A weird power issue on a Dell OptiPlex 3080 took me 4 hours to fix

Had a client bring in a Dell OptiPlex 3080 that would not turn on at all. No lights, no fan spin, nothing. I swapped the power supply with a known good unit, same problem. Checked the front panel button, that was fine. I was about to call it a dead board when I decided to pull the CMOS battery. It read 2.8 volts, which seemed okay, but I put a fresh one in anyway. The thing booted right up. I put the old battery back in to test, and it failed again. A weak CMOS battery, not fully dead, was stopping the whole system from starting. I've seen them cause boot loops or time errors, but never a complete no-power situation. Has anyone else run into a CMOS battery causing a total power failure like this on newer machines?

My mentor told me to never force a stuck film advance lever on a Pentax K1000

I ignored him once on a repair job in Austin, and the internal gear sheared clean in two. Anyone have a good source for those tiny brass gears now?

Finally got my bark to come out crisp every time

I used to have issues with my BBQ bark being too soft. After chatting with a pitmaster at a local event, he suggested spritzing with apple juice less often. I gave it a shot on my last brisket, and the bark was fantastic. It held up well and had great flavor. I'm so pumped to try this on other cuts lol.

PSA: Finding real shellac is getting tougher every year.

I used to buy shellac flakes from a supplier downtown that closed last year. In my experience, the pre-mixed stuff from big box stores doesn't give the same results. Back when I started, every finisher had their own method for dissolving and applying it. Now, most younger folks in the trade haven't even tried it. It's a shame because nothing beats the natural look on antique furniture. Your mileage may vary, but I think we're losing something special. If you know a good source, let's connect and share tips.

I finally switched to LED work lights in the hangar.

Thought they were too expensive, but the brighter light and lower heat won me over. No more burnt fingers on old halogens.

My old mentor still swears by his drafting machine, and I'm starting to see why.

I learned on a traditional drafting board in trade school, but now everything's digital. I mean, drawing lines by hand made you really think about each move, not just rely on undo. Do you ever mix old manual techniques with your CAD work?

My hammer handle split mid swing and sent the head flying across the shop