Kevin Grant (u/the_kevin)

Posts

Can we talk about the old Hakko 936 versus the newer FX-888D for console work?

I used the 936 for nearly a decade, but the precise temperature control on the 888D cut my PS4 HDMI port repair time in half last week. Anyone still holding onto their old 936s, or has everyone made the switch?

3 comments

c/auto-mechanics•

the_kevin•2mo ago

Had a coolant crossover pipe blow on a 2014 F150 EcoBoost at the worst time

I was finishing up a timing job on it yesterday when I started it to check for leaks. Heard a loud pop and saw steam everywhere from the front. The plastic crossover pipe, part number AL3Z-8592-A, had a huge crack right at the thermostat housing. Happened at like 4:45 PM, of course. Had to scramble to find the part locally before the stores closed. Anyone else run into these failing right after other work, or is it just a crazy coincidence?

3 comments

c/carpenters•

the_kevin•2mo ago

I always used a 2x4 as a straight edge for marking long cuts, but a friend lent me his 8-foot aluminum level.

The level was so much better because it stayed perfectly straight and didn't flex at all, which my wood one always did. I was marking a 12-foot rip on some plywood for a built-in in a Portland kitchen, and the line was dead-on the first time. Has anyone else made a switch like this that saved them a bunch of time?

3 comments

c/crane-operators•

the_kevin•2mo ago

Question about the $800 crane camera system I bought last month

I finally got the Sky-Eye Pro 4 camera kit for my old 80-tonner, thinking it would help with blind lifts... honestly, the lag is so bad it's more dangerous than just using a signalman. The video feed is about two seconds behind what's really happening, which is useless when you're trying to set a beam. Anyone else tried a wireless camera setup and had it actually work right?

3 comments

c/carpet-installers•

the_kevin•3mo ago

A customer in Tampa asked me to skip the tack strips and just glue the carpet down

I was finishing a job in a condo near the bay last spring, and the owner came in to check the work. He pointed at the strips and said, 'Can't you just use adhesive? It'll be faster and cheaper.' I had to explain that skipping those strips would cause the carpet to bubble and pull apart in under a year. He wasn't happy, but I stood my ground. Has anyone else had a client push to cut corners on the basics?

3 comments

c/coding-for-beginners•

the_kevin•3mo ago

TIL about the ethics of code reuse in beginner tutorials...

Reusing code without understanding it just sets you up for failure...

3 comments

c/fix-it-yourself•

the_kevin•3mo ago

Warning: That running toilet might just need a chain adjustment

I've seen so many folks panic and call a plumber when their toilet won't stop running. Mine started doing that last week, and I was about to make the call. But I decided to look inside the tank first. The chain connecting the flapper to the handle was way too loose, so it wasn't sealing right. I moved the hook to a shorter link, and now it flushes perfectly. It took five minutes and cost nothing. Always try the easy stuff before you spend money on a pro.

3 comments