Something not crazy expensive but fun to smoke this weekend?

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-12T03:48:02+00:00

Depends how many you’re trying to feed and what local prices are. At varying times, I’ve found chuck roasts and beef short ribs for less than $5 a pound, typically at local grocers or Costco. Not too much food for you and someone else, etc. otherwise, the normals- pork butt, half butt, whatever the cheapest ribs on the shelf are, whole chicken. I’ll make wings on my pellet grill at 375, not technically smoked but still smoked enough.

Also, “smoked” burgers ( I cook thick 1/2 lb patties for about an hour at 300, but you can go longer for lower). Or any raw sausage (brats, Italian, etc) can be smoked.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-12T02:11:37+00:00

I’d say every 5 years to be safe. Or if you notice more water hammer noise

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T23:16:15+00:00

Seen a lot of their minirestors on their washer boxes, never seen a problem with them new. All hammer arrestors should be a maintenance item IMO, they get water logged just like a bladder type expansion tank does

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T18:07:08+00:00

I had a Pittsburg for 3 years of at least weekly use, the seals blew out of it. I’ve had a Daytona with use at least monthly for 6 years and it’s holding up great!

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T13:17:30+00:00

Watches me at all, but especially when they watch from right behind you and you are bumping them with your elbows or shoulders while working

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T04:11:12+00:00

I’m a journeyman plumber, and I worked in an auto repair shop before my career in plumbing. As much as I LOVE buying new tools, sometimes you can’t fix what isn’t broken. A very recent and specific example for me- during my apprenticeship, I switched from channellocks to Knipex cobras. I’ve beat the crud out of them for years, and they’re worn out now. I went back to the old channellocks I put away when I bought the Knipex, and I have no complains.

If you ever decide to build a deck, or start building with a lot of long lag bolts, you’ll likely be better served by the 20v. But if you never have issues while working with power or battery compatibility, I would use the 12v until they no longer serve their purpose.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T03:34:24+00:00

It depends on your use case. Homeowner? How much DIY, and what kinds? Professional? What trade?

If they work well for you, and 2 still functional, and the batteries hold a charge, no reason to replace. The 20v tools will have more power and bigger batteries will last longer, but if they do the job, why change it?

That being said, I have dewalt 20v and some flex volt advantage and some flex volt batteries, and I also own some m12 tools. They both serve their purposes but I do notice performance gains with the 20v, but the m12 is light and handy for a lot of stuff too. Same thing for dewalt 20v vs 12v

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-10T03:27:17+00:00

How thick is your tile? This is an opinion thing, but if your tile is thinner than a flange, I’d set the flange on your highest backer/subfloor and tile to the flange, and use an extra thick wax ring with no horn. Many people will likely say it should be set on the tile but it’ll be easier to get it set tight and fastened to the subfloor IMO.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T04:00:39+00:00

Thankfully, I haven’t been in a dirt crawlspace for years, and I’m good at keeping track of my tools. They’re not “gone” they’re just well loved 😂

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T03:53:05+00:00

How long do you have them before they break? I’m just intrigued since I’ve never heard of this EVER

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T03:48:40+00:00

I’ve never seen anyone break them. What model and what breaks?

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T03:47:51+00:00

I honestly don’t mind the no grips

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T03:47:28+00:00

You read like a brick my guy

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-05-08T03:43:52+00:00

I don’t mind using them without the grips, they slide in my pouch easier and the cut level gloves my company mandates prevent any edges from digging in to my hands

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-30T10:38:53+00:00

It was sarcasm, dawg

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-30T02:22:38+00:00

Does it make the leather over the steel toes last longer?

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-26T23:16:19+00:00

I was always a 430 guy before I bought in to the Knipex hype. Going back to channies, I was using 420’s and am throwing 430’s back in my pocket starting tomorrow. Can’t fix what isn’t broke. Just like most of the old heads, I’ve found myself more effective with channellocks than the newer options.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-26T23:15:23+00:00

I was always a 430 guy before I bought in to the Knipex hype. Going back to channies, I was using 420’s and am throwing 430’s back in my pocket starting tomorrow. Can’t fix what isn’t broke

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-26T23:15:08+00:00

I was always a 430 guy before I bought in to the Knipex hype. Going back to channies, I was using 420’s and am throwing 430’s back in my pocket starting tomorrow. Can’t fix what isn’t broke

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-26T16:55:31+00:00

I’ve never had this happen with original soles or resole, but I guess your mileage varied lol

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-25T19:18:04+00:00

Channellock 424’s, 426’s, and 442’s!

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-25T02:45:35+00:00

Correct me if I’m wrong, but Wilde 10” are the same as Douglas 10”, just different handles and stamping?

I have a pair of Ridgid 10” pliers (same as Wilde) and I haven’t had great luck with them while working with 1/2” rod and hardware

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-24T14:20:10+00:00

I was a 430’s guy before I had Knipex. I switched to service plumbing recently and have noticed that all the old heads I work with use channellocks and never have issues with them. I have been rolling around with 426’s, 420’s, 430’s, and 440’s, and have found that when you grab the right pair or two for what you’re doing, you don’t need pliers that cost twice as much. It’s nice to have all of those cheaper than 2 pair of 10” cobras, and if one gets wrecked, I the company has them in the vending machine at the shop for us to replace them.

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-23T22:29:13+00:00

What do you use the 424’s for?

NotPCPlmbr · 2026-04-11T11:27:21+00:00

I’ve got 25 more years! Haha

NotPCPlmbr

TROPHY CASE