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Something just clicked…..

rmalkow2

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Check the HF Pass/Fail thread here on GJ before buying that pump. If others have gone before you and written about their results it may save both your dignity and your wallet.
 
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Strouty

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I had three people that owned them give approval. I am willing to take a chance, I may even buy the extended warranty.
 
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Strouty

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I guess as far as goals go, I am not being as realistic as I thought. Yesterday was not nearly as productive as I thought it would be, then today I was invited to breakfast with my Dad, I ended up at his shop to see all the projects he has going on and then after that I went to HF to buy my water pump. I do not have fittings, so I am just going to get them on my way home tonight. I guess I will have to look harder at my goals and try and be more realistic. It does make me feel like a failure that I did not meet the goals, but I need to remember that this stuff is a bit outside my normal working area. The good thing is I do not have any major projects that need to be done this week, so I can try again.

It seems like if I am going to set some goals, I need to start smaller so I can complete them, then I will at least feel like I accomplished something, rather than beating myself up because life got in the way. I know what size fittings I need, so now all I have to do is pick them up.

There are a couple things that have been plaguing me for the last month and I may try and get them done. I think my brain has been working overtime on reasons to avoid doing them. For posterity's sake, they are:

Install air conditioner in office

Install 2 ceiling fans

I think these two things have been making me miserable both mentally and physically since the heat crept in and decided to stick around for a while.
 

mdbeck1

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For my personal projects I periodically get on my laptop (or get a calendar) and start filling out what has to be done by a certain date. Then fill in what projects MUST be done by that time. After that I fill in what projects I would LIKE to get done. I then break down the projects into sub-projects, group, and prioritize them. As I get them done I mark the spreadsheet with the date completed. When I start feeling down I look at what I've gotten done recently and I usually feel a little better. I also re-prioritize quite often.
 
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Strouty

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I can relate to spreadsheets.

One thing I am actually starting to schedule is a "review" time, it was just for my projects, reference materials, jobs, files, and other things. Originally I had Sunday night scheduled to do this, but I honestly think I need to schedule some time everyday, at least until I get things under control, then I can go to maybe twice a week for the review. I found that my evernote files have gotten totally out of control, so something that used to be helpful now feels like a burden. I may take a couple hour tonight to play with a spreadsheet.

The other thing that I need to do is get myself back on the early schedule. One of the worst things about being self-employed is when you don't "have to" be somewhere. My GF has a schedule that usually rotates, except for the summer, she has been 7:00 start time and that means the bathroom is off limits from 5:30 AM to 6:30 AM. My preferred bathroom time is 5:00 AM but now I tend to get in there after she leaves the house at 6:45 AM or later (who am I kidding, usually later). I know when I get out of the house before her I tend to be more productive overall and I have no idea why. I also tend to stay at the shop much later too, not sure why on that either.

Essentially I am a mess and I need to get my **** together or I things are going to become a tad bit worse (read as FUBAR) especially if I don't have things buttoned up before winter. Priorities tend to mess me up, I have a habit of making other people's priorities mine as a way of procrastinating. The GJ has helped me in a lot of ways, yet I know I spend too much time overall on the computer. The last week I have been limiting that aspect as well as working on my eating habits. I am sure that I am being a bit too impatient with myself, but I am my harshest critic.
 
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Strouty

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It is obvious that the heat has a negative effect on my productivity. I was all set to leave and the temp outside had dropped significantly, so I opened both overhead doors and decided to stay a while longer. That turned into more than three hours. I cleaned up the old pump mess, then took apart all the extra fittings and valves I had attached to the old pressure tanks. Here is the HF pump assembly that I will be using.




Then I decided to clean up the front area of the shop a bit. At one point I had moved things to where I thought they should be, they didn't need to be there and it only took me this long to figure it out. So I moved the engine over next to the other engine, then I put the tear down table over next to those as well. I had to shuffle some things, but that area is really not being used right now, so it only makes sense to store the stuff that is not being used in that area. Hopefully I can get there early tomorrow and get some stuff done before it gets too hot for me, then I can do some errands and come back to work in the afternoon and early evening again.






I always see more projects when I start cleaning, it makes me a bit crazy sometimes. I need to get a battery for my scissor lift and I need to get my rotary phase converter wired up so I can start messing around with the big drill press. The funny thing is that my bridgeport looks so small compared to the drill press, I have had people ask me if it is a miniature bridgeport.







I have started loading cabinets up, but I really need to make bases for them, I want to be able to use the pallet jack or forklift to easily move them around. I try to either have things on wheels or essentially palletized, this way I can reconfigure things or just clean up much easier.



 

mdbeck1

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Strouty It is obvious that the heat has a negative effect on my productivity. I was all set to leave and the temp outside had dropped significantly, so I opened both overhead doors and decided to stay a while longer. That turned into more than three hours. I cleaned up the old pump mess, then took apart all the extra fittings and valves I had attached to the old pressure tanks.

That should make you feel better. One of the "sub" projects is closer to being done. Next phase of that project would be to set it up to pump water.

In one of the pictures it looks like you've got rain. I would have welcomed that. It was around 100F here today. The work I did get done this weekend centered around little mods to the RV. The AC is running out there and I can duck in and out of the garage for tools.

Strouty Then I decided to clean up the front area of the shop a bit. At one point I had moved things to where I thought they should be, they didn't need to be there and it only took me this long to figure it out. So I moved the engine over next to the other engine, then I put the tear down table over next to those as well. I had to shuffle some things, but that area is really not being used right now, so it only makes sense to store the stuff that is not being used in that area.

Cleaning up is good. Moving equipment where it will eventually go is good.

Strouty I always see more projects when I start cleaning, it makes me a bit crazy sometimes. I need to get a battery for my scissor lift and I need to get my rotary phase converter wired up so I can start messing around with the big drill press. The funny thing is that my bridgeport looks so small compared to the drill press, I have had people ask me if it is a miniature bridgeport.

Additional projects and things that need to be fixed always crop up while you are cleaning. Make a list of things that need to fixed and things that need to be picked up. A battery for the scissor lift is a quick project. Pull it off, write yourself a note to grab a new one when you get to town. On a further note I seem to remember that you're having battery problems with another vehicle. Get batteries for both while you are there...

Strouty I have started loading cabinets up, but I really need to make bases for them, I want to be able to use the pallet jack or forklift to easily move them around. I try to either have things on wheels or essentially palletized, this way I can reconfigure things or just clean up much easier.

If it makes your organization easier set it aside as another "project" that you need to get done. Put it on the list and figure out where it fits in the priority list. Batch things up and build several of them. This would make an EXCELLENT winter project or a rainy day project. Get the materials together, mark them as such and when the opportunity is there work on it.

interesting.... I pulled parts of your previous posts and commented. It didn't post them.
 
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Bob Heine

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When I turned 40 I installed insulation in the attic and a window air conditioner in the wall of my last garage. In my current garage I did the same but four years after we moved in. South Florida has 7+ months of hot weather every year so I put A/C in the same category as having a wood stove in a Maine garage. You can live without it but garage or shop time is not pleasant. If you are used to the cool/cold weather of Maine, I'd put a high priority on getting that office air conditioned while it's hot out. Remember, it's hard to read sweat-stained invoices.:lol_hitti
 

nadogail

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Today is my first look at your lengthy thread, so please for give me if I appear insensitive. Sometimes I have difficulty overcoming the tendency of a body at rest wanting to remain at rest.

Sometimes I just have to get disgusted at myself, grit my teeth, and ignore my wife's well intentioned concerns for my comfort. My workshop has neither heating or cooling, but most of the time there is no need.

I can always wear warmer clothes.
 
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Strouty

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MB, Sadly it was not rain, there is grass in front of the snowplow and the camera was a bit unfocused. The plan is to get the battery for the scissor lift, but I do not want to buy new batteries for the 5 Ton yet, they are really expensive and I have not diagnosed the problem yet. There may be one battery that is drawing the others down so I need to confirm, but that truck is not a priority by any means. I am going to start organizing my project list this week, I am going to try a technique that I read about so I will post more when I do it.

Bob, you are totally correct, the AC unit for the office needs to be a priority.


Nadogail, you are correct on the adding warmer clothes for the cold weather, but when it is hot you can really only take so much off. The biggest problem that I have is that I sweat a lot and when it is humid, I can fill my safety glasses while leaning over to do something. I would prefer cooler and I know in another month things will be exactly that.


Last night I went to bed around 10:30 and I got up this morning at 4:45. I am pretty sure that I need to get up at 4:30 to make a smoother transition with my GF and her early schedule. I figure bedtime will become obvious after a week of getting up at 4:30. I am off to Home Depot to get my parts for the water pump. I will check in before I leave the shop to do my errands.
 
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Strouty

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My little air conditioner seems to have given up the ghost, I am sure glad that I checked it before spending too much time figuring out the best way to mount it. I just got back from HD and I bought a little bit bigger one that still fits my opening. I need to make a decent brace for it, because it is a window style and I am using it in a wall (8" thick too) I have to mount it way out so that the vents are not obstructed.

I also called around looking for pallet racking and had no luck, then I called a buddy that I have not seen in a while and he says he has just what I need and to come and get it, no charge. So I plan on going up to his place later this afternoon to pick up the racking. That will allow me to mount the tank the way I want and kind of build it as I go.

The perfectionist in me wants to make this masterpiece of a mount for the AC unit, but the realistic side is telling me that I will be removing the damn thing in less than 2 months anyways so what does it matter. I think I can land somewhere between the two, at least I hope I can.
 
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Strouty

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I got the air conditioner installed, noisy little thing, but it is doing what I wanted. I am not sure if I put it in the correct window opening, but I will have to give it some time. I still need to seal things up a bit, but it is structurally safe.



 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: nice work getting a new air conditioning unit in the shop or office. one concern i have with those units on the ground floor is security. any worries on your end?

I've put up a lot of the commercial racking and some go in smoothly and others are bent or tweaked just enough to make it a PIA so hopefully the ones you are getting from your friend will be the easy ones.

have a great day
 
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Strouty

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If someone wanted to get into my shop it would be far easier to kick in a panel on the overhead door. I am lucky (knock on wood) that I am not in a bad area at all. I decided to wait on the pallet racking until later in the week. I wanted to try and get a few more things done around the shop today.
 
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Strouty

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So I just got back from doing my errands and I forgot what it is like to walk into a nice cool and dry room. It is making me want to do my paperwork! I bought a used battery for the scissor lift, but it is pencil post size and I didn't think too much about it until I realized that I have no terminals to fit it. Since the scissor lift is not a priority I am just going to order them from Amazon unless I find a cheaper place.

Snap On guy is coming over tonight and he wants a list of tools that I am looking for, I guess he is headed to the tool show and there will be deals, so I am going to try and get some. I still have my tool credit from the dented top on my new box so that will be part of it for sure.

I still have not hooked up the water pump, but I am going to start working on it a little later. I am trying to get some bills paid so I won't have to worry about them later.
 
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Strouty

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I got the pump hooked up to the tank and it will definitely work. There was one issue, but I figured it out fairly quickly of course it means another trip to get parts. I need a one way valve because the pressure pushes back into the tank when the pump turns of, so it try to short cycle constantly. I am also going to get a quick connect setup so I can easily remove the line.

 
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Strouty

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I also forgot to show a picture of the house number setup, the GF got it painted and it looks pretty nice, a lot nicer than the house!

 

mdbeck1

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I got the pump hooked up to the tank and it will definitely work. There was one issue, but I figured it out fairly quickly of course it means another trip to get parts. I need a one way valve because the pressure pushes back into the tank when the pump turns of, so it try to short cycle constantly. I am also going to get a quick connect setup so I can easily remove the line.



sub project number one completed....

...now on to getting that pressure washer working????
 
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Strouty

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Once I get the one way valve it should be fine. Looks like next two days are rain so I will be inside doing other things. I still have to clean off the big table so I can inspect the compressor units next.
 
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drivesitfar

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Strouty: I can't remember if you have a To Do list or an APP on your phone to write all your stuff down on to free up your mind some. even with all the computers I've owned i still had 8 x 11 spiral notebooks i would write down my To Do's, appointments and other stuff on that would last a couple months. then i'd transfer over anything to the new one that I needed to.

are you set with the inversion table so it's pretty easy to use and is it helping? your address plate, AC install and water pump are all getting done quickly so congrats.

have a great day
 
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Strouty

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Thanks guys. Today was a stop and go day, I was only at the shop for about an hour. I didn't even get to use the inversion table. I did pick up the parts I needed to make the pump truly work, so tomorrow I should be able to actually get it hooked up. This is of course if the rain stops.

As far as organizing apps, I have far too many. I really need to just pick one and stick with it. I use evernote for a lot of things, but I still use my calendar for reminders and appointments, then I use drop box for my files, and I have the galaxy note 4 that I use for basic notes. I am really interested in a surface tablet, I feel it will truly connect things more, especially with the stylus. Paper and I do not get along, the major problem I have is that I put too much info on one sheet of paper, then I can't find the one piece I need. I am thinking I may just keep my notepad out, then at the end of the day I can go back through it and "review" things. That tends to be my trouble, I don't usually follow through, so writing things down does not help unless I see it. Too much paper then hides the things I need to see and the cycle starts over again.
 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: i used my cell phone or computer or both for my schedule. the spiral was for notes, phone #'s, and To Do's. to keep track of the one spiral notebook was easy and it would last me a couple months. then i'd spend an hour when it was full to transfer over the stuff i needed to and file the #'s and notes and throw the old spiral in a box. so if i had on my calendar an appointment and wanted to see my notes i'd go to the box and dig out the spiral notebook with that day in it to look up my notes if they were not available anywhere else.

the problems i found with using computers or cell phones were if the battery went dead or a virus attacked me and i lost the files.

do what you think is best and just saying what worked best for me.

cheers and hang when you can because it doesn't have to happen every day.

weigh in tomorrow AM if you have time.
 
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Strouty

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Drives, I have a cool pen that I used to use all the time, it takes special notebooks, but it allows you to write and then have the writing in digital form as well.

Years ago with my old palm pilots I had a diary program that worked well for keeping track of things, but I have not found one that is even close to it yet.

I don't think I will ever find anything perfect, but I would like something close!
 
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Strouty

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Yesterday I ordered a few things for the shop, I am really excited about them because they should really make a difference. I ordered a 28k BTU through wall air conditioner (kill the humidity, raise the productivity!), a 100' 12/3 electrical cord reel, a 50' pressure washer reel, a 50' retractable shop light, and a wall cabinet for automotive light bulbs. I can't wait to get the AC unit installed. Hopefully it will be here by Friday, but I have a feeling it will be in on Monday.
 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: funny you mention a palm pilot because i had one about 20 years ago and loved it until some A HOLE broke into my car and stole it.

I'd give the spiral notebook a try and likely it won't ever get stolen. i just threw it on my passenger seat with the writing face down and a pen in the wire so i could make a quick note if i needed to.

cheers and you seem to be getting very organized so keep up the good work.
 
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Strouty

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I am not going to lie, I went to set it up and realized I bought a couple of fittings backwards of how they needed to be. I am returning them and getting the right ones this afternoon on my way to get the pallet racking. I should be at the shop all day tomorrow, I will update things then. Overall I still feel like forward progress is being made and that is a good feeling.
 

Thumper68

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I am not going to lie, I went to set it up and realized I bought a couple of fittings backwards of how they needed to be. I am returning them and getting the right ones this afternoon on my way to get the pallet racking. I should be at the shop all day tomorrow, I will update things then. Overall I still feel like forward progress is being made and that is a good feeling.

Good for you on returning the parts that were wrong, I tend to just put them in the parts drawer and keep them for future use.
 
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Strouty

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I almost did that, but I thought about when I would use them and figured that it would be highly unlikely to need them anytime in the near future.

I picked up the pallet racking, it is not quite as rugged looking as I thought it would be, but I am sure I can make it work. I will need to shorten the shelf braces once I know how much room I need, but the uprights are just long enough.
 

mdbeck1

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I am not going to lie, I went to set it up and realized I bought a couple of fittings backwards of how they needed to be. I am returning them and getting the right ones this afternoon on my way to get the pallet racking. I should be at the shop all day tomorrow, I will update things then. Overall I still feel like forward progress is being made and that is a good feeling.

I understand getting the wrong fittings. Happens every time I do plumbing. You're still making progress. ...but it's still frustrating to NOT have the project finished. Keep your eye on the end project. Don't get lost. You NEED the compressor.

As far as the pallet racking.... Pick it up and set it up. Just remember that the primary project is still the compressor.
 
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Strouty

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This week is flying by, I am still not done with the water pump, but I did get the correct parts. I have to go to New Hampshire this afternoon, so the rest of this day is pretty much shot. I have nothing planned for tomorrow, no errands, no jobs, and I turn off the cell phone for the first half of the day. My new goal is to have the tank pressure washed by the time I leave on Friday.

This weekend will be a mix of things, I need to work on a lease agreement for one of the towers, I need to list a few items on ebay, and I need to clean off that big table!
 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: don't forget to take plenty of water and good snacks for your trip. i had a bad habit of taking 6 hour drives and stopping at a McD's each way and getting 4 large half cut ice teas so 8 for the trip and usually a couple sausage McMuffins or Burger King's croissant ham and egg breakfasts.

good luck and hope you have a safe and successful trip. BTW how's the back?

cheers
 
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Strouty

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Overall things are great, the reason for my NH trip is to pick up another Teeter 960. I found a near new one for $200. I am also going to my favorite pawn shop, my favorite surplus electronics shop, and I will be getting dinner at one of my favorite mexican restaurants. Really it is a fun road trip. I am not sure if I should take the suburban or the car, I really should take the car, less chance of buying anything too big. Although I am pretty good at getting things to fit in my car, definitely a more comfy ride.
 

drivesitfar

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Strouty: sounds like you are getting used to hanging now? have fun and great idea to have 2 of the inversion tables since you have two locations. like i said you can use it a couple times a day and just limit the time on it upside down to 5 minutes each time.

cheers
 

bczygan

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Strouty: you are on the right track for adjustments and as you get used to using the table it gets easier to get back up. if i haven't used mine for a few days i actually stand there for about a minute before stepping off the machine.

all that other stuff sounds good. if you have room for a white board it might help if you can see the TO DO list and maybe a few items checked off.

have a great weekend

I have my inversion table set at 6'3 as well. I use the foot pads on the fat setting. I forget which setting the part where it pivots from has.

The setting allows me to lean back and automatically rotate to level. As I put my arms up over my head, I go inverted and my weight shifts as my body extends and becomes longer. When almost vertical, I use the hump in the bar that is on the floor, to shake my body out and get the last bit of extension so I'm off the board. That's when the cats all arrive and use my head for a rubbing post.

Then to get back, I just move my arms lower and lower until they are by my sides. This leaves me horizontal. A little schooch down of my body down the board, rotates me to the beginning position.

I use whiteboards in most rooms. And I leave completed and crossed out items on them for a while, to remind me what I've done.

Bill
 
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Strouty

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I got the inversion table home and setup. Now my mornings will feel much better!

I also bought a nice used blue point adjustable wrench at the pawn shop (I had to buy something!) and at the surplus store I bought some cords for my lights, four anti-vibration feet for the compressor, four really heavy duty feet for a table or bench, a couple of plastic totes, and I bought two adjustable height chairs. I could not resist the chairs, they were royal blue, and rugged as can be. I have a couple of black ones that are flimsy and cheap looking. I figure someone will buy them and since my new ones only cost $20 for the pair I do not feel bad about the deal at all.
 
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