Man that's too real. My watchlist is basically a museum of shows I meant to get to someday.

Grabbed a second cheap one from the dollar store and just averaged them out.

That thing about watching the metal move is exactly right. When you're on the torch, you get that orange glow and the drip telling you it's ready, but with a shear you gotta look for the curl and the way the metal starts to buckle just before it snaps. I've been running a hydraulic for about six months now and I still catch myself holding my breath during the first few inches of a cut. The real trick I've found is running your hand along the cut line before you drop the blade, just to feel for any warping or hidden curves. There's something about that hand feel that bridges the gap between the old way and the new way, even if it sounds kind of superstitious.

Man that's a good one. I had an old carpenter tell me to "measure twice, cut once" when I was like 16 and I still hear it in my head every time I pick up a tape measure. Funny how those little things just stick with you forever.

Wait, do these companies actually bank on people missing payments? I feel like that's gotta be part of their business model, right? My cousin bought a couch on a similar deal and missed one payment by like two days. They charged him the full interest for the whole year, like $400. He called to complain and they basically said too bad. It feels like a trap honestly.