Yeah, that sounds about right. I ended up just buying a sharkbite fitting for the copper line after my first solder job leaked. It cost a bit more but saved me another trip.

That "sighed after borrowing the level" bit is a whole mood... it's like people would rather fight a losing battle with the wrong tool than just admit they need the right one. I see it all the time with quick fixes that just make the real problem worse later. Sometimes you just gotta replace the post.

My grandpa built a barn in 1957 that's still standing, and not a single joint is textbook square. He called it "seasoned fit." Watching new pressure-treated wood warp itself apart while his old pine stuff just gets tighter is proof. That lumber yard guy isn't wrong. We chase perfection with laser levels and end up fighting the material's natural move. Sometimes a little planned imperfection saves you a bigger headache later.

Exactly, it's just controlled rot with less risk...

My buddy rode Slickrock last fall and swore his crankset was shot. That red dust got into everything. He spent a week cleaning and regreasing every part, even bought a new BB. The noise was still there. Turns out it was just a single grain of sand stuck between his chainring and the spider, making this awful grinding sound every pedal stroke. He felt pretty silly after that.