Remember that trick with a plumb bob and string? Buddy of mine found a bent strut tower that way in like ten minutes. Saved him a ton of time.

Ever try a video message and realize you look like a deer in headlights? I did one and my own face scared me, but hey, at least they remembered me. Guess being a little awkward makes it feel more human anyway.

Got to disagree on the oil quench for small tool steel. Water's fine if you manage the heat right. I've made plenty of small punches and chisels from O1 steel. The trick is to only heat the very tip, not the whole thing. Dunk just that hot part in water, swirl it, pull it out before it goes cold, then let the leftover heat in the shank warm it back up. Do that a few times. It stops that hard, brittle line from forming. Oil can leave it too soft for my liking.

Our team does the exact same thing.

Honestly, @riley595 has a good point about where the stem thickens. In my experience, the weak part never really gets strong, but the plant can grow a thicker stem right above it if the light is good. I've buried leggy tomato stems deep when I repot them, and they'll put out roots all along the buried part.