First-World Problems...

Houses move. Materials expand and contract all the time because of changes in temperature and humidity, and even the flexing and vibration from people walking around. So it's not surprising that an outlet face-plate will move a bit and expose the edge of the drywall. But that also suggests that the face-plate can be readjusted so that the gap is hidden.

AND THAT WON'T WORK!

It's an outlet I don't think I have used more than a few times, and it seems to have been installed that way by the electricians who built that part of the house. The carpenters were excellent, the plumbers were...okay...but the electricians were knuckleheads. Little things like not matching switches so when both are in the down position the light is off. Sure, that's no big deal but I am reflexively suspicious of people with poor attention to detail. They cut the drywall a sixteenth too wide, and didn't bother to do anything about it. Was the outlet wired correctly? Damned if I know!

Yes...life at Chez Dildo is a never-ending cascade of horrible issues such as this.

Posted by: CBD at 02:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Top 100!

Posted by: Weasel at March 12, 2023 01:00 PM (RG6z4)

2 Ther red is play in the outlet mounting. Stuff moves

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:01 PM (xhxe8)

3 They sell bigger faceplates specifically for errors like this.

Posted by: Taq, Rickrolled by Jesus at March 12, 2023 01:01 PM (iKBwy)

4 Well, there are a number of ways to resolve that, including a bit of drywall mud, a larger four hole plate (which will give you the perfect excuse to run in that CAT4 Etherware line or maybe co-ax cable), put a "rosette" secondary outlet cover under the first one for all the outlets in the room, or wallpaper.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:01 PM (xhaym)

5 Socket to me???

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at March 12, 2023 01:01 PM (Rl3IJ)

6 Any moment hundreds of thousands of tiny baby spiders will come pouring out through the space between the plate and the drywall.

Posted by: Think on that for a moment at March 12, 2023 01:02 PM (La8Fd)

7 Yes...life at Chez Dildo is a never-ending cascade of horrible issues such as this.

I feel for ya, CBD. My house was built in 1955 and it has gone rogue.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at March 12, 2023 01:02 PM (Xrfse)

8 Since ends up pre Food talk anyway, cleaning my shop halogen light with stove top glass cleaner as used it to cook a hot dog at work Friday and burned onto glass a bit.
Does cook like a ball park rotisserie

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:03 PM (xhxe8)

9 That outlet looks like the faces of two spectators at a gymnastics competition watching a contestant fall off the balance beam

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:05 PM (ykeLU)

10 Never cut the red wire!

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 01:06 PM (anj39)

11 A decorative or oversized faceplate. Either that or loosen the outlet assembly itself and move it over a bit.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:07 PM (iayUP)

12 Get an oversized face plate. They're about $1. Maybe $75 thanks to Bidenflation.

Posted by: egd at March 12, 2023 01:07 PM (cOB2v)

13 That outlet is also upside down so you need to fix that too.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:08 PM (iayUP)

14 Any moment hundreds of thousands of tiny baby spiders will come pouring out through the space between the plate and the drywall.
Posted by: Think on that for a moment at March 12, 2023 01:02 PM (La8Fd)

LOL. Exactly what I thought.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at March 12, 2023 01:08 PM (BdMk6)

15 under my desk at a place I worked, there was an access to the old cable-run for the floor. It was mostly being used by the mice released on us by an unhappy customer.

Since they were handing out mouse traps to all and sundry, I got a catnip mouse and stuck it in the tripped mousetrap, and hid it in the cable run access.

Unless someone has found it, it is there today.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:08 PM (xhaym)

16 Have you ever tried replacing a faceplate like that? I had a missing one in the garage at my old house and could not find one to fit. The size of the screw hole has changed and I could not find one with a screw that would fit. Finally just left it. Home inspector never said anything about it but of course in a 25 yr old house, a missing face plate is not much of an issue.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 12, 2023 01:08 PM (Y+l9t)

17 Little things like not matching switches so when both are in the down position the light is off.

*******

Are you talking about a 3-way circuit like a switch at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top for a single light?
Because the position for off or on will change depending on which switch was used last.

I may not be understanding your issue.

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:09 PM (ykeLU)

18 Saw a video guy punches a 1 inch hole in wall. Let's I n a live snake into it, then takes pail with lid and catches mice escaping. Hope he got snake back out

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:09 PM (xhxe8)

19 Recently visited D.C.

While there, my gracious hosts spoke frequently about Wegman's grocery store. Sadly, time constraints did not allow me to visit a Wegman's, nor do we have locations near me in Tennessee (or perhaps anywhere in the state, IDK?).

Is Wegman's truly the Shangri-La of grocerydom?

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at March 12, 2023 01:10 PM (m1GY+)

20
At my home I discovered the receptacles were all wired with the poke the cable into the back method. Not a good idea. Over time they break lose and you can get arcing, which is never a good idea. I have a slightly melted receptacle on my desk which reminds me to buy a couple of spare receptacles and to repair the rest in my house.

Always wrap the cable around the screw 3/4 turn and tighten the ever-living-hell out of the screw. Oh, yeah, turn the power off first and confirm with electrical tester. Buy one of those plug into the outlet testers which check for about eight different issues.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 01:11 PM (enJYY)

21 Some sparkle or plumber's putty and you're good.

Posted by: gourmand du jour, walking, not gonna bust any dance moves tho' at March 12, 2023 01:11 PM (jTmQV)

22 Caulk it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 12, 2023 01:11 PM (Q4IgG)

23 You might guess in construction new drywall cut around outlets has to be a %25 chance its not cut right and needs to be spackle

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:12 PM (xhxe8)

24 Spackle. Not sparkle. LOL

Posted by: gourmand du jour, walking, not gonna bust any dance moves tho' at March 12, 2023 01:12 PM (jTmQV)

25 They have a outlet hole cutter attachment for vibrating multi tools now. They are pretty slick. I don't have one but there have been hundreds of times I needed one.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:12 PM (iayUP)

26 Our township is built over mines.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at March 12, 2023 01:13 PM (h3tqt)

27 4 Well, there are a number of ways to resolve that, including a bit of drywall mud, a larger four hole plate (which will give you the perfect excuse to run in that CAT4 Etherware line or maybe co-ax cable), put a "rosette" secondary outlet cover under the first one for all the outlets in the room, or wallpaper.
Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:01 PM (xhaym)

Or simply replace it with an oversize plate. Most hardware stores seem to carry them, at least around here.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at March 12, 2023 01:13 PM (uwDMo)

28 Is Wegman's truly the Shangri-La of grocerydom?
Posted by: Bitter Clinger at March 12, 2023 01:10 PM (m1GY+)

Yes.
Yes it is.
I used to go to the one out be the Dulles Town Center. It was fantastic! The wine section alone was worth it. The meat section to die for. And they cooked on the premises. Good too!

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 01:14 PM (anj39)

29 The inventor of popcorn ceiling - which circle of hell?

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at March 12, 2023 01:14 PM (3Or4S)

30 The nice thing about plug-ins nowadays is that they are stupid simple to install. They have both screws on the sides if you have multiple strand wire to attach and they have holes to poke in the solid strand wiring that will grab it like Chinese finger traps. If you are worried about a short, borrow or get a FLIR or a FLIR attachment for your sMart pHone, and check for heating, and then borrow or buy a plug in tester to see if the voltage is right.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:14 PM (xhaym)

31 Have installed thousands of faceplates. Mostly low voltage voice data. I would fire anyone who put on like that. You don't need a level to see that crooked.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:14 PM (asyrG)

32 Both Home Depot and Lowes carry patches that are made from flocked vinyl and are made at the size and shape of the hole behind the plate. They are specifically designed to close up that gap for you.

You just lay down some spackle, press on the patch, and then spackle over that. They can be cut down with a pair of scissors to minimize the effort on your side.

Posted by: insurgens ad opus at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (B+eDG)

33 My solution for such gaps or imperfections?

"Avert your eyes!!"

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (ykeLU)

34 Problem with Wegman's is too much of a good thing. They have a bakery, fish counter, wine and beer aisles as big as a full size store for those items. Huge prepared food area. Carry mostly their own brands so if you try to be frugal and use coupons, you're out of luck.
It is not a place for a frugal shopper. They had great sushi though made right in front of you to order.
See, that's what I mean.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (Y+l9t)

35 "Our township is built over mines.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory"

!

Posted by: Marcel Marceau at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (iayUP)

36 Oh. Mines. Never mime. I mean mind.

Posted by: Marcel Marceau at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (iayUP)

37 Wegman's and Publix are the apex grocery stores.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (h3tqt)

38 HEB Marketplace, too.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at March 12, 2023 01:16 PM (h3tqt)

39 Your outlet was installed upside down. Common mistake. People like the "Ooo" face it makes.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 12, 2023 01:16 PM (JHVEq)

40 Our township is built over mines.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at March 12, 2023 01:13 PM

Anti-personnel, anti-tank, or sea?

Posted by: Bert G at March 12, 2023 01:16 PM (fF0pk)

41 The inventor of popcorn ceiling - which circle of hell?

Posted by: Cicero Kaboom! Kid at March 12, 2023 01:14 PM (3Or4S)

all of 'em?

Posted by: BignJames at March 12, 2023 01:17 PM (AwYPR)

42 I'd slap some spackle on that edge and be done!

Or if you want to 'get into it,' purchase an AFCI receptacle and do an upgrade.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 12, 2023 01:17 PM (Jg7EG)

43 All this talk of caulks and flocking is enough to make a sensitive fellow blush.

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:17 PM (ykeLU)

44 Replaced the GFI outlet in my garage not too long ago. Easy, just install wiring exactly like the pictures I took taking the old one out right?

Wrong. The new GFI, from the factory, wires in opposite order, then you get the red light, press the reset and after a few seconds the green light. Online peeps said it was a screw up with the manufacturer and switching the wires was the way to go. Weird.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at March 12, 2023 01:18 PM (R/m4+)

45 Considering the original popcorn ceilings was asbestos

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (xhxe8)

46 All this talk of caulks and flocking is enough to make a sensitive fellow blush.

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:17 PM (ykeLU)

I agree.

But you have to give people a constructive outlet for such discussions.

Posted by: Bitter Clinger at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (m1GY+)

47 Holes that small you can use toothpaste to fill it in.
Old army trick.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (anj39)

48 You can make a serviceable patch with simple materials found in the home, like French Toast and maple syrup.

Posted by: fd's Helpful Home Hints at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (iayUP)

49 Two switches controlling the same lamp? That's a three-way circuit and both switches can't be down/off or up/on all the time. If that were the case you wouldn't be able to independently control the lamp from each switch.

Posted by: Average Guy at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (lPHZZ)

50 Wegman's and Publix are the apex grocery stores.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (h3tqt)

(Jump to top of page)

Went to a GFS yesterday, got some good stuff.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (asyrG)

51 9 Your outlet was installed upside down. Common mistake.

********

Seriously? I honestly cannot remember any outlet in any house I've ever been in or office I've worked in that wasn't installed like the one pictured.

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:20 PM (ykeLU)

52 Not much up and down in outlet installation but enough side to side to get them out of plumb

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:20 PM (xhxe8)

53 There are 3 Kroger near us and the difference between them is remarkable. Basic, middle tier and "high end."

Demographics.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 12, 2023 01:21 PM (Q4IgG)

54 It does urk me to no end the wider plug can be on left or right, seems any plug in its 50/50 if it's on left or right side.

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:22 PM (xhxe8)

55
I have replaced every one of my outlets and switch cover plates with upscale cover plates in red oak that are a little larger than the standard cover and would easily cover a small gap. Why? I like wood. Wood makes me happy and they weren't that expensive in pre-Biden days. Those damn metal plates can start to rust over time, get scratched up, get obviously dirty, and need to be repainted. Which is work, which does not make me happy.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 01:22 PM (enJYY)

56 Just put a table in front of the outlet. Easy peasy.

Check with me for more helpful home improvement tips.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 12, 2023 01:22 PM (ZLI7S)

57 The outlets I've seen have slots where the screws attach them to the outlet box at the top and bottom. You can remove the cover plate, loosen the screws a tad and slide the outlet one way or the other, and re-tighten.
Speaking as a DIY guy who has cut a number of offset holes in drywall for electrical boxes, this is a fine feature.
And for those outlet boxes that are recessed below the drywall or plaster, I've purchased 1" nylon bushings with an inside diameter appropriate for the screws that hold the outlet. Cut them to the right length to hold the outlet flush with the wall surface and tighten enough so the outlet doesn't shift. Most hardware stores have parts bins with the odd size screws, fasteners and other weird things like bushings.

Posted by: George V at March 12, 2023 01:23 PM (ugbqN)

58 Aren't all hospital outlets installed with the ground pin up? Supposedly, if something conductive fall across a plug that is not all the way plugged in, it will fall on the ground pin and not across the hot and neutral pin.

Posted by: fd's at March 12, 2023 01:23 PM (iayUP)

59 I like Trader Joe. They don't always have everything but what they have is priced well and produce is usually cheaper than regular grocery store and better quality.
I use Giant for other stuff because they have generous coupons that I can load into the Giant app on my phone and I get points for dollars spent. Sometimes get as much as $25-30 in savings on things I normally buy..

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 12, 2023 01:23 PM (Y+l9t)

60 Fresh Market is a very good store. I don't know what states they're located in aside from NJ, but they have great meat and seafood counters and if one can say this-a really nice atmospehre in the store because it's smaller than a big chain and very clean. They must train people to say this because a number of them say "Good morning" or "Welcome to our store," I'm not getting that at the local ShopRite.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 12, 2023 01:24 PM (FUVRY)

61 I have a nice little utility shed that was wired with a 50A subpanel, but fed with 240V 30A.
The previous owner was an old guy that knew something about knobs and tubes... even though he wired outlets and lights with romex about a foot from the subpanel he'd cut the outer romex sheathing back and fed the black and red wires into opposite side of the boxes (sim to knobs and tubes) And just cut off the ground because "what's that for?".

I gutted that shed down to studs and sheathing. Left the subpanel where it was but redid everything else. Starting with anchored walls for hurricane wind loads. Insulation, GWB, lights, outlets at light swith height so they'd be above workbench... all the wall to include through wall AC.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 12, 2023 01:24 PM (JHVEq)

62 Two switches controlling the same lamp? That's a three-way circuit and both switches can't be down/off or up/on all the time. If that were the case you wouldn't be able to independently control the lamp from each switch.
Posted by: Average Guy at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (lPHZZ)

I bet one of the switches was installed upside down

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:25 PM (xhaym)

63
Seriously? I honestly cannot remember any outlet in any house I've ever been in or office I've worked in that wasn't installed like the one pictured.

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:20 PM

I can't recall that there is a right or wrong about that. My preference is exactly as pictured. I think it's awkward to plug something in with the ground wire up. I'm certain it leads to carpal tunnel syndrome, OCD-10 code unknown.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 01:25 PM (enJYY)

64 I may not be understanding your issue.

Yeah, I was wondering about that, too. The whole point of multiple switches for me is that you don’t have to match them to turn the light on or off.

Maybe it was a joke and I haven’t finished my caffeine yet.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 12, 2023 01:25 PM (EXyHK)

65 Just put a table in front of the outlet. Easy peasy.
Posted by: JackStraw

********

Nice!
Or an exercise bike. Then you are guaranteed nobody will ever see it.

Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:26 PM (ykeLU)

66 Considering the original popcorn ceilings was asbestos

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (xhxe

Did a lot of work in and around ceilings with asbestos for thirty or more years. No ill effects. To me its a bunch of BS.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:26 PM (asyrG)

67 Seriously? I honestly cannot remember any outlet in any house I've ever been in or office I've worked in that wasn't installed like the one pictured.
Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:20 PM (ykeLU)

I believe by code you can install either way, at least in residential work. In certain institutional projects they are specified to be installed ground wire up, but I'm not sure if that is a code or specification requirement. It is a bit safer to have the ground wire up because if the plug becomes slightly loose the ground will tend to protect the hot and neutral wires from being shorted. Anything that falls down on the plug will contact the ground first.

Posted by: moon_over_vermont at March 12, 2023 01:26 PM (uwDMo)

68 You can make a serviceable patch with simple materials found in the home, like French Toast and maple syrup.
Posted by: fd's Helpful Home Hints at March 12, 2023 01:19 PM (iayUP)

Crisco is great for filling in wall cracks.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at March 12, 2023 01:27 PM (BdMk6)

69 I like Trader Joe. They don't always have everything but what they have is priced well and produce is usually cheaper than regular grocery store and better quality.

Yes, I used to live in walking distance of a Trader Joe’s and a Ralph’s Groceries. I would go to TJ’s first, and what they didn’t have I would pick up at Ralph’s.

Now I have to go into Austin to get to a Trader Joe’s, so it’s more a matter of the few things they have that I really want to get there. Israeli wine and Israeli couscous; shampoo; feta cheese; cocoa powder.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 12, 2023 01:28 PM (EXyHK)

70 You can buy extra wide outlet covers at Lowes and Home Depot.
I had to buy a few because of idiot former homeowner.

Posted by: Chemist at March 12, 2023 01:28 PM (Mt252)

71 The flip side of having the ground pin on top is that when you grab the plug to unplug it, it is easier to put your finger across the hot and neutral. With the ground pin on the bottom, you are protected from being shocked, at least that way.

Posted by: fd's at March 12, 2023 01:29 PM (iayUP)

72 Left DC before Wegman's, I guess. Only high-end grocery store I recall was - forget the name - they had locations up in Bethesda and near me in AU Park, near Ward Circle. And the first Whole Paychex (under previous name) opened very close to me, but I'd only go to the bakery, or to get specific high-quality cheeses for certain occasions.

Back then had to go to the Korean stores in NoVa for better produce.

Trader Joe's, as it's evolved since way back, still pretty much: cheese, nuts, mid-level wines, wide variety of specific house-branded items in different categories. Still remember bringing TJ's stuff back to friends in DC, by request, from trips back home (would sometimes ship myself a big box of stuff). Then they opened stores there. Then .... recall several people whose cupboards then became mostly TJ's items.

Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:30 PM (OTzUX)

73 Nice!
Or an exercise bike. Then you are guaranteed nobody will ever see it.
Posted by: Muldoon at March 12, 2023 01:26 PM (ykeLU)

especially after you hang all the clothes on it.

Posted by: Pete Bog at March 12, 2023 01:30 PM (uqqQg)

74 Is it just me or are the top plug slots bigger than the bottom ones?

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 01:31 PM (anj39)

75 3 They sell bigger faceplates specifically for errors like this.
Posted by: Taq, Rickrolled by Jesus at March 12, 2023 01:01 PM (iKBwy)

The problem for me is, if you have just a little OCD, non-plum plates DRIVE ME BATTY!!!

A larger plate will real show that problem...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at March 12, 2023 01:31 PM (CCSxw)

76 Go to your local hardware store, ask them for a "Goof Plate", those are oversize switch plates specifically meant to cover up poorly sized holes.

Posted by: Johann Amadeus Metesky at March 12, 2023 01:31 PM (VHk4v)

77 Another thing you could do is get one of those 6 outlet things that plugs into a 2 gang outlet.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:32 PM (iayUP)

78 Did a lot of work in and around ceilings with asbestos for thirty or more years. No ill effects. To me its a bunch of BS.
Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:26 PM (asyrG)

Have you or a loved one ever been in a room with asbestos? Have you suffered ill health, male pattern baldness or loss of erectile function? Then call me! I want to get you some money!
1-888-TORTSCAM

Call now!

Posted by: John Morgan, democrat super lawyer at March 12, 2023 01:32 PM (R/m4+)

79 I live directly across the street from a small Trade Joes. I stopped having to go to the expensive frame's market for produce. They have the best frozen foods. Best part is I can walk there so don't even have to get in the car. No wine there though.

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 12, 2023 01:33 PM (Y+l9t)

80 Ignore it. At 74, I just don't f'ing care anymore.

Posted by: Lottanerve at March 12, 2023 01:33 PM (JdcHc)

81 When we remodeled the kitchen all new outlets went in. Hard as hell to get a plug into. Same yanking it out.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 12, 2023 01:34 PM (Q4IgG)

82 Did a lot of work in and around ceilings with asbestos for thirty or more years. No ill effects. To me its a bunch of BS.
Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:26 PM (asyrG)

Have you or a loved one ever been in a room with asbestos? Have you suffered ill health, male pattern baldness or loss of erectile function? Then call me! I want to get you some money!
1-888-TORTSCAM

Call now!
Posted by: John Morgan, democrat super lawyer at March 12, 2023 01:32 PM (R/m4+)

Asbestos is like radon. Total scam.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at March 12, 2023 01:34 PM (BdMk6)

83 Off to play with my grandson.
Have a great afternoon!

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at March 12, 2023 01:34 PM (Y+l9t)

84 The electricity might leak out of that crack, CBD. Maybe you should check it with a paper clip.

Posted by: Eromero at March 12, 2023 01:34 PM (MF3yS)

85 There a couple of high-end chains out here. Jimbo's. Bristol Farm. Very high quality. Verrry expensive. Was amazed to count 4 or 5 Bristol Farm stores in about 15 minutes of driving through coastal LA (either side of LAX) a few years back. The amount of disposable income that implies in the demos there, wow. Only store in San Diego (La Jolla, of course) closed not long ago. Never understood how they stayed in business. Was dead empty, tumbleweeds blowing down the aisle, whenever I was there.

Friend and I used to abuse the place when we were shopping for some event at his house, the people at the sausage and cheese counters would feed you dinner/worth about $20 in samples, before you bought something.

Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:35 PM (OTzUX)

86 It's Jawn Morgan of Morgan and Morgan

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 01:35 PM (xhxe8)

87 You can buy extra wide outlet covers at Lowes and Home Depot.
I had to buy a few because of idiot former homeowner.

Posted by: Chemist at March 12, 2023 01:28 PM (Mt252)

LOL, the drywallers on my projects would do such a hack job that I had use the big faceplates.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:35 PM (asyrG)

88 21 Some sparkle or plumber's putty and you're good.
Posted by: gourmand du jour, walking, not gonna bust any dance moves tho' at March 12, 2023 01:11 PM (jTmQV)

Says the guy who is doing gender re-assignments out of the back of his van.

Posted by: Roy at March 12, 2023 01:35 PM (rqgpJ)

89 Stuff a few feathers around the cover plate, then when any woke visitors ask where they came from you can tell them the electrical wind farm over in the next county is chopping up the birds and hiding the evidence in your power supply.

Posted by: Rex B at March 12, 2023 01:36 PM (Zqngw)

90 My FWP today is that WeaselWoman is running the vacuum and doing other chores while I'm trying to relax.

Posted by: Weasel at March 12, 2023 01:36 PM (RG6z4)

91 Then .... recall several people whose cupboards then became mostly TJ's items.

I don’t know where they get their canned corn, but when I saw the Austin store was out, and I was about to take a trip to San Diego, I texted a friend to pick me up a six-pack if the San Diego store still had any. They did, so I am stocked up a little more than usual now. Turns out not to have been necessary; they’re back in stock now, so weren’t discontinued.

Their canned corn is the only canned vegetable I drink the liquid from instead of just draining into the sink.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 12, 2023 01:36 PM (EXyHK)

92 Ignore it. At 74, I just don't f'ing care anymore.
Posted by: Lottanerve at March 12, 2023 01:33 PM (JdcHc)

LOL. One of the advantages of old age.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at March 12, 2023 01:36 PM (BdMk6)

93 Your outlet was installed upside down. Common mistake. People like the "Ooo" face it makes.
Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 12, 2023 01:16 PM (JHVEq)

Welllll it depends....

https://tinyurl.com/mu9ukewt

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at March 12, 2023 01:37 PM (Zvtjl)

94 FWP: My local Aldi's finally decided to lower egg prices, while increasing every other product (practically) in the store 10%. Worse, the ones they didn't raise, they kept "the same" by having red tags saying they were "on sale" and putting the new reg price coming above. Sigh. More Hmart shopping, more select Aldi's shopping now...

Posted by: Nova Local at March 12, 2023 01:37 PM (exHjb)

95 >>>Seriously? I honestly cannot remember any outlet in any house I've ever been in or office I've worked in that wasn't installed like the one pictured.

>There really isn't any code specifically written for ground up or down. Rule of thumb with some outfits is this;

Ground up as visual indicator if switched receptacle or installed with a metal cover plate.
Ground down okay if always hot.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 12, 2023 01:38 PM (Jg7EG)

96 Their canned corn is the only canned vegetable I drink the liquid from instead of just draining into the sink.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 12, 2023 01:36 PM (EXyHK)

To each their own. I used to work in a cannery that canned corn and green beans.

Ew.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:38 PM (xhaym)

97 One of the absolute FIRST ounch list items i do in every hoise i live in, whether rented or owned, has been to pull down each and every light fixture, and double check the ground and connectikns, then the light switches, then the wall outlets. Eack, and every house has had at least 10% of all three with either loose/corroded connections (fire hazard), no ground connected, or worn out wall outlet connector plugs that get hot.

If it's one thing i distrust the most, it's electricians taking shortcuts and not supervising apprentices.

Smash takes over whe. I'm done and fixes all the drywall screwups from the carpenters around the switchplates, wall outlets, and light fixtures. I'll never have a house built unless i'm able to be on sight full time and make their lives miserable while it's being built.

Posted by: BifBewalski at March 12, 2023 01:38 PM (3CCua)

98 36 Oh. Mines. Never mime. I mean mind.
Posted by: Marcel Marceau at March 12, 2023 01:15 PM (iayUP)

Will you be in my movie?

Posted by: Mel Funn at March 12, 2023 01:38 PM (PiwSw)

99 Stephen Price Blair, going to bed smarter tonight. Had no idea TJ's canned corn was so good. Will have to grab some next time. Though the only thing I use that for, normally, is veggie chili.

Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:39 PM (OTzUX)

100 Drywallers leaving so much mud that you have to chip it away to get to the screw holes.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:41 PM (asyrG)

101 Guy I used to work construction for told me the other day that the contractor working on his upstairs (he's retired now) discovered that the upstairs was still using the original knob-and-tube wiring and insisted it be replaced.

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:41 PM (xhaym)

102 Just don't try to fix it with your foot in a bucket of water.

Trust me on this.

Posted by: Brewingfrog at March 12, 2023 01:42 PM (aJmA5)

103 Though the only thing I use that for, normally, is veggie chili.
Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:39 PM (OTzUX)

A second look at carrots?

Posted by: Pete Bog at March 12, 2023 01:43 PM (uqqQg)

104 Aluminum wiring.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 12, 2023 01:43 PM (Q4IgG)

105 I assume you tried moving the outlet.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:43 PM (I76dP)

106 In our home, eery mom has ONE receptacle of a duplex receptacle that is controlled by a wall switch, for a floor or table lamp to be plugged into, and then be controlled by the wall switch when first entering or departing the room.

That one duplex receptacle is installed with the ground at the top instead of the bottom.
Let's you know at a glance when buying the house which receptacle is wall switch controlled.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 12, 2023 01:43 PM (qQisc)

107 A second look at carrots?
Posted by: Pete Bog at March 12, 2023 01:43 PM (uqqQg)

Don't be silly, carrots are canned in brine

Posted by: Kindltot at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (xhaym)

108 And TJ's, here, has (by far) the lowest egg prices. It's weird. I think the gap is closing, but since the idiotic inflation was created, TJ's egg prices remained fairly stable as everywhere else they zoomed to absurd levels.

A new name that turns out to be very good, when you focus on their strengths and know what to look for, is Grocery Outlet. Actually some "outlet" pricing, though it varies every day and by item. Also lots of autonomy for store owners, so a good one like the closest to me will have, say, an actually knowledgeable wine person (she grew up in the industry), and they'll grab, and highlight, the best deals. And somehow they're matching TJ's on prices for nuts (which are absurdly high in most grocery stores), though without the breadth of selections.

Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (OTzUX)

109 eery mom=every room

Autocucumber....it mocks me!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (qQisc)

110 I too need to ensure that all 3 and 4 way outlets when in the down position the lights are off.
Yes, I also recognize it's OCD.
Yes, I will continue to do it anyway.

Posted by: Inogame at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (53oGX)

111
Since I'm gradually replacing more and more outlets in my house with GFI's I'll stick with this:

In addition, GFCI outlets, which have text on the reset and test buttons, are oriented with the ground pin down (and the text readable).

I've read, but not sure if true, that new homes have GFI's on every outlet.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (enJYY)

112 Another thing you could do is get one of those 6 outlet things that plugs into a 2 gang outlet.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:32 PM (iayUP)

Ahhh. When electricity gangs rumble.
Swinging little chains and tiny tire irons.
The Sparks and the Grounds.
Wearing tiny little jackets.
Cool!

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (anj39)

113 Was the outlet wired correctly? Damned if I know!

---

If it hasn't been mentioned yet there's a plug-in device that every homeowner should have, and definitely every DIYer. Probably $5 or so. You plug it in and it tells you with three simple lights on the face of the device if the outlet is wired correctly.

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after 9/11 saw three perfectly collapse? at March 12, 2023 01:46 PM (ylp2r)

114 111
Since I'm gradually replacing more and more outlets in my house with GFI's I'll stick with this:

In addition, GFCI outlets, which have text on the reset and test buttons, are oriented with the ground pin down (and the text readable).

I've read, but not sure if true, that new homes have GFI's on every outlet.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (enJYY)

Around me it's only outlets near a water source.
Also.. never GFI the refrigerator.

Posted by: Inogame at March 12, 2023 01:47 PM (53oGX)

115 I am too late--others have already mentioned this multiple times, but just buy the extra large plate.

Plates are cheap. IIRC, the extra-large plates also come in extra-extra large size...

Outlet plates are so cheap, it's not worth thinking about the problem (unless you really want to). Just cover up the outlet with a larger plate and do something else with the time you saved...

Posted by: James at March 12, 2023 01:47 PM (PqMpV)

116 The veggie chili I do (in slow cooker) is actually very good, and vies for top spot on the Outcome/Effort Required index scale. Some key items are dark beer, Mexican chocolate, liquid smoke. Big hit for the RO crew at the range when I bring it. Along with the killer sweet onion/chile cornbread, perfect combo. Oops, food thread is next. Jumping the gun.

Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:47 PM (OTzUX)

117 "I've read, but not sure if true, that new homes have GFI's on every outlet. "

Ours is 8 years old, and almost every outlet in the bedrooms is wired to a GFI breaker in the panel box.

Every outlet in the bathrooms is either a GFI outlet, or if not, is wired to be fed from another outlet in the bathroom that is GFI equipped.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 12, 2023 01:47 PM (qQisc)

118 I was a bit off. $8.68 for a klein, so you could pay more or less if you wanted to.

https://tinyurl.com/2kf7mmzq

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after 9/11 saw three perfectly collapse? at March 12, 2023 01:48 PM (ylp2r)

119 I too need to ensure that all 3 and 4 way outlets when in the down position the lights are off.
Yes, I also recognize it's OCD.
Yes, I will continue to do it anyway.
Posted by: Inogame at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (53oGX)

*fistbump*

I do that too. I bothers my wife that I care.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:48 PM (I76dP)

120 Your outlet was installed upside down. Common mistake.
********
Seriously? I honestly cannot remember any outlet in any house I've ever been in or office I've worked in that wasn't installed like the one pictured.
Posted by: Muldoon

Concur with fd. You want them so the ground leg is facing up. If the plug is a little loose from use, then it will work oit exposing the prongs on the wire plugged in to it. If something, like say a bed sheet, paper, cell phone (wiggled loose a lot, a cell will fit and short them out), piece of anything fell on it as pictured above, it will short the hot and common legs. If inverted from what's shown, it will teeter tooter off to one side and slip to the floor.

Posted by: BifBewalski at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (3CCua)

121 >>>I've read, but not sure if true, that new homes have GFI's on every outlet.

GFCI hasn't changed much, - wet, bath, kitchen garage, outside. Ground fault so you don't get electrocuted.

Newer requirements - AFCI Arc fault so you don't burn your house down.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (Jg7EG)

122 When I changed switches on the 3-way system in the hallway, I declared triumphant victory when it worked. Still couldn't tell you if the switches alternate in position for the same condition (on or off), or are the same. My OCD is always in an epic struggle with my laziness. Latter usually prevails.

Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (OTzUX)

123 "Ahhh. When electricity gangs rumble."

They was Kung Fu fighting.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (iayUP)

124 Construction sites in the nineties classic rock.

Construction sites now; Mexican blasted at full at full volume.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (asyrG)

125 119 I too need to ensure that all 3 and 4 way outlets when in the down position the lights are off.
Yes, I also recognize it's OCD.
Yes, I will continue to do it anyway.
Posted by: Inogame at March 12, 2023 01:44 PM (53oGX)

*fistbump*

I do that too. I bothers my wife that I care.
Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:48 PM (I76dP)

Do you also have an inherent need to turn all switches to the down position even when the lights are off?
Asking for a friend...

Posted by: Inogame at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (53oGX)

126 "Ahhh. When electricity gangs rumble."

They was Kung Fu fighting.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (iayUP)

They wired with expert timing.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:51 PM (I76dP)

127 OT, but was just reading a bit on the SVB collapse. Tomorrow is going to be... interesting.

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 01:51 PM (r46W7)

128 Fkit. Burn it down and build a new house.

Posted by: Java Joe at March 12, 2023 01:52 PM (VsPm9)

129 > The size of the screw hole has changed and I could not find one with a screw that would fit.

You said "old house" so maybe this is too late, but virtually all modern outlet and switch covers use 6-32 screws, while heavier-duty junction boxes and such use 8-32.

If the problem is that the screw from the new plate is too small in diameter, try buying an 8-32 screw at the hardware store and see if it fits. Should only cost a few pennies. You might need to (carefully) drill the plate to the larger diameter if the hole is too small.

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at March 12, 2023 01:52 PM (bW8dp)

130 I don't like that it's dark in the morning again
not sure is this is a FWP

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 01:52 PM (geLO8)

131 I need to go out to the barn and see if any test oil got through the exhaust valve on my motorcycle head, but it's raining, and I'm lazy.

I figure if it's oil tight it is close enough to gas tight.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:53 PM (I76dP)

132 > 6-32 screws, while heavier-duty junction boxes and such use 8-32.

And I know all about screwing. And holes.

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at March 12, 2023 01:53 PM (bW8dp)

133 A GFI outlet presumably would not need to have the ground pin on top.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:53 PM (iayUP)

134 That screw is not vertical…..just sayin!

Posted by: cccp3o at March 12, 2023 01:54 PM (F5oWl)

135 126 "Ahhh. When electricity gangs rumble."

They was Kung Fu fighting.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (iayUP)

They wired with expert timing.
Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:51 PM (I76dP)

The lack of grounding was a little bit frightening

Posted by: 220, 221, whatever it takes at March 12, 2023 01:54 PM (La8Fd)

136 One thing I learned about electricity. Know your limits.
You can't see it, and it can kill you.
I didn't get to be this old by being a damn fool!

Posted by: gourmand du jour, walking, not gonna bust any dance moves tho' at March 12, 2023 01:54 PM (jTmQV)

137 OT, but was just reading a bit on the SVB collapse. Tomorrow is going to be... interesting.
Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 01:51 PM (r46W7)

As I understand it, they have the money, just not liquid.

I will bet there is a forced sale to a Democrat patron who has the liquidity, even if it is just loaned by the Federal Reserve.

https://twtr.in/3OwQ

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:55 PM (I76dP)

138 Klein are the best hand tools.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 01:55 PM (asyrG)

139 Posted by: rhomboid at March 12, 2023 01:47 PM (OTzUX)

Do you mind posting your chili recipe in the food thread? It sounds delicious!

Posted by: Moki at March 12, 2023 01:55 PM (JrN/x)

140 name field test

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 01:55 PM (ylp2r)

141 > In our home, eery mom has ONE receptacle of a duplex receptacle that is controlled by a wall switch

Every mom? Are you guys fundamentalist Mormons or something?

(sorry, it just struck me funny)

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at March 12, 2023 01:56 PM (bW8dp)

142 Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11?

All building are now required to have demolition charges installed.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at March 12, 2023 01:57 PM (I76dP)

143 Never GFI a window air conditioner. Trust me. Expensive mistake.

Posted by: Lottanerve at March 12, 2023 01:57 PM (JdcHc)

144 Though the only thing I use [canned corn] for, normally, is veggie chili.

I have a crockpot veggie “chili” I use it for also. It’s also very good in a slow-cooked corn chowder.

And of course various corn breads.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at March 12, 2023 01:58 PM (EXyHK)

145 My first world problem is that I ended up using brown sugar to sweeten my tea because I'm lazy.

First I ran out of coffee. Switched to tea. Then ran out of honey, - don't use sugar. Then ran out of honey first and then maple syrup. Tried brown sugar and it sucks.

Had to dress up to brave the elements to fetch some coffee, honey, maple syrup, tea and sugar. I could have had it delivered, but I'm not that lazy.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 12, 2023 01:58 PM (Jg7EG)

146 I think I'll go watch some tornado videos. Get psyched up for the season.

Posted by: Dr. Pork Chops & Bacons at March 12, 2023 01:58 PM (BdMk6)

147 > 138 Klein are the best hand tools.

They're good, no doubt, especially for electrical tools.

Still family owned, still mostly made in USA.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at March 12, 2023 01:59 PM (bW8dp)

148 I have misplaced my Klein knife that I carry every day. I've had it for at least 40 years. I lost it before though and it turned back up. That's a dang good knife and they still make it.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 01:59 PM (iayUP)

149 Klein are the best hand tools.

--

Since everything comes out of China now I don't have loyalty to anything beyond Ridgid (Home Depot's house brand), and I only shop them first for power tools because they have a lifetime warranty on everything, batteries included.

Sure am glad we moved all of our manufacturing to those 3rd world sh*tholes. Just imagine how expensive things would be if we hadn't. Why, prices would be two or three times what they... Wait...

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 01:59 PM (ylp2r)

150 SVB is going to be a real first world problem. Lots of people and companies are going to diversify their accounts tomorrow.

That means withdrawals. Lots of them.

Posted by: blaster at March 12, 2023 01:59 PM (pwExq)

151 Spackle is a beautiful thing or just some drywall on your finger

Posted by: John at March 12, 2023 01:59 PM (ibmxr)

152 Welllll it depends....

https://tinyurl.com/mu9ukewt
Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy

But if youse drill down to the NEMA standards for dimensions of outlet devices...

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 12, 2023 02:00 PM (JHVEq)

153 A GFI outlet presumably would not need to have the ground pin on top.
Posted by: fd

Agreed. I also don't like the way they look as pictured up top.

Just been zapped too damned much to take shortcuts anymore.

FWP with GFCI outlet in my garage. It's great for everything except my 1940s vintage low speed 90° aluminum body polisher. When i kick that antique on, it draws too much umpf for the gfci, and it shuts down. It's one where it has additional low speed windings that a centrifigal switch disengages at speed. This thing will break my arm if i don't hang onto it when using it.

Posted by: BifBewalski at March 12, 2023 02:01 PM (3CCua)

154 Odd how the media and government felt it necessary to censor disinformation over 9/11

Posted by: blaster at March 12, 2023 02:01 PM (pwExq)

155 > Since everything comes out of China now

Klein still has a bunch of US factories.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at March 12, 2023 02:02 PM (bW8dp)

156 My house was built in the 1860's and moved in the early 1900's. It has no foundation. The main support beams are rotting, the house hasn't been level in decades, the water heater is only standing straight because of a ratchet strap, and my brothers jack stands are holding up the living room.

Trust me, CBD, your house is Awesome!

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at March 12, 2023 02:02 PM (Wy1BU)

157 The three light in my kitchen never has both switches in the down position when the light is off.
One of these days I will flip one switch over so both down can be "off".

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at March 12, 2023 02:02 PM (JHVEq)

158 I love how alarmed the outlets look by this situation.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at March 12, 2023 02:03 PM (Wy1BU)

159 Say yes to oversized plates! I bought some fancy US-made ones by ArtPlates to cover the poor patching job when the contractors cut the holes too big.

My FWP this week are related to my efforts to cut costs of utilities. I bought a package of Duck socket sealers for the outer walls. I have to trim all those for switchplates because they cover the jut-out rectangle around the switch.

Also, a bathroom light burned out so I decided to replace all three with LEDs. Managed to find a closeout sale: $10 for 4. WTH

Posted by: NaughtyPine at March 12, 2023 02:03 PM (/+bwe)

160 If the outlet is connected to a light switch, ground hole is on top, if not, ground hole is on bottom.

There's probably a Buttegig joke in there, but I choose not to look.

Posted by: Regular joe at March 12, 2023 02:03 PM (nnp+f)

161
One thing I learned about electricity. Know your limits.
You can't see it, and it can kill you.
I didn't get to be this old by being a damn fool!

Posted by: gourmand du jour, walking, not gonna bust any dance moves tho'

I had a fifth or sixth grade science teacher who brought a hand-cranked generator to school one week. He asked for volunteers. Of course the guys raised their hands. He cranked, they dropped to their knees. Humor ensued. Of course every guy had the opportunity to be in the experiment. My turn? I learned everything I needed to know about electricity in those few turns of the crank. Tears in my eyes, no way to let go. Down to my knees.

I then went onto a pretty successful career working with electricity while having tremendous respect for the risk. The teacher, btw, caught holy hell when some parents found out.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 02:04 PM (enJYY)

162 My first world problem is I was forced to use maple syrup on my French toast this morning. Armed intruders forced me. I swear!!!
But I made up for it by adding blueberries.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 02:04 PM (anj39)

163 That's not what I meant at all. They DID NOT censor it. No shutting down of YouTube accounts. Nothing.

Posted by: blaster at March 12, 2023 03:06 PM (pwExq)

164 I used to live in an old haunted farmhouse like that Madamemayhem. And then lightning struck and tried to burn it down. I loved living there though, way out in the country, with the bears and the beavers.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:06 PM (iayUP)

165 Since everything comes out of China now

Klein still has a bunch of US factories.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia

---

Oh sure. And they'll tell you themselves that lots of their sh*t comes straight out of China now:

"We live in an international business environment and Klein is expanding throughout the world selling products that are made in the USA. While we would like to manufacture every product we sell in the USA, it is just not possible. However, Klein Tools manufactures more SKUs of tools used in electrical applications here in the United States than any of our competitors."

https://tinyurl.com/2fpb8g5z

I like the "we manufacture more than Harbor Freight though!!!" part, though.

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 03:06 PM (ylp2r)

166 It would be interesting to know what percentage of foreign crap is to people who are trying to support America and Americans and are convinced by companies that their products are American made.

See also: Ford, Chevy, and Chrysler.

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 03:08 PM (ylp2r)

167 Oh you should see the fine electrical work on this house. Very few faceplates. I have tried to put some on put they need longer screws. And the breaker box is outside, by the back door. I would like to get that moved inside and a few of the worst electrical booboos fixed.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 12, 2023 03:09 PM (6lj/r)

168 > . And they'll tell you themselves that lots of their sh*t comes straight out of China now

" Klein Tools makes 14 times more products here in the United States than we do in any other country."

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at March 12, 2023 03:09 PM (bW8dp)

169 First World Solutions. After a mere 55 years, I understand the ending to 2001.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x8gifGHQVSE

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:10 PM (FVME7)

170 the wife wants me to get help

I'm a tool junkie

8 chest on rolling chest, full

and no chinese junk

Posted by: REDACTED at March 12, 2023 03:10 PM (us2H3)

171 NP, oversized plates are only needed for bad workmanship.

Look at your contractors. You might want to go another way.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:10 PM (asyrG)

172 Well hells bells. I was thinking about where I could have left my Klein knife and I thought " you know, sometimes it slides out of my pocket and down into my chair" so I stood up, turned the chair over, and my knife fell out! That makes my day. Drinks all around!

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:11 PM (iayUP)

173 99 cents will buy you a little bigger outlet cover.

Posted by: polynikes at March 12, 2023 03:12 PM (PlEV5)

174 How I envision a Moron meet up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PLOJz1A7ifo

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:12 PM (FVME7)

175 150 SVB is going to be a real first world problem. Lots of people and companies are going to diversify their accounts tomorrow.

That means withdrawals. Lots of them.

Posted by: blaster at March 12, 2023 01:59 PM (pwExq)

The dangerous lesson that just got taught to everyone (although it's a very old lesson) is that the depositors who sniffed out trouble and got their money out Friday morning are whole, but everybody else got shafted. Saw that this was the Bank of Choice for the entire California wine industry, which as an industry has just been financially wiped out.

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 03:13 PM (r46W7)

176 173 99 cents will buy you a little bigger outlet cover.
Posted by: polynikes at March 12, 2023 03:12 PM (PlEV5)

the Dollar store has XXL panties on sale for 2 for a buck

Posted by: REDACTED at March 12, 2023 03:14 PM (us2H3)

177 I got this knife about 1982 from a Snap On man. It says it was made in Japan. I use it for everything you are not supposed to use a for, like a screwdriver or a hammer.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:14 PM (iayUP)

178 OT, but was just reading a bit on the SVB collapse. Tomorrow is going to be... interesting.
Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 01:51 PM (r46W7)

My neighbor works at a bank. She said Friday was a bitch. not expecting Monday to be any better.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 03:14 PM (anj39)

179 Little things like not matching switches so when both are in the down position the light is off.

Do you understand ... when two different switches are tied to the same fixture ... its not a "down" or "up" thing that turns the fixture off or on ? That's literally not how the fixture works.

Posted by: Just The Way It Is at March 12, 2023 03:15 PM (u6s3z)

180 Electricity is so anachronistic. Get with the program folks. If we use electricity, there's less for Bill Gates.

Posted by: SFGoth at March 12, 2023 03:15 PM (KAi1n)

181 164 I used to live in an old haunted farmhouse like that Madamemayhem. And then lightning struck and tried to burn it down. I loved living there though, way out in the country, with the bears and the beavers.
Posted by: fd

Living in an old farmhouse is great. For about 10 years. Then all the crap no one ever fixed before becomes unfixable.
We are getting a double wide manufactured home to put on this property so we can get out of this house before it literally falls in. It's gotten much worse in the last 5 years. It would cost twice as much to fix than the manufactured home costs.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at March 12, 2023 03:15 PM (Wy1BU)

182 OT, but was just reading a bit on the SVB collapse. Tomorrow is going to be... interesting.
Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 01:51 PM (r46W7)

My neighbor works at a bank. She said Friday was a bitch. not expecting Monday to be any better.
Posted by: Diogenes

Don't worry. We have President Biden's steady hand on the tiller.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:16 PM (FVME7)

183 169 First World Solutions. After a mere 55 years, I understand the ending to 2001.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x8gifGHQVSE
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:10 PM (FVME7)

that's how Arthur C. Clarke explained it in his book, but I understand it's never much comfort to tell people they've got to read the book if they want to understand the movie. Or, in the case of Donnie Darko, spend a few hours chasing down a bunch of obscure websites.

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 03:17 PM (r46W7)

184 I have 6 hammers
I don't know how this happened

3 claw, 1 rock, 1 demolition, and 1 rubber mallet

I can't decide between my demo hammer and my pry-bar on which is my favorite
I think the hammer- it's like a smaller version of Mjolnir

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:17 PM (geLO8)

185 Saw that this was the Bank of Choice for the entire California wine industry, which as an industry has just been financially wiped out.
Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 03:13 PM (r46W7)

McCarthy is from California I think the odds of a bipartisan bailout are high.

And the outcome of that is going to be much worse than letting it fail.

Posted by: blaster at March 12, 2023 03:17 PM (pwExq)

186 Don't worry. We have President Biden's steady hand on the tiller.

It's a great comfort in these uncertain times.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at March 12, 2023 03:18 PM (Xrfse)

187 "I have 6 hammers
I don't know how this happened"

Oh no! What happened to the rest of them?

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:18 PM (iayUP)

188 Given your initials, shouldn't it be Chez Bon Dildo?

Posted by: Dagwood at March 12, 2023 03:19 PM (SHHbw)

189 153 FWP with GFCI outlet in my garage. It's great for everything except my 1940s vintage low speed 90° aluminum body polisher. When i kick that antique on, it draws too much umpf for the gfci, and it shuts down.
IMHO, the reason the GFCI shuts down is because there is a short between the hot line and your aluminum body (?). The GFCI is protecting you from a deadly shock not shutting down because the polisher is drawing too much umpf. JMO

Posted by: Admirale's Mate at March 12, 2023 03:20 PM (hGQ+z)

190 184 I have 6 hammers
I don't know how this happened

3 claw, 1 rock, 1 demolition, and 1 rubber mallet

I can't decide between my demo hammer and my pry-bar on which is my favorite
I think the hammer- it's like a smaller version of Mjolnir
Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:17 PM (geLO

rookie

I conservatively have a hundred

everything from upholstery to dead blows

Posted by: REDACTED at March 12, 2023 03:20 PM (us2H3)

191 Hammers are fundamental tools. The most fundamental.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:21 PM (iayUP)

192 Unless they do a 180 from where they are ranked now, I should be safe with Frost Bank in Texas.

I was always a just a little worried that the woke turds in Austin would try to cancel Frost since it was founded by a Confederate Colonel.

Posted by: polynikes at March 12, 2023 03:21 PM (PlEV5)

193 My first house, Bungalo on Chicago's northside.
Built 1912.

Did not originally have electricity.

Electrical was still knob and tube in places... not much improved in others.
80A service, box jumped to a 100A box.

Still had pipes in the ceilings for the original GAS lights. Which lead to a bit of drama when I tore the ceiling down in the kitchen.

Posted by: Inogame at March 12, 2023 03:22 PM (53oGX)

194 We are getting a double wide manufactured home to put on this property so we can get out of this house before it literally falls in.

Madame ... there are great choices out there now in what you are looking for. We're looking at lake properties. If we pull the trigger ? I'll put one of the cute manufactured cottages on it, and call it a day.

For what you are doing ? Set on block, I assume ?

Posted by: Just The Way It Is at March 12, 2023 03:22 PM (u6s3z)

195 McCarthy is from California I think the odds of a bipartisan bailout are high.

Well, of course, failing is something that only the middle and lower classes do, on account of being unsophisticated with money.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at March 12, 2023 03:22 PM (KFhLj)

196 I have a nice set of what they call 'ignition wrenches'

teeny tiny combination wrenches- they have no use to me now, but I can't say goodbye

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:22 PM (geLO8)

197 Madam, me thinks your decision is wise.

I sadly went the the way and pissed away 50.

Go with the prefab.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:22 PM (asyrG)

198 The outlet box is probably nailed to a stud.
Use a wood wedge to move the box away from the stud just enough to allow the cover to 'cover' the hole.
Use the wedges that come in a block so you can break off the wedge when the box has moved enough.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 12, 2023 03:23 PM (Ca1yH)

199 Probably already been said but...

-The receptacle itself can be adjusted after removing the faceplate.

-Oversize faceplates readily available.

-Small bead of caulk if all else fails.

Posted by: Fool Otto at March 12, 2023 03:23 PM (DB16e)

200 You know who we have to thank for Florida's economic miracle? That's right, Joe Biden.

Nikki Fried@NikkiFried
The American Rescue Plan that Florida Republicans fought tooth and nail, two years later: (thread)
. . . .
- A strong economic recovery, with Florida’s unemployment falling to 2.7%, as compared to 5.9% when President Biden took office
. . . .
- Helping foster 1.2 million new small business applications in Florida

https://bit.ly/3Tcl6LL

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:23 PM (FVME7)

201 We are getting a double wide manufactured home to put on this property so we can get out of this house before it literally falls in. It's gotten much worse in the last 5 years. It would cost twice as much to fix than the manufactured home costs.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at March 12, 2023 03:15 PM (Wy1BU)

There was a house near me built before the 1860's, one of the oldest houses in the county. BUT it was in bad shape and hadn't been lived in since the 80's. I walked through it a couple times since most of the doors were off the hinges and yeah, it was rough. The owner kept talking about restoring it but I drove by last week and now there's just this porch and entry facade standing there by itself - everything behind that got torn down. I guess the owner is going to keep that little bit for whatever he builds back there.

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 12, 2023 03:23 PM (r46W7)

202 You gotta have a three pound sledge. Ya just do.

Posted by: Just sayin' at March 12, 2023 03:23 PM (DhOHl)

203 my demo hammer is definitely my go-to BFH

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:24 PM (geLO8)

204 Hammers are fundamental tools. The most fundamental.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:21 PM (iayUP)

My friend who is a carpenter and does fine carpentry work says his hammer will always be his favorite tool.

Posted by: polynikes at March 12, 2023 03:24 PM (PlEV5)

205 What I need is a sander

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:25 PM (geLO8)

206 "My friend who is a carpenter and does fine carpentry work says his hammer will always be his favorite tool.
Posted by: polynikes"

I can see where he's coming from. It's my second favorite.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:26 PM (iayUP)

207 >You know who we have to thank for Florida's economic miracle? That's right, Joe Biden.

NewsBusters had a piece from some network about SVB failure. It happens to be Trumps fault via his de-regulation.

Posted by: Fool Otto at March 12, 2023 03:26 PM (DB16e)

208 One electrical receptable is right by the side door, which regrettably needs to be SLAMMED to shut tight. The receptacle, faceplate etc. are a mess, except they still work fine. So, form or function?

Posted by: Surellin at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (uRxqt)

209 What's the best hammer for unexpected late night visits with friends?

Posted by: David DePape - Isn't funny how everyone lost interest almost as if on cue? at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (KFhLj)

210 If I had a hammer...

Posted by: Pete Seeger at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (DhOHl)

211 Minnesota dad uses moose antlers to kill convicted child molester he claims was stalking his daughter

https://bit.ly/3FhXFej
-
I wonder what caliber moose antlers take.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (FVME7)

212 What I need is a home improvement thread, because I am going to have a lot of work done at my domicile this spring and summer

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (geLO8)

213 If I could only have one tool it would be a hammer.

Some others say a knife.

I'd rather be able to break than cut things.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:28 PM (asyrG)

214 209 What's the best hammer for unexpected late night visits with friends?
Posted by: David DePape - Isn't funny how everyone lost interest almost as if on cue? at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (KFhLj)

the one on the back of your Glock

Posted by: REDACTED at March 12, 2023 03:28 PM (us2H3)

215 One of my favorite tools lately is a vibrating multi-tool. They need a better name though.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:28 PM (iayUP)

216 >NewsBusters had a piece from some network about SVB failure. It happens to be Trumps fault via his de-regulation.

I'm stunned. I gotta lie down.

Posted by: DB - doing the thing at March 12, 2023 03:29 PM (geLO8)

217 It's time for common sense moose antler laws.

Posted by: Karen down the street at March 12, 2023 03:29 PM (DhOHl)

218 I can see where he's coming from. It's my second favorite.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:26 PM (iayUP)

Hah. I think ISWYDT .

Posted by: polynikes at March 12, 2023 03:29 PM (PlEV5)

219 215 One of my favorite tools lately is a vibrating multi-tool. They need a better name though.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:28 PM (iayUP)

call me

Posted by: sandra fluck at March 12, 2023 03:30 PM (us2H3)

220 "If I could only have one tool it would be a hammer.
Some others say a knife.

I'd rather be able to break than cut things.
Posted by: JmT a"

Would you rather have a club or a sharp stick?

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:30 PM (iayUP)

221 A vibrating multi-tool? Go on...

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at March 12, 2023 03:30 PM (DhOHl)

222 One of my favorite tools lately is a vibrating multi-tool. They need a better name though.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:28 PM (iayUP)

That's what she said.

Posted by: polynikes at March 12, 2023 03:31 PM (PlEV5)

223 >>>the wife wants me to get help
I'm a tool junkie
8 chest on rolling chest, full
and no chinese junk

Posted by: REDACTED

>I know millwrights working for $14 - 17 hourly who take out a second mortgage on the house so they can buy Snap-on tools and roll-arounds off of the truck. Crazy. If I ran a repair shop for a living, maybe. I buy cheap for most shit because I don't need a $150 hand wrench to turn a 10mm screw.
And when some punk inevitably steals my harbor freight or home depot ratchet, I'm not losing any sleep.

(full disclosure: most of my good shit is Klein, Hilti and Fluke)

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 12, 2023 03:31 PM (Jg7EG)

224 NewsBusters had a piece from some network about SVB failure. It happens to be Trumps fault via his de-regulation.
Posted by: Fool Otto

A contrary opinion.

https://bit.ly/3FefgE4

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:31 PM (FVME7)

225 the best tool to own is a good bandsaw

Posted by: sandra fluck at March 12, 2023 03:31 PM (us2H3)

226 Wegman's? Pfft.

Does Wegman's provide armed security like my local neighborhood Safeway?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 12, 2023 03:32 PM (EZebt)

227 Love my Dremel. Any excuse to get the "adremaline" flowing...

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at March 12, 2023 03:32 PM (DhOHl)

228 the one on the back of your Glock

Posted by: REDACTED at March 12, 2023 03:28 PM (us2H3)

When you out of ammo I still have my hammer.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:33 PM (asyrG)

229 I had to recycle some tiles and used my multi tool to chip the old backer board off. It destroyed a blade, but it did the trick.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:33 PM (iayUP)

230 "the best tool to own is a good bandsaw
Posted by: sandra fluck

I'm trying to envision how that works.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:34 PM (iayUP)

231 And they'll tell you themselves that lots of their sh*t comes straight out of China now

" Klein Tools makes 14 times more products here in the United States than we do in any other country."

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia a

--

Yeah, that was why I made the Harbor Freight joke.

Yes they make tools here. But they also sell cheap Chinese crap and hope you buy it because you assume it's Made In America.

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 03:34 PM (ylp2r)

232 Minnesota dad uses moose antlers to kill convicted child molester he claims was stalking his daughter
https://bit.ly/3FhXFej
I wonder what caliber moose antlers take.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? at March 12, 2023 03:27 PM (FVME7)

Good. One less sodomite to worry about.

Hopefully the jury will find the actions of Minnesota dad justified and set him free.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at March 12, 2023 03:35 PM (R/m4+)

233 Would you rather have a club or a sharp stick?

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:30 PM (iayUP)

Would like to have both lol.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:35 PM (asyrG)

234 230 "the best tool to own is a good bandsaw
Posted by: sandra fluck

I'm trying to envision how that works.
Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:34 PM (iayUP)

sorry, forgot to change my nic

but the statement still stands

Posted by: sandra fluck at March 12, 2023 03:35 PM (us2H3)

235 Harbor Freight: buy five, take four back.

Posted by: Tried and true wisdom at March 12, 2023 03:36 PM (DhOHl)

236 G I t back that lost hour

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 03:37 PM (xhxe8)

237 Nikki Fried@NikkiFried
The American Rescue Plan that Florida Republicans fought tooth and nail, two years later: (thread)

What a crock of crap!
Was chatting with my tax guy. He said the guv'mint is swimming in cash, thanxs to Trump's economic plan. Since guv'mint works off two year plans, this administration is at the end of the Trump plan. We're fu*ked from here on out. And it's already starting.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 03:37 PM (anj39)

238 "Would like to have both lol.
Posted by: JmT "

Seems to me a moose antler might fill the bill.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 03:39 PM (iayUP)

239 We're fu*ked from here on out. And it's already starting.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 12, 2023 03:37 PM

I'm gonna be the first one at the bank tomorrow morning moving dollars around. From risky to no-risk. If the CEO of the bank didn't come over on the Mayflower I'm outta there.

Too many of these geniuses who make us so wonderfully diverse (spit) are up to their eyeballs in shaky shit. Of course the first indications of trouble come from California. It's a given that as California goes, so goes the rest of the nation. Plan accordingly.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at March 12, 2023 03:39 PM (enJYY)

240 It wasn't me.

Posted by: Moose Out Front at March 12, 2023 03:39 PM (Xrfse)

241 fd my co-worker call it a burner, it to me is my Multi-max

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 03:40 PM (xhxe8)

242 I bought an air punch/flange tool from HF

punched like 10 holes before it stopped

Posted by: REDACTED at March 12, 2023 03:41 PM (us2H3)

243 Snap On is making lots of their stuff in China, too

https://tinyurl.com/2mhqpzf7

$600 made in China impact wrench that probably came out of the same factory as Harbor Freight's.

But they're counting on you assuming it's Made in America, because why wouldn't it be? Especially at that price.

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 03:42 PM (ylp2r)

244 Replaced battery in laptop today. Stripped the first screw where case was attached to the dvd drive. Another screw just turned and wouldn't come out. 17 screws and 2 hours later got the case apart without too much damage. Only 16 screws went back in.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 12, 2023 03:42 PM (ju2Fy)

245 FWIW I think Dildo Priory would be a classier name than Chez Dildo.

Posted by: N. Lurker at March 12, 2023 03:43 PM (eGTCV)

246 If something, like say a bed sheet, paper, cell phone (wiggled loose a lot, a cell will fit and short them out), piece of anything fell on it as pictured above, it will short the hot and common legs. If inverted from what's shown, it will teeter tooter off to one side and slip to the floor.
Posted by: BifBewalski at March 12, 2023 01:49 PM (3CCua)
-----

Bro any of those things you listed isn't going to short jack shit. You pretty much have to drop a butter knife perfectly horizontal across both legs to create an issue.

The whole ground-pin-up thing is very new, as in like the last 10-15 years, thinking. From a purely physical standpoint, I can see that yes, ground pin up is marginally safer, but if you're going around dropping thin pieces of conductive material above your outlets which also have devices which are not fully plugged in, you have bigger problems than which way your outlet is installed.

Posted by: ballistic at March 12, 2023 03:44 PM (oXNqT)

247 Harbor Freight: buy five, take four back.

--

Yep.

Cheap Chinese crap works that way.

That's why it's so irritating that Klein, Snap-On, etc. are doing it, too.

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 03:44 PM (ylp2r)

248 Thankfully a T5 phillips came with battery otherwise I'd really been up a creek. Never owned one of those.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 12, 2023 03:44 PM (ju2Fy)

249 How can you tell an institution is about to start political prosecutions and become a criminal racket? R'aight 'ere:

@EpochTimes 8m
The Irvine City Council is making moves to leave Orange County’s library system, saying they’re dissatisfied with the existing system’s lack of equity for the city’s residents.

Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 12, 2023 03:44 PM (jzzG8)

250 This is a good article

https://tinyurl.com/2p9cnvv8

Protest Porn
The pleasure-seeking behind today’s righteous causes
BY
LIEL LEIBOVITZ

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at March 12, 2023 03:46 PM (fUnHJ)

251 I'm sure he's a Brit leftie but I would love a beer with Phil Harding from Time Team.
I apologize for my irrelevancy.

Posted by: N. Lurker at March 12, 2023 03:46 PM (eGTCV)

252 244 Replaced battery in laptop today. Stripped the first screw where case was attached to the dvd drive. Another screw just turned and wouldn't come out. 17 screws and 2 hours later got the case apart without too much damage. Only 16 screws went back in.
Posted by: olddog in mo at March 12, 2023 03:42 PM (ju2Fy)

-----------------------------

How old is your laptop? I'm trying to remember the last time I saw a laptop with a dvd drive.

Posted by: No One Of Consequence at March 12, 2023 03:46 PM (uPgE/)

253 Straight to jail:

@WashTimes 3m
IRS audit finds 42,000 feds cheating on taxes

https://trib.al/6AHOySN

Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 12, 2023 03:47 PM (jzzG8)

254 olddog probably good enough

Posted by: Skip at March 12, 2023 03:47 PM (xhxe8)

255 Kind of related FWP, I replaced the LED lights in all the bedrooms with ceiling fans. Now I want to use one of the LED fixtures in the garage. Here's the problem: the mounting holes in the LED plate are ~6" apart. The outlet box, of course, is 4" across. Are there 6" boxes? Not at my local Home Despot, there aren't.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 12, 2023 03:47 PM (nfrXX)

256 For what you are doing ? Set on block, I assume ?
Posted by: Just The Way It Is

Yep. 5 block foundation. Hurray! Cheers for modern building practices!

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at March 12, 2023 03:48 PM (Wy1BU)

257 How old is your laptop? I'm trying to remember the last time I saw a laptop with a dvd drive.

--

It's neat how they went away about the same time user-accessible/swappable batteries did.

(Looks at 10+ year old IBM laptops with swappable batteries that still work perfectly fine and even a child or elderly compute-illiterate grandmother could maintain)

Posted by: Engineers, were buildings redesigned after WTC7 collapsed on 9/11? at March 12, 2023 03:50 PM (ylp2r)

258 Oddbob self tapping screws.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:53 PM (asyrG)

259 N. Lurker--

We used to love Time Team. Haven't seen it in years.

We still joke about stuff that needs to be done (impossibly) "in three days" in Brit voice.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at March 12, 2023 03:53 PM (fTtFy)

260 Oddbob self tapping screws.

Into what? The sheetrock?

Posted by: Oddbob at March 12, 2023 03:54 PM (nfrXX)

261 >>>Here's the problem: the mounting holes in the LED plate are ~6" apart. The outlet box, of course, is 4" across. Are there 6" boxes? Not at my local Home Despot, there aren't.

You can't find a 4" to 6" mud ring? There's all kinds of galvanized sheetmetal adapters out there you can dick around with for cheap.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 12, 2023 03:55 PM (Jg7EG)

262 Could not sleep in that house. Would worry it was about to collapse. You are a brave man.

Posted by: JimmyMcNulty at March 12, 2023 03:55 PM (BJgzI)

263 it looks like the underlying outlet is not centered in the outlet box. Take off the faceplate and losen the outlet attchement screws (may only need to adjust the top one as it appears to be canted to the left) then shift the outlet so it is centered and vertical in the box and retighten the upper screw. This should allow more of the cover plate to hide the gap on the upper right. Note it might be a good idea to turn off the breaker feeding this outlet to avoid touching any live wires while you adjust the outlet. If this doesn't fix the problem, then get a larger coverplate as some have mentioned earlier.

Posted by: slicksister at March 12, 2023 03:56 PM (KUc4h)

264 How old is your laptop? I'm trying to remember the last time I saw a laptop with a dvd drive.
Posted by: No One Of Consequence
-----------------

Not sure. Maybe 4 years old?

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 12, 2023 03:57 PM (ju2Fy)

265 You can't find a 4" to 6" mud ring? There's all kinds of galvanized sheetmetal adapters out there you can dick around with for cheap.

I explained my problem to the guy at HD and he was no help. At least now you've given me a search term.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 12, 2023 03:58 PM (nfrXX)

266 oops, looks like georgeV (post 57) already mentioned this. Good job George.

Posted by: slicksister at March 12, 2023 03:58 PM (KUc4h)

267 *perks up*
Dick around for cheap?

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at March 12, 2023 03:58 PM (DhOHl)

268 Foooood

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 12, 2023 03:58 PM (OX9vb)

269 If you're going into sheetrock toggle bolts are best. Lot of anchors out there for that.

Posted by: JmT at March 12, 2023 03:58 PM (asyrG)

270 Even though it was PIA switching battery, it did fix the bulge in the mouse pad and it's working better now.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 12, 2023 03:59 PM (ju2Fy)

271 "The whole ground-pin-up thing is very new, as in like the last 10-15 years, thinking."

It's been longer than that. I heard it came about because a nurse
was electrocuted when the metal chain holding her ID card shorted across a plug.

Posted by: fd at March 12, 2023 04:00 PM (iayUP)

272 Bulge in the mouse pad? The Paolo might have something to say about that.

Posted by: Not sure, but... at March 12, 2023 04:01 PM (DhOHl)

273 If you're going into sheetrock toggle bolts are best. Lot of anchors out there for that.

I was trying to avoid it because it just seems... wrong. Electrical fixtures should be attached to outlet boxes. I just can't seem to find the one I need.

Posted by: Oddbob at March 12, 2023 04:02 PM (nfrXX)

274 I was trying to avoid it because it just seems... wrong. Electrical fixtures should be attached to outlet boxes. I just can't seem to find the one I need.
Posted by: Oddbob at March 12, 2023 04:02 PM (nfrXX)

---

Are you looking for a junction box or a retrofit recessed can? I'm confused as to what "LED fixture" would need a 6" diameter junction box, as those are not standard anywhere.

Posted by: ballistic at March 12, 2023 04:08 PM (oXNqT)

275 IMHO, the reason the GFCI shuts down is because there is a short between the hot line and your aluminum body (?). The GFCI is protecting you from a deadly shock not shutting down because the polisher is drawing too much umpf. JMO
Posted by: Admirale's Mate

Nope. I picked it up in an industrial salvage yard back in the 70s. Pulled it apart, and had the rotor and stator completely rewound. I've ohmed it thoroughly, and it's not faulty. It is grounded, and i've also run a multimeter across the ground -to- case/3rd wire and it's clean. No leaks. Just a big assed initial draw, with a shit ton of torque. When the centrifigal switch kicks out it's almost like it shifts gears. It'll run a 16" disk sander on a metal plate without bogging down. Max rpm is maybe 90. I used to use it doing body work with lead instead of bondo. It came from a shipyard so i think they used it for welds.

Posted by: BifBewalski at March 12, 2023 04:09 PM (3CCua)

276 Electric motors and GFCI notoriously don't play well together. Motors have enough fudge factor in them that there's often just enough of a voltage leak to trip them despite not having any actual dangerous fault.

Upthread, someone mentioned that it's a bad idea to put a refrigerator on a GFCI. This is why.

Posted by: ballistic at March 12, 2023 04:11 PM (oXNqT)

277 Here is how it works, the electrician roughs in the outlets and wiring. The drywaller hangs the drywall and cuts it for outlets, switches and the like. Then the tape and texturing guys plaster over any excessive gaps the drywallers have made. The electricians come back after the painters are done to install covers, hang fixtures and the like. So the electricians are not responsible for the drywall being cut wrong or for having to large of a hole. Further, in that period between when the outlets are roughed in and when the electrician comes back to finish, things can get beat around by the other trades when they come into work.

Posted by: Thesherman at March 12, 2023 04:16 PM (CBcJe)

278 Here's how it works. Electricians rough in boxes and wires. Drywallers select one box to bury with drywall.

Fun ensues.

Posted by: torabora at March 12, 2023 04:26 PM (5eyqn)

279 NEC even wants garbage disposal on gfic. I do it but put gfi on receptacle it plugs into hoping it just trips that one. You can daisy chain them.

Posted by: torabora at March 12, 2023 04:30 PM (5eyqn)

280 277 has it right.

oh, and as for " Little things like not matching switches so when both are in the down position the light is off."
on a pair of 3-way switches, the toggle position is arbitrary and constantly changing.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - we are being gaslighted 24/365 at March 12, 2023 04:54 PM (VohFI)

281 Joint compound (wall mud) is a cheap, easy, effective fix and no one can tell it was done when you've finished.

Posted by: Gmac - WTF did you think was going to happen? at March 12, 2023 05:05 PM (qZdIZ)

282 The outlet is not upside-down.

The one that is different from the rest is controlled by a light switch.

Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at March 12, 2023 05:31 PM (TXFi7)

283 275, well Bif, I would suggest a penny in the fuse box

Posted by: Admirale's Mate at March 12, 2023 05:40 PM (hGQ+z)

284 Light switch. It's that pesky logic. It actually *is* binary.
Y = A ⊕ B

Posted by: Logic at March 12, 2023 05:50 PM (uQVw9)

285 Joint compound (wall mud) is a cheap, easy, effective fix and no one can tell it was done when you've finished.
Posted by: Gmac
-----

You've never seen my drywall work, have you?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc at March 12, 2023 05:52 PM (miw4b)

286 "At my home I discovered the receptacles were all wired with the poke the cable into the back method." (Divide By Zero)

Same here, not good, and a sign of crappy/lazy workmanship. Corrected all of them.

Also, to me that outlet is NOT upside down. The only reason I can see for changing from that position is to keep your fingers off the hot and neutral blades of the plug as you plug it in. Duh.

Posted by: boynsea at March 12, 2023 06:20 PM (z/uSE)

287 We have a light controllable by 2 switches. I tried to explain to an electrician once doing some other work that I wanted that fixed because I would like the light off when both were in the down position. He looked at me like I was speaking Klingon. Dolt had no clue what I could possibly be trying to do. Said I could just flip the other switch to turn it off.

Posted by: FIB agent Brandon at March 12, 2023 06:57 PM (HBL4O)

288 Also, the ground hole does go on top, and that outlet is upside down. If you look at the outlet outside of the wall, the logos etc stamped on it are rightside up when the ground is on top. Americans just like the face look.

Posted by: FIB agent Brandon at March 12, 2023 06:59 PM (HBL4O)

289 re: 275 & 276

electric motors are a reactive load and shift the current to be not in-phase with the voltage. The GFCI circuit is looking for any imbalance between the current going out the hot wire and the current returning on the neutral wire. It assumes any imbalance is because the missing current is going where it shouldn't be (like through you to ground) and breaks the circuit. The current going into a reactive load is building up a magnetic field (to turn the motor via Faraday's law) and when the voltage drops, the magnetic field collapses and returns the current that built it, just delayed a bit in time.

Posted by: slicksister at March 12, 2023 08:01 PM (KUc4h)

290 Buy an oversized faceplate for this outlet and see if you like the look. If yes, then you can replace ALL of the faceplates and switch covers in the house because they all have to match, ya know. They do. It's code. And it's anal. And somebody might check.

Posted by: David Franklin at March 12, 2023 08:09 PM (iljIx)

291 PS. Don't forget to slot in every faceplate screw has to be horizontal (or vertical). They have to match too.

Posted by: David Franklin at March 12, 2023 08:12 PM (iljIx)

292 New construction, you say? The drywall installer cuts the hole, not the electrician. At that point Sparky and Leaky have their open inspections done and are off on another job until the painters and plasterers are done.

So blame the wallboard guy for the gap. Did you try loosening the screws holding the receptacle in the box and repositioning it? You must remove the wall plate to do so. That’s why there’s a slotted hole in the receptacle, you know.

Posted by: Bruce at March 12, 2023 09:46 PM (LHaK7)

293 I should mention that it’s pretty much standard practice to use a robozip to cut the holes, it leaves a 1/8 gap on all four sides of the box. That’s why the position of the receptacle in the box is adjustable, and the wall plate is bigger than the box.

Posted by: Bruce at March 12, 2023 10:06 PM (LHaK7)

294 It also would take a whole half hour, including wait time, to slap a little five minute mud on the gap, then sand and paint. (The wallboard guys should have done this when mudding, if they got a little loose with the rotozip while hanging the wallboard.)

Posted by: Bruce at March 12, 2023 10:10 PM (LHaK7)

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