Ray Foster (u/foster.ray)

Posts

Warning: Found toxic ballasts while swapping out old store lights

I was helping a buddy rewire a small shop built in the 60s, and we started pulling down the fluorescent tubes. One of the ballasts had a oily leak and a weird smell. Got curious and looked up the codes on it, turns out it's packed with PCBs. Those chemicals are bad news and can stick around in your body for years. We had to suit up and bag everything special for hazardous waste. It added a full day to the job and extra cost, but cutting corners with this stuff is dumb. Always check for those old ballasts before you tear into anything, especially in older places. A quick look can save you a huge headache and keep you safe.

3 comments

c/graphic-design-inspo•

foster.ray•1mo ago

Just used a pizza box for color inspo and it worked

I was stuck on a color palette for a menu design. Then I saw my pizza box and copied the reds and greens. Do you ever get ideas from random stuff around you?

3 comments

Recent Comments

1mo ago

Just realized turning off comments saved my sanity after a job site clip blew up

Was there a single useful comment in that flood, or just a bunch of keyboard comedians? I can only imagine the nonsense you had to sift through (like, who needs that many puns about woodworking?). Turning off alerts is basically putting up a 'no clown zone' sign for your notifications. It lets you focus on the people who actually want to buy stuff, not just laugh at memes. Honestly, more folks should try it before they drown in replies.

1mo ago

After cleaning the shop, I realized our paint thinner waste is out of control

Consider setting up a recycling process to manage the thinner and avoid future headaches.

1mo ago

Why does nobody talk about recipe testing eating into freelance cook profits?

Wait, $50 per test? That's way too much!

1mo ago

PSA: My compost bin tried to fight back last night

My kitchen sink currently has three plates that look like modern art.

1mo ago

A surprise bear cub sighting on the Oak Ridge path turned my hike around

Nope, and that's what made it SO creepy.