Posted By RichC on June 19, 2021
Having just posted on the tool tip from Adam Savage yesterday, the Alligator Forceps paid immediate dividends. It was the exact tool I needed to replace the degraded gasoline tubing of my aging TroyBilt 4-cycle string trimmer.
For context, photo from 2007 below …
Posted By RichC on June 18, 2021
Generally, I don’t use a VPN connection at home, but since I’ve been having slow connections on my laptop and iPad with VPN connections (both TunnelBear and ProtonVPN), thought I was test at home. ProtonVPN has been working pretty well and doesn’t restrict as much as the “warm and fuzzy” Tunnel Bear, but I’ve not opted for the purchased service connected to my Protonmail encrypted email account. I’m convinced that I would pull the trigger and pay IF I were convince I could get consistent VPN speeds. The ping is always lousy, but speeds fluctuate between can’t connect to pretty good.
Posted By RichC on June 17, 2021
After repairing our iRobot pool sweeper last week and figuring out how to hold a “behind the riveted new screen” tiny nut in place (after I dropped it!) … I happened to see Adam Savage’s model building recommended tool (mention him an his testedcom before) and “just had to have it.” In the photos above, it is the new one on the right … but thankfully I had a medical forceps in my tool box that worked (photo on left) … in a “pinch.” (ugh, DDJ)
Of course it would have come in handy to have had the Alligator Forceps before I needed them … but I ordered and hung them on my workbench wall for the next time (might be great for sewing too?). BTW … (more…)
Posted By RichC on June 16, 2021
So why do I always end up trying to open the wrong end of a trash bag?
With human intelligence and adaptive learning being what it is, one would think knowing which end of the trash bag to open when pulling one out of the box or roll would favor me getting it correct? I’m here to tell you that this is not the case … even after a lifetime of doing it.
I haven’t scientifically tested this, so it is not possible to state it as a fact, but I’m convinced that statistically, I’m wrong more than I’m right.
Am I an outlier or is this “wrong end of the trash bag thing,” or is this one of those universal truths?
Posted By RichC on June 15, 2021
This past weekend I moved forward in getting the mini split AC unit installed in my home office. I started the planned chair rail and cork wall (insulation, sound deadening and a place to pin maps, etc). I’m not sure about the can of worms I’ve opened, but I spent half the day on Saturday hauling “junk” out of my office. From holiday décor and seasonal stuff “stuffed” in the closet to boxes of books, papers, magazines and gadget boxes. One has to wonder why I’ve kept so much stuff over the years?
Still though after tossing a lot, I’ve managed to keep way too much that I just moved into the guest bedroom for now. The big question is whether I’ll find the time and ambition to finish the cord wall, build the corner cabinet, fit the crown moulding and paint the walls and trim? If that were not enough, Brenda would like me to tackle some kind of laminate wood flooring rather than carpeting … then extend the look to a guest bathroom remodel and guest room.
Posted By RichC on June 14, 2021
This content is restricted.
Posted By RichC on June 13, 2021
The current pile of books to read is too high for my nighttime side table; I think I need to move a few to my office … or better yet, finish reading them!
Since Alistair Begg is a favorite teaching pastor of ours (Parkside Church was our home church when we lived in NE Ohio), I opted to include his new book Brave By Faith in a pile of tiny gifts to Brenda for our anniversary last weekend. She really liked the “wooden” rose (petals made of woodshop shavings) and of course Good & Plenty licorice candy … but I think both of us will enjoy reading Alistair’s new 2021 book.
Those who know me are familiar with my double-duty gift giving so there’s no surprise in buying a book that we’ll both read. 
Posted By RichC on June 12, 2021
Well talking to Taylor at his birthday dinner, I mentioned someone posted a photo of a WW2 Vought F4U Corsair and asked about the “stripes” … or duct tape … on the cowl in front of the pilot. The answer from a HistoryNet.com researcher below is a great aviation tidbit for those with a curious mind for military history (see answer below).
Also … Japanese pilots regarded the US Marine and Navy’s Corsairs the most formidable American fighters of World War II. U.S. aviators achieved an 11:1 kill ratio against Japanese pilots and planes.
Every time I see a picture of an F4U Corsair, they frequently have white stripes in front of the cockpit windscreen. These appear to surround the fuel tank and maybe are tape of some kind. Can you tell me their purpose?
Thanks,
Bob Hewitt? ? ?
Dear Mr. Hewitt,
Among the many problems that turned up in operational F4U-1 Corsairs was a leaky fuel tank, which was located between the pilot and the engine for the most favorable center of gravity. Corsair pilots I spoke to said that a virtually universal practice to keep the windshield clean was to seal the fuselage panels with strips of white tape. The oil on the cowling flaps also leaked, spattering the windshield and also affecting visibility, hence the upper cowling gills were fixed shut and they were eliminated entirely on later models.
Sincerely,
Jon Guttman
Research Director
World History Group
Posted By RichC on June 11, 2021
This content is restricted.
Posted By RichC on June 10, 2021
We had a great time celebrating Taylor’s 32nd birthday last night after work at Pepp and Dolores restaurant in Cincinnati thanks to Megan. Brenda and I enjoyed 
arriving a little early and sitting at the bar talking with the bartender while sipping some Italian wine. We ended up 
discussing menu since she wasn’t overly busy. The restaurant opened December 2020 just before COVID19 shut them down, so it was nice to see the restaurant thriving and the staff back now that they are fully open again. It was a surprise to us that this was Megan and Taylor’s third time there. It seems they really enjoy the appetizers and have a pretty good handle on the menu.