Modern Vespa

I always remove the carrier when I fill up, but...

11 weeks ago I had an argument with my Woodworking tablesaw
After 50 years without a scratch, I cut off my right thumb at the first joint!

Fortunately, it has not given me any problems riding - enough left for a proper righthanded grip.

Anyway - I always had trouble getting the carrier out but now, with only 1-1/2 thumbs, it's a nightmare.

Solution - 2 x 5/32" holes and two brass knobs The screws easily clear the sides.

(No I don't work for CoolAss)

ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!! Sorry to hear about the thumb.

Nice solution for the pet carrier!

Ouch!

Clever solution.

I would have gone with polished silver knobs myself... but I do still have 2 intact thumbs.

I hope this reply doesn't come off as nasty. That is certainly not my intention.

Why do you remove the petcarrier when you get gas?

To avoid dumping the overflow all over the contents of the bucket. We've been recommending that as standard procedure here for a while.

Ouch! The table saw is a mean mistress. I make a point of tucking my thumbs in even when I'm nowhere near the blade. I'm sure it'll catch me off-guard someday, though.

Yet another reason not to get a table saw!

My guy says....."If only I had a table saw" when I ask him to do a project around the house. We don't actually have room in the garage for one...with all the scooter parking and other toys.

First....sorry to hear of your accident. I had mentioned in another post that I did a brief stint as a surgical instrument repair specialist and I cannot overemphasize the danger of using table equipment...grinders wheels, belt sanders, buffing wheels, torches, etc. There were times when the buffing wheel would grab an instrument and rattle around in the shield / housing...take a deep breath... What's my point?...I know we all at one time or another work on our scoots...please...please...be careful...wear eye protection, gloves when you need a good grip.

Second, thanks for the advice on placing those knobs...hey I have a hard time taking the carrier out with two good thumbs.

You take care of yourself and again sorry for your misfortune...

About 45-50 years ago I got "a little too close" to a table saw blade with my little finger. Just took most of the skin off my finger tip. It grew back fine, not near the damage that happened to you. No matter how careful you think you are, things still happen.
Apparently you are healing well and are learning some new tricks such as the one you posted here to deal with your situation.
Pretty clever idea.

Nasty, sorry to hear about your thumb, I avoid using power tools for that reason. Then again I try to avoid home renovations myself, I'd rather hire someone to do that kind of work. 8)

You could also try filling the tank with the pump pointing toward the back of the bike. Put the pump all the way in then when I guess I'm getting close I go to half speed and the pump switches off fine now. You could try it the first time without the PET carrier - just in case.

I've done this since the beginning. 99% of the time all is fine. Once in a great while the pump won't shut off. It is, therefore, worth the effort (at least to me) to take the carrier out every time. My pet carrier is always full of stuff I don't want to get gasoline on.

P.

I saw the headline to this and thought "oh look, some dumb-ass doesn't know how to take his pet-carrier out, this should be funny"

Then I saw you cut your thumb off and the humour evaporated. I may have missed it...but have you had it sewn back on? I can imagine a missing thumb being pretty friggin' inconvenient...

ouch

Yep. We recommend that as well, and that definitely reduces the incidence of overflow. Unfortunately, it doesn't completely eliminate it. I have a lot of crap in my underseat bucket (gloves, balaclava, windstopper shirt, tools) that it would only take one spill to really ruin my day.

Wow! Bummer about your accident! Good to hear you're adjusting, though.

I may actually do this mod myself. I also find it hard to get the carrier out. I'm not missing any bits of my thumbs, but they are "clubbed" and extremely short (even a hand doctor I went to once commented on them). It does actually cause problems on occasion. This seems like a great solution, and it even looks nice. Now if someone could figure out a way to make the horn button easier to reach, I'd be all set. I can't reach the horn and keep all my fingers on the grip at the same time.

Great work.

At the risk of grossing everyone out...

This was at week 7 - covered in vitamin E cream.

The plastic surgeon "wrapped" the underside over what was left - weird to see a thumb print on the top! The nerves are a bit scrambled - when I touch the (sensitive) top, I can feel it on the bottom

Looking good there.

But what reason was given for not having a go at sticking it back together?

Or could you not find the tip?

Very sorry about your accident. Those saws are very hungry! Your fix for lifting out the pet carrier is a good one. I never thought about lifting out the pet carrier to fuel up, but have already discovered what a good idea that is, as the 2nd time I filled up, I spilled a tiny amt. of fuel in that area, and discovered very quickly how everything in the carriers absorbed the stink of the gas. I will start removing the carrier to fuel up now, too.

Ouch. Damn. Really sorry to hear about the thumb. I've got a couple of buddies who lost bits of themselves to power equipment: one, a thumb to a table saw like you; the other, a toe to a lawn mower. Hope healing is quick.

To use the Doc's words - "it was too shattered"

I already had the brass knobs, but I have replaced them with chrome ones

...and brass balls to match?

Well, I was back working with the saw 3 weeks after the accident 8)

This is a little too late for you, but for those with saws and all their digits, check this out!

http://www.sawstop.com/

Never too late...

ow....

My pet carrier came out with no problems.... seat came unlatched while pulling it on a trailer and the carrier flew out. I didn't realize it until much later and by then I couldn't find it. The new one is missing the no pets sign.

Good idea - same theory as railway signalling

HAte to use a cheap crappy blade - and risk it shattering at such a speed.

Promoting perfect safety is one way to get your family Jewells sued to oblivian

Greatest thing I've seen in years, Brilliant !

holy crap, dude, your thumb!
(sorry, I'm not trying to be insensitive, but whoah, have you gotten used to that yet?)

At 11 weeks...

-Can't open a carton of milk - using plastic bottles
-Zippers with the left hand are a challenge
-need to use my teeth to tear anything
-buttons can be a problem

Fortunately - I'm left handed (Should have spelled that out at the start).

Holy crap. Cut the end of your thumb off! I like your solution and attitude.

Those brass knobs are great for tying your Guinea Pigs down. Those suckers really try to jump out every time you fuel up.

PDXSCOOT you crack me up Great for squirrels also. Especially flying ones

Rod, I admire your attitude...you're a good man to be candid with us on your efforts to cope with the situation...I know my Mom (passed away back in 2002) would have appreciated your attitude...one of her famous sayings was "Be a Man (not gender specific)...don't dwell on stuff and move on!"...don't get me wrong she was a great Mom and friend...had a great amount of compassion and inner strength...but didn't appreciate self pity...