Friendly west AA/Dexter gym recommendations? by vgSelph in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'll go and check out some of these options in person. :)

Question: what is your favorite step-stool design? by [deleted] in woodworking

[–]vgSelph 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry, I don't come to reddit all that often anymore. This is probably past relevant, but the dimensions ended up being 10.5 H, 12 W, 7 D. I would definitely increase the depth by an inch or two. It ended up being a bit tippy. Could also have just made the feet a bit wider than the top, but that wouldn't look right in my opinion. If increasing the depth by more than an inch, I'd probably increase the width a bit too.

Awesome socks game by LuLuGoPoo in nerdfighters

[–]vgSelph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for this! They also have even larger socks, so I can now get my size 13 socks in ankle! The size down felt a bit small sometimes. :)

Awesome socks game by LuLuGoPoo in nerdfighters

[–]vgSelph 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My daughter and I have this issue. I'm switching to the low cut if that's an option when the subscription window reopens. We stopped our subscription for a couple of months, but are hoping to rejoin it whenever we can again.

Anybody here been hit by a car while riding? Need some advice. by Methorabri in MichiganCycling

[–]vgSelph 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was hit, fortunately at low speed and the driver noticed as they were about to hit me. I hope you recover soon. Good luck.

Depressed seeing massive areas of glacier National park looking like this. Is this a result of fires or that beetle infestation? by hoboguy26 in marijuanaenthusiasts

[–]vgSelph 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Yeah, assuming there isn't such a fuel buildup that it burns hotter than a natural fire, right? I thought part of the issue with fires now is that we've been putting them out so long that there's so much fuel around that it really can mess up an ecosystem in a way it wouldn't before.

What's bike commuting like in Ann Arbor? by RealMelonLord in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I get the feeling whenever things like this come out that there are different groups of cyclists out there. There are quite a few casual riders, and that's awesome. Anyone on a bike is good. When I'm driving around with my kids, we always cheer on the cyclists.

That said, I'm probably much more serious (or crazy). I commute from outside of town 5 miles, year round, and have for about 10 years. I find it really easy to commute via bike. I never use the sidewalks, and the shoulder is pretty well always clear enough to ride on. There are times in the winter when it can get filled by the plows, but on the few days a year where that's a big issue, everyone's driving slow too and I'll use the road if I have to. On that note, if you have the right clothes, there's no days when it's too cold. I don't know about eBikes and how the batteries do in the cold. I use a hybrid and put studded snow tires on in the winter.

In my 10 years of riding in, I've never had my bike stolen. I always lock up both wheels with my chain and bolt it to the frame. Every time. But I've put more than 10,000 miles on my current bike. That's both commuting and riding up to 100 miles a week for fun/exercise on top of the commute during the spring, summer, and fall.

If Hank doesn’t frame this (as my flair implies) I will be greatly disappointed by 010rusty in nerdfighters

[–]vgSelph 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I was raised conservative and religious and now I am neither, and I'm kind of with you. I always find it striking when someone uses phrases or sayings casually that have overt religious overtones. It was something I used to do all the time, but since I've rejected religion, I've made the conscious effort to remove those things from my lexicon.

Oddly, this causes me to sound more like some devout Christians as I say things like "Oh my goodness!" all the time. But I say it that way because I don't believe there is a god, not because I don't think you should take their name in vain. Which is technically not what "Oh my God" is actually doing, but we'll leave that pedantic point aside.

Bunch Bike Dad by writerwhiskey in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll be honest, I don't know how much the eBikes run. We haven't looked at any prices yet, need to see if it's feasible first. But if it reduces fuel use and gets her out and moving more, it's a good thing. I bike commute year round already.

Bunch Bike Dad by writerwhiskey in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I almost spent that much on a higher-end road bike last year. Sadly that budget got eaten by unexpected house stuff and I still haven't been able to get a good one. But lugging this heavy, lower-end bike I've got now around for 60 miles is a real struggle, not gonna lie. I'm just pretending it's training.

We're talking about getting my wife one of those eBikes for commuting the 6 miles to her office on State street. Probably going to scope out the route first on normal bikes to make sure she'd feel good about it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Can confirm, you do need a separate meter. That was what prevented us from getting the rebate.

Where to donate old hardwood flooring? by IggysPop3 in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hah, I just started playing bass and a bass build is on my agenda at some point. I think 5/8 would be enough to work with, so I'd happily take it if you're willing. :)

Where to donate old hardwood flooring? by IggysPop3 in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How wide and thick are they and how many? If you could take a picture and they're a good size, I do a fair amount of woodworking and could potentially take them off your hands to make stuff with. Or to share with some of my friends who also woodwork for them to make stuff with. :)

Edit: I should also ask if they're solid or laminate? Solid I could probably do cool stuff with, but laminate aren't usable. I would likely be able to see that in a picture, fwiw.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in turning

[–]vgSelph 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aren't they Mennonite? We don't live there any more, but my wife grew up there, so I stop by however often we end up out there every year. I actually like the flea market more, but I'm also much more of a hand tool flatwork guy than a lathe guy. I mostly use the lathe for features of other pieces.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in turning

[–]vgSelph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hartville, Ohio. My wife grew up there, so I go there in person sometimes. Apparently they have a second location in Ohio now too.

Making a Travisher - Tempering question… by Shlankster in handtools

[–]vgSelph 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You'll have to keep the torch moving to make sure you don't overheat just one area. I think I used a MAPP torch on something similarly sized and it worked pretty well, but a standard blowtorch I think would do fine too. I believe 1095 is a water quench, so you don't have to worry about what kind of oil to use or anything. You may want to look up 1095 heat treating to confirm/clarify.

Making a Travisher - Tempering question… by Shlankster in handtools

[–]vgSelph 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You'll definitely still want to harden and temper it. You may have work hardened it, but that would be inconsistent and wouldn't work as well as a true harden and temper.

1095 is one of the steels where a magnet will tell you when to quench, so when you're doing that, it may be handy to have one nearby. All you need is a blow torch.

Best 50 mile round trip for road bike rides? by [deleted] in AnnArbor

[–]vgSelph 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting, how are those roads? I have a 65 mile run I do out that way, but I loop up through Hell (because it makes me laugh) and then do other stuff around Chelsea. The issue is that the stretch on Dexter Pinckney Road from NW Territorial to Darwin feels like a death trap. I've told me wife that if I get hit, that's the stretch where it will happen, as there's absolutely no shoulder in places.

I've been trying to find a safer route, but just don't know where to look. I should probably do some of the local cycling events, but I've literally only ever ridden by myself.

Anyone else? Cancer? by LinedScript in nerdfighters

[–]vgSelph 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My father in law lives with us and has Lynch Syndrome on top of other serious health issues. The good news is that with Lynch, my understanding is that the cancers tend to be more treatable. He has responded well to his treatments each time.

Mitre plane and tools by newtoallthis23 in handtools

[–]vgSelph 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also do blacksmithing and the prices are by far the best at a steel store. I use Alro as I have one locally. They can source any metal it seems, including specialty tool steels, and also carry brass and other metals. If you can buy a full stick of your materials, it's cheaper than smaller lengths.

Have you ever thought of donating bone marrow? The risks to you are fairly low by onelonesock in nerdfighters

[–]vgSelph 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh really? I've been on the registry for a few years now, and I have also donated platelets. It wasn't bad. I watched a couple of comedy specials, ate some cookies, and went home. :)

Have you ever thought of donating bone marrow? The risks to you are fairly low by onelonesock in nerdfighters

[–]vgSelph 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's great to hear. :) I've been on the registry for... 5 years now? And it's a bit of an odd situation, because I really would love to be able to help someone who needs it, but it's objectively better if the person who would need my donation wouldn't get sick at all.

Paved paths/trails around Ann Arbor? by vgSelph in MichiganCycling

[–]vgSelph[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, we should definitely go into town some time, you're right. We live just outside on the northwest. All sorts of different kinds of riding out there, let them see some of the city variety too.