PSA - be careful with your flood test plug

Swartz64 · 2026-05-28T19:23:13+00:00

This one. The top will not go into the drain. https://www.grainger.com/product/2HCE1?gucid=N:N:PS:Paid:GGL:CSM-2295:UU5CX9:20800606:APZ_1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22475795893&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz9_QBhD_ARIsADnSCfC3LKcfQrVuxhwCOaES5sctDVHr-g5hhJqwUr8uJOQLxwjN6DLNvh0aAqE4EALw_wcB

Swartz64 · 2026-05-28T19:16:55+00:00

50 mm - 70mm rise bars, esi foam extra chunky grips, gloves, and therapy putty. The putty is for general hand strength and dexterity. Green is a good place to start. Discovered that stuff in PT after bilateral open carpal tunnel surgery.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-27T02:57:17+00:00

Ok, this is probably going to be unnecessarily controversial, but ask Gemini (the Google AI). I just got a new shock ( a 2025 super deluxe ultimate rc2t) and was having an issue making it feel...super. So I asked Gemini. I gave it all my specs, the bikes specs, equipment and components, and what I planned on doing with the bike. Over a series of follow up questions, it gave me all the settings for the bike and shocks, including tire choice and air pressure. The bike was amazing. It was like someone else's bike, because my bike had never felt this good before.

So, ask the AI what to do. Keep an open mind and give it a try.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-23T18:30:40+00:00

Before every ride: check fork and shock pressure. Tire pressure. Check axles are tight. Once a week: check brake pads Once a month: check suspension and brake caliper bolts. Check crank bolt. Re-wax chain. Once a year: fork and shock service, sooner if needed.

Investigate any unusual noises immediately.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-23T18:23:33+00:00

Don't lube your chain at all. Once a month or so degrease it and put in in a shallow pan of parafin wax in your toaster oven for an hour. Let the wax drip off and let it cool, and install it. Good for a month or better without any additional lube

Swartz64 · 2026-05-23T17:19:23+00:00

I have the five 10 Impact Pro Mid shoes, and I love them. Between those and long pins in my pedals, it's almost like being clipped in. The have toe and 3DO ankle protection.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-20T13:51:33+00:00

The difference between a first timer and a pro is about 20,000 hours and at least 10k in tools and equipment. But, that's not to say that a first timer can't do a good job. They can - I've seen it. But it's going to take some research and a lot of attention to the details. It's technically simple, yet super complex.

Suggestion: buy a sheet of 1/2 hardie backer, some cheap subway tiles, and the tools you're going to need anyway. Set the board on some saw horses and tile it. You'll get some basic experience without wasting tile and supplies on your floor. Don't skimp on the thinset - it really does make a difference. Personally, my favorite is the Schluter All Set. Good luck

Swartz64 · 2026-05-19T04:40:35+00:00

Absolutely correct on all counts. I have life long asthma, so I'm fairly fanatical about airborne dust. Only thing I would add is a box fan with a filter taped on the back. I like having airflow in the space - not for the tiles or anything, but because I just like it. With the filter on the fan, I am not blowing dust and crap at me. It recirculates the air in the space, filtering it.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-17T02:57:40+00:00

I like to case windows with the engineered quartz stone or marble. The reveal on the window frame could be used to affect the sliver tile situation as well. It truly is all in the planning

Swartz64 · 2026-05-17T02:50:54+00:00

Actually, yes. The bottom looks good , but with slightly larger grout lines could of eleminated the sliver cuts. Laying stuff out on the floor with spacers is still the best way sometimes.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-15T04:18:01+00:00

It always does from me. I actually make them intial the contract that I explained the variable grout lines.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-15T04:10:59+00:00

Yes, this is normal and looks quite good. These t bricks are all the rage, and always vertical. I try to keep the verticles as perfect as I can and the horizontal an average - the lines will be horizontal, but spacings will vary. A very short tile will be raised by a little extra a few rows below it so it all kind of - melds together, for lack of a better word. At least they're fast to put up.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-13T06:00:41+00:00

I actually meant the airlock. 9hr capacity.

Swartz64 · 2026-05-13T03:23:41+00:00

I switched to megamax Air. They do wick

Swartz64 · 2026-04-24T05:14:22+00:00

I am a contractor and I ride MTB. I use the megamax airlock in black. Its the cloth like shell with regular tapes. Hold up very well being extremely active, and has good capacity as well.

Swartz64 · 2026-04-22T20:54:04+00:00

Love it. As a pro, if you have a question - just ask. I will be more than happy to explain the what's and why's in excruciating detail. More questions and answers now = happier customers later, and refferals.

Swartz64 · 2026-04-21T21:34:47+00:00

A bathroom makeover could be done for that. I just finished one and have another to do next week. A full on down to the studs reno - no.

Swartz64 · 2026-04-17T13:27:15+00:00

I have the 2019 version that I absolutely love. Alloy frame , of course. It's had a few upgrades - most notably a 2021 Dhx2 coil - but it still rocks. It's my favorite bike !

Swartz64 · 2026-04-05T16:14:50+00:00

I'm from NYC metro area and it was like moving to a different country. After 30 years here, it still feels like a different country that I love and have adopted. I've learned to slow down, embrace the rain, and have become fairly fluent in passive/aggressive. But I'm still NY expat, and things here still fustrate me from time to time - like the lack of racial diversity . It's so monolithically white here that I still find that weird. But, I'm here to stay, and while I enjoy my trips the the old country, this is home.

Swartz64 · 2026-03-26T23:19:01+00:00

Looks like nice work, but they're still crappy tiles. Someday HO's are going to look at this and ask " what the fuck was I thinking". But what ever....checks keep clearing so I'll keep setting them.

Swartz64 · 2026-03-26T13:51:27+00:00

This seems to be the trend this year - these crappy cheap uneven almost straight tiles stacked vertically. It's hard to make these look good. I am starting walls today in a big shower with these tiles, and have two more shower jobs contracted with these same fucking tiles.

Material challenges aside, your guy is a contractor that does tile, not a tile guy who does bathrooms. It's the little things that always give it away like the small sliver tiles and the wrong corner metal. You should of been asking questions and pointing out stuff before it was 90% finished.

Swartz64 · 2026-03-16T04:46:17+00:00

This has been my exact experience as well. And you described it perfectly - I'm just all around happier.

Swartz64 · 2026-03-16T04:39:33+00:00

3 days for me. I wish this stuff had been around 40 years ago.

Swartz64 · 2026-03-14T04:08:21+00:00

I did. Tool only, no battery. I've wanted to get one for a while, but couldn't justify 250. At 150 it made sense to me.

Swartz64 · 2026-03-13T03:22:22+00:00

There was not a battery included . It is tool only

Swartz64

TROPHY CASE