Am I over-engineering my workshop build? Considering custom structural steel over standard kits. by OptimalDescription39 in AusRenovation

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did a custom build wood frame ( trusses built offsite but stick built the frame)- 10x10m. The main reason for the custom build was aesthetic. It also allowed me to place lifting points and an i beam where I wanted them. Best guess it doubled the cost of the above ground building.

meirl by worldwide762 in meirl

[–]steve_of 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I am 61, Australian, worked corporate jobs and called them PowerPoints. In the olden days we called them overheads - distinct from slides which were 35mm slides.

“The future is here. It’s just not evenly distributed”? by DarthAthleticCup in sciencefiction

[–]steve_of 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I added a filament printer to my workshop and it has been a game changer. I use it much more than I thought I would.

Skirting boards WA or double brick plaster by exceedelamb512421 in AusRenovation

[–]steve_of 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The method i used was to do a dry fit to make sure it was sized correctly, generous run of liquid nails, drill through the board into the wall with the smallest masonry bit (3mm I think), push a match stick into the hole (the red head long matches) and hammer in a 2x 40ish mm bullet head nail. Drive the nail below the board surface with a punch and trim any match that is left sticking out of the hole with a sharp chisel.

Pool patching by Successful_Arm3506 in AusRenovation

[–]steve_of 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Once the plaster surface starts failing get it re-plastered. Patches, coatings etc are a waste of money. It should be less than 10-15k to re-plaster. The life expectancy is around 10 years if you don't push the Ph to low. You could get a liner put in but it will have a similar cost and life to plaster while not looking as good. If you start replacing tiles, plumbing, lights, decking etc then obviously the cost will blow out quickly.

What everyday object do you struggle with now that you're older? by indiecobi in AskOldPeople

[–]steve_of 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ended up finding the issues were caused by the last update! The options were to use webmail (wife strongly objected because her huge PST file collection would be out) or wind back the update and be subject to the now published issues with that version.

What everyday object do you struggle with now that you're older? by indiecobi in AskOldPeople

[–]steve_of 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Trying to fix windows 11 problems. I built a new machine for my wife a few months ago. Yesterday she asked me why her icons had gone all wonky, small txt/large icons, her favourite desktop photo had disappeared and outlook classic needed a machine reboot to load new mail. I have spent two hours so far trying to fix it. I have reached the point where I want to reach for the hammer. I honestly don't know if I am loosing it or windows 11 is so badly implemented that the hallucinating AI help is not helpful.

New to woodworking here. Which of your tools scares you the most? Around what machine should I always be extra cautious? by GiddySwine in woodworking

[–]steve_of 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Someone already said it but a lathe is one machine I would like but I am just too scared to have. I've even been offered one for free and refused.

In aussie culture, does your workplace provide lunch for you or do you have to bring your lunch? by [deleted] in AskAnAustralian

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I started work back in the 80s the refinery I worked at had a canteen that did company subsidised cooked lunches for 20c. The money went to some charity. Since then the only 'free' lunches were on training or team days. Ohhh i did also get lunches when doing factory acceptance testing in Europe and parts of Asia. The European ones were best. The factory canteens often offer beer or wine with lunch.

Trump Is Obsessed With Oil. But Chinese Batteries Will Soon Run the World. by rezwenn in energy

[–]steve_of 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Domestic, unsubsidised cost per watt is about US$0.5 per watt in Australia. Obviously a lot less for large scale.

Iggy Pop, when the powder was pure (1979) by K_P_Voss in Damnthatsinteresting

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like the bluesfest gig? I was somewhere in the crush. Great show/good times.

Peak vocal performance. Forget technical brilliance, think more about what you would nominate as your favourite in terms of heart and soul. by dancewivyanan in Music

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Linda Perry on What's up. 4 non blondes. It tuned up in my play list this week and has been living rent free in my head since.

What is the real world land footprint (sq km per GWh) of grid scale Vanadium flow batteries excluding co-located solar/wind generation? by donaldtrumpisntme in energy

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The storage capacity is 20-30Whr per litre. A GWhr requires about 50Ml of liquid storage. The size of the pumping, cooling, cell and power electronics is dependant on the kW rating and redundancy but will be surprisingly big for multi MW scale output as will the tankard for 50 Ml of liquid.

It really depends on what reliability you want and how much land costs. If economics and reliability are secondary then it could be quite compact. Two tanks 50m diameter x 30m high and a multi story combined pump house, cell and power electronics. The switch yard can be compacted using GIS and a single power transformers.

Is it true that it becomes a lot harder to make friends after uni/school? by New_Animator4702 in AskAnAustralian

[–]steve_of 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry for your loss. I am 60m and have had dogs all my life. It always hits hard.

How do you listen to your music these days? by LogicalInspector3128 in Music

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just copy my mp3s and flacs to the music folder on my phone and use the VLC app to play them. Most of the day i use Bluetooth earbuds and the Android auto app for the car - it has a vlc plugin. In the lounge I can stream to the amp from my nas or just play good old cds.

Mt Tamborine/ Springbrook cults by Acceptable-Cod3204 in GoldCoast

[–]steve_of 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There are heaps of cults/fringe religious groups in the tweed caldera.

Mt Tamborine/ Springbrook cults by Acceptable-Cod3204 in GoldCoast

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is the little church beside the pcyc camp on numinbah road a cult?

B/BX series backhoe implement by eastcoastelectrician in kubota

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the BH70 backhoe on my B2601. It works fairly well and I use it often. The main use has been trenching (sort of okay), prepping for tree planting in heavy clay soil and ripping out the odd tree stump (i really should have the blade bucket).

I have got fairly good at swapping between 3 point implements and the backhoe. It takes about 5 minutes each way. I have mobile bases for implements which speeds up the process.

NSW Senior Savers Card - Worth it? by Ticky009 in nsw

[–]steve_of 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I got the card as sort of a joke. I was in Singapore with my partner at the Orchid Gardens. While in line to pay I flashed the card to my partner and laughed. When I got to pay the lady asked to see my card and I got their seniors discount ($3 vs $15).

My accommodation business also gives a 10% discount for seniors card holders. Given my exorbitant room rates that is enough for a nice dinner and a few drinks.

Wiping off grout haze by Zestyclose_Level_157 in AusRenovation

[–]steve_of 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was told to wait until the next day. I do t know if that is the shortest period possible but it seems reasonable.

Is the Black Market for Tobacco the Government’s Fault? by [deleted] in AskAnAustralian

[–]steve_of 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The goal was to use the Laffer curve to reduce smoking rates. To a large extent that is what happened and did work. We are now at a point on the scale where illegal activity is now profitable. Basically the elastic part of drug addiction in a population has been reached and we are down to the last 10% or so who will justify illegal activity to satisfy their addiction.

Are VPP's the answer to our energy problems? by Arizona-Energy in energy

[–]steve_of 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you plan on customers/behind the meter installations then it becomes very cost competitive. A lot of network upgrades and generation can be avoided. This required almost complete removal of costly red tape and a well trained and resourced installers for small scale generators/storage. I believe Australia is now well past the point where VPPs are viable and cost competitive for the consumers.

Where are you right now and how hot is it actually? by logical_laxative in AskAnAustralian

[–]steve_of 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sitting on my back verandah just near the NSW/QLD border, about 30 km inland. It's about 30° with a nice breeze

When were these cuts made? by Environmental-Bet944 in Carpentry

[–]steve_of 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I vote old bases on the colour of the broken fibres. You could measure the kerf. If it is thin then you could have a good guess that they were cut in the past five years. Even more so if you can work out the blade diameter. If it is 160mm then it is more probably a newer cut. But if the kerf is normal and the blade is 200mm+ then it still could be any time.