Totally agree about the power of small details! What really gets me is when the scary thing is tied to a normal, everyday sound. Like, the monster isn't a roar, it's just the specific squeak of a floorboard in an empty house. That way the character (and the reader!) starts jumping at every normal noise.

Sounds like you just got lucky.

But what do you even do with a moon phase project... like, is it just for the pictures or does it change how you look at the sky?

Yeah, that right angle head is a lifesaver for tight spots. For old plaster boxes, I'm with @linda_mason82 on the oscillating tool. I use a carbide grit blade to cut the hole. It makes way less dust than a sawzall and doesn't shake the whole wall loose. Just go slow so you don't crack the keys.

Blake makes a fair point about the usual junk, but the lottery comparison is a bit much. It's more like a thrift store hunt where you mostly find old clothes, but sometimes you get a great jacket. The fun is in the search itself, not just the win. My brother's advice is safe, sure, but always playing it safe means missing out on those cool finds. You just have to go in knowing most boxes will be duds and only spend what you can afford to lose.