Totally! I've gotten so picky about it now. I'll even lay it flat on another surface nearby to double check, because sometimes the store floor itself is uneven. And don't get me started on checking the seams or stitching if it's folded, a bunch of them come with threads already pulling loose. Saves a huge headache later.

Honestly thought noise complaints were just part of the deal with this hobby. Watching a kid's face light up while striking hot metal really flips that idea on its head. Turns the whole thing from a nuisance into a show people want to see. My old worry about the racket seems pretty silly now. That shared excitement is way better than quiet.

Why do so many good systems fail because of the people using them? Mitchell, your whiteboard story shows how the best plan gets wrecked by normal human friction. It feels like the nicer the system, the faster real life messes it up.

Read somewhere that a Dremel can take off too much material too fast. Hand filing seems safer for keeping the feed ramp angles right...

Shared failure bonds people more than perfect planning ever could.