Wade Mitchell (u/mitchell.wade)

Posts

Switched from a full face shield to a specific welding helmet for pouring and I'm never going back

I was helping out at a buddy's shop in Toledo last month, and I saw him using a Speedglas 9100FX helmet for his pour. I always thought those were just for welding, and my old full face shield was fine. He told me, 'The auto-darkening is a game changer for seeing the mold details right before you pour, and it's way lighter on your neck after a 10 hour shift.' I tried it on his next pour, and man, he was right. I could actually see the vent holes clearly without flipping a shield up and down, and my shoulders didn't ache at the end of the day. I bought one the next week, even though it cost more than I wanted to spend. Has anyone else made a switch like this with their safety gear that actually made the job easier?

3 comments

c/baking-fails-and-wins•

mitchell.wade•1mo ago

Am I the only one who sees people using baking powder from 2018?

I was at a friend's house last week and saw her pull out a can of Clabber Girl that expired three years ago, which explains why her biscuits always come out flat as a pancake.

3 comments

c/computer-technicians•

mitchell.wade•1mo ago

I finally stopped using a million loose flash drives for OS installs

I mean, for years I'd have a drawer with like 15 different USB sticks, each with a different Windows version or Linux distro. It was a mess, especially when a client needed a fresh Windows 10 install and I'd grab the wrong one. About six months ago I set up a Ventoy drive on a 256GB SanDisk Ultra Fit, and now I just drop all the ISO files onto it. Has anyone else switched to a multi-boot tool, and which one do you prefer?

3 comments

c/bbq-pitmasters•

mitchell.wade•1mo ago

I always thought wrapping a brisket in foil was a total cheat until I saw a pitmaster in Lockhart do it to save a cook that was drying out.

After my third brisket came out like shoe leather, I tried his method of a tight foil wrap with a splash of beef broth at the 160-degree stall, and it came out perfectly juicy, so has anyone else found a specific trick that saved a piece of meat headed for disaster?

3 comments

c/computer-technicians•

mitchell.wade•2mo ago

I used to think thermal paste was a 'one and done' thing until a gaming rig in Dallas melted down

For years, I'd slap on a pea-sized drop and call it good, never checking it again. Then last summer, a guy brought in a PC that was shutting down after 10 minutes of play. The paste was bone dry and cracked after just 18 months. Now, I tell every client with a high-end build to re-paste every year, no questions asked. It's a cheap fix that stops a $300 CPU from frying. How often do you guys actually check the paste on machines you've worked on?

3 comments

c/board-game-geeks•

mitchell.wade•2mo ago

Tbh, I just spent 3 hours trying to get the 'Innsmouth Look' token to stay on its track in Arkham Horror.

Honestly, I ended up using a tiny bit of museum wax, which finally worked after it kept sliding off for our entire 4-player game last night, has anyone else found a better fix for those slick cardboard pieces?

3 comments

c/appliance-repairers•

mitchell.wade•2mo ago

Shoutout to labeled bins for appliance part storage

I tossed all parts into a big container. A tough search for a fridge hinge pin changed my ways. Now I sort by appliance type and size.

3 comments

c/blacksmiths•

mitchell.wade•2mo ago

Local regulations pushing propane forges, but I'm not convinced

Honestly, the new clean air rules in my county mean a lot of smiths are ditching coal. Tbh, it makes sense for reducing smoke and neighbors' complaints. Ngl, though, I feel like the heat from coal just works better for certain projects, like when I'm making Damascus steel. Some guys say propane is the future, with precise temperature control. Others, like me, worry we're losing part of the craft's soul. What do you all think? Is adapting to regulations worth it, or should we fight to keep coal alive?

3 comments

c/coffee-enthusiasts•

mitchell.wade•2mo ago

A coffee farm visit in Guatemala left me with more than just beans

I took a trip to a big coffee area in Guatemala last month, thinking it would be a dream come true. The farm tour started fine, but quickly turned into a pushy sales pitch for their expensive bags of coffee. Our guide skipped over the fun parts, like how they pick the beans, and just talked about buying stuff. At the tasting session, the coffee was weak and tasted old, which really bummed me out after the long drive. It felt like they only cared about my wallet, not sharing a love for coffee. I wish I had checked online reviews from other travelers before booking. If you're going to visit a coffee farm, make sure to ask about the tour details upfront. Has anyone else had a letdown like this while traveling for coffee?

3 comments

c/barbers•

mitchell.wade•2mo ago

Trying a new styling tip session after cuts and loving the results

I've been trying something new at my station that's really paying off. A while back, I decided to stop just finishing a cut and sending people on their way. Now, I always spend a couple minutes going over styling tips with each client. I use a small amount of product from my tray to show them how to work it through their hair. It's not just about the cut, it's about making sure they can keep it looking sharp. Since I started this, I've noticed more people coming back and leaving happier reviews. Last week, a regular said his wife complimented his hair for the first time in years. Taking that extra time has turned good haircuts into great experiences.

4 comments

Posts

Switched from a full face shield to a specific welding helmet for pouring and I'm never going back

Am I the only one who sees people using baking powder from 2018?

I finally stopped using a million loose flash drives for OS installs

I always thought wrapping a brisket in foil was a total cheat until I saw a pitmaster in Lockhart do it to save a cook that was drying out.

I used to think thermal paste was a 'one and done' thing until a gaming rig in Dallas melted down

Tbh, I just spent 3 hours trying to get the 'Innsmouth Look' token to stay on its track in Arkham Horror.

Shoutout to labeled bins for appliance part storage

Local regulations pushing propane forges, but I'm not convinced

A coffee farm visit in Guatemala left me with more than just beans

Trying a new styling tip session after cuts and loving the results

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