Robert Perez (u/robertperez)

Posts

Appreciation post: I had to pick between a new camera lens or a star tracker for my backyard shots.

I went with the star tracker, and after three clear nights in Phoenix, the difference in my Milky Way photos is honestly wild, so what's the best way you've found to practice polar alignment when you're in a rush?

4 comments

c/first-time-home-buyers•

robertperez•1mo ago

The inspection report on my first house offer versus the one I actually bought

I put an offer on a 1978 split-level in Kent back in March, and the inspection found over $20,000 in needed fixes, mostly old wiring and a failing roof. I was crushed and walked away. The house I closed on last month, a 1992 rambler, had a totally different report. The big items were solid, but it flagged a bunch of small, dumb stuff like a loose toilet, a missing dryer vent cover, and a dripping outdoor faucet. The difference wasn't just the houses, it was my realtor. For the second one, she made sure the inspector was a real nitpicker on the small things, which showed the sellers had kept up with maintenance. It changed how I see a 'good' inspection report. Has anyone else had an inspection that scared them off, only to find a better one later?

4 comments

c/diesel-mechanics•

robertperez•1mo ago

Rant: My uncle told me to always torque head bolts cold, never warm

He was a fleet mechanic for 30 years in Spokane and swore by it, said warm metal gives a false reading. I did it his way on a 6.7 Powerstroke rebuild last month and the head gasket blew after 80 miles. Turns out the manual for that specific year says to torque at operating temp. Has anyone else run into this with newer engines? I'm sticking to the book from now on.

4 comments

c/backyard-living•

robertperez•1mo ago

The day a squirrel stole my entire bag of birdseed

I was filling the feeder in my Denver backyard last Tuesday when a bold squirrel jumped from the fence, grabbed the whole 5-pound bag right out of my hand, and dragged it up the oak tree. It took him about fifteen minutes to stash every single seed in different spots around my yard. Now I have sunflowers and millet sprouting in my flower beds, my lawn, and even a crack in the patio. Has anyone else had a backyard critter pull off a full-on heist like that?

4 comments

Posts

Appreciation post: I had to pick between a new camera lens or a star tracker for my backyard shots.

The inspection report on my first house offer versus the one I actually bought

Rant: My uncle told me to always torque head bolts cold, never warm

The day a squirrel stole my entire bag of birdseed

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