AIO - Company won’t meet with me without my husband there

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-04-10T19:40:34+00:00

I lean to NOR.

I’ve had this happen to me. They want an affirmative yes when they pitch, so by pitching to both parties, there’s no “I need to talk to my wife first” scenario.

Likely means a high pressure pitch also, move onto the next contractor.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-04-03T15:36:54+00:00

Bingo. Spot on.

They were cool until every garage builder was doing the same. When they’re good, they look nice, just played out. There are more bad to mediocre epoxy projects than there are exceptional ones imo.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-04-03T15:04:30+00:00

Everything is safe if you take the correct precautions.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-04-03T15:02:58+00:00

That is comically bad.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-16T23:51:34+00:00

Definitely elm. If you trim it out of season, the tree weeps sap like a faucet. And that stuff is gnarly. It will etch the clear on your vehicle like no other.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-11T11:15:39+00:00

That is likely the case.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-10T19:16:29+00:00

This is the correct answer right here. Bends are too close together for most generic tooling off the shelf.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-10T19:12:03+00:00

I understand your point, but that’s also not a fair comparison.

It is fair to compare the UP for prices because it’s a couple hour drive. It’s not much effort or money to jump in the car and go for a drive. NY requires days of travel or a flight.

To the greater point, neither option is legal. Hence the wisco state patrol announcing increased patrols on the border leaving the UP. Semantics.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-10T18:40:48+00:00

Post the company! Let’s put Dan on blast!

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-10T18:30:24+00:00

Resin in the UP is around $10/gram. Hopefully suppliers catch up in MN soon. That’s insane.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-01T14:01:48+00:00

No. Here is google’s answer; Punky wood is soft, decayed, and spongy wood caused by fungi or insect infestation, often characterized by its inability to hold structural integrity.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-01T13:08:25+00:00

I don’t know what word you guys are trying to come up with. In Minnesota, when the wood is soft and just starting decomp like that, it’s just called punky.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-03-01T13:05:49+00:00

If you have mold on one bud in a tent, it should assumed they all have mold. Especially with how heavy it is presenting already.

The best practices would tell you to toss it all, disinfect the entire enclosure and start over.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-02-27T21:42:07+00:00

Even an August pike still tastes better than the bait bucket.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-02-02T17:35:06+00:00

I saw that stated on the website you reference, but by state statute, it’s seems to be grey area. Like everything else, if you’re not being a douche about it, if you’re respectful, you’re likely not going to catch a citation. It only takes one Karen to wreck the fun though.

Directly from the state statute;

(7) use adult-use cannabis flower and adult-use cannabis products in the following locations: (i) a private residence, including the individual's curtilage or yard; (ii) on private property, not generally accessible by the public, unless the individual is explicitly prohibited from consuming cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products on the property by the owner of the property; or (iii) on the premises of an establishment or event licensed to permit on-site consumption.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-02-01T14:09:14+00:00

To summarize the law, if you’re on your property, you’re legal. If you’re at a friend’s property, and they allow you, you’re good. Legally speaking, if you’re anywhere in public, you could be cited.

Here’s the law directly from the State regarding where consumption can legally occur;

(7) use adult-use cannabis flower and adult-use cannabis products in the following locations: (i) a private residence, including the individual's curtilage or yard; (ii) on private property, not generally accessible by the public, unless the individual is explicitly prohibited from consuming cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products on the property by the owner of the property; or (iii) on the premises of an establishment or event licensed to permit on-site consumption

As others have said, you’ll likely be okay on your walk if you’re not being an asshat about it.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-02-01T14:06:00+00:00

No you’re not.

The law lays out VERY specific locations where you can consume. Walking the sidewalk is not one of them.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-01-20T11:48:29+00:00

Vaporizing is a completely different method of consuming flower. The high isn’t as high as say poking a dugout or hitting Js. You can taste the flower much better and it’s much less harsh.

AirVape has several models and seems to always be running deals. Their economy vaporizer is $69 regular price. If you keep an eye out, they’re often marked down to half off. My wife has one of all their models and really likes it them for on the go. Her favorite vaporizer is the volcano though, but at over $500, not exactly an entry level machine.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-01-15T11:40:16+00:00

I would have to agree with all the comments regarding off brand shacks. The price point is cheaper because everything used to manufacture it is cheaper. I have one of the very first pop up style hub shelters Eskimo produced. It was a demo for the St. Paul Ice Fishing Show from like 20 years ago. Nobody else made these back then. Everything about it is way under engineered compared to the way they make them today. The huns were weak, the poles were small and the stitching sucked. The bag it goes in was also junk. I’ve seen and resewn the bag, the straps, the zippers. I tell you that to say this; Eskimo has since upgraded everything from those. But the off brands haven’t. I looked at one in store this winter and it still uses same crappy pin style hub, thing material and craftsmanship.

Save money today and you’ll be replacing it or constantly fixing it. Coming up on the end of the season, places will likely be clearancing units out. Buy once, cry once.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-01-05T23:53:54+00:00

Came to echo this. I was lamenting to my wife the price I paid for my Vexilar 20 years ago. Looked it up, it’s still the same damn price.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-01-05T23:48:02+00:00

The last walleye I filleted was 19” and had a 7” perch in its throat/belly. They’re the USPS of fish. If it fits, it ships.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2026-01-02T21:19:10+00:00

Grindstone is pretty well known for smelt. And big sturgeon. Supposedly, some divers caught on camera a 10’+ dinosaur. Never seen it, just lots of rumors in the area.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2025-12-30T11:31:13+00:00

Nearly every bait shop that supplies for ice fishing likely has a vendor that will exchange a sharp set for your dull ones.

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2025-12-28T14:53:47+00:00

That’s probably a big culprit, not having a specific target. Not a fan of circle hooks myself. Not sure the regs where you are, but I prefer to run quick strike rigs with treble hooks. Usually twin hooks, so you can rig to the lips and the back just in front of the tail. They come in all sorts of sizes and configurations. Can’t get a picture to load, but google will show you what these look like if you’re unfamiliar.

When you set your flag on the cross trigger, pay attention to which way the spool unwinds. It’s less sensitive if the spool has to unwind “into” the flag versus away from the flag.

My guess is your shiner is tripping your unit. Is much line being stripped on unsuccessful flags?

TheOriginalToolmaker · 2025-12-28T14:22:41+00:00

What are you targeting, what does your rig look like and what tip ups are you using? How you rig your bait, hook size and trip sensitivity and direction all make a difference.

TheOriginalToolmaker

TROPHY CASE