u/Familiar-Bake-9162

Get ready to tease me because my attachment to this spatula is reminiscent of SpongeBob and maybe irrational but here we go. I’ve had two of these. Around 2015 I’d been looking for the perfect spatula and striking out everywhere. I exclusively use SS pans so keep that in mind while I explain. They were all too thick, too stiff, too thin, too flexible, just not right. Then I found this one and haven’t stopped talking about since. My kids are so sick of it. Where this spatula excels is the perfect flexibility while never permanently bending, nice edge for getting under delicate food, nice balance, and very good craftsmanship. Unless I literally tried to destroy it or lost it like I did my first one at an Airbnb (the owners literally refused to give it back), it will last forever. Also, please judge me appropriately for being this obsessed and buying a hundred dollar spatula to begin with. The first photo is of the good spatula, the second of all the rejects from Japan, France, all clad, no bueno.

Denon DL-160 homc cart, JVC QL- Y66f turntable covered in Brazilian Rosewood, SAE Mark 9 gutted with custom Tube phono section built inside, Bryston 12b preamp, first edition SAE Mark 3 amp, JBL L150 (not 150a).

This was purchased by my grandfather in the 1950. It’s designed for quick and durable fixes. The way it works is it basically makes a sewing machine stitch with the waxed thread that’s indestructible. I primarily use it to mend dog toys that my pit bulls chew up and fixing the kid’s stuff. Crazy durable and simple.

These scissors are about 50-75 bucks and will last a lifetime. In particular they’re good for trimming in my garden, prepping herbs, and kitchen use. I bought these in 2023 but they’ve been made in Japan for many decades. They’re still sharp and when they do get dull are easy to sharpen because they separate.

https://japanesetaste.com/products/shimomura-all-stainless-steel-kitchen-scissors-detachable-dishwasher-safe?country=us&region=us

Abstract
This paper presents a passive, preload-based mechanical stabilization methodology for mitigating intermittent Travel Assist Currently Not Available faults observed in MQB Evo Volkswagen steering wheel assemblies.
Traditional remediation strategies typically involve replacement of the steering wheel assembly, firmware updates, dealership intervention, or prolonged emotional suffering. The proposed approach instead utilizes a compliant cellulose compression element constrained by a high-strength polymer retention band to restore sufficient contact pressure across the suspected capacitive sensing interface.
Initial testing has demonstrated immediate restoration of full Travel Assist functionality with zero software modifications and a total material cost below $0.05.

Background
Owners have long reported intermittent failures of the steering wheel capacitive detection system resulting in repeated driver intervention warnings despite continuous hand contact with the wheel.
Multiple replacement steering wheels have been installed under warranty with varying degrees of success, suggesting that the underlying failure mode may be associated with insufficient mechanical preload rather than outright electronic failure.
This investigation sought to determine whether externally applied compressive force could alter system performance.

Experimental Methodology
A precision-engineered compressible cellulose spacer (Bounty®, approximately one-half sheet, rolled to specification) was positioned at the six o’clock structural member of the steering wheel.
Circumferential preload was then introduced using a UV-resistant polymer tensioning device (commonly referred to in industry as a zip tie).
Compression was increased incrementally until fault annunciation ceased.
No torque wrench was available.

Results
Following preload application:
Travel Assist immediately resumed normal operation.
Lane centering functionality was restored.
Driver intervention warnings ceased.
No software coding or calibration procedures were required.
Driver confidence increased by approximately 600%.
Testing remains ongoing over multiple drive cycles.

Discussion
The working hypothesis is that the externally applied radial compressive load reduces micro-scale separation within the capacitive sensing structure, thereby maintaining continuous electrical characteristics required by the steering wheel controller.
Finite element analysis was considered but ultimately deemed unnecessary after approximately fifteen seconds of empirical validation.
Future work should investigate:
Triple-fold cellulose architectures
Dual zip tie redundancy
Carbon fiber reinforced paper towel technology
Effects of premium paper products on sensor fidelity

Conclusion
The proposed Capacitive Steering Wheel Contact Pressure Stabilization Method represents a disruptive advancement in low-cost automotive reliability engineering.
While additional peer review is encouraged, the prototype has thus far exceeded expectations and appears to outperform several thousand dollars’ worth of dealership diagnostics.
Conflict of Interest: The author owns both a roll of paper towels and an excessive quantity of zip ties.
Funding: None. Unless my wife counts the Costco membership.

Hi! Thanks in advance for any advice. I’m thinking buying a set of Carver AL-3 speaker and using my Aragon 4004 MK2 for the lows and my Bryston 4b for the highs. The speakers have attenuators on them to balance out differences in amp input sensitivity and power. Anything that you think wouldn’t work or isn’t a good idea here? I’m running JBL L150 right now using my 4b but think biamping the Carvers could be amazing

Carver AL-3

I got this with other tools from my dad’s estate but don’t remember it growing up. Anyone know about these?

Phish is coming to Savannah in July!!!!!!! I’m so stoked and have some time on my hands so I’m listening to all the studio albums in order on Tidal. Enjoying the hell out of it tbh. There’s some that I never really listened to much. Anyone else binging. In preparation for the upcoming tour?