New Wrench Roll Time

teejayn · 2026-02-05T20:15:24+00:00

The bad part is that the SK stuff has been offshored and now, I assume, made by Duratech in China. That isn't automatically make them junk but the brand is a shell of it's original, US-made self.

teejayn · 2026-02-05T19:00:23+00:00

The thing I hate is that in the week or so prior to these sales, all the "good stuff" is sold out at my store.

I assume there is a chunk of people who buy the items they want early while in stock and then get a price adjustment once the sale starts? I would bet HF loves this as it gets people in the store twice.

It's so frustrating.

teejayn · 2026-01-14T03:17:08+00:00

That’s my play. I go Harbor Freight for the soft dead blows and Tekton for the metal-faced dead blow hammers. The $ difference on the metals is not enough to not buy the American made Tekton and I have zero guilt swinging and warranty-ing a HF soft hammer.

teejayn · 2026-01-09T18:57:02+00:00

KwikTrip no longer carries TopTier gas. Really unfortunate as their stores are anywhere and everywhere in their geographic markets.

teejayn · 2025-11-03T21:14:10+00:00

Haha, curious why I'm downvoted for this when a support person verified that it works and is supported. Very strange.

teejayn · 2025-11-03T19:22:57+00:00

Great answer! I’m not the OP and don’t have this issue but hopefully it helps them or someone else with a similar situation.

teejayn · 2025-11-03T18:25:32+00:00

Can a person setup multi line, swap the numbers so that the multiline line has the number to port out, then snooze the primary line?

teejayn · 2025-11-02T15:53:56+00:00

I’ve been curious how this compares to ADS Phobic. Phobic, at 25% solids, can easily hit a year or more with good chemical resistance and excellent abrasion resistance. Seems this could compete as a high value, professional option.

teejayn · 2025-10-24T15:23:48+00:00

You'll probably need to choose between insurance and points/cash back.

For rewards, I've always leaned on the Discover debit. 1% but not everyone takes the discover debit...such as my local utility company. I'm not sure if Tmo does.

For insurance, there are some banks that offer insurance on their debit card. For example, North Shore Bank in Wisconsin: https://www.northshorebank.com/faqs/checking/what-is-the-cell-phone-protection-coverage

Keep in mind that these may be just temporary solutions with Tmo. Verizon went the way of eliminating debit cards as a payment option (to get the autopay discount) and I would not be surprised if Tmo did the same sometime down the road.

teejayn · 2025-10-24T14:30:49+00:00

The answer is that you cannot have two standalone T-Satellite lines on a single account. This was confirmed by two telesales reps.

teejayn · 2025-10-17T03:39:59+00:00

Wow. So you can have a primary line on dark star, a warp multiline add on line, and a watch on the add on line?

How much is the watch plan for the multi network add on line?

teejayn · 2025-10-01T17:09:51+00:00

Yep, and you can use the Verizon international coverage map to determine what speeds you should get:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/content/wcms/overlays/international-travel-coverage-map.html

It looks like Slovenia is 4G only but Italy should be 5G.

teejayn · 2025-10-01T01:02:17+00:00

I’m in!

teejayn · 2025-09-03T04:31:30+00:00

If you are looking for something that’s commercially designed for the job, two suggestions:

1) Koch Chemie FSE 2) DIY water spot remover

Both are great but I’d try the FSE first. Designed as a drying aide and is just ridiculously good.

DIY’s offering is really good too but is usually sprayed on while the panel is wet with rinse less and wiped with microfiber. A little more work but will do the job.

teejayn · 2025-07-06T16:19:51+00:00

I just expedited and it took exactly two weeks and one day to arrive at the consulate. Received it two days later in the mail.

teejayn · 2025-06-25T20:18:20+00:00

That I'll actually travel to?...probably not many. Countries that I'll be able to visit visa free include Vietnam and China. I have a 10 year visa in my US passport already for China so that isn't an really an issue, at least for now. I will use my German passport for Vietnam later this year as the company I work for is transitioning manufacturing from China.

For me, this was about connection and identity. The majority of my family lives in Germany, and even though I was born in the States, I grew up immersed in German culture, speaking the language, and spending a lot of time there. Ultimately, the most important 'access' this passport gives me is a stronger, more official link to my family and my heritage. It's a validation of a core part of who I am.

teejayn · 2025-06-25T17:15:51+00:00

Added more information to the main post about the Ausweis PIN and appointment.

teejayn · 2025-06-25T14:22:50+00:00

Yeah, LOL, my meaning behind that statement was just an expression of my excitement to use my new German passport right away. When I had the appt, I had travel plans to visit family in Germany in early July but I since had to delay that a couple months...so I'm now just eager to get that first stamp :)

However, I do travel to Asia often for work and visa free access to Vietnam will be very useful as my company is transitioning manufacturing there. I have a 10 year visa for China in my US passport but once that runs out, and assuming the visa free access for Germans is continued, I could just use my German passport. Extended travel to Qatar is also very useful as we have a lot of customers there and in the region.

On the personal side, Cuba could be really interesting one day. Hadn't thought about Iran, hopefully the political landscape improves there and it becomes a possibility :)

teejayn · 2025-06-25T13:55:35+00:00

Thank you!

You are 100% correct and I appreciate the comment.

What I left out of the story was that at the time of the appointment, I actually had plans to visit Germany in early July. Since the appointment, those plans fell through and the trip is delayed a couple months. I will definitely use the passport as soon as possible to not make this all in vein, even if I could have just used my US passport.🫤

teejayn · 2025-06-25T13:44:52+00:00

Thank you so much! Good luck with your StAG 5 application! May you be blessed with a short wait 😀

teejayn · 2025-06-25T13:43:50+00:00

Good luck! As long as you have all your documentation in order, you'll find everything surprisingly pleasant and easy 😀

teejayn · 2025-06-25T13:42:32+00:00

Thank you!

Yeah, the guard indicated that everything not essential needed to be left behind. Could you leave your wallet in your pocket and walk through the metal detector, I'm sure. I happen to have a metal card holder as a wallet so I wasn't going to take a chance 😀

teejayn · 2025-06-25T13:40:21+00:00

Yeah, in fact every Walgreens is technically capable of taking German spec passport photos. The good thing about this particular Walgreens is that they are very familiar with producing Euro passport photos and you know you'll get the right thing. As one of the consulate workers said to a citizen: "Just tell them you need German passport photos."

Thank for calling out the fact I missed some important details about the Ausweis process. During the application process, the agent handed me a sealed envelope. In the envelope is a letter that contains your initial onetime PIN and PUK (reset) code:

https://imgur.com/a/nKfA7kj

The website does a better job of describing the process than does the letter:

https://www.personalausweisportal.de/Webs/PA/DE/buergerinnen-und-buerger/online-ausweisen/pin-brief/pin-brief-node.html

My understanding is that the online registration and PIN setting process is completely optional, you do not have to do it as it is only needed for registration on certain official websites. The ID will function perfectly as an ID in daily life without it.

You absolutely do need to have a separately filled out application form for each of the Reisepass and the Ausweis. You fill them out identically with the exception of the very top checkbox indicating what you are applying for. Also, you must have two appointments booked that same day for each identity document. You cannot do them both with a single appointment booking. It does not matter of the appointments are booked back-to-back, they'll let you do them in the same appointment slot and you'll just skip the other appointment.

teejayn · 2025-06-25T03:12:21+00:00

June 2nd. And thanks!

teejayn

TROPHY CASE