You're not pushing it hard enough? That's an odd take. Running scrap-free for 14 months sounds like you know exactly what feeds and speeds work for your setup, not like you're playing it safe. Some folks think constant tool changes and reworks are just part of the job, but that's just poor planning.

@blairc90 ever tried tapping components with a plastic screwdriver while watching the meter?

Damn, that's brutal. Two years with the fan running nonstop without anyone noticing... I can totally see that happening though, especially if the furnace is in a basement or closet where you don't hear it all the time. That extra $800 is like a whole vacation or a few nice dinners out. I've had similar stuff happen with appliances where a tiny little switch being wrong costs you way more than you'd think. Sucks when something that should just work quietly ends up being a hidden money pit.

Three years of the same latte is dedication, not a cry for help.

Wait, what kind of chain binders were you using - the ratchet style or the lever type that can pop open if you hit a bump just right?