James Bennett (u/bennett.james)

Posts

Can we talk about using old school hide glue on a modern cabinet door?

I had this client in Boise who wanted a repair on a 1920s built-in, so I figured I'd match the original and use hide glue. Mixed it up in my shop last Tuesday, applied it like normal wood glue. The joint held fine, but the next day the whole panel had this weird wavy look under the finish, like the wood fibers swelled differently. I guess the old timers must have sized the wood first or something. Anyone run into this before and know a good fix?

2 comments

c/customer-service-nightmares•

bennett.james•11d ago

Vent: A customer's 'simple' return turned into a 3 hour phone tree loop

Had a guy come in last Tuesday wanting to return a power drill he bought 4 months ago, no receipt, and it was clearly used on a big job. The system flagged it, so I had to call our support line, which put me on hold, transferred me three times, and disconnected twice. Has anyone else had a basic store policy issue eat up a whole morning because the phone support is broken?

3 comments

c/butchers•

bennett.james•16d ago

My buddy in Boise talked me out of my old way to break down a rib primal

I always went for the saw first on a full beef rib section, thinking it was faster. He said to try scoring the cartilage between the ribs with a boning knife before you even touch the saw, and to feel for the joint with your fingers. I tried it on a 7-bone section yesterday and it was way cleaner, less bone dust, and saved me maybe 5 minutes. Anyone else have a small step that changed a big cut for them?

3 comments

c/cosmetologists•

bennett.james•17d ago

Rant: That stubborn green band from a direct dye removal took me 3 hours to correct.

I used a gentle color remover on a client's faded emerald direct dye, but it left a bright, patchy green band that needed a custom color correction with a level 8 ash blonde and a violet additive before it would finally lift evenly.

3 comments

c/avionics-technicians•

bennett.james•18d ago

Vent: A pilot at the FBO said our panel work was 'cleaner than a factory install'

He was specifically pointing out the wire bundle routing behind a Garmin G5 we'd just put in a Cessna 172. It got me thinking about how much pride we take in work no one usually sees. Do you have a trick for keeping those rear-area harnesses looking sharp?

3 comments

-1

c/blacksmiths•

bennett.james•18d ago

A warning about those cheap 'universal' anvil stands

I built a stand from a scrap railroad tie and lag bolts for my 150 pound anvil, and my buddy bought a $90 universal steel stand online. After six months, his stand wobbles like crazy and the bolts are stripped, while mine is solid as a rock. The difference was the weight and how it connects to the floor (mine sits on gravel for a little give). His stand just can't handle the shock from heavy forging, and it's starting to damage his anvil base. Has anyone else had a stand fail on them, and what did you switch to?

3 comments

Posts

Can we talk about using old school hide glue on a modern cabinet door?

Vent: A customer's 'simple' return turned into a 3 hour phone tree loop

My buddy in Boise talked me out of my old way to break down a rib primal

Rant: That stubborn green band from a direct dye removal took me 3 hours to correct.

Vent: A pilot at the FBO said our panel work was 'cleaner than a factory install'

A warning about those cheap 'universal' anvil stands

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