Spent $800 on a 'high heat' apron that melted on my first pour. Are the expensive brands worth it or just hype?

Showerthought: I found out how many fires start from dryer vents

I was reading a fire safety report from our city's fire department website last week. It said that over 15,000 house fires each year in the US start from clogged dryer vents, not chimneys. I always knew they were a risk, but I never realized the number was that high. It made me start offering to check them during my regular sweeps. Do you guys check dryer vents too, or do you stick to chimneys only?

My town's Facebook page removed every comment I made about the new water tower project for a solid week.

I heard a guy at the star party say all astro photos need a telescope

He was at the Cherry Springs event in Pennsylvania last month. Said real space pictures only come from big scopes. But I got a decent shot of Orion with just my camera and a tripod from my backyard. Makes me think gear matters less than people say. What's the minimum you need for a good photo?

Hot take: Skipping the torque wrench on stem bolts is asking for trouble

Just had a customer come in with a snapped steerer tube from over-tightening. Aluminum fatigues fast when you crank past spec, and it's not always obvious until it fails. Check the manufacturer's torque settings every time, even if it feels tight enough by hand. A stripped thread or crack can turn a simple fix into a write-off.