Paul Martinez (u/paulm95)

Posts

Pro tip: I used to think a big walk-in was the only way to run a high volume kitchen

I was helping a friend set up a new spot in Denver, and he was dead set on a massive walk-in cooler. I told him it was overkill for his 50 seat place and a huge upfront cost. This older chef I know, who runs a super busy breakfast joint, overheard us at a supply house. He said, 'Kid, you ever seen a line of reach-ins? You can stage your prep better, and if one dies, you don't lose everything.' I argued that it's less efficient, but he just laughed and said his food cost dropped 3% when he switched because he stopped over-ordering to fill a big box. Made me rethink the whole 'bigger is better' idea. Has anyone else made a smaller cold setup work for a busy service?

2 comments

c/cosmetologists•

paulm95•6d ago

Bought a $40 apron with magnetic tool holders last month

It seemed like a gimmick, but not having to dig through my kit for shears or a tail comb every two minutes has saved me so much time during busy days. Anyone have a good alternative for keeping clipper guards organized and clean?

2 comments

c/bricklayers•

paulm95•8d ago

Finally got my first solo chimney rebuild right after two messy tries

Tbh, the first two chimneys I did on my own in the spring had some wobbly lines and the mortar was too wet. This week, I took my time with the mix and used a story pole for every course, and the whole thing came out straight and clean. What's your go-to trick for keeping a tall stack plumb without a laser?

3 comments

c/foundry-workers•

paulm95•12d ago

Hit 5 years without a single lost time injury and I think the focus is wrong

Everyone at our shop in Toledo makes a big deal about the safety board and the days since the last recordable. We just hit 1825 days, which is 5 full years. The bosses threw a pizza party. But I think celebrating just the number is missing the point. We've had plenty of close calls and minor burns that people don't report because they don't want to 'break the streak'. Last month, a guy caught a hot sprue in his glove and his hand was red for a week, but he didn't say a word. A real safe shop would talk about those near misses openly, not just chase a big number on a sign. The number feels good, but does it actually mean we're safer, or just quieter? How do you get people to speak up about the small stuff without fear of ruining the count?

3 comments

c/bricklayers•

paulm95•1mo ago

Had to pick between a 4-inch and 6-inch level for a tricky chimney rebuild

Last month, I was redoing a chimney on an old house in Tacoma. The mortar joints were all over the place. I had my usual 48-inch level, but for the tight spots around the flue liner, I was stuck. My kit had a 4-inch torpedo level and I could buy a 6-inch. The 4-inch was lighter, easier to fit. But the 6-inch would give a longer, truer line on those short courses. I went with the 6-inch, cost me about $25. It was the right call. That extra two inches of reference made setting those irregular bricks way more consistent. My lines stayed straight even when the old work wasn't. Anyone else run into a situation where a slightly bigger tool made all the difference?

3 comments

Posts

Pro tip: I used to think a big walk-in was the only way to run a high volume kitchen

Bought a $40 apron with magnetic tool holders last month

Finally got my first solo chimney rebuild right after two messy tries

Hit 5 years without a single lost time injury and I think the focus is wrong

Had to pick between a 4-inch and 6-inch level for a tricky chimney rebuild

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