Modern Vespa

That's awesome!

[quote="Harbinger"]
We're taking a wall down and putting a large centre island in for storage and food prep.
/quote]

Harbinger,

Sounds like we are doing practically the same project. We are just underway. Ordered our appliances in May of 2022. We were told that due to supply chain issues our refrigerator would not be in until July, 2023, so we have been slow walking the project. During the last week of November, got a call from the appliance company stating, "Everything is in, when can you accept delivery?" We have been sprinting to complete the design, buy the flooring, millwork, and hire contractors since then…. We are on our way.

Good luck with your project.

Chris from CLE


This turns into this -

In only two days…

Hopefully to end like this in 8 weeks.

Good luck Chris! Yes they do look similar and hopefully it all goes smoothly from here on in for you. We were also told about supply chain issues which played in to some choices we made. Originally we were going sub zero and Wolf but the lead time on the fridge was brutal. Dacor came in around the same price but they have a bundle deal on for 2023 we took advantage of saving thousands. We also like that we can get it in graphite stainless steel which we prefer.

Here's a few pics and we should be starting soon. Seeing as how it is on the west coast we won't be able to check in much.

Kitchen walks out to a massive deck with a great view. It's a split-level 1980's home with a large finished basement that walks out to the backyard. Downstairs is the entertainment room/laundry where I'll set up the main TV for movies etc.

(tl;dr: I found a donated tool at work that will make my work so much easier.)

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was on my feet at work all day for essentially three days straight. The reason for that was that I had to mount 130 posters onto foam core. The posters were all 18" x 24".

The way I was trained to do it by my coworkers was to take a 48" x 96" board, cut it into three 48" x 32" pieces, laminate and apply adhesive to the prints (that were printed 2-up on 42" x 25" paper), and mount the laminated prints to the board. I'd then use a straight edge and a razor blade and trim out the posters to size. We can get six 18x24 posters out of one 48x96 sheet of foam core. I always hated doing it this way, because we're wasting a tremendous amount of materials.

I spoke with my friend who manages a store at my previous employer to see how he does it. He applies the adhesive to the boards, and he doesn't laminate the prints. After applying the adhesive, he cuts the boards to 18x24, then mounts the posters to the boards. He's able to get ten 18x24 posters out of one 48x96 sheet of foam core.

When I checked our foam core supply, we only had 26 sheets. To mount 130 posters, I'd need 22 sheets. If I mounted them the way my friend does, I'd use 14 sheets (I prepped an extra one just in case, and I ended up needing some of them).

I took the large boards to his shop after work that Tuesday, and he and I spent two hours trimming them to size. I did them there because his foam core cutter is much better than ours.

I have been thinking about how I can convince my boss to go to the expense of purchasing one for us. I figured that producing less waste would be one argument. The main issue is that a new one runs at least $3500. I wasn't looking forward to the discussion.

That brings me to today. While in the warehouse portion of the building getting a case of envelopes to print for a job, I saw a strange thing leaning against the wall, partially hidden by a large part of a high-speed folder. I went over to it, and recognized it as a much better wall-mount cutter than the one we've been using. It appeared to even be a step up from the one my friend has at his shop.

I asked the production manager about it and learned that it had been donated to us by a school that no longer needed it, but he didn't know if it was all there. He said I could pull it out and check it over and let him know what it needs.

Functionally, it is perfect. It's covered in a layer of dust from sitting in the warehouse for who knows how long. And it's missing the blade holder and wall mount hardware. I did some research, and we can get both from the manufacturer for less than $300. Except the manufacturer isn't an approved vendor for the school district.

I contacted our mounting supplies vendor and asked if they could source them for me. She's going to get back to me with a price.

Even if she doubles the cost, paying $600 for a $3500 foam core cutter is a hell of a deal, and I know she won't mark it up that much.

This model will handle items that are 63" tall. We have a map of the school district that we produce that is 50" x 54". We mount them on foam core that is 60" x 120". Our current cutter will only handle 50", so we have to hand-cut the boards down before mounting the maps. With this "new" cutter, we'll be able to save time and use it.


What's this thing?

Why that's a large foam core cutter!

Yesssss, my precious!

I think I've finally found a solution to a tedious problem.

Last term, I started a language class. It has set meeting times twice a week over Zoom. There is no in-person option available. The wifi in my building has a significant lack of bandwidth, and it really bogs down around the time of my class. It's definitely not on my end, because I don't have issues if I log in from anywhere else. I tried setting up on the main school campus a couple times, but got booted halfway through class when someone wanted to lock up most of the buildings (it's an evening class). Pointing out that I was having difficulty utilizing school resources to attend a class was pretty much ignored, because nobody wanted to be bothered doing anything about it. For consistency, the 1st year level classes are the same days and times for all terms (same with the 2nd year classes, just on alternate days from the 1st years).

This evening, I happened to notice the schedule for a satellite campus building had been updated. It's open significantly later this term. And wouldn't you know it, not only does it stay open later than my class runs for, it has good strong wifi. I had a little empty classroom all to myself, badly pronounced several new words for 2 hours straight, and didn't have a single noticible hiccup on Zoom. Mission accomplished.

We had our first Vespa breakfast this morning after the Christmas holiday break.
25 Vespiti attended with others in 4-wheelers...

Completed a coolant change on my GTS and a valve adjustment on my Sprint.
Tested them extensively last evening along the coast and up and down steep canyon roads, both are still running in top shape.

New secondhand laptop today 😀

Woo-hoo!

Reminds me, I bought one sitting at my repair guy's shop some months ago, but still using my old(er) one. 🙄

Unless you are in western or southern Africa

My first longboard arrived, and I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning!

My hens decide that the best time to molt and stop laying was during the price spike for eggs. This morning I went to check on the lazy buggers and found this.

After seeing organic eggs top $8/dozen, I'm thinking of putting it on a chain and making a rap video.

Assuming the trend continues I'm gonna be a wealthy man.

managed to ride the 150km home after my steering bearings died. didn't need to call someone to come and pick it up.

https://modernvespa.com/forum/post2595983#2595983

Finally got my slow leak sorted on my rear tyre. Also managed to get the exhaust back on with minimal aggravation (is it me or is the primavera easier than the lx?). The usual game of hide and seek with the flange nut lodging itself somewhere sneaky was the only hiccup.

Also new seat ordered from sip because it's cheaper than getting the old one recovered. Sigh. Al least it's cheaper before adding in all the other stuff I probably don't really need that doubles the cost.

I thought I was only able to put 20% down on my mortgage every 365 days. Turns out it's every calendar year.

Sooooooooo... I knocked 40% off my mortgage in the past 6 months!

Unfortunately I won't be in a position to do this again any time soon, it's just sort of how things worked out with the market... but it still feels reeeaaally good. Should be mortgage free by age 39-42 if I don't fuck up.

Last edited by adri on Fri, 20 Jan 2023 15:28:49 +0000; edited 1 time

Tacos! They're not just for Tuesdays anymore!

I can see we're not in Wisconsin. Can't say for sure what the VFW is up to, but good chance it's a Friday fish fry or a brat fry. No kidding. Seems like every time I'm there my order gets padded with spare extra parts, mugs and t-shirts. But hey, its like almost free shipping for the extras!

Guilty!

Wow, a rare winter egg! Our girls are getting on and have stopped laying. After we do some work on the run, we may get a few chicks.

So you have a flock too!

Yeah, my girls are getting up there, but they should have another year in them. They'll have earned their retirement. Then go pick up some chicks myself. Better rephrase that when I tell my wife.

This video, which demonstrates how to remove the lower shelf and (most importantly) the glass insert from my Samsung Vespa* refrigerator. We had a jar of pickles (sweet pickles, no less) tip over and leak all over the refrigerator, leaving nasty brown liquid underneath the glass. I was mystified by how to get the shelf out, let alone the glass, which seemed to be molded in. Alas, some quick googling turned up just the thing I needed:

*My refrigerator is not actually a Vespa, but it galls me to have a Samsung product in the house. It is, AFAIK, the only Samsung product I've ever owned. I keep a Vespa magnet over the Samsung logo so I don't have to be reminded of it on a daily basis.

What did we do before YouTube?

Besides breaking a lot of shit, I mean.

Good job on the rebranding!

Almost everything I know (besides my now-dated knowledge of modern Vespa scooters) comes from YouTube.

Samsung makes awesome displays. Every TV I've owned as an adult has been a Samsung - 32" CRT, 40" LCD, & 50" LCD. Their image quality is great out of the box. And I've had great experience with their support staff. The only reason I replaced the 32" was we bought the 40" when we wanted HD. The only reason we replaced the 40" was we found a great sale on the 50". I gave the 32" to a co-worker for his kids to use in their bedroom (back in 2008). I gave the 40" to a friend who was using a 19" monitor as his TV.

I seem to remember that Apple used Samsung displays in the iPhone for a while a few years back, prior to developing their own. I could be mis-remembering that, though.

I'm sure they make lovely products. But being on the inside of one of the biggest feuds in the tech world over the last 15 years or so has left me unable to appreciate their accomplishments. Samsung has been a supplier for Apple in various capacities over the years, and this has always been a very curious relationship. I'll leave it at that.

So two weeks ago I posted about the wall mounted foam core cutter I found in storage, and how I was excited to have a great new-to-me tool to use.

I got the quote for the needed parts from the vendor the following Monday. They quoted $390 total, so much cheaper than I expected. I thought for sure my boss would go for it.

I printed the quote and the front page of the manual (so she could research it herself if she wanted) and spoke with her about it. She didn't sound to keen to spend the almost $400 to get it going, when we had a smaller one that currently works. The limits of the smaller one mean we have to hand cut some larger boards to be able to use them, though.

I'd almost given up on it when today she was watching me train my coworkers on mounting. She saw how we had to hand-trim the boards to size, and said that we could use a cutting table with a trimmer attachment. I said that the large board cutter we already have would work, too, and would be cheaper to get up and running.

Then she saw that I had to tape a ruler to the smaller foam core trimmer we have to be able to cut the larger boards to size, because the ruler on it only goes to 30", and I had to cut boards that are 36" x 36".

Later, she was up in my work area where I have the "new" trimmer. I pointed it out to her and she said, "yeah, that is much bigger. All you need are the two parts?" I confirmed that it needs the wall mount hardware, and the blade holder, and to be wiped down. She said, "yeah, we can do that."

So yay!

Sometimes bosses just need to see things for themselves like the struggles you were going through to believe a purchase is a good deal!

Wish the area boss for the company I retired from was as smart as your boss! The company is a world wide construction materials business and our part of it is a quarry one of many in the USA. This boss was over all the quarries in New York State. As is common with everything these days the mobile equipment like Cat all have computers controlling parts of them. And like other things you need a computer to talk to the machine's computer to troubleshoot or calibrate things. The boss felt having one laptop for the whole state for mechanics to use was a good idea. If you need it you just have to find out who has it and then figure out how to get it from where it is to where it's needed. We are talking of around five or six hours travel time round trip to some plants! And this assumes they are done using it where it is now!

Add to this that the machine you need it for costs several hundred thousand dollars and is totally useless as is but it might only take 45 minutes to recalibrate a sensor and have it back at work!

What's a few massive lawsuits between friends? Even if it does turn in to a fiery issue at times. I'm sure any inside baseball info would be interesting.

I have way more Apple than Samsung stuff if that's any condolence.

Hey, whatever happened to Apple actually doing a TV?! Seeing as how I have about 5 Apple TVs I'm sure I would have bought at least one...

I must say I love the tone of this post. I won't look at one that says "what's pissing you off" or "What sucks today". Not my vibe.

That said, everyone gets their chance to speak… wherever they might want to spend their virtual time.

Today?

I'm still kind of glowing over fixing my 2016 Primavera 50 myself after mechanic said "I don't do electronics" … he's more of a small engine person (and great at that).

I took off the kick plate, the floor boards, and lots of other stuff. And got it back together perfectly (thanks, Chilton! And YouTube!).

Runs like a dream. We don't have dedicated vespa mechanics on this island… so sometimes you have to figure things out. Or spend lots of money shipping things to Miami.

So that is making me super happy!

Runs like a dream. We don't have dedicated vespa mechanics on this island… so sometimes you have to figure things out. Or spend lots of money shipping things to Miami.


I always thought there was a bridge linking Florida Keys to the mainland, shows how much I know!

Due to bank charges on cash deposits, store robberies and the dangers of transporting takings in cash, many small businesses here are "cash free" - [b]CARDS ONLY !/b]

You also can not get check books any more !

Wrong topic. This should be under "what's pissing me off"! I don't like to use a credit card just for a cup of coffee! My money says "This note is legal tender for all debts public and private."

I can get the checks I use to pay bills, but they're too expensive!

I use cards almost exclusively. I've not had a cheque book since the last century.

Ditto.

I carry 2 $100 bills and 2 $50s in my wallet just in case but pay everything by card. Most of it is tap-to-pay from our joint checking acct which outside of the transaction being recorded is no different than cash. We really are not that interesting so if someone sees my purchase history I really don't care.Covid it was what really did it for me as I no longer wanted to handle cash. Not that I was worried about handling the cash it's the transaction that requires more interaction than tapping.

For my business, I think we have maybe 2 clients that still be for the retainer by cheque. Everything else is direct deposit.

I tap when I can - but unlike the UK where if a transaction is less than £100 no PIN is needed, you just tap and go, here in the US I nearly always have to:
1. declare I want no cashback then
2. enter my PIN.
And that's if I'm lucky and I don't have to:
3. enter if I want to donate the change to the local 'whatever' charity and
4. enter how I'd like a receipt, if at all.

Grr...

Oh, and don't get me going on people not doing their own bagging, or waiting until the cashier has finished bagging for them before extricating their checkbook and filling in the check, the slip at the side AND a running total at the back of the checkbook.

AARRGGGHHH!

But all this belongs in the 'other' thread...

There are bridges, for sure. But I have a 50cc vespa and not driving it 150 miles to Miami on a road with a 55+ speed limit…

8 years ago today I bought my first Modern Vespa - one of those life changing decisions. Sofia, my GT200 taught me plenty and gave me lots of fun. Eventually though it was time to update and so Sofia went and Gabriella the GTS300 joined the family.


Sofia the day she joined the family.

As an aside Sofia is on Trade Me again, it has done about 500km since I sold it in May 2021. It's a great buy for someone.

TVs are now a commodity product, with prices spiraling ever lower and margins that are literally negative — many TVs are sold at a loss, and only become profitable by showing ads in the UI and selling customer data (I'm looking at you, Vizio!)

Apple typically does not enter commodity markets unless it feels it can offer something drastically new or different that fundamentally alters the experience and the market.

The 40" Samsung HD LCD TV I bought in 2008 cost me $1400.
The 50" Samsung UHD LCD Smart TV I bought in 2019 cost me $300.