That whole "marks his starting point with a paint pen" thing sounds like the kind of trick that works because Walt has 34 years of feel in his hands, not because the paint pen is magic. I've watched guys pass hydro first try and guys fail three times doing the exact same prep, so one good job in Redwater doesn't really prove much. Half the time a fail comes down to a dinged tube, a bad seal, or the roll itself, not which end you started from. Not saying the guy is wrong, but I'd want to see it work on twenty exchangers before I change how I do my own layouts. Pre-roll habits are fine, I just don't buy that they're the reason your jobs were failing.

Why make it so complicated when @wesley205 has a point with just picking it up?

That's so cool, is it an ammonite? Found a small one in my garden last year. Used a soft toothbrush and water, worked okay.

That "sharing a pot" bit reminds me of a friend whose uncle always just poured from his thermos for everyone, makes me get it.