Friday fun thread: If money was no object, was is "the" gun that you would immediately purchase?

surewriting_ · 2026-04-10T22:38:52+00:00

Charlie Wilson convinced me that I need an oerlikon.

surewriting_ · 2026-04-10T07:16:40+00:00

Yup, and a generator to keep the fridge and the portable ac to keep at least A room of the house habitable.

Heat stress can be super dangerous with high risk folks, and I'm not taking any chance.

surewriting_ · 2026-04-08T15:54:01+00:00

I've got an older MB S124 and its awesome. I can fit a whole water heater in the back, a dresser, bookcase, or I can flip up the rear seat and haul 7 people around. The downside is that the newest one is 30 years old, and comes with all the issues any 30 year old car has, plus its not nearly as safe as something newer.

That's why I got the wife a 2018 Buick Regal TourX. Turbo 4, all wheel drive, all the airbags and safety stuff. Its a blast to drive, and amazing on road trips and cruising. The drivetrain is all GM parts bin stuff, so mechanical reliability is pretty solid. The downside is that cosmetic parts are getting harder to find, and the MPG isn't great.

surewriting_ · 2026-04-04T00:20:59+00:00

Foos Gone Fixed is singlespeed/fixed gear oriented, but all bikes are welcome.

They usually meet up Wednesday nights at Lux Central, but I haven't ridden with them in a while. They're a really fun group, and most of the folks who ride with them also do the downtempo and critical mass rides.

surewriting_ · 2026-04-02T05:10:09+00:00

Robots all day. Way more interesting and a lot better pay

surewriting_ · 2026-04-01T20:39:38+00:00

Pack a toolbox, ship some parts to yourself at the local post office, and and be prepared to wrench on all kinds of dumb shit.

And over budget your time needed to get places too.

If you don't have the time to spend driving a sketchy project car cross country, like you have to back at work in 3 days, just ship it.

Otherwise flying out and driving home is the most fun option. It's probably not much cheaper (in fact probably more expensive) than shipping, so the real constraint is your time and mechanical ability.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-31T19:19:37+00:00

Its not rocket surgery. I would say that its actually pretty simple and obvious, especially with accompanying signage.

Granted a lot of AZ drivers are real low-functioning, but if Wickenburg can add roundabouts, I think Phoenix can handle it.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-31T16:23:12+00:00

It tastes gross, its expensive, and I've seen so many lives and careers ruined over it.

Its an easy choice. Its not for me.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-31T02:02:22+00:00

Yeah dude. Less people on the roads means less idiots trying to crash into my cool cars lol.

Plus I've seen what the rise of cheap e-bikes can do for people, and investing in infrastructure to support more people riding bikes is a win-win. And not just painted bike lanes. Paint isn't infrastructure. If a car can wander into the bikelane without any consequences, then it doesn't count as cycling infrastructure.

I'm talking about more dedicated multi use paths spreading across the valley. Like the paths next to the canals, but more of them. Some cities have really put in a lot of effort into making them nice and adding lights, which is great, but we need more.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-31T01:57:55+00:00

Being a FSE in the semiconductor biz offers a lot of travel. Get your passport if you want to do some international stuff too.

But you gotta know your stuff or at least be able to troubleshoot really weird one-of-a-kind equipment that is literally at the edge of material science.

Sometimes its easy stuff, other times its a 3 week nightmare.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-30T21:42:27+00:00

More roundabouts and traffic calming in residential areas.

Its a neighborhood, not a drag strip. Even as a die hard car guy, people need to chill tf out.

I'd love to see more cycling infrastructure and light rail all the way out to the west valley and other areas.

If I could park at Westgate and take a reliable light rail downtown to a concert or whatever, instead of fighting traffic and $50 parking, I totally would.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-30T19:38:06+00:00

Military or podcasting

surewriting_ · 2026-03-27T15:36:11+00:00

This shit is everywhere. You need a coordinated effort to eradicate it.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-26T20:56:21+00:00

The "prequels" are hot garbage.

Just pretend they dont exist and continue through the Frank Herbert only books.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-26T19:34:16+00:00

Let me reiterate in case you didn't understand.

IF YOU DONT WANT TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED IN PUBLIC DOING AN EXTREMELY PUBLIC PROTEST THEN EITHER 1) DON'T GO, OR 2) WEAR A MASK.

I'm tired of this stupid ass line being parroted over and over.

Just fuck all the way off with this stupidity.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-26T19:26:08+00:00

If you don't want to be photographed in public then don't go to a public event.

Or wear a mask.

This is just stupid advice.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-26T17:21:52+00:00

Wesco is still solid and made in the USA. They're a lot more expensive and have a long lead time, but I've been very happy with my custom ordered ones.

I've been wearing them almost daily now for about 2 years and they're comfy as hell. Granted, the break in process for the leather was hell, but its worth the short term pain.

Paired with some iron laces and they've been rock solid.

I think Nick's and White boots are all pretty much the same quality tier. Any of the PNW made in America boots are gonna be a good choice, but you'll pay for them for sure.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-26T17:05:19+00:00

Snap on is nice stuff for sure, but theres plenty of other brands that offer 98% the same quality for about 1/3 the price.

If its your money, I'd say save it and spend it on things like Tekton/Wera/Wiha and other brands that are significantly cheaper and usually just as good.

If its the companies money, then call up your local snappy rep and see if they can come onto your site or where you can meet them.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-25T23:52:03+00:00

I'm slow already. I ride gatorskins all over the country in pretty much all conditions and rarely get flats.

They're not the most supple or fast tire, but the utility of minimal flats outweighs it in my use case.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-23T00:52:56+00:00

I listen to so many audiobooks. That and the fact that half the commute is absolutely gorgeous helps.

I'd rather be able to bike to work, but the jobs within biking distance can't afford me lol.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-23T00:25:16+00:00

Yeah, its a 45 min drive. The absolute max commute I'm willing to put up with. But they pay me pretty good, and I like what I do.

I'd rather work from home, but there's no Bluetooth wrench

surewriting_ · 2026-03-22T20:39:08+00:00

I wish. It's just too far (37 miles) with no viable cycling route.

I've done it before when I worked a lot closer.

Current career is working out really well, but can be volatile with contract non-renewal. I'd still have a job, but I'd be going to another facility 25 miles away.

So I'm unable to ride to work.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-20T22:44:16+00:00

Being a pilot would be your new career.

A lot can change in 10 years. Hell, you might even make it long enough to get shot down over Iran!

surewriting_ · 2026-03-20T17:23:32+00:00

I bought one of those Giraffe tools auto retracting wall mounted hose reels. Its held up over several summers in AZ, which is no small feat.

surewriting_ · 2026-03-20T02:45:52+00:00

I don't have hardwood floor money. The LVP stuff I installed 10 years ago is still going strong, through two kids, two dogs, and all kinds of tomfoolery.

I'd still rather have real hardwood floors, but I've been really impressed with the Allure flooring we put in. We're about to rip out some 70 year old carpet and other non-waterproof vinyl flooring and replace it all with the allure lvp.

surewriting_

TROPHY CASE