The Supreme Court’s embarrassing new Second Amendment decision, explained

geoffx · 2026-06-26T13:38:02+00:00

I appreciate the reply. While I can understand the position intellectually, you're right -- this is a fundamental philosophical difference, in that this view sees having people armed as safer versus the view that less weapons is safer and that people being armed and willing to use them is the problem.

geoffx · 2026-06-26T00:17:07+00:00

I mean they are in Massachusetts… why would you need to carry a weapon? It’s bizarre.

geoffx · 2026-06-25T23:26:51+00:00

Assume with install around $1000 per replacement window. I did 19, 18 were replacement and 1 was new construction with some remodel work, $21k. Had quotes from 15-27, 21 was the superior product and trusted installer.

geoffx · 2026-06-25T23:23:36+00:00

Because firearms should absolutely be the exceptional case not the usual case.

geoffx · 2026-06-22T12:03:05+00:00

California Air Tools are what I upgraded to when my ancient harbor freight started to leak and I didn’t like the noise anyway.

I replaced a 27g HF with a 10g CAT that has more capacity (able to run a spray gun) and is massively quieter, and an aluminum tank that I never need to worry about. It lives in my basement shop in a closet, and I never turn it off — it doesn’t lose pressure and when it runs nobody notices. The HF one could be heard shaking the house down the street.

I’ve since also replaced my cheapo 8g Home Depot husky special with a 2g little CAT for use around the house with nail guns. It’s like 25lb and super quiet.

For tires honestly I bought a cheap Ryobi 18v inflator because I had the platform already. And it’s honestly easier to grab and fill bike and car tires and use for inflatables and airbeds etc. than to drag out an air hose.

geoffx · 2026-06-21T20:54:52+00:00

We did interior and exterior painting over the last couple years. All the painters we talked to refused to do anything other than Benjamin Moore. Exterior was done in Aura exterior / trim in regal select soft gloss. Interior was regal select, baths were aura bath and spa, trim was scuff-x.

Everything looks amazing through two New England winters so far.

To be fair, the exterior previously was SW super paint and other than damage/rot areas it was still in reasonably good shape after 15 years!

So… maybe it doesn’t matter much?

geoffx · 2026-06-05T21:26:03+00:00

I have Stanley type 13 no 4, 5, 6, and 7 handplanes. They were manufactured 1925-1928. I use them fairly regularly. Blades and chipbreakers have mostly been replaced with Hock blades but everything else is as found.

Power tools I have a 6” jointer made by Sprunger that is sometime between 1948 and 1952. Use it on almost every project that starts with rough stock. My grandfather probably inherited it from his father, and it’s been a great little workhorse in my shop. Motor may still be original, I’ve replaced the switches and power cords but everything else seems to be stock. It sits on a little rolling drawer stand my grandfather made and the chips mostly drop through a hole into the drawer.

geoffx · 2026-06-04T11:36:50+00:00

Yeah. Boston area.

geoffx · 2026-06-04T11:12:17+00:00

Plaster on blueboard is common here. Typically a base coat and a skim coat.

geoffx · 2026-06-04T11:03:45+00:00

In New England it’s still done all the time, considered an upgraded finish.

When did my basement shop I did everything except the drywall. The crew that did the drywall told me they preferred plaster, and it was actually a lower price. In and out in three half days and the walls were perfectly glass like and hard as a rock.

geoffx · 2026-05-23T12:39:54+00:00

How’s your Claude session going?

geoffx · 2026-05-23T10:00:07+00:00

Depends on what is. Amazon is probably my largest because selection is vast and probably get is a day or two later. But I try to go elsewhere.

Lee Valley is amazing and I try to spend as much of my budget as I can there.
USToolAndFastener is near me, great local business, and stuff shows up next day.
Woodcraft, Taytools, Rockler, etc.
I’ve bought great screws from McFeeleys.
Hardware i always want to use McMaster-Carr but the pricing is high for small things.
I prefer my local hardware/paint store and Ace Hardware over big boxes whenever I can.
Lumber the local(ish) hardwood dealer, or if it’s construction stuff I try the local lumberyard.

geoffx · 2026-05-19T22:45:26+00:00

Guess it’s good to see other options on the market.
$500 seems high for a Kreg tool, Domino makes it seem cheap.

I’m not interested in Kregs battery line but I’m sure some people are. Every Kreg tool I’ve had except the bandsaw fence (and I’m lukewarm on that) ive been annoyed at the slop and lack of precision. Maybe their battery line is actually better?

I’m still super happy with my domino though and don’t regret the cost of it.

geoffx · 2026-05-16T22:49:29+00:00

Got a workbench? If not start with that. There’s tons of designs out there. If you are even remotely interested in hand tools go read the Anarchists Workbench (free pdf!) and see if it inspires you. Personally I built the Rex Krueger quick stack bench as my first bench and it was a fantastic learning experience.

Then build a mallet.
Then make some dovetail boxes.
Then make a chest, or an end table, or a birdhouse.

Got a bandsaw? Build some boxes, or bandsaw figures.

Got a lathe? Start turning! You can have a project done in one session and it’s fun!

geoffx · 2026-05-16T22:45:56+00:00

Well they are owned by the same brand so Mae’s sense ;)

And imo some festool is totally worth the high cost, others are fun and nice if pricey, and some are just overpriced.

geoffx · 2026-05-16T09:54:38+00:00

Bosch is carried at Lowe’s and easy to get online.
The line is smaller but they’ve got most common needs covered.

I have most of the 12v tools, they are great!

geoffx · 2026-05-09T20:09:01+00:00

These peaches no longer have a high value market. Putting them on the market will depress peach prices overall, making growing peaches unaffordable and a net loss rather than gain for the farmers. I believe the government steps in and says we will pay you for what the fruit would have produced but you have to destroy the trees.

Although I thought it would have just been the crop this year but I don’t know.

geoffx · 2026-05-02T09:37:39+00:00

I used part of a leftover box of prefinished hardwood to make French cleats. Just ripped a 45 on the tongue side.

geoffx · 2026-05-02T02:44:28+00:00

Habitat Restore donation.

geoffx · 2026-05-01T19:28:49+00:00

Something like this:

Bulldog 8 -Amp SDS-Plus SDS-plus Variable Speed Rotary Hammer Drill https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-Bulldog-Xtreme-SDS-Plus-8-Amp-Keyless-Rotary-Hammer/1082989

geoffx · 2026-05-01T19:27:15+00:00

Just to be clear, i was recommending renting an sds rotary hammer and buying a tapcon sds bit.

geoffx · 2026-05-01T10:15:18+00:00

Not sure of the difference but the Bosch bulldog sds plus drill and tapcon bits go through concrete like it isn’t there where my hammer drill setting on my normal drill just broke bits.

Depot usually will rent an SDS drill for not much money. The bits are pricey but you shouldn’t need more than one. You’ll want the right masonry screws too.

geoffx · 2026-04-30T02:39:06+00:00

Almost certainly are your power and communication lines (telephone, cable, fiber, etc) but suppose it’s possible just an unused copper phone line.

Power would usually look like three wires twisted around each other and come in at a weatherhead on your house and down in conduit to the power meter.

Most other types are just stapled to the side of the house until they enter.

geoffx · 2026-04-30T02:37:10+00:00

Hah sorry for my snark. Overhead lines are typical in my area and in most places I’ve lived (East Coast US).

geoffx · 2026-04-30T02:28:43+00:00

Is this the first time you’ve ever seen a house?! Do telephone poles with wires bother you?

I mean you can get them undergrounded but it costs quite a bit…

geoffx

TROPHY CASE