What non automotive projects and repairs are you doing?

[volvolugnut]

Until the electrician can come install the electric generator transfer switch, I am making plans for using extension cords from the generator shed to inside the house. I do not want to leave doors open to get the cords into the house. I have a plan to add wall boxes to pass the cords through the walls and then can close and keep out weather and vermin when not in use. Photos and details in the future.
volvolugnut

[Krons]

Pretty easy access on the boxer twin. Chopsticks make an easy top dead center visual guide.

That's a great idea! I was planning on a wooden pencil.

Somewhere I heard of a guy using one of the stick magnet tools, and when he pulled the tool out the magnet was stuck to the piston!

[abscate]

Copper you can scrape to shiny metal, then tin. I found my soldering technique got a lot better with a station with adjustable heat settings.

Magical fittings!

The incoming water pipes were upgraded to copper pipes a long time ago. In past year, with some practice of sweat-fittings, I've extended the water supply to yard - through the walls. Less hose is more joy in yard work.

All appliances in our home with connection to water is being upgraded with new; each has a shutoff fitted with hammer arrestor. The final-mile is replacing nylon tubings to water dispensers and ice makers with 1/4" copper via Oatey MODA Supply Box with Hammer Arrestor.

I've been replacing our old wood colonial-style windows around the house; upgrading RO to new construction vs replacement window. It is a four-year project, with two down. New windows are Golden Oak with aluminum-clad exterior with nailing flange - great fit!

I would recommend adding shutoff valves to any faucet whenever piping changes are made. A great future convenience.
volvolugnut

Once you try PEX, your sweating tools will disappear into a box in the basement

[xHeart]

Once you try PEX, your sweating tools will disappear into a box in the basement

+1
The use of PEX could be an excellent choice for some with new applications. The copper fittings and skills -- sweating and compression -- however are essentials for homeowners with a legacy outlook.

[Sveedy]

I think people are going to come to regret using PEX in any form.
The constant expansion and contraction, particularly with the hot side, will eventually cause a failure either with a fitting or with the hose itself. When that happens, you'll be looking at replacing all of it. Think about the scope of that job. And the reality of it is that I have yet to see a plastic that doesn't degrade over time. Then think of microplastics. The stuff just hasn't been around long enough to really know at what level it leaches out into the water supply.
Plumb with copper, and you've plumbed for life without those worries.

Did I mention that I hate plastic ?

[matthew1]

What if I licked copper paint as a young child and got copper poisoning?

[BlackBart]

You’ll just have that “Coppertone tan.”

I remember the teacher putting a little blob of mercury on everybody’s desk and we bumped and rolled it around. That couldn’t have been good. Maybe it wasn’t enough exposure.

[Sveedy]

^ Funny that you should mention that. When I was a kid, we'd collect the mercury from old thermostats just to fool around with it. Putting it on the desk and hitting it so that it became a bunch of little blobs, which then would then reconstitute into a single blob again. Terminator 2 type stuff. I can remember holding it in my hand - not a good thing I'm sure, but kids will be kids.

[volvolugnut]

I think people are going to come to regret using PEX in any form.
The constant expansion and contraction, particularly with the hot side, will eventually cause a failure either with a fitting or with the hose itself. When that happens, you'll be looking at replacing all of it. Think about the scope of that job. And the reality of it is that I have yet to see a plastic that doesn't degrade over time. Then think of microplastics. The stuff just hasn't been around long enough to really know at what level it leaches out into the water supply.
Plumb with copper, and you've plumbed for life without those worries.

Did I mention that I hate plastic ?

Good questions. People do seem to leap to use the newest materials and then we learn they have new problems. Problems like leaded gasoline, biodegradable electrical insulation, and asbestos insulation.
volvolugnut

[BlackBart]

A year ago our city replaced water mains down major streets. Where they found leakage, they replaced the ancient lines to individual houses, including my wife’s mother’s house. I asked them what piping they use for that.
“Oh, that flexible blue stuff on those rolls.”

Is it healthy, asks I?
Sure, they said, “industry standard.”

So I called the City water engineer to ask. He was very helpful and sent me technical data and tests. It is commonly used in water supply. Can’t tell you the material now.