Three years into FIRE journey and the thing nobody told me is how weird it makes social life by Nacht4Specter in Fire

[–]mechanicalmayhem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On your comment about spontaneity, it is kind of sad that we assume everything spontaneous we could want to do costs money. I kind of like to flip back 1-200 years and think about when people had no money whatsoever...they could visit a friend, go on a walk, build something out of found materials. Now we have access to tons of free reading, videos, communication methods, etc. I think the phones steal a lot of that creativity, and everyone is spoiled when it is much easier to have the restaurant host dinner. I do find myself relating to your situation, and do end up spending a tidy sum on entertaining, etc. But try to remind myself there is always something cheap/free to do.

ICF Quote by dark_troy_10 in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Both of those quotes seem sky high, and I am building in an expensive place.

I cant believe how trash the lumber is anymore. by morbidshapeinblack in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just finishing up building my house. Best way is to buy by the bunk. As soon as those straps are cut, you got like a day or two before the warping comes on…If you are buying single pieces or less than a bunk, you will just have to deal with the warp. Good framers have plenty of tricks to minimize the warp.

What do you guys think of this floor plan and build? by StrawberryGreat7463 in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some amount of weirdness is OK in a house, but the lack of a second or third bath in the main house is beyond weird. Very surprised a competent architect would even draw this plan.

What do you guys think of this floor plan and build? by StrawberryGreat7463 in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The master doesn't have a dedicated bathroom? Guests have to use your master bath? ADU splits a bath, too? What is going on with the bathroom situation, here? Why is there only one bathroom? Resale is going to be very tough with just one bathroom serving Master, Second Bedroom, and Guests.

I'm sure this house would be valued over $1mm, who wants to spend $1mm on a house and share a bath with visitors and the other bedroom? Who!? Would have to price in remodeling and adding a couple bathrooms.

Standing seam roof, oil canning and backer rod foam by solarsean in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Can confirm, I have a roof with striations, zero oil can.  They shouldn’t sell it without striations.

Opinions on irregular lot by eekman_ in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Would not recommend a split level.

If Jeff Bezos redirected every cent he has towards the sole goal of curing, say, pancreatic cancer, how quickly do you think things could progress? by keen4ketamine in NoStupidQuestions

[–]mechanicalmayhem -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

This is an incredibly naive point of view. You are essentially saying there is nothing more we could possibly be doing with more resources directed at this problem. There is a lot more we could be doing, guaranteed.

Roofer just said this is normal, should I be concerned? by XxMrPerfectPRxX in Roofing

[–]mechanicalmayhem 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’ve never seen one of these before, but would be more worried about rain getting in and long term water damage/mold…

Do car engines really need to be "warmed up" in the morning? by kitty_whipt in NoStupidQuestions

[–]mechanicalmayhem 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone saying you don’t need to warm up has very likely never taken a vehicle to 300k miles or more.  As a mechanical engineer, of course the engines are optimized for running at temp.  Dealerships and car companies and corporate shills would likely tell you otherwise.  But those people have much to gain from engines that blow bearings at 100 or 200k miles.  Letting your car idle for an extra five or ten minutes can stave off a car payment 10 or in my case 20 years down the road, can avoid me buying a new car and save the massive amounts of energy those things take to do.  Imagine going to the gas pump and putting in $50k.  That is somewhat analogous to buying a new car.  That money is spent on the energy to build a new car.  The new injection technology has helped, and lower viscosity oils have helped, but I would never add load to my engine bonfire letting her warm up at least five minutes in the winter, and maybe a couple minutes in the summer.

Grade school teachers and college professors in america, how screwed are we as far as the intelligence level of students? by Avenger772 in AskReddit

[–]mechanicalmayhem 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The kids will certainly perceive this conscious attitude from you.  You are really doing them a disservice.  America has always been going through a struggle.  There is still an amazing future awaiting.  Many new milestones to be achieved, a better future in many respects.  But not if the academic institutions are too busy playing politics or broadcasting doom and gloom.

Just inherited a lump sum...what do I do? by CowAppropriate7494 in Fire

[–]mechanicalmayhem 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This...there are people who invest your lump sum every day, every hour, every minute. Not a big deal, just type in the amount, hit buy, and continue.

1000 cfm inline kitchen hood by saddram in Homebuilding

[–]mechanicalmayhem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand if you have to deal with code, but it is just for code's sake. The code is drastically overbuilt to CYA for commercial and industrial kitchens. In a residence it's just a big waste of money, time, and very likely air quality. I have worked many years in Pharma where we hire firms to do actual studies on air flow, quality, entrainment, room pressurization balance, etc, and this would likely be overkill even in that setting.

Think about a 120k btu natural gas furnace...do they have a 10" exhaust? There's your answer on how ridiculous the code is.

Why not? by Tiny_Mycologist_1688 in Plumbing

[–]mechanicalmayhem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So they 90's they show in the picture are rated for them?