Jordan Hart (u/jordanh31)

Posts

A client in Seattle said my shutter curtain cleaning method was too rough

He showed me a picture of a tiny scratch on his Leica M6 curtain after I worked on it. I switched to using a softer brush and lighter fluid instead of my old stiff one. Anyone else get called out on a cleaning technique they thought was fine?

3 comments

c/carpenters•

jordanh31•1mo ago

Watched a treated 2x6 warp a full inch after a single rainy season because the client insisted on stacking them flat on the ground before install.

The lumber yard in Tacoma said it was kiln-dried and ready, but that moisture wicking from the concrete slab over 4 months ruined a $450 batch, so now I always demand they get stickered and covered on pallets.

3 comments

c/boilermakers•

jordanh31•1mo ago

Overheard a foreman say 'the weld is only as good as the fit-up' on a big tank job

I was working on a 20,000 gallon pressure vessel in Gary last week, and the lead foreman kept saying that to the new guy. It really stuck with me. I've been in the trade for a while, but I think I got lazy, always trusting my welding skills to cover for a gap that was a bit too wide or a bevel that wasn't quite clean. He made the kid redo a whole section because the fit had a 1/16 inch gap he called 'unforgiving'. Watching the kid grind it out and start over, it clicked. I spent the rest of the day with my level and my square out before I even picked up a torch. How do you guys make sure your fit-up is perfect every single time, especially on big, awkward pieces?

3 comments

c/concrete-finishers•

jordanh31•1mo ago

Thought I could finish a 10x12 patio in a day, the mud had other ideas

Had a pour last week where the mix was way too wet from the plant. Tried to fight it for an hour before I shut it down. Let it sit for almost three hours before it was ready to work, which blew my whole schedule. Anyone else ever have a truck show up with soup and how do you handle it?

3 comments

c/everyday-life-hacks•

jordanh31•1mo ago

TIL my neighbor's trick for cleaning a greasy grill is actually genius

I was cleaning my grill last weekend and it was a sticky mess. My neighbor, Dave, walked over and said, 'Just cut an onion in half and scrub it with the cut side while the grates are still hot.' I thought he was joking, but I tried it. The steam from the onion lifted the grease right off, and it took me maybe 5 minutes. I used to spend half an hour with a wire brush and cleaner. Has anyone else tried this or have a different simple trick for grill cleaning?

3 comments

c/freelance-survival•

jordanh31•1mo ago

I stopped taking any project that came my way about 8 months ago

I used to say yes to every single client, even the ones with tiny budgets and unclear plans. It left me stressed and broke. Then I got a $500 logo job that took three weeks of back and forth, and I realized I was losing money. Now I only take jobs that fit my set rates and have a clear brief from the start. How do you guys decide when to turn down work?

3 comments

c/coffee-enthusiasts•

jordanh31•2mo ago

Question about the right way to clean a grinder

I keep seeing people talk about cleaning their grinders with rice or bread, and it drives me up a wall. That is a great way to mess up your burrs and leave starch gunk everywhere. I learned this the hard way about a year ago when I tried the 'rice trick' on my Baratza Encore and ended up having to take the whole thing apart to clean out the paste it made. The only thing that should ever go through your grinder is coffee beans, period. For a real clean, you need to use a proper grinder cleaning pellet or just take it apart and brush it out. I do a full brush down every two weeks, and it makes a world of difference in the taste. Has anyone else had a bad experience with these weird cleaning methods?

3 comments

c/farriers•

jordanh31•2mo ago

Shoutout to the farrier at the Kentucky Horse Park who had a neat trick for a nervous horse

I was there for a show last month and watched a farrier working on a big, jumpy warmblood. Instead of just tying it up tight, he had a helper gently hold a scoop of grain right under the horse's nose while he worked on the hind feet. The horse was so focused on nibbling that it barely moved. It was a simple fix but it made the whole job safer and calmer. Has anyone else tried something like that with a distracted?

3 comments

c/cybersecurity-tips•

jordanh31•2mo ago

My neighbor's story about a fake package text made me check my own habits

Last week, my neighbor in Phoenix got a text saying a package was held and needed a small fee to be released. It looked real, with a link to a site that copied the real carrier's page. She almost put in her card info but called the carrier instead. They told her it was a common scam, especially around the holidays. It made me realize how easy it is to click without thinking when you're expecting a delivery. Has anyone else seen these fake delivery texts get more convincing lately?

3 comments

c/diesel-mechanics•

jordanh31•2mo ago

Finally bit the bullet on a thermal imaging camera for the shop

Spent about $800 on a Flir One Pro last year, thinking it would be a neat toy for finding electrical faults. Turns out it's saved my bacon more times than I can count. Just last week, had a 6.7 Powerstroke with a weird intermittent miss. Scanner showed nothing, but the camera picked up one injector connector running 30 degrees hotter than the rest at idle. Found a corroded pin causing resistance. Without that heat signature, I'd have been chasing ghosts for hours. It's not cheap, but for diagnosing electrical issues, coolant flow problems, or even a dragging brake caliper, it cuts diagnostic time in half. Anyone else using thermal imaging regularly, or do you still think it's just a gimmick?

3 comments