Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[beans-on-toast]

My Neotech 4" strap does NOT stretch now (though they say it does, and maybe it did when new -- I think it's the memory foam in it that gives that impression) https://www.neotechstraps.com/mega-strap.html , but the one my brother suggested I get DOES stretch a little. It's called a Comfort Strapp. Comfort Strapp™ – Comfort Strapp™ Guitar Straps It is indeed comfy. It's on the Squier VM Jaguar SS that I don't play (mostly because the Jazz-size neck makes my hand crampy after a while), but the strap is fine. I do prefer the Neotech, though.

I think that the width to distribute the weight is most important, I don’t notice any stretching other to conform to the anatomy that it sits on. No yo-yo’ing. But neoprene is a rubber and with age can change and even break down.

 

[Charlie Tango]

I agree. The weight distribution is so good with the Neotech that I don't know it's there and am never fiddling with it.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I've had an HP All In One laser printer for around 10 years now, such that its "toolbox" of software functions is no longer supported by the Macintosh OS or HP, so I rely on the Mac's built-in capabilities. But it works fine, and back then it was only about $200 or so bucks. I'm stunned to see color LaserJet AIOs for so little now.

My first machine was a dot matrix printer that costed over $2000. It was huge and was delivered on a palet. Then came an apple laserwriter. It was expensive but worked well. Thankfully the cost has come down a lot like you said. The cartridges is where they get you now. My last one was $135.

I have an inkjet that goes through expensive supplies. Just sitting the cartridges dry up. Much prefer laser printers.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Nice music. I like nice music too sometimes.

Did you get a solder sucker aready fnord? What flavor? I have a Pace one I've never really bonded with as a day to day tool, it defintely works well for certain things though.

I like solder suckers but sometimes use compressed air. You can’t always get the sucker in there. Of course, you do have to pay attention to where the blown solder goes. But the result is a very clean area.

 

[Passinwind]

I like solder suckers but sometimes use compressed air. You can’t always get the sucker in there. Of course, you do have to pay attention to where the blown solder goes. But the result is a very clean area.

That sounds crazy scary David, but I'm sure you've worked it out thoroughly as usual. I only really use the desoldering station for things like VLSI chips, which is a very rare ask these days. Solder fragments with SMT boards would be bad juju, and I haven't even been using a magnifier most of the time with the hand soldered SMT builds I've been doing recently. I think losing the Pace unit and buying a good magnifier rig (or a toaster oven) with the money would be a net bonus in my case. Sigh...always some new tool I need.

 

[Polish Thunder]

My Neotech 4" strap does NOT stretch now (though they say it does, and maybe it did when new -- I think it's the memory foam in it that gives that impression) https://www.neotechstraps.com/mega-strap.html , but the one my brother suggested I get DOES stretch a little. It's called a Comfort Strapp. Comfort Strapp™ – Comfort Strapp™ Guitar Straps It is indeed comfy. It's on the Squier VM Jaguar SS that I don't play (mostly because the Jazz-size neck makes my hand crampy after a while), but the strap is fine. I do prefer the Neotech, though.

I am not sure if this is a long strap or a really stretchy strap.

Personally, I like these straps. The wider straps spreads out the weight on your shoulder. I have one on each bass.

 

[SoulReflection]

My reliable laser printer (bought in 2003) gave up the ghost and I have to buy a new one. Any recommendations for a small office machine? I like HP but am looking around. I know that all the HP laser engines and cartridges are made by Canon. Reliability is high on the list.

I would recommend a Brother HL-L2395DW. In-expensive, WiFi and the usuals. Mine has been great and I get toner from EZink.

 

[Charlie Tango]

That sounds crazy scary David, but I'm sure you've worked it out thoroughly as usual. I only really use the desoldering station for things like VLSI chips, which is a very rare ask these days. Solder fragments with SMT boards would be bad juju, and I haven't even been using a magnifier most of the time with the hand soldered SMT builds I've been doing recently. I think losing the Pace unit and buying a good magnifier rig (or a toaster oven) with the money would be a net bonus in my case. Sigh...always some new tool I need.

Way back in the early 80s the business I was in had a Weller station that had a solder sucker with a foot pedal to operate the suction. It worked fantastically well, though pretty expensive. I just looked at them, and things have changed juuust a bit in 40 year$$$.

 

[Passinwind]

Way back in the early 80s the business I was in had a Weller station that had a solder sucker with a foot pedal to operate the suction. It worked fantastically well, though pretty expensive. I just looked at them, and things have changed juuust a bit in 40 year$$$.

Yep, I think the Pace unit I bought used on eBay goes for around eight hundred bucks new these days. And there are expensive proprietary expendables like tips and filters involved too, its a fairly fiddly adventure.

 

[spiritbass]

Well, after hanging on an unexpectedly long time in hospice at my brother's house, mom passed peacefully yesterday morning. No more pain and suffering for her.

 

[beans-on-toast]

That sounds crazy scary David, but I'm sure you've worked it out thoroughly as usual. I only really use the desoldering station for things like VLSI chips, which is a very rare ask these days. Solder fragments with SMT boards would be bad juju, and I haven't even been using a magnifier most of the time with the hand soldered SMT builds I've been doing recently. I think losing the Pace unit and buying a good magnifier rig (or a toaster oven) with the money would be a net bonus in my case. Sigh...always some new tool I need.

I have to work with a magnifier. Can’t focus on fine details otherwise. Now if you want to get fancy, there are dissecting type microscopes with cameras. Some have illumination with filters that make circuit board traces really pop. The difference is like night and day.

 

[beans-on-toast]

I would recommend a Brother HL-L2395DW. In-expensive, WiFi and the usuals. Mine has been great and I get toner from EZink.

Thanks, will check it out. Those third party cartridge places are way more affordable, sometimes even if you are buying new name brand.

 

[Charlie Tango]

Well, after hanging on an unexpectedly long time in hospice at my brother's house, mom passed peacefully yesterday morning. No more pain and suffering for her.

May you and your family be comforted by memories of her.

 

[Jeff Scott]

My reliable laser printer (bought in 2003) gave up the ghost and I have to buy a new one. Any recommendations for a small office machine? I like HP but am looking around. I know that all the HP laser engines and cartridges are made by Canon. Reliability is high on the list.

I would recommend a Brother HL-L2395DW. In-expensive, WiFi and the usuals. Mine has been great and I get toner from EZink.

I bought one of these last year; been very happy with it after decades of crummy inkjet printers.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Well, after hanging on an unexpectedly long time in hospice at my brother's house, mom passed peacefully yesterday morning. No more pain and suffering for her.

Peace upon you and your family.

 

[GwenOnBass]

In the time of legend, computer programmers with a proper knowledge of low-level instructions wrote programs that caused printers to "walk". With a bit of good fortune, one of these SVT-mass printers might walk to the door of the computer room. First to come to work the next morning needed to solve multiple problems of a very practical nature.

That said, I do not own a printer. Maybe, maybe, I might need to print something once a year. That I may have experienced long term exposure in printing environments has nothing to do with that

 

[beans-on-toast]

In the time of legend, computer programmers with a proper knowledge of low-level instructions wrote programs that caused printers to "walk". With a bit of good fortune, one of these SVT-mass printers might walk to the door of the computer room. First to come to work the next morning needed to solve multiple problems of a very practical nature.

That said, I do not own a printer. Maybe, maybe, I might need to print something once a year. That I may have experienced long term exposure in printing environments has nothing to do with that

Not even printing music notation?

Gone are the days of fun with printers and copper anti-static tinsel.

 

[GwenOnBass]

A proper diagnosis and course of therapy did a great deal more for the pain in my left shoulder than new straps. Not that something wasn't learned in the course of things. My chief finding in comfort is the strap's construction needs to let it contour to my body. Fabric straps take top honours, followed by two layers of suede. The most comfortable strap I own is the fabric strap whut came new with my 'Ray in 79. It shows its road wear



much like its owner. Scars are like tattoos with better stories ....

Since the semi-hollowbody has a strap pin on the neck heel, a good portion of the working part of padded straps goes to waste. I've two bespoke leather straps that are perfectly comfortable and very much ready for the stage
much like their owner



the working portion of most store-bought straps ends somewhere above my kidney because only rawkers play with their instrument so low, right? Actually it costs them more to add five inches to the working portion of the strap

so it ain't gonna happen

unless it's a fabric strap, or maybe a 50s style slash strap.

Going to a picnic. A real picnic in the sun. Will let you know if I see any teddy bears.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Oh yeah acupuncture was a huge help with sciatica. No recurrences since.

I know a lady who told me about cupping. She said the practitioner said this is going to hurt. She said she didn't believe her until it started. It hurt. She did not tell me that cupping helped her.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Croz says if you're experiencing joint pain, you're holding the wrong end.