~The Billet BoX~

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Peter_C

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I had an arthroscopic bankart repair on my right shoulder (I'm right handed) about 8 years ago, so I can empathize with your plight. I had been having recurring subluxation in that shoulder for more than 10 years after dislocating it a couple times. Was happening almost daily by the time I had surgery on it. I was in the marine corps at the time, so it was taking a lot of abuse. I was glad to have the surgery, but it took about a year to recover. I've dislocated my left shoulder three times this year. It took me 25 hours to get it back in by myself the last time, and I cracked a couple bones doing it. So I may have another shoulder surgery in my future. I got a three year old boy and a three month old girl, so I don't really want to be one armed right now, but I'll have to see how it goes.

What did you have done on your shoulder?

Well (it's a long story, but will try the short version) - I have 'OA'. As well as multiple other issues, like, due to a genetic blood disorder I must take blood thinners for life (and INR blood tests every four weeks), and due to anemia caused by internal bleeding, I am no longer allowed to take any type of NSAID-ever again (anti-inflammatories).
2009 left knee replaced (nine prior surgeries)
2010 right hip replaced
2011 right shoulder 'rebuilt' (tear in cuff, bone spurs, lots of threads, and one tendon 'stitched') - eight weeks in a sling
2014 right knee replaced (July)
2014 left shoulder 'rebuilt' (OCT) - small cuff tear, bone spurs, threads cut off, the 'ball' end of the bone smoothed out

Left hip is due 'sometime' - hope to wait til winter 2015.

'Trigger-finger' issues, 3 on right hand, 2 on left hand - not fixed yet.

I know, I know - I ought to know some/most of the medical terms by now, but honestly I just don't want to know, as knowing won't help me. I say something hurts, so they take X-rays, and/or MRI and tell me it's junk and when do I want to 'fix' it? Apparently, the left shoulder is bad enough, they are waiting to see what my healed pain-level will be in order to determine if they should 'replace' it. Shoulder replacements are not as good as knee or hip replacements I am told - so my Ortho always tried a 'repair' first. I am told the 'ball' of my left shoulder is badly worn (as in flat in one place), and this repair may or may not do me much good.

So far, while not 'pain-free', everything (not counting the left shoulder yet) is far and away much better than each one was pre-op. The goal here is to (hopefully) lower my pain-meds while keeping a decent quality of life, and making it possible for me to exercise for both weight loss and heart health.

Aren't you glad you asked? ;)
 

Peter_C

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Stud, shirley you have many bits in your drawers. :blink:

Umm...Oh - nevermind. I had a thought, then it ran away cackling to itself, and ima bit tiered to open my drawers to find it - who's 'shirley' anywho?

shirley, you have a Stud in your drawers? HUH??!
 

Kable

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Well (it's a long story, but will try the short version) - I have 'OA'. As well as multiple other issues, like, due to a genetic blood disorder I must take blood thinners for life (and INR blood tests every four weeks), and due to anemia caused by internal bleeding, I am no longer allowed to take any type of NSAID-ever again (anti-inflammatories).
2009 left knee replaced (nine prior surgeries)
2010 right hip replaced
2011 right shoulder 'rebuilt' (tear in cuff, bone spurs, lots of threads, and one tendon 'stitched') - eight weeks in a sling
2014 right knee replaced (July)
2014 left shoulder 'rebuilt' (OCT) - small cuff tear, bone spurs, threads cut off, the 'ball' end of the bone smoothed out

Left hip is due 'sometime' - hope to wait til winter 2015.

'Trigger-finger' issues, 3 on right hand, 2 on left hand - not fixed yet.

I know, I know - I ought to know some/most of the medical terms by now, but honestly I just don't want to know, as knowing won't help me. I say something hurts, so they take X-rays, and/or MRI and tell me it's junk and when do I want to 'fix' it? Apparently, the left shoulder is bad enough, they are waiting to see what my healed pain-level will be in order to determine if they should 'replace' it. Shoulder replacements are not as good as knee or hip replacements I am told - so my Ortho always tried a 'repair' first. I am told the 'ball' of my left shoulder is badly worn (as in flat in one place), and this repair may or may not do me much good.

So far, while not 'pain-free', everything (not counting the left shoulder yet) is far and away much better than each one was pre-op. The goal here is to (hopefully) lower my pain-meds while keeping a decent quality of life, and making it possible for me to exercise for both weight loss and heart health.

Aren't you glad you asked? ;)

Wow, sounds like you've had to deal with a lot. [insert obligatory RoboCop joke here] Hell, if you did know all the medical jargon you'd be an orthopedic surgeon yourself. I'm sorry to hear you've had to suffer the amount of pain you must have gone (and continue to go) through. Not being able to take ibuprofen must make that especially difficult to deal with that many joint issues, too. They must have you on a good dose of oxycodone or hydrocodone. I'm glad the operations have been helping. I wish you a fast and full recovery. Are you going to be taking physical therapy to help you recover? Are you taking glucosamine chondroitin / msm and fish oil? Oh no, I'm starting to sound like my wife (she's a nurse).
 

DPLongo22

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Oops, I didn't mean to kill the mood in here. What's everybody's favorite color of BB? Are the abalone button models released with most batches?

ETA: And are batches being released weekly these days?

Orange with black button is my personal favorite, but those are ALWAYS my favorite colors, when in combo.

I'm currently holding a friend's red with white, which is also BEAUTIFUL. I've got a Rat Black here for one my son's Christmas, and it's very sweet too.

Aw heck, they're ALL great.
 

DPLongo22

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I will never tell, but they will/would go into a special folder on my computer...

DP? You still got my email, right?

:)

And Kable, you definitely came to the right place ("nice box"). Stick around. You might actually like it here. ;-)
 
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DPLongo22

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my BB arrived at my doorstep just now but I still have to wait for my batteries to ship to me. this excitement is killing me. haha. Atmistique guys is being generous. they include plenty of juice sample together with my BB. :)

Yes, they're a great company. And those towelettes are marvelous too. Best of luck with it!
 

DPLongo22

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If you don't have access to AW, then the Efest are ok. They just don't seem to have as long a life expectancy as the AW and i have gotten one or two that the protection clamped (or shut down current flow) less than the 3 amps or whatever the rating was. But better than the really crap brands by far.

We like it when you're on these extended work breaks. Jus' sayin'...

Gotta say it, sorry Longo one!

List who AND the reason(s)...

ANODIZED
- they're BEAUTIFUL
- low/no maintenance

ANODIZED
- there were much fewer of them made and stalking them was FUN (yes, I actually kinda miss it)
- change the wrap, change the device (it's almost like getting a new one each time)
- they ARE "The Originals", and there's something to be said for that

How's that, Mr. C? :)

Time to tread.
 

BlueSnake

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We like it when you're on these extended work breaks. Jus' sayin'...



ANODIZED
- they're BEAUTIFUL
- low/no maintenance

ANODIZED
- there were much fewer of them made and stalking them was FUN (yes, I actually kinda miss it)
- change the wrap, change the device (it's almost like getting a new one each time)
- they ARE "The Originals", and there's something to be said for that

How's that, Mr. C? :)

Time to tread.

Wake up or have another cup of coffee. They can't both be "Anodized ". :confused:
 

DPLongo22

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If you don't have access to AW, then the Efest are ok. They just don't seem to have as long a life expectancy as the AW and i have gotten one or two that the protection clamped (or shut down current flow) less than the 3 amps or whatever the rating was. But better than the really crap brands by far.

Wake up or have another cup of coffee. They can't both be "Anodized ". :confused:

HAHA! Guess I should have waited until AFTER the workout, eh?

Oh well, you're smart folks. You'll figure it out. :smokie:
 
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catcat

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I've had mine for awhile. It's in the drawer. I've been so busy repairing laptops, cutting cartos, and a bunch of other stuff I'm to tired to talk about but I'll have a look at mine tomorrow and I bet I got an ecig part in my ecig parts drawer that will work.

Thanks stud:wub:. No hurry at all. Got some cartos for it so it's all good for now.
 

5cardstud

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Does anyone know which part Cat lost to her Billet Bridge? I can't find a replacement if I don't know which part she lost.
roflmao2_zps86629751.gif
 
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turbocad6

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I know in the beginning of this thread doug spoke about the possibility of changing the carbon fiber panels for wood panels, has anyone done this? I've been trying to do it but the wood needs to be so thin that it warps... I'm wondering if maybe stabilized wood would be better for this or maybe even necessary for this, just curious if anyones seen this done?
 

Vapian

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I know in the beginning of this thread doug spoke about the possibility of changing the carbon fiber panels for wood panels, has anyone done this? I've been trying to do it but the wood needs to be so thin that it warps... I'm wondering if maybe stabilized wood would be better for this or maybe even necessary for this, just curious if anyones seen this done?

As the owner of what is likely one of two wood-paneled Billet Boxes (that I know of; Mine was won in a contest, the other is a prototype owned by the man himself), I can speak to this a little.

While a wood-paneled BB can indeed be a beautiful thing, you're right - it's a very thin panel and the wood has to be very well stabilized. Mine is done in Box Elder and while I will probably never sell or trade it, the wood on the back panel has "popped up" before. While I managed to get it glued back in place, there was a small amount of cracking in the panel that prevents it from being perfectly flush anymore. Though a J-Wrap makes the problem nigh invisible, I know it's there and will always be a little paranoid about it happening again.

Before doing the repair myself I had an email chat with DD of BB and pretty much came to the conclusion that wood panels, while extremely pretty, are at this point simply not very practical. They're busy as hell over there and simply don't have the time at the moment to perfect a stabilization method that can reliably withstand day-to-day use and potential intermittent-yet-long-term exposure to humidity and liquids.

BBV is about as dedicated as they can be to putting out the best product possible, and it just wouldn't be in their best interest (or ours) to put a product out there that is likely to require return/repair on a semi-regular basis.

That's not to say that some enterprising soul might not come up with a reliable way to fully stabilize a slice of dead tree in a way that will stick and stay stuck ... I just wouldn't count on getting it direct-from-factory for a while.
 
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