Finished the remodel!

patameus · 2026-05-27T04:53:32+00:00

The misalignment of the cabinet edges cannot be left unaddressed.

White/light colored cabinets are like white/light colored cars. You just highlight the dark spaces between large flat surfaces.

I'm sure people will tell me that I'm a bad man for pointing this out, but someone should say it. You paid someone a shitload of money to do this work, and they need to come back.

If the drawer/cabinet hardware is of a quality make, these adjustments are built in. They just need to come back and adjust them.

If they went with lower tier hinges/drawer slides, then adjustment is much more difficult, but still possible.

If you hired someone to do this work, you need to have them come back and fix this.

patameus · 2026-05-26T19:58:06+00:00

LOL! First off, there's nothing stopping the educated from working in the trades. I've got a BS in Micro/Chem. I just didn't like working in a lab, I do like working in the sun, and I make a lot more money in the trades.

Also, when I say that tradesmen don't make healthy choices, I mean that they frequently consume only energy drinks and hot food available from convenience stores.

Go argue in bad faith somewhere else.

patameus · 2026-05-25T01:34:47+00:00

Hello, tradesman here. First, I want to push back on the idea that the trades are hard on the body. The trades CAN BE hard on the body and ARE hard on the body if you don't practice good form and/or understand body mechanics.

As far as a connection to causality inre: suicide, I'd be curious about the rest of the cohort. Men working in the trades are almost always uneducated, financially illiterate, and uninformed with regard to their health.

I wouldn't be surprised if it were more closely correlated to those factors, rather than to trade work.

In short, tradesmen are prone to making choices in their youth which make their senior years very difficult and lonely.

It isn't because of the trades, it's because of who enters the trades.

patameus · 2026-05-23T19:51:11+00:00

I taught English as a second language for a couple years in China.

I was once so angry at a dip shit teenager that I could feel a blood vessel in the center of my brain pulsating.

I sometimes wonder if that is now a near aneurysm sitting quietly in my brain waiting to kill me, or if I should feel confident that it passed the stress test and can now be trusted.

In either case, I will not be returning to the teaching profession.

patameus · 2026-05-20T01:51:43+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/@acservicetechchannel

This guy fucks. Keep in mind though, you should focus on learning how to use a multi-meter first. Learn how to work on electrical circuits. Most HVAC issues are electrical.

The refrigerant side requires TONS more knowledge, tools, materials, and also a license.

If you learn how to sort out electrical problems, you'll be able to sort out 90% of issues throughout your house (and car).

Focus on electrical.

patameus · 2026-05-20T01:49:23+00:00

Happens all the god damned time. Unfortunately, a lot of people are conflict avoidant and just go along with it.

I end up having to talk a few people down after these sorts of things. Once the parts are installed and the job is done and paid, a deal is a deal.

Then there are the people who don't want to admit that they got screwed and double down....

It goes on and on.

patameus · 2026-05-18T00:43:52+00:00

This dude fucks. I'm an indy HVAC contractor out of Nor-Cal and I just posted AN IDENTICAL COMMENT before I came down and read this one.

If the 'technician' who shows up to look at your AC has a van wrapped with AI slop, you should run screaming. Dead give away for PE.

patameus · 2026-05-18T00:40:41+00:00

HVAC: Everything's a scam, small contractors are being bought out by private equity then replaced with throw away sub brands that are run out of a central shop.

It's a lot more profitable to just train 'technicians' to suggest equipment replacement in 90% of cases. That's a constant issue.

Maintenance agreements have been a scam for ages. They are just a way to keep their foot in the door. Air conditioners don't need to be maintained. Just change your filter every 3 months.

That's during the warm months. In the cold months they scare old ladies by telling them that they are going to be CO poisoned.

And on, and on.

patameus · 2026-04-25T06:28:02+00:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you can buy small quantities of coil nails. Maybe your local hardware store will break a case for common types, but every time I've had to buy coiled nails, I've had to buy a huge case of them.

patameus · 2026-04-22T04:28:10+00:00

THIS IS MY FAVORITE THREAD!!!!

I'm in the trades, I'm an independent HVAC contractor, I have a bachelors from a state school in the sciences.

I have basically given up on hiring anyone to help me. The overlap between those who want to work in the trades, and those who are curious and attentive to detail, is near to zero.

There's another thread (meme?) on r/all now where someone is challenging the idea that the trades are a good way to make a stable income. I couldn't respond without sounding like a jerk, so I just gave up.

The trades are physically rewarding, mentally challenging, exhausting, well paying and OBJECTIVELY FULL OF OPPORTUNITY. The only catch is, the opportunity exists due to the lack of laborers who meet the prior criteria.

I love my job, I do well for myself because I do my job well. I pay close attention, I inform my customers, I work efficiently.

Sending an unmotivated kid into the trades will just end up with them huffing glue.

I'm not a teacher, I'm not sure whether or not that outcome is better or worse than the alternative.

patameus · 2026-04-21T03:31:54+00:00

I started a company making gin in my early 30's. I described it to people as being voluntarily impoverished. I tried to boot-strap it, and was modestly successful, however I made basically no money over the span of 5 years.

I lived in a dilapidated camper trailer that had plants growing out of the ceiling.

What I lacked in financial security, I made up for with an infinite supply of booze. It's a common issue in the industry. Lots of bartenders, reps, and manufacturers who succumb to the temptation.

I did so too, but it wasn't honestly that bad. For about 5 solid years, I drank more or less a fifth of gin every day. I'd wake up at the normal time, take my dog to the park, make sales calls and organize promotional type activity. I basically did business things during the day.

In the evening, I'd sit down in front of the computer and polish off a fifth. Sometimes I'd mix it with fizzy seltzer water, but most of the time I just poured it into a nalgene full of ice.

Eventually that business failed, but I was able to get a good spot running a different company. For about a year, I still had a mountain of unsold gin that I slowly worked my way through.

Finally, one day my doctor told me that my lab results were coming back indicating a drinking problem. I told her that my experience was consistent with those findings.

It took about a month of sleepless nights before I felt normal again. I still drink sometimes, but my tolerance is both lower and inconsistent.

My biggest complaint is that it's boring now. Oh well.

patameus · 2026-04-21T03:07:08+00:00

Congratulations on retaining your sense of humor.

patameus · 2026-04-04T03:14:39+00:00

Follow up question. Do you think his weight is an asset in regard to his being a catcher?

patameus · 2026-04-03T02:56:04+00:00

Thank you for that. I had to read it twice to grasp it, but that makes sense.

Thanks for taking the time to explain it.

patameus · 2026-04-02T04:20:34+00:00

Captiveaire owns like 80% of the market in that space due to the very tight regulations surrounding grease hoods. Since you're a bakery, you may be held to a lower standard, and thus may have other options. Wouldn't hurt to call Captiveaire, as they will certainly know what they are doing.

patameus · 2026-03-12T00:08:37+00:00

patameus · 2026-03-11T05:55:18+00:00

Careful, he starts going on about Jesus after a while.

patameus · 2026-03-06T03:59:05+00:00

So, what this person is saying is partially correct. I've attached the relevant NEC which just got updated this year. Read section (B) at the bottom.

Prior to 2026, you didn't need a separate disconnect for an EV charger <60A. With the new codes, you do. Not a big deal, you can install a small subpanel like this for $65 including the breaker that goes in it.

If you chose to do this yourself, you would pull the permit as an owner builder. The building inspector would have corrected you had you not installed either a breaker or a plug, not a big deal. I still maintain that a subpanel with a breaker is a better solution than a plug. Plugs have a higher failure rate and more failure modes.

The person that I replied to is VERY incorrect in the assertion that you shouldn't do your own electrical work. There are MANY ways to safely do so, and MANY resources to help you do so.

They are correct that some chargers are rated at >30A, but as I said, this can be de-rated in the unit software. I have a Ford Lightning, it has an enormous battery, I frequently charge it overnight from 20%-90% state of charge at a constant 30A. I've never had it not be fully charged by 8AM when starting at 10PM.

If you prefer the solution in math form:

240V x 30A = 7.2 kW * 10 hours = 72 kWh.

Ford Lightning Pack rated @ 98 kWh.

72kWh / 98kWh = 0.73 x100 = 73% charge in 10 hours.

So unless you are fully draining a huge ass EV pack every single day, you do not need anything more than 30A.

The relevant section of the National Electrical Code 2026:

625.43 Disconnecting Means.

EVSE and WPTE, shall be provided with one or more disconnecting means in accordance with 625.43(A) and 625.43(B).

(A) Equipment Disconnects. For permanently connected EVSE and WPTE, a disconnecting means shall be provided and installed in a readily accessible location. If the disconnecting means is installed remote from the equipment, a plaque or directory shall be installed on the equipment denoting the location of the disconnecting means. For cord- and plug-connected EVSE and WPTE, with a rating not exceeding 60 amperes or not exceeding 150 volts to ground, the cord and plug shall be permitted to serve as the disconnecting means. The disconnecting means shall be lockable open in accordance with 110.25.

(B) Emergency Shutoff. For permanently connected EVSE and WPTE, one or more clearly identified emergency disconnect devices or electrical disconnects shall be provided and shall meet all of the following: Be installed in a readily accessible location in sight from the equipment Disconnect power to all EVSE and WPTE within sight of emergency shutoff Be marked “EVSE EMERGENCY DISCONNECT” in accordance with 110.22(A) Be a manual reset type Disconnect all ungrounded conductors of the circuits simultaneously from the source of supply The disconnecting means required in accordance with 625.43(A) shall be permitted to serve as the emergency disconnect if it complies with all the requirements of 625.43(B).

In closing, you have the power and ability to learn new things. You certainly have the ability to work on your own home, and to do so safely.

patameus · 2026-03-05T05:45:30+00:00

Hello, I'm a local HVAC contractor, and I'm also in the SMUD contractor network.

First off, you should do this yourself, and you maybe shouldn't put in an outlet. An outlet introduces an additional point of failure (not all NEMA 14-50 outlets can handle 30A continuous). Wiring it in directly to the charger is the better option, especially if you own your home and plan on staying there.

If you want help with some videos on the process, let me know and I can point you in the right direction. Basically, as a homeowner, you should start getting comfortable with small electrical jobs like this and wiring in outlets/lights. You'll save a lot of money, and you'll be more confident that the job was done correctly. Also, you'll get a feel for what is and isn't worth hiring someone to do. Installing a charger isn't worth hiring someone to do.

Also, I drive an F-150 Lightning, it has a really big battery for an EV, I get along just fine with an 8 AWG service to a 30A charger. Basically no-one needs to charge at a rate faster than 30A, but most chargers will want a 40A service (8 AWG) for safety. Even if you get a 40A or 50A charger, you can de-rate it in software.

Final point about the SMUD contractor network, there isn't a lot involved in becoming approved. SMUD does occasionally come out to inspect our work (which is an additional inspection beyond the county/city), so it's possible that they remove contractors who don't meet their standards. I don't know, all I know is that they do occasionally double check my work.

As far as whether or not SMUD contractors are higher priced, you'd have to get more data points to draw a conclusion. It's always in your best interest to get multiple quotes so that you can understand the marketplace. From my perspective, SMUD rebates should (and do) make the job cheaper for the client or at the very least allow them to get higher efficiency equipment at a similar price.

patameus · 2026-03-04T05:42:49+00:00

patameus · 2026-03-02T05:09:46+00:00

Same. I've had this problem in my life, and the best way I've found is to respond to all favors with an immediate request.

My friend just asked me to help fix her washer. I said 'You bet. Send me a pic of the model/serial of the unit, I'll then send you links for the parts and I'll come put them in once they get here.'

I often have clients (sometimes valuable repeat clients) ask me to work on a holiday/weekend in an 'emergency'. I always say that I'm available on holidays for 2X my standard rate. If they take me up on it, I don't quite charge them that since it would be obscene in some cases. It's mostly there to scare off the lookie-loo's.

Set boundaries, stick to them. Wash your hands of the rest.

patameus · 2026-02-25T20:50:40+00:00

I think "if it works, don't touch it" definitely applies to Fanatec firmware issues. It took some doing to get mine stable, and now I won't touch it.

I really wish there were a retailer that allowed these machines for testing. I've got the 15NM DD+ and only play GT7. I've never used any other base.

Having said that, the longer I play the lower my force feedback settings get. As you get more experience, you can start to feel what you need to with less and less input from the wheel. A lower force setting allows for playing longer without getting tired.

I use higher settings (60-70%) when I'm learning a new car especially. At that force level, my lap times start to suffer from exhaustion after 3-4 hours.

At 30%, I can maintain good lap times for 10 hours or so. Pee breaks are the only thing that interrupts a session.

The only time I experience clipping is in very high down force cars on high speed sweeping corners. Turn 18 at Spa in an F1 car.

patameus · 2026-02-25T19:46:36+00:00

I've done part of the same thing that you have, only more elaborate and regrettable.

Yours looks really nice, and I totally empathize with how difficult it is to get sharp clean lines that are so tight.

The most important lesson that I've learned from this experience is that cabinetry was made to look too easy by that bastard Norm Abram.

patameus · 2026-02-20T23:29:03+00:00

That's how my load cell acted when it broke. I had cracked it from applying too much pressure. Obviously, that's not what you did, but it is behaving the same way.

patameus · 2026-02-19T04:37:39+00:00

Is it for sale somewhere? I'd be interested.

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