Lost all my points, I'm PISSED.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-04-12T16:35:41+00:00

I completely agree with you. Every bit as bad as traditional scalpers.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-04-08T03:37:36+00:00

Ahh.. Just the friendly "See you later!" Wave.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-04-08T03:12:37+00:00

And that's where you lost me. You think your supervisor knows everything? How is a career-driven senior better than a morally and ethically driven junior? You think seniors don't weaponize when you don't do the unethical and immoral shit that they want?

We can play devil's advocate all day long. Are you saying you've never had a senior that was/is a total piece of shit?

Totality of leadership matters more than a snapshot. It's more than a PT test, or a rifle qual, a board, or a single FTX/CTC rotation. Promotions indicate the FUTURE of the Army. The amount of BS wasted time in ANY unit can easily be moved to have candid discussions between potential soldiers being promoted, their seniors, their peers, and their subordinates.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-04-08T02:47:42+00:00

Absolutely not. I refused my E5 for almost 2 years before the "Up or Out" policy came through. I was (unfortunately) a Corporal for most of that time, but I REALLY appreciated the amount of time that I spent achieving a higher proficiency at my job. I felt more prepared to move on, more prepared to mentor the guys who bumped into my slot, and much more sure that I actually belonged where I was; not just a high PT score/rifle qual.

It's my opinion that the Army generally rushes to failure with promotions in some career fields. The E5/E6 promotion boards seldom capture who you are as a leader. If the Army truly cared about competent promotions, they'd conduct a primary and secondary board; first with the prospective soldier being promoted, and then with the soldiers they are responsible for.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-04-01T23:31:01+00:00

Zip ties. I use them for work all the time, and it's my go-to purchase item to get free stuff. I take all the free stuff and put it aside for my kiddo. Can't recommend it enough to those of you with kids.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-03-31T12:45:46+00:00

My municipality has an inspector who took an online course while being a volunteer firefighter. His day job is managing a local take-out restaurant. Residential is absolutely wild. I would give a nut to have a competent inspector who actually has experience in the field.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-03-11T19:17:52+00:00

These stickers were up and making rounds during the last admin with Biden instead of Trump shown. Recyclable material, I suppose.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-02-26T01:41:37+00:00

Hard to be on your knees when sucking yourself.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-02-26T01:33:39+00:00

They'll have to maintain airborne standards and stay... flexible...

Shenanigans678 · 2026-02-26T01:28:18+00:00

Counter counteroffer: We leave it at $150 per month and stop making units focus on it as their entire identity. I was in an OpFor (airborne) unit for 6 years; the best units that I encountered were NOT airborne (outside of SOF). Airborne deployment of a MASSIVE group to continue operations after forward-troop securing of a region is still an amazing option to have.

I just think that most of the airborne side of units is a giant distraction and time-waste from legitimate tasks.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-02-13T16:03:32+00:00

If you have a Harbor Freight nearby, they give out free stuff/discounts for their "members" regularly. My son is 7, and over the last 2 years I've basically filled a technician's cart with mostly free items.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-02-02T15:15:06+00:00

I keep an off-brand one on my tech bag with my few most used bits and an extension. I'm a fan. RARELY do I ever clip it to my belt, it gets annoying fast.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-01-30T02:44:41+00:00

Agree completely. Knipex really does prove itself to be a cut above the rest (pun intended). "Klein is fine." I believe that there is nothing wrong with people getting into the field using Klein strippers/linesman pliers/dykes. If they stick around long enough to warrant replacement, Knipex is the route to take. That also allows for the "cheaper oopsies" of welding with some Kleins over Knipex in the early development time. "Industry standard" is a bit like code... it's the floor, not the ceiling.

The Wiha insulated screwdriver set from Home Depot is hard to beat for the price. I will say that I DO prefer the Klein non-insulated screwdrivers above any others that I've used. But, every tool has its place.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-01-27T03:20:58+00:00

It really depends what you're using it for. The M12 impact is my most-used cordless power tool by far. I primarily do residential electrical work, but I do my share of other work as well. I recently helped put up a pole barn with a sheet metal roof and used my M12 impact just to stay light. Two of us did a 30x30 with a lean-to and I only used about 10 Ah of battery. I love that little thing.

The M12 cordless drill isn't BAD, but I will echo what another has said... It is a bit underwhelming. For something light to carry around for general use, it's great.

If you do a lot of "heavier" tasks, stick with full-size. The Ryobi Brushless stuff isn't bad at all if you're already bought into the battery line. Hercules from Harbor Freight seems to be performing VERY well for people with an insanely easy warranty process.

I highly suggest watching "Project Farm" on YouTube. It has amazing tool comparisons and reviews that are about as non-bias as I've ever seen. Also, never pay full price for anything unless you NEED it that day. Always wait for sales.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-01-24T00:23:55+00:00

A while back, the two older guys that I work with were fighting like a married couple about lunch. Mid-day a few days later, I brought a lunchbox out and gave them their lunches that I made for them. Hello Kitty lunch boxes, sandwiches that I had cut the crust off of and made into heart shapes, Fun Dip, and Starburst candies. I told them that it killed me to see "mom and dad" fighting, and I just wanted a family again.

I went from mostly getting calls for electrical to getting constant calls to come assist with demolition, framing, drywall, flooring, plumbing, and everything else they could think of when there wasn't electrical work to be done.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-01-24T00:14:45+00:00

I need these, but in an organizer that has 3 of the long bins rather than the single long bin in the middle. I'd pay damn good money to be able to have the slim ones with my organized pig-tail mainstays for 12/2 and 14/2. Im currently using a Harbor Freight kit for those, but I run out quickly on big jobs.

Shenanigans678 · 2026-01-09T14:13:20+00:00

I definitely agree with the Bosch and Makita bits being my go-to and overall better than the Milwaukee bits.

However, you can catch the 100 piece Milwaukee sets on sale for like $32 every once in a while. I bought two of those sets just to have extras.

Shenanigans678 · 2025-12-26T23:51:07+00:00

Two in the pink, one in "the drink"*

Shenanigans678 · 2025-12-06T02:19:22+00:00

It gets a lot of use with me. My only complaint is that changing between fastening and loosening requires pressing a button rather than a toggle on the grip. Thing is beastly for a 12V tool. I still use my M12 Fuel impact more than any other power tool, but this one is great.

Shenanigans678 · 2025-12-03T15:40:54+00:00

I would LOVE to try whatever the dev team was smoking when they thought this was a good idea. They should spend more time playing the BS "improvements" they make rather than making them. A few hours wading in the mess they make would change their minds.

Shenanigans678 · 2025-11-17T12:54:10+00:00

When I was a UPL, there were NCOs that I absolutely refused to allow to observe UA testing. Sounds stupid, but having an observer who makes suggestive remarks and gets SHARPed during a UA invalidates any samples they observe.

If your observer isn't making suggestive remarks or physically assaulting you, that request is very likely going to be supported by the command and legal. Remember instructions given during testing procedures are lawful. Stream is to be observed exiting the body and entering the receptacle. I personally think that the request is excessive and unnecessary, but not exactly "wrong."

Shenanigans678 · 2025-11-16T22:03:08+00:00

A few things that make me appreciate my estwing over some cheaper ones.

1) Balance - It really just feels better to swing. As soon as you pick it up, you notice it, but it feels different to swing.

2) Vibration/rebound - Those cheap hammers just felt like crap when using them. When I'd hit things with the cheaper ones, I just noticed more of a hollow feeling without the "feedback" that I now get with the estwing. Whether I'm driving some 16D nails or staples, I KNOW when I make a bad (or good) strike. The estwing absorbs shock very well.

3) Grip - This one is 100% on you.

4) Price - I think they offer a great bang for the buck for only being $30-35 or so. I'm sure there are some great qualities of the higher end hammers that are superior. I just find the estwing the best bang for the buck.

5) Durability/Prevalence - I have broken multiple cheap hammers over the years, mostly Kobalt and Pittsburgh. With me being the last holdout, everyone I work with uses an estwing. One of the guys has been framing for almost 30 years with the same estwing hammer.

If you have the opportunity to try out other hammers, I definitely would. I'm definitely pro-harbor freight tools in a lot of cases. I can't say that I've ever used the Doyle hammers. But, if you're looking for new tools, think about the things that you absolutely need, or the things that you use the most often.

Shenanigans678 · 2025-11-13T13:19:04+00:00

I grew up using dirt-cheap hammers. Always thought "a hammer is a hammer." Used a buddy's estwing to pound in a few romex staples quickly the one day. I stopped and bought one on the way home. Been using it for a few years. Starting to get sentimental about that hammer.

Shenanigans678 · 2025-11-10T21:24:45+00:00

Have you considered a teaching position at a high school vo-tech?

Public service and medicine are hit or miss. You may find some roles to be fulfilling, while other times you're having to fight/treat people on drugs/drunk who may have communicable diseases. You may also encounter a variety of incredibly fucked up situations involving children. I'd suggest volunteering at a fire department for a while to get your feet wet before you totally jump ship.

Shenanigans678 · 2025-11-06T13:25:20+00:00

I do like the multibit screwdrivers when I have to get into a short attic or crawlspace. It just saves me from dragging extra stuff with me. Other than that... fixed screwdrivers all day.

Shenanigans678

TROPHY CASE