Got a cheap rain gauge last year and felt like a genius for about a week. Turns out my "light sprinkle" was actually a full inch of rain. The tools just confirm we're all mostly guessing and sometimes getting lucky.

Know exactly what you mean, @drew706. Those little gaps around the weights are where the trouble always starts. A folded carrot is such a smart fix, way better than buying more gear. It's cool when the simplest trick solves the whole problem.

11 months? That's insane. I can't believe you had to chase a single invoice for almost a full year. The changing payment contact thing is such a classic stall tactic, it's almost disrespectful. That's way too much time and energy for any amount of money, but especially for under three grand. They must have been hoping you'd just give up. Good on you for sticking with it, but man, what a nightmare.

Ever get that click on something you've been stuck on for ages?

That trick can work if you clamp the wrench, not the pedal. You lock the wrench in the vise and use the crank arm as your lever. Just gotta make sure everything is lined up straight so you don't strip it further.