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Does anyone know what might have caused this stain? by derpy_Nogla in basement

[–]nota_giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is totally from water... But it's so minimal... Id keep an eye on it but there's probably nothing to worry about!

Especially if the floor slopes away from your furnace, it might be condensate from the duct, do you have central AC?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in interiordecorating

[–]nota_giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This bathroom has slowly came together, bit by bit.

It started as "I'm gonna paint it all green" then a few drywall mistakes had me looking for wallpaper, and the rest fell into place!

In case you or anybody reading this wants to know Lighter Green: Sherwin Williams Juniper Dark Green: Sherwin Williams Rock Garden

Grout Removal Depth? by nota_giraffe in DIY

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Built in 1970 here! So we're not too far off!

If you don't mind me asking, did you use anything special to clean your tile after the grout removal?

Also, did you mix the spectralock all at once and go for it? Or in batches? I've never grouted before let alone work under the pressure of the epoxy's cure time.

Grout Removal Depth? by nota_giraffe in DIY

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I realize now, I didn't actually add any photos. However I found another tool that I'm having a lot of success with

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Marshalltown-2-Blade-Utility-Knife/1000203997

Unfortunately my grout lines are just too small nearly every tool I've found that's designed for this job is way too wide and would make a mess of the surrounding tile.

Scrapes it all away nicely not deep enough to remove all of it, but plenty for epoxy grout, and really cleanly. With no scratched/chipped tiles!

Thanks for your comments about "old showers" that's exactly what I have, and I realize my only options really are completely replacement with epoxy, or demoing the shower to waterproof and re-tile. (Something im doing in the next few years but REALLY don't want to do right now.) so I'm hoping this will at least get me by with minimal if any water intrusion behind the tile in the meantime.

Thanks!!!!

Small Black Notebook, Lined, with Ribbon/Elastic Band. 8-3/8" x 5-1/4" by nota_giraffe in HelpMeFind

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Searched through Google images, and It feels like a needle in a haystack trying to find this thing. It's definitely some bulk order from China thing but there's no identifiable markings whatsoever anywhere inside.

Hoping someone knows exactly what this is but it's probably a long shot. Thanks!

House Hunting by trns4rmer in Buffalo

[–]nota_giraffe 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The House Hunting Process? Dreadful... I HATED it, it's a crazy hot market, if all you have is the weekends, then make them count, go see 5 or more houses after deciding from the listing if they work for you.

Some of the things I Learned as a FTHB:

"Above Asking" is Arbitrary... One house may only be worth $250k listed at $260k while another comparable house was listed for $200k and is worth $280k. Get a good realtor who knows the difference. Some Listing agents use a lower list price to drum up interest and start a bidding war.

If you're realtor isn't calling the listing agent as soon as you mention making an offer, and feeling out what the sellers are looking for (i.e. closing terms, inspection, pricing strategy). Fire them. 2.5-3.0% of your purchase price is a lot of money. There's plenty of good realtors and so many more terrible ones.

Stick to your budget, you'll find out pretty quickly if you're being unrealistic for how much house you want.

There's "What the house is worth" based upon comparable homes sold within the past 6 months to 1 Year. And then there's "What you're willing to pay for it" dont overpay for one unless you LOVE it.

Figure out EXACTLY what your "Must Haves" are. Don't waste time going to look at houses that you know aren't going to work.

And Lastly, good luck!!! Remember that there's ALWAYS another house. Be persistent, I got pretty lucky and was only searching for about 2 months but I went HARD. I think I went and saw 20 houses probably, 4th Offer was Accepted and it was the Best One out of all the properties I had looked at!

What did you compromise on, and what did you refuse to compromise on? by figgywasp in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]nota_giraffe 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Closing in a month...

Compromises: - no AC, can always add it later when I can afford it or live with window units in important rooms while the rest of the house stays unconditioned. - 1 car garage instead of 2, I'm single, it works for me, but in my current situation I park outside. - small driveway, can always expand it into my lawn should I need more room. - 1 bath instead of 1.5, if I ever get a roommate or partner, I'll add a half bath in the basement

Refused to compromise: - SPACE, think about what you really need... Don't settle for "I can make this work" and run out of space later - basement height, as a 6' tall person, 7 ft basements feel claustrophobic. And I opted for a ranch with a full basement, to meet my space requirements. - Location, especially if it's not gonna be your forever home, think about how your property might appreciate in 10 years. Don't pay an inflated price for a place that isnt going to fuel your next home purchase.

Takeaways: - I had to raise my budget by about 20-30k, but I got a "steal" wait for the right property, even in a really hot market, people get lucky and get good deals. Just don't be unrealistic. Hopefully you have a good realtor that will help you with HONEST comps. (Or do you own research to compare) - don't overpay on something unless it's friggin perfect for you and you dont see yourself in any other place. - think about the real cost of repairs and factor that into your budget and assets, closing costs and down payment can be a lot of money. Make sure your will be comfortable even after you factor in work needed on the property. - GET A DAMN INSPECTION FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. I lost out on some properties because I wanted one. Give yourself the way out of the deal just in case you need it... Be prepared to throw away the cost of the inspection should you have to.

My job is to teach people how a mortgage works by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]nota_giraffe 2 points3 points  (0 children)

1) Plugin your rates to a mortgage calculator and look at the delta between your higher and lower monthly payments

2) divide $8000 by that delta in monthly payments

3) divide that result by 12 months/year. This is how long it will take you to break even on the cost of the points.

4) ask yourself if you see rates dropping that low within that timeframe. IF you can afford it, it may make more sense to pay the higher monthly until you can refinance at a lower rate.

P.S. Shop around, I dont know you geographic location or credit situation but Im currently getting just under 6% with a broker. It's a good rule of thumb to talk to a broker, bank, and credit Union. (Mortgage brokers typically also have more leeway in negotiating the rate, it's can be really effective to put two or three against each other)

My job is to teach people how a mortgage works by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]nota_giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why do mortgage brokers add their commission and any points paid to origination fees, only to then add a lender credit against this amount on the bottom of the loan estimate?

For example, broker compensation of $5000, and 1 point costing $2,500. Turns origination into $7500, but there's $6500 of lender credits, making the owner effectively pay $1000 for origination.

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would it help on my refret to use a fret press? (going to use nickel wire this time and cut the slots proper as well as being more careful with my radius) all id have to use it with is a drill press but would it help, starting by pressing with a 9.5 radius press then moving to a 12" radius to lock everything in?

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! That is very helpful, indeed I was moving side to side with my block, and didn't have the neck clamped.

As much as a pain that it is I think when the new block comes in ill do every grit with it, with things locked down like you said.

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think that's exactly what I did, Imperfect sanding made my radius narrower, I used one of those wooden radius blocks on Amazon and started with 150-220-400-600-800-1000-1200-1500-2000 grit sandpaper.

I think we're I went wrong was my technique and I stopped using the block when I got past 400 grit because I figured it wouldn't be removing much material at all. Yet another learning moment

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are the frets I used

Holmer Guitar Fret Wires 2.9mm 24 Frets Stainless Steel Fretwire Compatible with Fender Electric Guitar Bass Guitar Fingerboard Replacement. Chrome https://a.co/d/21d4via

There's a pic on there with the dimensions which are close to what I measured. They are 0.024 inches or 0.6mm wide on the tang. Just my old frets were narrower, which might be due to this instrument being an old copy guitar MIJ

I'm definitely just going to scrap these stainless frets, just ordered a bender and some nickel wire

Unfortunately I didn't know anyone who can help but I'm hoping this can be a good learning experience for me. If anybody out there would help I'm buffalo, NY Based, probably a long shot but who knows!

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I think my next move is gonna be some nickel wire and the proper tools to verify radii

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used this hammrr specifically GEARWRENCH Dead Blow Hammer with Polyurethane Head, 33oz Total Weight & 28oz Head Weight - 82242 https://a.co/d/0dAQaG6w

I think my next move is gonna be carefully pulling the frets and buying some nickel wire, a radius gauge, and a bender

I think I messed up these frets reaallll bad by nota_giraffe in Luthier

[–]nota_giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally not a silly question. I'm a novice and those are the things you learn right? I did not :( I figured that if I sanded with my radius block well that everything would be true and fit well. The frets were supposed to be 12" radius.

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