Wait you used iodized salt and it was just slower? Mine straight up turned gray and got this weird slimy film after like five days. Maybe my kitchen is too warm or something but it was a total loss, cabbage just fell apart. Honestly seeing that mess made me never want to risk it again, I just buy the coarse sea salt now.

Yeah, it's so true, @the_jessica. I feel like my whole life is just hitting the same wall over and over until my head gets sore. Like last week I spent an hour trying to get a printer to work, following the exact steps that always worked before. It just wouldn't connect, for no reason at all. I ended up unplugging it for a full day out of spite. Sometimes you just have to walk away and come back with a fresh set of eyes, or a bigger hammer. The stubborn problems make the easy wins feel that much better though.

Man, that's the worst feeling. Dropping that kind of cash on a tool that just doesn't work is a real kick in the teeth. My buddy had the same thing happen with a different brand, the picture was so bad it was basically useless. Makes you just want to stick with the old ways for sure.

Read a woodworking blog that said routers can flex under load. @jenkins.alice, your sled fix makes total sense for keeping things square. Might have to try that method on my next cabinet build.

That's the best feeling, when a tool earns its keep that fast. I always keep a log book for new gear, jot down the date and cost, then note every job it gets used on. Seeing the numbers add up makes it easier to pull the trigger on the next piece of equipment. A good crimper is a game changer for mobile work, saves so much downtime running back to a shop.