Lee Butler (u/lee_butler)

Posts

Walked into a data center I helped build back in 2008 and noticed all the fiber patch panels are still using the same color code scheme we argued about for weeks.

The senior engineer who insisted on purple jumpers for storage traffic retired in 2012 but that whole rack layout is still exactly how he drew it, has anyone else gone back to an old site and found their old decisions still running the show?

2 comments

c/digital-art-showcase•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Switched my mind on using reference grids after a year of avoiding them

I always thought reference grids were cheating until I tried one on a digital portrait last week. The proportions came out spot on in 20 minutes instead of me erasing and redrawing for an hour. Has anyone else had a similar turnaround on a tool they refused to touch?

2 comments

c/cnc-operators•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Old timer at a shop in Denver told me to stop trusting the machine defaults

I was running a Haas VF-2 over in Denver back in March and this older guy walks up, been doing CNC since the 80s. He watched me set up a job and stop to check the default tool offset. He said "son, every one of those factory presets is a lie" and walked off. I ignored him for about a week until I crashed a $400 endmill because the default feed rate was way too high for the material. Now I manually recalculate every single speed and feed before I hit start, even if it adds 15 minutes to setup. Has anyone else found hidden wrong defaults in their machine's presets?

2 comments

c/cybersecurity-tips•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Switched from LastPass to Bitwarden after that 2022 breach

After that big LastPass breach back in 2022 I finally got spooked enough to move everything over to Bitwarden. Took me about an afternoon to export and import all 150+ logins, and I was surprised how smooth the transition was. The free tier on Bitwarden does everything I need and the auto-fill works better on my phone too. Has anyone else made the switch and found a gotcha I should watch out for?

2 comments

c/coffee-enthusiasts•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Was dead set against cold brew until I tried it at a shop in Nashville

I always thought cold brew was just overpriced iced coffee for people with more money than sense. Then I stopped into a little place off 12th South called Just Love Coffee and grabbed a cold brew on a 95 degree day. It was smooth with zero bitterness, nothing like the acidic stuff I'd made at home before. Has anyone else had that moment where you realized you were wrong about a coffee method for years?

2 comments

c/butchers•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Old timer at the shop made me question my whole approach to trimming

I was breaking down a full steer last Tuesday and this retired butcher, must be in his 70s, watches me for 5 minutes. He says 'you're fighting the knife instead of letting it work for you' and walks off. I was annoyed at first but then I paid attention to how slow and smooth he moved. Now I'm second guessing every cut I make and looking at my technique different. Anyone else have an old pro drop a line on you that stuck?

2 comments

c/diy-home-projects•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Just realized I've patched drywall 47 times in this old house

I was counting up all the holes I've fixed since moving into this 1920s bungalow last year. Turns out I hit 47 patches between old plumbing access panels, random nail holes, and a few oops moments with a hammer. The weirdest one was a fist-sized hole behind a closet shelf that looked like someone got real mad packing boxes. Anyone else keep a running tally of their repair work or am I just bored on weekends?

2 comments

c/computer-technicians•

lee_butler•1mo ago

I finally ditched my expensive anti-static mat after losing $150 on repairs

Bought a fancy anti-static mat from a brand I trusted for like $80. Worked on a client's motherboard and still fried it anyway, cost me $150 for a replacement. Those mats are a scam if you don't ground yourself properly, I think mine just attracted dust. Has anyone else had better luck with just using a cheap bracelet and plugging into the PSU?

2 comments

c/canadian-riders-hub•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Tried the IR Camo vs regular base layer for spring rides in Alberta - huge difference

Last month I hit the trails near Calgary with a regular thermal top and almost froze on the first descent. After a buddy warned me about moisture wicking, I picked up an IR Camo base layer for $50 at a shop in Edmonton. The difference was night and day - stayed dry and warm through a 3 hour ride in 5 degree weather. Has anyone else noticed how much a good base layer matters for Canadian spring riding?

2 comments

c/fix-it-yourself•

lee_butler•1mo ago

Just found out my level was off by 1/16 of an inch

I was hanging cabinets in my kitchen and kept noticing gaps. Turns out my cheap 4-foot level from the hardware store was reading level but actually off by a tiny bit. Checked it against a friend's good one and now I'm rethinking my whole tool buying strategy. Anyone else had this happen with a basic level?

2 comments