Man I used to be one of those guys who thought "wire is wire" and cheap speaker wire couldn't be that bad for low power stuff in a pinch. But reading this totally changed my mind. That short could have killed people. I mean speaker wire insulation isn't rated for aircraft vibration or the kind of heat you get behind a radio stack, it just breaks down and rubs through way faster than proper Mil-spec stuff. The fact it shorted to airframe and kicked the yoke on approach is terrifying, that's not just a bad day that's a crash waiting to happen. Seeing you had to rip out the whole mess and it took two days really drove home how much damage a few stupid shortcuts can do.

Louder hostels usually have thinner walls too lol.

Actually felt pads can be really good if you get the right kind with a strong adhesive backing lol. The cheap ones from dollar stores just peel right off though. I use these thick black felt ones from a hardware brand on my coffee table and they've stayed put for like two years now. Rubber can sometimes stain lighter colored floors if they get hot or sit in the same spot too long.

Wait, do you just heat the bolt head and let it wick in or pre-soak it first?

Heard a tip from a butcher over in Philly. He uses a claw grip but keeps his thumb pressed flat on the spine of the blade. Gives you extra control when you're really forcing the tip through tough sinew. Tried it on a brisket last week, felt way more locked in compared to that standard pinch grip.