Simon Davis (u/simon_davis)

Posts

Spent 4 hours chasing a phantom short in a 2015 MacBook Air only to find a single grain of solder under the logic board

Has anyone else had a tiny, conductive speck cause a full system failure, and what's your best method for cleaning under BGA chips without an ultrasonic bath?

2 comments

c/fence-erectors•

simon_davis•1d ago

Choosing between a 4x4 and a 6x6 post for a windy corner lot

I had a job last month on a corner lot in Lincoln, Nebraska, where the wind really whips around. The homeowner wanted a tall, 6-foot privacy fence. I was debating using standard 4x4 posts or spending more on 6x6 posts for the whole run. I decided to only use the 6x6 posts for the corner sections and the gate posts, about 8 posts total, and used 4x4s for the rest. It added about $300 to the material cost, but it was worth it. The fence feels rock solid in those high-stress spots, and the customer was happy with the look. Has anyone else tried mixing post sizes on a single job to save cash but still add strength where it counts?

2 comments

c/edmonton-home-reno•

simon_davis•4d ago

My neighbor said I should use a certain kind of insulation for our old house in Strathcona

He told me to get spray foam for the attic in my 1920s bungalow, said it would fix all my draft problems. I spent over $3,000 on it last fall, but my heating bill this winter was still crazy high. Turns out the real issue was the old windows, not the attic. Anyone else in an older Edmonton home figure out a cheaper fix for drafts?

2 comments

c/budget-travel-hacks•

simon_davis•5d ago

People keep booking the 'cheapest' flight and missing the real cost

I just got back from a trip to Denver where my friend spent $89 on a flight, but then paid $75 for a checked bag and a $40 Uber from the far-out airport. I booked a $120 flight to the main airport and walked to the train for $3. Everyone chases the lowest ticket price without adding up the extras. Has anyone else found a better way to compare total trip cost?

2 comments

c/binge-worthy-shows•

simon_davis•5d ago

Am I the only one who used to skip the 'Previously On' recaps?

I was powering through 'Dark' and got super confused about the timelines, so I finally let the recap play before season 2. It totally connected the dots I was missing. Do you guys watch those recaps or just jump right in?

2 comments

c/drafters•

simon_davis•6d ago

Appreciation post: a 1940s drafting manual I found at a yard sale had a tip about pencil hardness I never knew

I picked up this old 'Mechanical Drawing' book for a dollar last weekend, and it said draftsmen back then used a 9H pencil for the absolute finest layout lines on vellum. I always thought 4H was as hard as anyone would ever need for clean work. Has anyone else run across old-school techniques like that which actually still work well?

2 comments

c/chefs•

simon_davis•12d ago

My big switch from gas to induction at the restaurant last year

I ran a 12 burner gas range for over a decade, swearing by the open flame. Then we did a full kitchen reno in 2022 and the owner insisted on putting in two 36 inch induction tops. I fought it hard, but after the first month, I was sold. The control is unreal, especially for delicate sauces. I can drop a pot of cream to a bare simmer in seconds, not minutes. Boiling a huge pot of water for pasta is almost twice as fast now. Anyone else make this jump and find it changed how you cook certain dishes?

2 comments

c/board-game-geeks•

simon_davis•13d ago

Question about the first board game convention

I was reading an old article on a game history site and found out the first real board game convention was in 1964 in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with only about 50 people. It's wild to think how small it started compared to the huge events we have now. Did any of you ever go to a really small, early con like that?

2 comments

Posts

Spent 4 hours chasing a phantom short in a 2015 MacBook Air only to find a single grain of solder under the logic board

Choosing between a 4x4 and a 6x6 post for a windy corner lot

My neighbor said I should use a certain kind of insulation for our old house in Strathcona

People keep booking the 'cheapest' flight and missing the real cost

Am I the only one who used to skip the 'Previously On' recaps?

Appreciation post: a 1940s drafting manual I found at a yard sale had a tip about pencil hardness I never knew

My big switch from gas to induction at the restaurant last year

Question about the first board game convention

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