Cole Lee (u/the_cole)

Posts

Debate: fast mud vs. standard - which one do you swear by?

Last Tuesday I had a ceiling job in St. Louis where I used fast set compound on a batch of tape joints. It kicked in about 45 minutes and I was able to second coat by lunch. But then the corner beads started cracking the next day because I think it dried too quick. Now I'm wondering if standard all purpose is the safer bet even if it slows me down. I had a buddy tell me he never uses anything but standard for tape because fast mud is too unpredictable. But fast mud on fills really cuts his day in half. What do you guys use for taping and why?

2 comments

c/forgotten-recipe-exchange•

the_cole•2mo ago

My great-aunt's 'secret' recipe for 'Depression Cake' turned out to be a brick of flour, cocoa, and vinegar that I had to explain to my very confused dinner party.

I found her handwritten card and made it for friends, proud to share a piece of family history. The cake came out dense and weirdly sour, and everyone just politely picked at it. The tip-off was my friend's kid asking, 'Why does this taste like cleaning?' I had to admit I never actually tasted it before trying to serve it! Has anyone else had a family recipe fail this hard when you finally tried it?

3 comments

c/friday-night-games•

the_cole•2mo ago

Used to think board games needed a ton of people to be fun

My buddy and I got stuck with just the two of us last Friday and played a game of Azul. It was actually way more intense and strategic one-on-one. Anyone have other good games for two players?

2 comments

c/aircraft-mechanics•

the_cole•2mo ago

Just logged my 100th non-routine find on a 737

I mean, it's mostly been small stuff like loose clamps, but hitting that number made me realize how much I've learned. Anyone else track their finds like that?

3 comments

c/backpacking-routes•

the_cole•2mo ago

Honestly got roasted for my 40-pound pack on the JMT last year

Tbh a ranger at Tuolumne Meadows straight up asked if I was carrying bricks. I cut my base weight by 15 pounds after that by ditching duplicate gear and a heavy tent. Anyone else get called out and actually change their whole setup?

3 comments

c/chimney-sweeps•

the_cole•2mo ago

I thought those new flexible camera rods were just a gimmick

A guy at the supply house in Charlotte kept pushing them on me, saying they were great for tight offsets. I figured my old rigid set was fine, but I was wrong. Last Tuesday I had a fireplace with a 22 inch offset that was just impossible. I borrowed his demo unit, a 12 foot Flexi-Snake model, and it went right in. The picture was clear and I could actually see the whole flue liner without fighting it. It saved me at least an hour of frustration. Now I'm thinking about adding one to my truck. Has anyone else made the switch and found a brand that holds up?

3 comments

c/garage-organization•

the_cole•2mo ago

Serious question, has anyone else tried using a pegboard for heavy power tools?

I put my 12-pound drill press up on a standard pegboard in my Atlanta garage last month, and the whole thing ripped right out of the wall after a week. I learned that weight ratings on the packaging are a best-case scenario, not a guarantee. What's a better wall storage method for items over 10 pounds?

3 comments

c/camping-gear-reviews•

the_cole•2mo ago

Paid $80 for a titanium spork and it's the dumbest gear buy I've ever made

I saw all the hype online about how light and strong titanium is, so I grabbed one for a trip to the Red River Gorge. The thing is so slick it slid right out of my chili-covered hand and into the fire pit. It's now a $80 slightly melted stick. I get wanting to save weight, but a $2 plastic spoon from the gas station does the exact same job without the stress. Anyone have a go-to cheap utensil that actually stays grippy?

3 comments