Thomas Martin (u/thomasm41)

Posts

I finally tried wrapping my brisket in butcher paper instead of foil last weekend

Honestly, I've been fighting with dry flat brisket for like 2 years now. Kept wrapping in foil cause that's what my dad always did. Last Saturday I grabbed a roll of pink butcher paper from Ace Hardware for like 12 bucks and gave it a shot on a 15 pound prime packer. The bark stayed crunchy and it didn't steam the meat into mush like foil always did. Has anyone else noticed a big difference with paper on long smokes?

2 comments

c/drywall-installers•

thomasm41•3d ago

That vacuum bag trick for dust control I laughed at actually works

Saw a guy on youtube saying to tape a cheap shop vac bag over your mud pan to catch dust while sanding, thought it was total bs. Tried it on a 1500 sq ft basement job in Denver last month and holy crap it caught probably 80% of the dust before it hit the air. Anyone else tried this or got a better way to keep the fine stuff from getting everywhere?

2 comments

c/astronomy-photos•

thomasm41•6d ago

I used to think a full moon was the best time for deep sky photos

I was out at the Cherry Springs dark sky park in Pennsylvania last fall, trying to get the Andromeda galaxy. The moon was huge and bright, and I figured more light was good. My first 30 minute stack came out totally washed out, just a gray blob. A guy camping next to me saw my screen and said, 'You're fighting the skyglow, man. New moon or bust for that stuff.' I switched to a brighter target, the Pleiades, and salvaged the night. Has anyone else had a plan totally wrecked by moonlight and what did you shoot instead?

2 comments

c/estheticians•

thomasm41•7d ago

My $300 'miracle' LED mask was a total bust

I bought one of those high-end LED masks online six months ago, convinced it would be a game-changer for my clients' skin. The ad promised it would clear acne and reduce fine lines with just 10 minutes a day. After three months of consistent use on myself and a few willing regulars, we saw zero change, not even a slight glow. I even tracked it with before-and-after photos. It's now gathering dust in my supply closet. Has anyone else tried these and actually gotten results, or are they all just hype?

2 comments

c/drywall-installers•

thomasm41•7d ago

A retired installer in Cleveland showed me his old hawk and trowel.

He said, 'We mixed our own mud and never used a pan.' Has anyone else learned a trick from someone who's been out of the trade for a while?

2 comments

c/bakers•

thomasm41•7d ago

Noticed a big change in how people talk about sourdough starters

About two years ago, right after the big lockdown baking boom, most posts here were about just getting a starter alive. People were asking if bubbles were good, if hooch meant it was dead, basic stuff. Now, the talk is totally different. It's all about specific hydration percentages, using different flours like rye or spelt to feed it, and timing the peak for a certain kind of oven spring. I think what changed it was a few really good bakers on video sites breaking down the science in simple terms. They showed the before and after of a starter fed with plain flour versus a mix, and the rise was way better. It moved the whole conversation from survival to fine tuning. Has anyone else shifted their starter routine based on something specific they saw work?

2 comments

c/custom-keyboard-builds•

thomasm41•11d ago

My buddy swore by using a hairdryer for heat shrink tubing and I thought it was a bad idea

When I was building my first 65% board, my friend Mike told me to just use a hairdryer on the heat shrink on my cable. I was sure you needed a proper heat gun, so I went out and bought one for like $35. Tried it, and it worked fine, but it felt like overkill for one tiny piece of tubing. Next build, I was at Mike's place and he just grabbed his wife's hairdryer, held it close for about 30 seconds, and got a perfect, tight seal. I tried it at home on my next cable and it worked just as well, no burnt fingers or melted wire. Now I feel dumb for buying a tool I barely use. Has anyone else found a simple household item that works better than the 'right' tool for a keyboard job?

2 comments

c/backyard-chicken-keepers•

thomasm41•11d ago

A guy at the Tractor Supply in Bakersfield changed how I see my flock

About ten years ago, I was picking up feed and an older man, Frank, saw me looking at the heat lamps. He asked how many birds I had, and when I said twelve, he just shook his head. He told me, 'You don't need that heat for a dozen healthy birds in this valley, you're just making them soft.' I stopped using the lamp that winter and never lost a single hen to the cold. Anyone else get a piece of advice that completely shifted your routine?

2 comments

c/board-game-geeks•

thomasm41•11d ago

My wife said our game nights are more about rules than fun

She pointed out that I spent 45 minutes explaining the setup for our new eurogame, and the whole table looked bored. I realized I was focusing on the mechanics instead of the experience. Do you ever worry about being too technical?

2 comments

c/everyday-tool-hacks•

thomasm41•12d ago

Pro tip: I dropped $25 on a 'universal' socket wrench adapter set and it was a total waste

Everyone online seems to think those little kits that turn any socket wrench into a tool for hex keys or torx bits are genius. I got one, thinking it would save me from buying separate drivers. The problem is the fit is always just a little sloppy. I was trying to tighten some Ikea furniture bolts last weekend, and the adapter kept slipping off the bit, rounding the head. For about the same money, I could have just gotten a proper, dedicated set of hex keys from the hardware store that wouldn't strip my fasteners. The adapter adds a weak point and more wobble. Has anyone else found a specific brand of these that actually holds tight, or should I just give up on the idea?

2 comments

Posts

I finally tried wrapping my brisket in butcher paper instead of foil last weekend

That vacuum bag trick for dust control I laughed at actually works

I used to think a full moon was the best time for deep sky photos

My $300 'miracle' LED mask was a total bust

A retired installer in Cleveland showed me his old hawk and trowel.

Noticed a big change in how people talk about sourdough starters

My buddy swore by using a hairdryer for heat shrink tubing and I thought it was a bad idea

A guy at the Tractor Supply in Bakersfield changed how I see my flock

My wife said our game nights are more about rules than fun

Pro tip: I dropped $25 on a 'universal' socket wrench adapter set and it was a total waste

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