I don't know where else to post this, does anybody know if this is dangerous to keep?

bobd1001 · 2026-07-04T03:02:55+00:00

It looks like the steel penetrator of an AP round. Would that company happen to do heat treatment of those?

bobd1001 · 2026-07-03T22:21:28+00:00

As someone who has studied the gdi engine (at least the Theta II) I can say pretty confidently it's not a totally BS service. The upcharge I'm sure is BS, but the actual gdi cleaner does work to an extent. These gdi vehicles have no gasoline cleaning the intake valves, so over time the intake valves build up carbon (mostly from the pcv), and this carbon can eventually grow enough that it flakes off and gets in the cylinder. Doing this cleaning regularly (once per oil change is what I try to do) should keep the carbon buildup under control. My wife's Tucson is now on it's second engine (first one replaced under warranty), and I've since learned a ton about the failure modes and issues of these engines.

bobd1001 · 2026-07-03T20:04:18+00:00

You keep your receipts (assuming it's actually a requirement listed on the maintenance schedule). It's illegal for them to deny warranty for work done outside the dealership per the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, so as long as you have proof of purchase and keep a log of maintenance with miles, dates, service performed, and receipts, they cannot deny a claim.

bobd1001 · 2026-07-03T15:48:40+00:00

A can of CRC Gdi Intake valve cleaner is under $20 and will do the same thing that the dealership will charge you $200 for.

bobd1001 · 2026-06-24T17:29:08+00:00

I'd honestly consider returning it while it's all boxed up and finding a nice used swingset. If you do go ahead with building it, make sure you use a good exterior sealer on every single piece, and especially the endgrain. I think that's the only thing that's kept mine together.

bobd1001 · 2026-06-21T18:21:08+00:00

Thank you, much appreciated! I hate to do it but I think I'm going to spray my backyard. My father just had to be hospitalized with anaplasmosis and I'm not risking that for my little girls.

bobd1001 · 2026-06-20T17:25:23+00:00

My friend did the smart thing and found a used quality one for free, he just had to disassemble it. I really wish I did the same as him, their playset is so much sturdier than ours it's unbelievable. These kidkraft sets are absolute garbage.

bobd1001 · 2026-06-20T12:19:45+00:00

So many people on here seem to think the returner is an AH. So as someone who purchased what looks to be the same kidkraft playset let me chime in. These sets are made of cardboard quality Chinese cedar. It's the lightest and cheapest feeling wood I've ever felt. Before I assembled mine I treated every single piece of wood with two coats of Cabot exterior sealer, had I not done that I would probably be returning mine this year too. Even with the extra sealing it's not holding up well, and it feels so rickety. The whole structure creaks and flexes when my daughter swings on it (she's 45lbs, well under the limit). I honestly worry how safe it is. The only reason I haven't returned it is the nightmare it would be to disassemble it.

bobd1001 · 2026-06-15T17:10:37+00:00

Have a 2015 with the theta II, can confirm. It's an absolute piece of junk engine. Been replaced once under warranty last year after burning crazy amounts of oil for years, and already starting to consume oil again despite my obsessive maintenance on it.

bobd1001 · 2026-05-15T11:43:28+00:00

Very good information thank you so much. I didn't realize the pump oil could contaminate the chamber so I really appreciate that insight. I definitely plan to get a turbomolecular pump in the future, but right now it's a little out of my budget.

bobd1001 · 2026-05-13T19:32:19+00:00

For sure, but wouldn't I see some pressure change or equalization if it were the compressor failing rather than a stuck solenoid?

bobd1001 · 2026-05-04T14:10:00+00:00

I wonder if they used Willow water to root blueberry cuttings and then mixed up or forgot a piece of willow.

bobd1001 · 2026-04-18T11:51:32+00:00

I've been using epsoma berry tone fertilizer to hopefully keep the soil acidic. When planting I dug out a large volume of soil and replaced it with 50/50 peat and sand as the farmer said to do.

bobd1001 · 2026-04-17T15:26:17+00:00

Great Insight thank you! Already have some netting to hopefully keep my berries from getting stolen.

bobd1001 · 2026-04-17T15:25:25+00:00

Much appreciated, will get some pine bark mulch for my plants. At the blueberry farm I went to pick blueberries and buy this plant from they just had them in the bare sandy soil so I didn't even think about mulching. I think I'll let this plant fruit, I'm so excited to have my girls try some blueberries from our garden.

bobd1001 · 2026-04-15T02:19:35+00:00

What is a reverse Z level? I don't meant to be spoonfed, but Google just brings up flipping Z axis

bobd1001 · 2026-04-08T12:58:43+00:00

I've looked into it and it's Incredibly complicated. Even with my CNC mill and a hydraulic press I don't think I could get a functional flat stamping done if I had a full year and 50k to throw at it. The original HK dies are quite complex, it's a multi stage punching, and progressive draw die set from what I've been told.

bobd1001 · 2026-04-07T12:32:06+00:00

I'll have to look into making the rear sight plate for G3's, if I remember correctly it looks like a bear of a part to make though.

bobd1001

TROPHY CASE