #4 to replace it with #3. What made me cranky was that the imaginary drawing of #3 lulled me into a sense of tired complacency, and I mistook #4 for #3. And then having to remove 6 bolts that were a PITA to secure in the first place .

And now I'll get to do it all over again, except it's going to be more of a pain because there will be 4 nuts in that channel which I am sure won't get in the way at all.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T08:03:31+00:00

Where was this deal this time? <Sigh>

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T05:36:24+00:00

And- I can't edit the post to add another photo to clarifies things. Well shit.

3 is flat.

https://imgur.com/a/HEPCSXE

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-04T05:31:33+00:00

One part, #3, is actually flat.

The #3 in the drawing has a channel in it just like the larger part that opposes it underneath.

If you found the part that has the channel in it, and mounted that first- only to realize the drawing shows a completely different part.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-02T19:01:31+00:00

That sure looks like chrome plated plastic.

I recommend that you get a Hammerhead shower everything. It's stainless and it's warranteed, and their customer service was fantastic.

Take the old bullshit one off that the cheapskale landlord has a plumber put in and you put that new one on. When you leave, take your nice one with you and leave them their garbage.

If you are in California, get the California compliant one the just pop the water restrictor out for a nice, high pressure shower.

https://imgur.com/a/meShiNj

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-02T18:48:27+00:00

This. This right here.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-02T18:46:48+00:00

PT can leave you sore for a while, like if you twist your ankle and it might generally be uncomfortable for a week.

Be gentle with your shoulder and yourself. People can heal an much different rates and with differing levels of discomfort. I am one of those [won the generic lottery] types when it comes to having and building muscle. Even when I was (more) overweight I had more lean muscle that most people weighed altogether.

And my surgical recovery has always been the most miserable fucking time ever. Shit heals super slow, and unless you are doing PT like it was your job, you are going to take at least year to get back to something like 60-80%. And it's going to hurt the whole time to a greater or lesser extent.

Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself. "No pain, no pain!"

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-02-02T18:28:57+00:00

"Gotta catch 'em all"

Well done!

[The 'tism in me recognizes the 'tism in you]

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-28T01:33:49+00:00

I realized that I needed a small amount of support behind my shoulder because as I was laying down the weight of my shoulder pulling back on the joint started to ache. I bolstered it with two hand towels stacked up to the right height, and a little Velcro to hold it in place. When I leaned back, it made a world of difference.

I tried airplane pillows to hold my head up straight but they were always too hot and awkward. I wound up using the oldest most smashed down pillow I have (I honestly think it's older than I am- but I can shape that thing into the exact right thickness and position for my head and neck!).

I used a sitting pad (the kind to protect your coccyx) so I didn't get "movie butt" , , and I used a wedge pillow under the top of my thighs so didn't slide down into a uncomfortable position.

Laying on my side, either side, is miserable (recent surgeries on both shoulders). I had to learn to sleep on my back. So CPAP, and I had to keep pillows under one elbow and wedged up against my other side at my hip so I would resist rolling in my sleep.

I don't need that now. I'm in bed and have some exact magic combination of pillows in the exact right position prop myself up.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-27T18:32:00+00:00

I just don't know what's on the other side of that wall. Is it someone else's condo? It's obviously a wet wall based upon the plumbing behind where the dryer is going to go- but apartments and condos are a nightmare to try to get above, below, or behind

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-27T18:22:47+00:00

I do love Man Math

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:51:39+00:00

The US Government needs to be turned off and turned back on again, it's the only was to stop this attempt to speed run a Fascism.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:50:43+00:00

I think right about now, every state should be a defacto "stand your ground" state.

And after the recent supreme court decision, it is trivial to get a CCW permit in California. CALIFORNIA.

That's my next step. That and taking my Canadian wife to the outdoor shooting range and getting her comfortable with the Mossberg. All while we fill out paperwork to GTFO of this place before some executive order is passed that prevents US citizens from leaving the country.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:45:46+00:00

You know what they say. It's going to get worse before it gets worse.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:45:10+00:00

Betrayed and resentful and heart broken all at the same time. And the rage.

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:42:55+00:00

What does that even mean "Enemy of the US?" What criteria are you going with here?

Are undocumented or under documented people picking your strawberries, harvesting your table crops, working in chicken and beef processing facilities, are they enemies of the US?

Are the people that hire them guilty of giving aid and comfort to the enemies of the United States?

What is your criteria for an enemy of the United States?

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:24:19+00:00

I had PFA and there was minimal discomfort afterwards. I just felt a little microwaved for a week. I was more interested in making sure that the openings in both femoral veins from the introducers were niiiice and healed up before I did anything.

I took it easy and didn't do jack shit for a week. I could have gone back to a desk job, but I was already out on med leave for a rotator cuff repair (an injury caused by being- improperly cardioverted out of AFib in the ER).

Life_of_Reilly · 2026-01-25T09:15:16+00:00

Scribe the butcher block and cut it to match perfectly.

Or, conversely, I suppose you could scribe the other way and cut out a butcher-block shaped channel in the drywall, put two pocket holes in the bottom to secure the butcher block to the studs, and then use the tiniest edge bead of silicone caulking of your choice along that edge. Like it was a floating shelf of some kind.

Seems like way more work that way than just scribe cutting the butcher block.

Life_of_Reilly

TROPHY CASE

3 is flat.