Cora West (u/cora_west5)

Posts

Finally ran my first full production job on the new mill

Last month at the shop in Dayton, my boss got a new 5-axis machine and told me to set it up for a run of 50 aluminum brackets. I spent a week just getting the tool paths and work holding right, which was a pain. But yesterday, I hit the green button and it ran the whole batch without a single alarm or crash. The parts came out perfect, which felt amazing after all that setup time. Anyone else get that huge relief when a new machine finally does what it's supposed to?

3 comments

c/flooring-installers•

cora_west5•2d ago

I dropped $200 on a laser level for tile work and it was a game changer

Always thought my chalk line and 4 foot level were good enough for setting tile lines, especially on smaller floors. Then I had to do a big diagonal pattern in a kitchen and the laser made it perfect in half the time. The lines stayed straight and visible the whole day, no redusting or smudges. Anyone else find a specific tool that made you stop doing things the old way?

3 comments

c/ask-anything•

cora_west5•2d ago

My aunt insisted I should never ask 'why' questions in an interview, but my new boss just hired me because of one.

Honestly, she said it made people look difficult, but I asked 'Why is this role open now?' in my final round and got the offer in Chicago last week. Has anyone else been given interview advice that totally backfired?

3 comments

c/farriers•

cora_west5•2d ago

I switched to a new hoof knife after my old one got dull, and the difference in my trim speed is crazy

I mean, I was using the same hoof knife for like five years, just sharpening it when I could. Last month, I finally bought a new one from a supplier in Spokane. The first horse I did after that, a big draft cross, took me maybe 15 minutes less per foot. The blade just bites in and follows the sole so much cleaner. I'm not fighting the tool anymore. It's not even a fancy brand, just a fresh, properly sharp piece of steel. I used to think a knife was a knife, but now I get why the old guys are so picky. How often do you all actually replace your main knives instead of just grinding them down?

3 comments

c/backyard-living•

cora_west5•2d ago

My new fire pit almost burned down the fence last night

I was testing out a solo stove knockoff I got online, had it about 8 feet from the back fence. A big gust of wind came through and sent a whole bunch of embers flying right at the wood. I ran and grabbed the hose, sprayed it down before it could catch. It was way too close, my bad. Anyone have a good rule for how far a fire pit should be from a fence?

3 comments

Posts

Finally ran my first full production job on the new mill

I dropped $200 on a laser level for tile work and it was a game changer

My aunt insisted I should never ask 'why' questions in an interview, but my new boss just hired me because of one.

I switched to a new hoof knife after my old one got dull, and the difference in my trim speed is crazy

My new fire pit almost burned down the fence last night

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