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I thought those plastic post levelers were a total gimmick
For years I just used a regular level and some shims, and I figured the three-arm plastic things were for people who couldn't eyeball a plumb line. Then I had to set 40 posts for a big vinyl job in Cincinnati last fall, and my helper had a set. He made me try one. Man, getting that post locked in dead straight in under 30 seconds while the concrete was still wet was a game changer. It held the post solid so I could walk away and mix the next batch without worrying about it shifting. I still check with my level after, but for speed and holding power during the pour, I was totally wrong. They're cheap, too. Anyone else have a tool they swore was useless that actually rules?
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fionarodriguez6mo ago
Yeah, the "game changer" part hits home. My buddy who does decks swore those speed squares were for rookies until he had to cut a ton of compound angles for some fancy pergola. He borrowed one just to shut the guy up. Said he lined up the cut in like ten seconds flat, perfect every time. He bought his own that same day. Sometimes the simple junk just works.
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milarodriguez6mo ago
Totally get where you're coming from, but I have a different take. Calling a tool "for rookies" just because it's simple feels like gatekeeping to me. A tool that gets the job done fast and right is just a good tool, period. It's weird we act like struggling with a harder method makes you more skilled.
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elliots495mo ago
Funny how often it takes actually using something to realize the hype was justified. Your buddy's story is pretty common, once people get past the idea that simple means inferior they usually end up surprised. There's a lot of tools out there that look like a gimmick until you're in the middle of a tricky job and it saves you twenty minutes.
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