On December 15, 2009 I purchased this domain name and started blogging about my MakerBot, “Bender.” 1
It has been a fun, wild year of blogging. I started off pelting everyone on the MakerBot Operators’ group with questions, then started posting here a bit, then started posting here A LOT.
As I’ve mentioned, I don’t have any tech background at all. I just try to make up for that with enthusiasm and a willingness to (let’s say, aptitude for) making a fool of myself. I was gushing about 3D printing the other day and one of my co-workers asked why I don’t work in some some kind of tech field. My response was that my real dream job would be to get paid to make and do cool, awesome, and clever things all the time. 2
I’ve had a really great time blogging here for the last year and over at MakerBot for the last three and a half months. 3 I get to write about all the stupid things I’ve done (and warn people how not to ) and the all awesome and cool things other people are doing. The comments have been especially awesome – with people offering insight, advice, and <cringe> corrections. 4
So! Thank you for your advice and suggestions and encouragement! With a little luck, we’ll see another post like this next year!
You may notice a few posts from just before that date. That happened because I had originally purchased a different domain name and blogged there before settling on MakerBlock.com. [↩]
Mind, doing clever things is my dream job. In reality, I’d try to do clever things and end up doing silly entertaining things. [↩]
If you are going to travel to the future, it is always a good idea to visit a ‘bot convention.
I’m tired and happy and have so so so much to blog about…
The other day I sketched up a concept of a disc shooter – the style that used to be available in grocery store aisles at about my eye level. Strangely enough I noticed over time they moved them lower and lower on the shelves until they stopped carrying them entirely.
In any case, I’d really like to print out an open source version of a disc shooter. I was figuring that since we’re such good friends and all, you’d be willing to help out. I’ve already gotten the ball rolling and posted my work designing the various components.
I realize this is a frivolous use of your time, but wouldn’t it be cool to be all “pew pew!” and then I’d be all “pew pew pew!” 1
I want to print mine in clear PLA so I can see the bits inside working and the discs in fluorescent red so they’re easier to find. [↩]
[Just a little bit about my villain origin story.]
I chose the website name “MakerBlock” because I thought it would be interesting to design and print interconnecting building blocks. 12 As a kid these were my favorite kinds of toys – I would work at building things for hours. Playing with my MakerBot I discovered I’m actually far less interested in printing building blocks than I am interested in directly designing and printing the toys I would have made with those building blocks.
It’s quite funny to me that it has taken me nearly a year of owning a 3D printer to come to this epiphany. All this time I was thinking about building blocks when what I really wanted was the ability to make any toy imaginable when that power already lay before me the entire time.
A few weeks ago I was contacted by Les H. about helping his company prototype a design.
Jay is very knowledgeable about his machine’s capabilities and any pitfalls. His advice enabled us to get a pretty good first prototype out quickly, which showed some deficiencies in our design, and recommended changes to make the design more robust and enable his machine to print it easily. We are about to make the second run. Jay’s suggestions about wall thickness, design elements and dimensional requirements have made us pretty sure that this will be the one we use (unless I make a mistake on layout or measurements). What he printed for us was exactly what we specified, and he worked with us to accomplish a moderately difficult design shape. I am not a mechanical designer, so his assistance filled many gaps in my knowledge. Check out the photos. It all fit together right the very first time.
My advice, go with Makerblock for your prototyping needs.
Regards,
Les H
Prototype enclosure
They had originally expected to go through several design iterations before getting a usable prototype. By exchanging a few e-mails and discussing their designs we were able to eliminate those intermediate print jobs.
I’ve seen multiple chess pieces on Thingiverse, but I’ve never seen a full black and white (or any two-toned, for that matter) printed chess set. Do you know if anyone has ever done this already?
I’ve got all 16 pieces in black ABS, but have been struggling with PLA. Then, as I am wont to do, I’ve gotten distracted with this or that project. I’m determined to print out all of the pieces in time for Botacon. I’d really like to play a fellow MakerBot/RepRap operator with a totally printed set. I’m less concerned the type of board we’re playing on – it could be a piece of fabric for all I care.
I have this pile of printed PLA pawns I’m not going to be using any time soon. They’re of varying quality and interesting-ness. If you’ve always wanted a MakerBot printed part but thought they were just too unattainable, now’s your chance!
I’m going to be at the East Bay Mini-MakerFaire this Sunday just walking around with my family. If you’re going to be there too, drop me a line or leave a comment and I’ll bring a spare piece for you. I’ll have at least nine pieces to give away. (More if I try a few new settings.) If you’re the only one to respond, you get all nine. :)
