PSA: Those $50 solar filters on Amazon are a total scam

I bought one of those cheap solar filters off Amazon for $50 to photograph the partial eclipse last October. First time I put it on my telescope, the image was blurry and I could see tiny pinpricks of light around the edge. Took it off and checked it with a flashlight and there were actual pinholes in the film. Could have cooked my camera sensor or worse, my eyes if I'd used it for viewing. Threw it straight in the trash and ordered a proper glass filter from Thousand Oaks for $120. Did anyone else get burned by these cheap Amazon filters?

Carbon offsets vs direct emission cuts: Which one actually matters more?

Watched a boiler tube pop right at the weld seam on a job in Pittsburgh last Thursday

Had a 2 inch tube let go during a hydro test on an old firetube boiler. The weld just gave out, water shot across the shop like a fire hose. We had inspected it the day before and it looked fine, no cracks or anything. My foreman said it happens sometimes when the metal gets too thin from years of heat cycles. We had to cut out the whole tube and re-roll a new one, which set us back half a day. What do you guys look for when you're inspecting old weld seams before a test?

Tried painting my kitchen cabinets with that fancy chalk paint and it peeled off in 2 weeks

I learned the hard way that you really need to sand and prime first or that stuff won't stick at all, has anyone else had better luck with a different brand?

Rant: Why I stopped using bubble wrap for everything

I used to wrap every single dish and glass in layers of bubble wrap when I moved. Spent like $60 on two big rolls for my last move from Austin to Dallas. Then I realized the stuff takes up so much space in the box you can barely fit anything. Last year I switched to using old t-shirts and towels from my closet instead. Saves money and I don't have to deal with popping bubble wrap or recycling it later. Plus the clothes cushion just as well for plates and mugs if you pack tight. Am I the only one who thinks bubble wrap is overhyped for household moves?

Velcro strips saved my desk cables for under $5

My desk was a mess with cables everywhere. I tried cable sleeves but they were too stiff and expensive. Picked up a roll of reusable velcro strips at the dollar store for like $3. Now I bundle my monitor and phone cables together cleanly. Has anyone found a better way to keep charging cables from tangling?

Okay, I need to admit I was wrong about shellac flakes.

For years I heard people in this group talk about mixing their own shellac from flakes and I thought it was just a snobby, old-school thing. I figured the pre-mixed stuff from the can was fine, especially for quick repairs. Then I got a job refinishing a 1920s writing desk in Portland, and the client wanted a true French polish. My usual can of shellac dried way too fast and left streaks. A guy at the local woodworking store basically made me buy a bag of blonde dewaxed flakes and a bottle of denatured alcohol. Mixing a fresh 2-pound cut and applying it, the difference was crazy. It flowed on so much smoother and I could actually build up a decent shine without it gumming up. I felt like a total convert after that one job. Has anyone else had a tool or material they avoided that ended up being a game changer?

My grandma told me my pie crust was tough as shoe leather

She said it over Thanksgiving dinner in 2018, right in front of everyone. I was using ice water but my hands were too warm, melting the butter. Now I freeze the butter and grate it into the flour with a box grater. My crusts are flaky now, but I still think about that comment. Anyone have a good trick for keeping dough cold in a hot kitchen?

Serious question, my recycled barn wood shelf started oozing sap after I finished it

I grabbed some old barn boards for a simple shelf to be more sustainable. After sanding and sealing, it looked great until warm weather hit and sticky sap leaked all over the books. Now my eco-friendly project has glued a paperback to the wall. Do all reclaimed woods have this much personality?