Charlie Ward (u/charliew99)

Posts

That one Tuesday where everything went sideways in 20 minutes

Had a guy bring in a 2019 Trek Domane with a creak last week. Found it in 5 minutes, loose bottom bracket from the factory install. As I'm torquing it down, the torque wrench snaps at the head and I smash my knuckles into the chainring. Blood everywhere, customer just staring at me. Has anyone else had a tool fail at the absolute worst moment?

1 comments

c/backpacking-routes•

charliew99•7d ago

Hit a section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia last month and got wrecked by the elevation changes

I mean, I knew the AT had hills but I did a 40 mile stretch near McAfee Knob and it was way steeper than I expected. My legs were shot by day two, and I ended up taking a zero day at a hostel just to recover. Has anyone else underestimated a section based on the mileage alone and paid for it?

2 comments

c/camping-gear-reviews•

charliew99•11d ago

Just hit 50 nights in my hammock setup this season

I've been tracking my sleep system nights since April and last weekend I rolled over to 50 nights in my hammock instead of a tent. I started this just to save weight on the Appalachian Trail but now I actually prefer the comfort. My back doesn't hurt in the mornings like it did on the ground. The real test was a storm last month near Grayson Highlands where I stayed bone dry while my buddy in a tent got flooded out. Anyone else track their shelter nights or am I just a nerd with a spreadsheet?

2 comments

c/dredge-operators•

charliew99•12d ago

Used to dredge by feel alone. Now I chart every cut.

For 12 years I just went by vibrations. Felt the drag head pulses in my hands and called it good. Last spring got a new suction gauge installed on the helm. First week I ignored it. Second week I started watching it out of boredom. Now I log readings every 15 minutes. Found out my old technique was leaving 20% of material on the bottom. Who else runs with instrumentation vs. seat-of-pants?

2 comments

c/first-time-homebuyers•

charliew99•12d ago

Wasted $600 on a radon mitigation system I didn't need

Paid $600 for a radon test and mitigation system based on a 48 hour test kit. Turns out the levels were high because the window was cracked during a rainstorm. Retested a month later with the window sealed and it was fine. Anyone else get burned by a rushed home inspection add on?

2 comments

c/bricklayers•

charliew99•27d ago

Took me 8 tries to get a brick arch right on a job in Nashville last month

Kept messing up the keystone angle and had to cut new bricks each time, has anyone else dealt with arch layouts taking way longer than you budget for?

2 comments

c/archaeology-discoveries•

charliew99•1mo ago

Used to think bronze age tools were all crude and simple

Honestly I changed my mind after visiting the British Museum last month. They had this display of bronze age swords and axes from the Dover area and the craftsmanship was insane. Like the edges were almost sharp enough to shave with and the patterns in the metal were really detailed. I always imagined they just pounded stuff out roughly. Now I get why people say Bronze Age smiths were legit artisans. What other ancient tech surprised you?

2 comments

c/foundry-workers•

charliew99•1mo ago

Used to think PPE was just for the rookies, then an arc flash changed my mind

I been pouring iron for about 12 years now, mostly at a shop outside Youngstown. Always figured the heavy gloves and face shield were overkill, just slowed me down. Last July I had a ladle splash back real bad, caught me right on the forearm. Lucky I was wearing my leathers or I'd be looking at third degree burns for sure. That 30 seconds of putting on gear properly saved me a hospital trip and weeks of healing. Now I don't even step on the floor without my full rig on, no exceptions. Anyone else have a close call that turned them into a safety nut?

2 comments

c/fix-my-shed-build•

charliew99•1mo ago

Stopped by my friend's shed last Sunday and was shocked at how he skipped the pressure treated lumber for the floor frame

He used regular pine 2x6s sitting directly on concrete blocks and when I pointed out the rot starting he just shrugged. Has anyone else dealt with a buddy who refuses to listen to basic building advice?

2 comments

c/avionics-technicians•

charliew99•1mo ago

Tried using a heat gun on an old wire bundle instead of my usual method

Ngl, I thought I was being clever shrinking some ancient coax connectors on a Cessna 172 until the insulation started dripping like candle wax and I realized I was melting the whole harness. Lesson learned - what worked on a 90s plane is way too hot for anything built after 2000. Anyone else mess up a cable bundle with too much heat?

2 comments