Area451 Cruise Control Installed - Page 13 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

SmartieParts · 09-19-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Just winging it here but there are tools for pin insertion/removal; here's one for $4.20 D-Sub Min Tool - D Sub Pin Insertion/Extraction Tool

I'm sure there are others out there, maybe even at Radio Shack. Just a thought.

It won't work!

Of course there are tools for "pin" insertion/extraction... and that one, as it states, is for "D Sub Pin" insertion/extraction. There are thousands and thousands of different types and styles of pins.

The ones used here are specifically called "Micro Timer II" but more commonly referred to as "mini-ISO". The tool is TINY. I guarantee you that D Sub Pin tool is a good 4 times too large to work.

The Area451parts.com website instructions gives links for the "proper" tool out of Germany. And as I've said before, I have that tool... and I use the staples. The staples cost 1/3 of a cent and they work BETTER than the official tool. Some people have mentioned jewler's screwdrivers but honestly I think using those will cause undue wear on the connector as it really just BARELY fits. If you have to "wedge", "jam" or otherwise force the tool in at all, it is too big! The staple recommended in the instructions, a Bostich 3/8" "Heavy Duty Staple" (not a construction or staple gun staple) is pretty much perfect. As I said... BETTER than the "real" tool, which I have here but don't use because it doesn't work as well. It looks prettier! But that's my only justification for the $40 I spent on it.

- Steven

**jwight** · 09-19-2008, 08:39 AM

Steven, sorry - I wasn't recommending that specific tool or any other, just using it as an example of what's out there.

SmartieParts · 09-19-2008, 09:19 AM

I just didn't want people going out and buying that tool thinking it was the right one for the job!

I spent hours before looking for the perfect tool (other than a staple) and I still spend about 10 minutes or so each morning searching the web for something "better". And I've been up and down the isles at the hardware stores. I only say "better" because some people seem convinced that the staple is not the "right" tool for the job. To me, the "right" tool is whatever one gets the job done.

- Steven

DFWehman · 09-19-2008, 01:09 PM

Steven,

How about including a few staples in the box, perhaps taped to a card? Might end a bunch of grief where people try other tools (or staples) because the don't have them, or don't want to go buy a box of them? You could jack up the price by a penny and pocket the extra profit! I'm expecting mine to show up Monday (without staples!)

Just my $0.02

SmartieParts · 09-19-2008, 01:18 PM

It has been suggested numerous times. I'm not going to for two reasons:

#1) It is MUCH easier for you to break off one staple then it is for me to break off 100. I gave it a try... I ended up bloody and with broken fingernails.
#2) Other than Ikea, rarely to products show up with the tools to do the installation. Should I also provide the wrenches, screwdrivers and power drills?

It is just a tool you need to do the installation like any other.

Mostly it is #1. #2 is the justification.

- Steven

DFWehman · 09-19-2008, 01:26 PM

OK, just a thought! Guess I hadn't thought of how many of these you have to pack on a daily basis, could be an On the Job injury! I figure if answering questions and explaining might be easeier!

smart fortimo · 09-19-2008, 02:03 PM

OR

Get a smartie party together and intice Steven to come by to do the installs! ... Oh... you can't do that offer for EVERYONE?...

Like I was saying, Follow Steven's advice and enjoy the install party with a friend

Best wishes followed by happy trails to all.

Timo

SmartieParts · 09-19-2008, 02:21 PM

That was a special offer for you Timo!

- Steven

Smart Enuf · 09-20-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmartieParts

It has been suggested numerous times. I'm not going to for two reasons:

#1) It is MUCH easier for you to break off one staple then it is for me to break off 100. I gave it a try... I ended up bloody and with broken fingernails.
#2) Other than Ikea, rarely to products show up with the tools to do the installation. Should I also provide the wrenches, screwdrivers and power drills?

It is just a tool you need to do the installation like any other.

Mostly it is #1. #2 is the justification.

- Steven

You're right about the screwdrivers and other substantial tools being too expensive to ship along with the kit. But the staples are pretty inexpensive and are really the key tool one needs. How about just breaking off a chunk of staples off each cartridge? Each chunk doesn't have to be the same. You can do that with some needle nose pliers so your fingers don't get injured; the customer can then break off the individual staples by him/herself as needed. An added benefit is that the customer gets extras of the "right" tool, just in case the first staple breaks after being used and bent.

I know I would have appreciated it, and it would have saved me at least an hour of trial-and-error work looking for the right staple. Just my $0.02 in the spirit of suggesting improvements to the kit.

Andrewlcox · 09-20-2008, 08:28 AM

Steven,

I agree with the ones suggesting you should include the staple. Luckily, I had thousands of staples for my air staple gun that worked great. I used a razor knife and separated 1 staple with no blood or damage to the table. If I were you, I would delegate the task to someone that works for you or I could send you an envelope of a few hundred single staples to help quiet the complainers.

Your product is wicked awesome but if you would include the staples it could be super wicked awesome.

Andy