Susan Barnes (u/susan295)

Posts

Showerthought: My local library's anime club totally changed how I pick what to watch next

I went to a meeting at the Springfield Public Library last month, and they had this whole system where you write your top three shows on a card and swap with someone. I got paired with a guy who put down 'Odd Taxi' (which I'd never heard of) and he wrote a little note saying 'trust me, it's not about taxis'. I watched it because of that note and it blew my mind. How do you guys usually get recommendations that actually stick?

3 comments

c/electricians•

susan295•2mo ago

Appreciation post: that $40 thermal imager I got on sale

I was chasing a weird voltage drop in a 90s house and the thing found a hot splice inside a wall in about two minutes. Saved me half a day of fishing wires and guessing. What's the best tool purchase you've made under a hundred bucks?

3 comments

c/cable-installers•

susan295•2mo ago

Question about the actual tensile strength of that old RG-6 we all find in attics

I was reading an old spec sheet from a supply house and found out the copper-clad steel center conductor in some of that vintage stuff from the 90s can handle over 150 pounds of pull force before it snaps, which explains why it never seems to break when you're yanking it through a tight space.

3 comments

c/digital-art-showcase•

susan295•2mo ago

I was using the same brush for everything until a friend pointed out my clouds looked like cotton balls.

She said 'your clouds have no depth' and after switching to a textured brush set in Clip Studio Paint, the whole sky in my piece changed... has anyone else had a tool tip that completely fixed a weak spot?

3 comments

c/cabinetmakers•

susan295•2mo ago

Talked to my neighbor who's a retired shop teacher and he called my dovetails 'too perfect'

He was over last week and saw a walnut box I'm making, and he said, "Susan, those joints are so tight they look machined, where's the hand in it?" It made me stop and think about chasing flawless work versus leaving a bit of character. Has anyone else gotten feedback that made you ease up on precision for the sake of feel?

3 comments

c/geology-rocks•

susan295•3mo ago

Just learned that obsidian breaks in a super sharp way

I cut my finger on a piece I found, and now I understand why ancient people used it for tools.

3 comments

c/carpenters•

susan295•3mo ago

Rant: Grain direction ruined my bench seat and now I'm extra careful

I was building a storage bench for my patio and cut the seat boards without looking at the wood grain. After I put in the screws for the hinges, a big crack opened up along the grain on one board. It meant I had to stop and cut a whole new piece from fresh stock. That mistake cost me an afternoon and some good wood. Now I draw lines with chalk to show the grain direction as soon as I lay out the cuts. What do you all do to avoid grain problems in your builds?

3 comments