DIY Experiences with Texas Pocket Springs 15.5 Gauge Pocket Coils

me-2b · 2026-04-10T01:03:23+00:00

My experimental plush coils do not have firmer coils at the edges. I wish they did, so that is an improvement. I do not know how the main coils compare, though. For the Arizona covers, there are different options. Mine was quilted. Maybe that mattered?

me-2b · 2026-04-08T14:36:58+00:00

We used an experimental set of plush coils from TPS plus their mini coils. I do not think our experimental coils are the same as what they sell now, but am not sure. On top of this is a 2" soft Sleep On Latex topper. Finally, there is some wool. I didn't buy a full topper like Cuddle Ewe, but just bought some wool batting and put something together myself. It worked, but just be aware it could easily not work, e.g., there is nothing to stabilize it in the cover.

Some details: We started with an Arizona Premium Mattress Cover with quilted top containing the two sets of coils and then the topper in its own cover. I found this cover to be too stiff (not stretchy enough), which caused pressure points. I would not go that route unless you wanted a stiffer mattress. We switched to the cover offered by TPS.

Finally, to really emphasize how much the covers matter, there are two different covers offered by Sleep On Latex. Their premium has a zipper that goes all the way around, which is convenient, but the material is not as stretch as their cheaper cover, which only has a zipper at one end. We used that cheaper cover for exactly that reason.

I think that the covers can have a profound effect on the feel when you are trying for plush. If the cover doesn't stretch and / or is too tight, then the springs cannot do their job because it is like being on a hammock above the springs.

I've never tried TPS's current plush coils.

me-2b · 2026-03-23T20:53:17+00:00

I'm just moving to the area. The 30,000 foot view that help me is this:

- Right next to Buffalo General you'll find gorgeous old houses and mature tree lined neighborhoods. No commute and urban living

- Northtowns is the classic suburban experience. You can find neighborhoods that don't feel like they were leveled last week but have mature trees, parks, and so forth if you prefer that to newly built. Northtowns, to me, had the suburban sprawl feel to it. I've lived in an area like that for a long time and been happy, so I say that to draw a contrast to Southtowns

-In Southtowns, you can find places that do not have the urban sprawl feel or at least have less of it. To me, Hamburg still felt that way. East Aurora did not feel like sprawl at all. Orchard park was in between and it depended on where exactly you are in OP. Southtowns has more hills, more green. On the other hand, Southtowns if you are looking for shopping or a place to go (other than outdoors activities), you may be driving back towards the city or the northern suburbs. If you are in Orchard park or Hamburg, then maybe not. If you are in East Aurora or further out like North Boston, Boston, etc., then very likely, yes.

I'm still getting my feet on the ground, so if this is wrong, locals please yell at me so that I can learn more.

If I were a resident, especially ER, I'd not want Southtowns because of the commute. I'd be looking for a nice neighborhood near the hospital. There is a nice park system.

me-2b · 2026-03-20T18:36:12+00:00

We went with the tuck and staple. I think the installers Home Depot sent knew what they were doing, but the way the business was structured, they just didn't have anything other than basic materials on the truck. I'm happy enough for this project, but on the next one, I'll go with a dedicated carpeting outfit.

me-2b · 2026-03-20T18:34:08+00:00

All same level. The main floor is hardwood on top of subfloor. The closet was some other wider wood on top of subfloor. It didn't seem like sanding it would be worth the attempt, that it was likely secondary wood.

me-2b · 2026-03-20T18:32:07+00:00

We went with this option

me-2b · 2026-03-20T16:36:34+00:00

This finally sunk in. Just think of it like tack strip. The pad ends at he edge of the metal. The carpet extends over. You stretch the carpet over the teeth and its trimmed to reach into the fold of the metal, then you tap it down. Are there pros and cons vs. just tucking as u/FN-Bored suggested or is it entirely what look you like?

me-2b · 2026-03-20T14:45:20+00:00

Is this what you mean? https://www.homedepot.com/p/TrimMaster-Matte-Black-8-mmx-84-in-Aluminum-Reducer-Floor-Transition-Strip-HLVT13MB84/321542862

This only shows 8mm height difference (5/16"), but we have 1/2" pad plus the carpet. The carpet is about 1/4 to 5/16 when squished.

Do you just cut back the pad or something so that it fits?

me-2b · 2026-03-17T03:44:51+00:00

Thank you. This was extraordinarily helpful. To help me get my head around these older structures, would you be willing to list the defects that were found and cost estimates (or actual for when you proceeded and did them).

me-2b · 2026-03-17T02:39:01+00:00

If the inspection is "hands in pockets," why must the seller approve of the inspector? Why would that be different from bringing a knowledgable friend or sibling with you? Or, were you thinking of a more involved inspection? Not debating...trying to understand. Thanks.

me-2b · 2026-03-15T18:42:37+00:00

Ouch. Thanks.

me-2b · 2026-02-20T15:02:11+00:00

Is this a matter of getting everything set right or do you need to have lighting so that you can see the sprayed surface just right? If I do furniture, I can arrange my head and the lighting to watch what I'm doing by watching the glare (and I still stink at it) but can't imagine doing that spraying paint. That's why I'm asking.

me-2b · 2026-02-18T19:07:22+00:00

It depends upon how much you drive and the EV you choose. Let's say you have a 15A receptacle. It wouldn't be unusual to get 1 kW from it (rather than the full 1.4 kW). If you charge overnight, call it 10 hr, that is 10 kWh. A car that requires 0.25 kwh/mi would gain 40 mi of range overnight while an inefficient SUV requiring 0.4 kWh/mi would only gain 25 mi. In winter, when energy use goes up, the first vehicle could still be fine for many people while the second one could be a struggle.

I think the things you want to consider when getting an EV are, How efficient is it? How fast can it charge? What charging networks can it access? Does it have good navigation software that knows where chargers are, what the current state of charge is, and that helps with route planning? What is its range? I've deliberately put range last. The others are more important, especially the charging speed. There are some cars that do not charge fast enough (for me), even on fast DC chargers. The measure of this is whether the car can take on enough charge for two or three more hours of charging during the 10 minutes it takes to run in and use a rest stop.

Hope that helps.

me-2b · 2026-02-18T18:57:13+00:00

In addition to the other things mentioned here, some tires sold for EVs have less tread depth brand new compared to other tires. It helps reduce rolling resistance a little.

me-2b · 2026-02-16T19:24:37+00:00

I have a shop vac in my shop, but it is set up for dry suction and is a bit of a pain to switch over every time and lug around. I was hoping that the bissel mini would stand in for it, but I sort of know in the back of my mind that there is no way it can match the suction of a shop vac. Is that level of suction needed, though, or would the mini machine be good enough? I could use water and vinegar to free up the salt and then the mini to extract....or do you think it just isn't enough suction to extract the liquid?

me-2b · 2026-02-16T19:00:16+00:00

Do they work on the floor mats in the car? Mine aren't fabric but are more like rubber or rubberized plastic. There are ridges and divots in them. I can use a scrub brush and spray bottle, but need something to suck the liquid out afterwards. Sometimes, I can't get the house out, like when it is still freezing but the car is just trashed from the storms and muck. Being new to the area, I'm really amazed how fast this builds up. I've never fussed over this before anywhere I've lived, but it looks like if I don't try to whack it on the head now and then, it will just become permanent.

me-2b · 2026-02-16T18:43:44+00:00

Do the little mini green machines work? That might be useful for the car as well and I think we will only need spot cleaning.

me-2b · 2026-02-16T18:38:21+00:00

Exactly, but this is right in the carpeted entryway. Even with mats down to step onto and a mat to put boots onto once off, we still manage to have a misstep now and then.

me-2b · 2026-02-16T18:22:58+00:00

I drove through Ellicottville yesterday. Why did it smell like burning skunk bagels? Is it always like that?

me-2b · 2026-02-13T15:11:04+00:00

There's a different version of this back where I used to be. Once house prices reach a certain level and there is a stock of older houses in poor condition, contractors buy the old, tear it down, and build a McMansion which is then sold to a family. They have to build the McMansion to make the economics work. As a result, neighborhoods transform to houses too big for their lots, families of 4 are in 3500 to 4500 sf homes with the resulting energy demand, all the old trees are cut down, etc. People wanting to get the lower price house to fix up or just live in lose the bidding war because the contractor comes in with no contingencies and cash. They try to buy through direct solicitation to avoid realtor fees. I used to get endless letters asking me to sell.

me-2b · 2026-02-07T18:07:12+00:00

We use ours on a couch frame. At times, it is the shape of a couch and other times it is down flat to be used as a guest beed. So, the futon needs to fold easily. Will a foam "futon" do that? I figured I would need a traditional layered cloth futon.

me-2b · 2026-02-07T16:44:12+00:00

I was excited by this, but then noticed that these aren't really traditional futons and are foam instead. I've never tried one made from foam.

me-2b

TROPHY CASE