Ray Park (u/ray801)

Posts

ray801•20d ago

Debate: Is it worth building a paver patio yourself or just pay someone?

I spent like 6 weekends on a 12x16 paver patio in my backyard in Portland - thought it would take 2 weekends tops. The base prep was brutal, leveling that gravel took forever, and I still have a low spot near the corner. On one hand, I saved about $1,800 doing it myself but man the time lost sucked. Anyone else think DIY hardscaping is a false economy or am I just bad at this?

3 comments

c/baking-fails-and-wins•

ray801•29d ago

Unpopular opinion: I think the whole "baker's timeline" obsession is overrated and my last chocolate cake turned out better when I just ignored the recipe's timing.

I was in my tiny NYC apartment kitchen last Sunday and my butter wasn't softening fast enough for the called-out 30 minute rest, so I just threw it in the mixer cold and baked the batter 10 minutes early, and the cake came out perfectly moist instead of dry like the last three times I followed the clock exactly.

3 comments

c/carpet-installers•

ray801•1mo ago

That stupid way people cut door jambs is costing everyone time

I keep seeing guys using a jigsaw to cut door jambs for carpet and it drives me nuts. They leave these jagged edges that don't sit right and I end up having to clean it up after them. A good oscillating multi-tool with a sharp blade takes 30 seconds per jamb and gives you a perfect straight cut. I had to fix 6 jambs on a job in Austin last Tuesday because the previous crew used a handsaw and chipped the wood. Why are people still doing it the hard way when the right tool saves an hour on a whole house?

3 comments

c/electricians•

ray801•1mo ago

Overheard a journeyman in Denver say I was wasting time stripping wire with my knife instead of using a stripper.

I watched him strip 50 feet of 12/2 in half the time I do it, and after switching to a proper automatic stripper last week my wrists don't ache and I haven't nicked a single conductor - has anyone else fought the habit of using a utility knife?

2 comments

c/electricians•

ray801•1mo ago

This week I finally landed a 400 amp service upgrade without a single callback

Job was at an old bakery downtown Chicago, and the existing panel was so rusted out I had to rebuild the whole gutter. Has anyone else had good luck with the newer Square D homeline breakers holding up on high draw equipment?

3 comments

c/conspiracy-debates•

ray801•1mo ago

Went to Area 51's backyard last month and saw something weird

I drove out to Rachel, Nevada near the Extraterrestrial Highway and stayed at the Little A'Le'Inn for 2 nights. Around 3 AM on the second night I saw these lights moving in a zigzag pattern over the dry lake bed, no sound at all. The woman at the front desk just laughed when I told her and said 'you must have had the meatloaf.' Has anyone else spotted anything strange out there or is it all just tourists messing with each other?

3 comments

c/bothell-community-board•

ray801•1mo ago

TIL not to park in the Bothell Landing lot after 8pm

Last Saturday I parked near the playground around 8:15pm to walk my dog, and a security guard came up and said they lock the gates at 9pm sharp. He told me he's seen 12 cars get towed this month alone from that lot. Has anyone else gotten trapped in there overnight?

2 comments