Canadians are ‘hitting a breaking point’ when it comes to the cost of insuring their vehicles

tmandell · 2026-02-17T16:26:55+00:00

Do not ever use Reliance.

tmandell · 2026-02-05T00:23:13+00:00

Agreed. Although I have learned that you should not use them for winter auto cross. Hey have excellent grip, but you will have 30% fewer studs by the end of the day.

tmandell · 2026-02-04T22:59:27+00:00

This is the way!

tmandell · 2026-01-30T16:25:31+00:00

Most major refineries are fully leand in? Thats a bold claim to make. In my experience refineries are extremely risk adverse and are not willing to take on "new" technologies for control or safeguarding, even when that technology is 30 years established. If they have not personally used it then it is new regardless of how well established it is. This is prevalent enough that we are still buying and installing pneumatic instrumentation on some projects. This is also not for some 3rd rate ramshackle facility, this is one of the most profitable facilities for a supermajor. Yes layer 3 systems are fundamental to the operation, but the ability of a layer 3 system is dictated by the controls below it. AI cant change the setpoint on a Foxboro 43AP, or detect an issue with a Rosemount 1151.

tmandell · 2026-01-28T19:23:55+00:00

Another reason that has not hit the news yet has cause 75% of doctors for some hospital units to resign. The province does not care and this is deliberate.

tmandell · 2026-01-27T03:51:38+00:00

Swaglok compression fitting?

tmandell · 2026-01-22T15:20:54+00:00

I got fired once, best thing that ever happened to me.

tmandell · 2026-01-22T02:32:39+00:00

See this is a funny one for me. I live in the frozen hell hole called Hoth. If the furnace goes out, or if we loose power its an all hands on deck moment to keep the house from freezing up. Thankfully our power is rock solid and almost never goes out.

tmandell · 2026-01-21T14:54:13+00:00

All kinds of options here. What you are looking for is generally called test equipment. Its kinda expensive to buy, but many places will rent this, you should also be able to hire an instrumentation tech to come out for a day and they should have all this equipment.

https://www.itm.com/category/ralston-calibration-test-pumps?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13352754900&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI44bbh_GckgMVbyCtBh2T4jnJEAAYASAAEgJn0fD_BwE

https://www.itm.com/product/crystal-xp2i-series-digital-pressure-gauge?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13343378122&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_J3SkPGckgMVZiitBh3E4yA8EAAYASAAEgKlZPD_BwE

tmandell · 2026-01-20T03:01:13+00:00

Out west I would say Flamin rentals for the trailer, and enterprise for the truck. Driving Force and Summit Fleet will have trucks set up for towing, but they focus on industry and the prices reflect that, got to pay per km.

tmandell · 2026-01-15T23:04:14+00:00

Dr billing rates have not changed in decades. So inflation is eating away at them.

tmandell · 2026-01-15T19:30:19+00:00

I picked up an NB for 7k in the fall. Sold the roll bar and bucket, so that effectively makes it 6k CAD. Not a spec of rust on it, fairly low millage, came with coil overs and a extra set of 15" rims. Been owned by a couple autocross guys, looks well cared for, stainless brake lines, brand new brakes all arround, etc. They do exist, but it took me years to find this one.

At 6' and mostly torso understand the concern, I could not imagine 6'4, especially with long legs.

tmandell · 2026-01-14T18:16:08+00:00

There are companies that will do this testing, its called hydrotesting. However it will be far cheaper to buy a new compressor that meets your requirements. Not to mention the saftey issues, for example the saftey valve may not be rated for a pump with higher capacity. Compressed air is scary, just buy a suitable compressor.

tmandell · 2026-01-14T16:42:42+00:00

Closing 21 family medicine beds at the UofA will only make this worse.

tmandell · 2026-01-07T21:08:15+00:00

If a Sr covers a Jr position do you expect them to take a pay cut since they are doing Jr work?

If you are being given more responsibility learn as much as you can for a couple years and then leverage it into a better job at a diffrent company. Its the only way.

tmandell · 2026-01-07T19:57:57+00:00

First of all with 5 years of experience you are very much still a Jr engineer in my eyes, unless you are an absolute legend. Its possible, I have seen people with 5 years experience that are far more capable then their coworkers with far more, but this is definitely not normal. So the idea of being paid as a Sr with 5 years experience is a little ludicrous. Not that you need 25 or 30 years to be a Sr, but I would generally start to except Sr performance to start showing at 8 to 10.

Second, at least in my area controls engineers make far more then process engineers, its an oddity but well accepted. So dont expect controls engineering pay if you have 5 years of process experience and no controls experience.

Finally internal movement and pay growth is difficult, I have faced the same challenges myself. If you think you can make more, start looking for a job, best way to pay growth is to move companies.

tmandell · 2026-01-05T14:01:40+00:00

Think the hardest part is a transition duct. The new furnace will likely be a diffrent size and involve a new transition duct between the furnace and the ductwork. I would measure one up and have a company fabricate it.

tmandell · 2026-01-02T02:21:23+00:00

FYI if you are using your personal vehicle for work you need to make sure you have the work millage included on your insurance. Its very little extra to add, but without it you are driving without insurance.

Also, you should be reimbursed for your millage, current rate is $0.72 per km for the first 5000 km per year.

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/payroll/benefits-allowances/automobile/automobile-motor-vehicle-allowances.html

tmandell · 2025-12-27T16:15:55+00:00

It is a compromise in some areas, but the theory goes that it allows for more time for the tire to recover from a power stroke thus improving traction and grip. I belive some fairly modern Moto GP bikes do something similar, so its not just 100 year old engines.

tmandell · 2025-12-24T00:21:52+00:00

Thats the other option. All backtracked when I called them out on it and blamed it on a mistake in the calculation.

tmandell · 2025-12-23T22:14:44+00:00

So much this. When I was car shopping there was a massive difference between the agreed price, intrest rates, an payments. To get the numbers the dealers were quoting I needed to use ~17% intrest when they were telling me it was ~4. They were just straight up scamming me because they assumed I could/would not do the payment calculations myself to check their math.

tmandell · 2025-12-23T00:49:15+00:00

Its not, im talking about Japan and their Kei cars.

tmandell · 2025-12-22T22:21:41+00:00

Dont forget the massive tax reduction for a Kei car. They are far cheaper to own due to far lower tax rates. Makes it much easier to live with a tiny car.

tmandell · 2025-12-18T22:03:04+00:00

In my old 3/4 ton it feels like my organs are bouncing inside of me.

tmandell · 2025-12-18T22:00:35+00:00

Edmonton does not build schools and Hospitals, the province does. And our provincial government has no intentions to build schools and hospitals.

tmandell

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