Amy Mason (u/amymason)

Posts

EVA foam density numbers blew my mind when I looked them up

Honestly I always just grabbed whatever foam I saw in the craft store until I checked the actual density specs online. Turns out the cheap stuff is usually 2-3 lb density while the pro grade cosplay foam from places like CosFoam runs around 6 lb. Tbh it explains why my last helmet felt flimsy after 3 wears. Has anyone else noticed a big difference upgrading to higher density foam?

2 comments

c/cosmetologists•

amymason•1mo ago

Bought a 'professional' hair steamer on Amazon for $180 and it barely steamed

Used it once on a client and it just sputtered water everywhere. Anyone else get burned by those cheap online steamer brands?

2 comments

c/cosmetologists•

amymason•1mo ago

Remember when we used to use those cheap perm rods with the metal clips?

I was cleaning out my station last week and found an old box of those gray perm rods from the 90s. The rubber bands were all dried out and the plastic was brittle. Made me think about how much better the plastic rods with the built in bands are now. No more pinching client scalps or worrying about clips rusting. Has anyone else noticed a big change in perm quality since the tool updates?

2 comments

c/canadian-housing-chat•

amymason•1mo ago

Spent $600 on a dehumidifier for my basement suite and it paid for itself in 3 months

My basement in Vancouver was always damp and musty, so I finally bought a nice 70-pint dehumidifier from Amazon for $600. After running it constantly for a week, I pulled 4 liters of water out of the air and the smell vanished completely. My energy bill only went up $10 a month, and now I don't have to worry about mold ruining my furniture or my landlord blaming me for damages. Has anyone else dropped cash on moisture control and noticed a big difference in their place?

2 comments

c/budget-friendly-meals•

amymason•1mo ago

Tried bulk-bin spices for a month and one ruined my soup

I was at WinCo last month and grabbed a bag of their bulk bay leaves for like 60 cents. Felt good about saving money until my lentil soup tasted like I dumped a whole pine tree in it. Turns out those leaves were super old and way too strong. Had to toss the whole pot, which cost me about $8 in ingredients. Now I’m wondering if anyone else has had bad luck with bulk spices or if I just picked the wrong batch. Do you stick to name brands for certain things?

2 comments

c/appliance-repairers•

amymason•1mo ago

That Wednesday I fixed 4 dryers in a row and felt like a hero

Last Wednesday in Phoenix I had back-to-back calls where every dryer turned out to be a simple blown thermal fuse, so I had each one done in under 20 minutes. The homeowners were so relieved and one even tipped me 40 bucks cash on the spot. Has anyone else had a day where everything just clicked like that?

2 comments

c/electricians•

amymason•1mo ago

Just realized I should've gone with stranded wire instead of solid on this service call in Boulder

Went to swap out a dimmer switch at a house built in the 70s and those solid #12s were so brittle I snapped two trying to get them bent into the box. Stranded pulls around corners way easier, especially with older wiring that's lost its flexibility. Has anyone else made the switch and regretted it or am I just stubborn about sticking with what I learned in trade school?

2 comments

c/bricklayers•

amymason•2mo ago

Got burned on a Friday job in Columbus, worst day I've had in years

Last month I had a retaining wall job in Columbus that just fell apart. The client wanted this herringbone pattern on a curved wall, which I warned them was tricky. Midway through Friday afternoon, the whole west section buckled because the base wasn't compacted right from a rain the night before. Had to tear out about 15 feet and redo it by sundown. Has anyone else dealt with clients who push for fancy patterns on bad soil?

2 comments

c/bike-commuter-tips•

amymason•2mo ago

The shortcut through the railroad underpass saved me 12 minutes each way until I got a flat from glass shards on day three

Has anyone else found a faster route that turned out to have a hidden cost like debris or bad lighting?

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-1

c/carpenters•

amymason•2mo ago

Old timer told me to stop sanding between coats and I argued at first

I was finishing a set of kitchen cabinets in Salem last month, and this retired cabinet maker walks by my job site. He watched me sand with 220 grit after the first coat of lacquer and said "you're just scratching it up for no reason." I almost laughed but he showed me how a light scuff with a gray Scotch-Brite pad gives better adhesion without digging into the finish. Now I only sand if I have a drip or a nib, and the final look is way cleaner. Anybody else get a tip from a stranger that made you feel like you'd been doing it backwards?

2 comments