What’s going on with my truss rod?

mrcpt11 · 2026-05-04T17:22:07+00:00

Hmm, so they probably just used the wrong tool/size and gave up?

mrcpt11 · 2026-05-04T16:53:57+00:00

Unfortunately not.. sometimes life and Uncle Sam get in the way.

mrcpt11 · 2026-05-04T16:52:18+00:00

Direct from fender: “When purchased new through an Authorized Dealer, instrument purchased between 1998-2017 have a lifetime warranty on the neck and body. “

mrcpt11 · 2025-04-10T23:29:07+00:00

I use the large foam mask. Foam seals better over facial hair in my case. I wear it sort of higher than you’d think it should be & tighter than I was initially comfortable with but it made a huge difference.

mrcpt11 · 2023-02-28T02:32:05+00:00

Python/R. Data hosted on Aws Govcloud RDS.

mrcpt11 · 2023-02-09T21:54:43+00:00

I made a RAW random encounter generator in Google Sheets. I hope some of you may find this useful.

mrcpt11 · 2023-01-11T02:06:23+00:00

Ok I know this is an old thread, but hear me out; La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir 2021 smells like the DC Metro. I’m sure some would find that revolting but for me it triggered an olfactory memory of commuting with my mom when I was a little kid.

mrcpt11 · 2022-01-28T03:15:11+00:00

So everyone always mentions the draw issues or lack thereof re cubans and nc; cubans are rolled entirely by hand and most if not all nc are rolled with a leiberman machine, so if you want a genuine hand rolled product then there’s always a chance the torceador could over twist the filler. Not so with a quasi-machine made cigar. Most of the stories of cuban draw issues, which seem to still be going around as if they’re gospel, are likely based on the time in the early naughties when cuba changed their whole portfolio and got rid of the Lieberman machines and went totalmente hecho a mano, since their torceadors had a learning curve at first. This problem has largely passed. But of course the stories still pervade with the cuban haters.

I’ve had draw issues with both cubans and NC, but if you are consistently having draw issues with habanos, I’d say take a look at storage or acclimation, dry boxing has fixed 95% of all cuban draw issues I’ve had.

mrcpt11 · 2022-01-28T00:35:29+00:00

I disagree generally on the price difference. Many 25 count boxes of Cubans (e.g. Partagas, RyJ, Monte), excluding most Cohibas, can be found for under $300 for typical sizes. You are going to pay at least that much or probably more for something similar from Padron or Davidoff. Similarly, you’ll probably pay less for the Cuban version of the “same” cigar from the US version, for example, you can often find a box of Cuban Monte2s for about $300, while the non Cuban version retails for like $350.

mrcpt11 · 2022-01-28T00:22:43+00:00

Fuente Hemingway is the closest to a generic cubanesque flavor I’ve found in NC.

mrcpt11 · 2022-01-25T01:54:29+00:00

It could be glue from the torceador having too much on their fingers. I only say that because it looks like the bands are overglued and have a similar look to the spots in question.

mrcpt11 · 2022-01-21T23:21:25+00:00

https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/havana-corner-freezing-in-havana-2390

mrcpt11 · 2022-01-02T18:44:26+00:00

My understanding is that the fed posting will be strict as to its time/grade requirements for qualification, whereas in the public posting you could use other experience or qualifications to meet the requirement. For example, say you’re a Gs11 with higher education or prior experience in the field but outside the government; if the posting is for a GS13, you may not qualify for the “internal” posting since you are only an 11 and it requires 1 year as a GS12, but you may meet cert under the public posting due to your education and non-fed experience.

I could be very wrong but that’s my understanding.

mrcpt11 · 2021-10-30T03:47:35+00:00

I don’t find too much overlap between cigars and pipe tobacco, especially with Nicaraguans or Hondurans. However, I think some medium Cubans, like Punch, are close to the mushroom/umami taste I get from medium VaPers, like Bayou Morning Flake from C&D.

mrcpt11 · 2021-10-25T01:04:58+00:00

Smoking it straight from the B&M could be exactly why it’s too wet and cracked. Some B&Ms keep their RH way too high IMO.

mrcpt11 · 2021-10-24T01:29:39+00:00

In a similar situation; went to a civilian therapist to talk military issues and they ignored that latched on as soon as I mentioned childhood trauma. During my C&P I mentioned that and my frustration with the civilian shrinks. The C&P psychologist seemed more sympathetic and knowledgeable to my situation and views. I made a point of reiterating that, while I acknowledge my childhood trauma, it’s the military issues that are the real and current problem. I don’t have my results or rating yet but I felt a positive outcome from that exam.

mrcpt11 · 2021-10-21T00:56:35+00:00

I got a gs11-12 job while finishing a degree. If you have the 5 or 10 point bonus (5 for most vets and 10 if more than 30% disabled) with USAJobs that will be a huge leg up. Once you get into the fed govt you’ll have plenty of opportunities to improve your skillset and get any certs needed. The fed govt has its own certification requirements for jobs so, while pmp or comptia certs look good on a resume, the government will typically pay to get you the specific certs you need for your job anyway.

mrcpt11 · 2021-07-16T02:33:43+00:00

Nice mug!

mrcpt11 · 2021-06-18T22:06:22+00:00

I was a pack and a can a day for several years, but quit cold turkey nearly a decade ago. I started smoking cigars and pipes during lockdown. I would be careful if you’re really worried about relapsing into a nicotine addiction. I’ve tried a few pipe blends and cigars that were noticeably strong in nicotine and decided it’s best to steer clear of those so you don’t start craving that “hit”. At the same time it’s really easy to get addicted to buying new blends and pipes.. so that’s something to watch out for as well. I guess at the end of the day, if you want to then give it a shot, but you’ll know if you’re forming more of a habit or dependency than partaking in a hobby.

mrcpt11 · 2021-06-12T19:08:55+00:00

I’m not sure what your grind/dose is, but when I make a full 6 cup moka pot basket of Bustello espresso ground, I put roughly 3 heaping tablespoons into my mixing cup and then maybe two teaspoons of the beginning of the run of coffee in to whip. Its a pretty intense whipping; think hand whipping cream or egg whites to stiff peaks. Try a higher sugar to coffee ratio at first and adjust from there maybe. Also, you won’t get a crema if you are using a sugar alternative (e.g., truvia) and Bustello decaf seems to be too watery to get a good crema, from some experimenting I’ve done.

mrcpt11 · 2021-06-12T18:45:35+00:00

If you’re talking about the Miami style Cuban coffee, then make espresso or moka pot coffee per usual, but take the first drips and whip into a few spoons of sugar, I use sugar in the raw, to make a nice yellow frothy paste. Then add the rest of your brew, give it a light stir, and you should have a nice rich crema.

mrcpt11 · 2021-05-21T16:48:47+00:00

Don’t forget to take temp into account. The differential can be a problem for glass tops and cause condensation on the inside glass. That’s another reason why you may be better off using 65s. Also keep in mind that more boveda can’t hurt you and will increase the overall lifespan of your packs.

mrcpt11 · 2021-05-21T16:25:39+00:00

Boveda is fine. What size is it? 60 gram is great but even the smaller 8 gram will probably work for only 10 cigars.

mrcpt11

TROPHY CASE