Tag Archives: question

So what are you going to make?

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I remember the first time I heard this question.  I was babbling to a friend of mine about how I wanted a MakerBot.  His response was to ask:

What is it you need that you want to spend $1,000 getting?

My first inclination when I hear this question to say, “Anything.”1

My second inclination is to step back, think about it for a moment, and then wonder whether I am going to ever actually print $1,000.00 worth of stuff. 2

Thanks to Jeff Keegan for unintentionally reminding me to post this.  :) 3

  1. Sometimes I’m tempted to respond, “Anything I damn well want, Nosy Noserton.” [↩]
  2. Although, at this point, it would be closer to $1,250 of stuff… [↩]
  3. That bastard. [↩]

I actually felt sorry for that bastard

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Edit: Jeff – Just in case you read this – I do not really think you are a bastard.  I follow your blog and am very appreciative of your in depth posts and analysis on all things MakerBot/RepRap.  The title is more about me feeling like a sucker than a commentary about you.

Jeff posted about totally abandoning his dreams of building a RepRap Mendel.  He said what pushed him over the edge was the constant question, “So, what are you going to build with it?”  Of course, the guy had to post this on 4/1.

I actually felt sad at the thought of him turning his parts into a “melted sculpture of failure.”

I suppose it’s not his fault.  I traded my MakerBot for some magic beans yesterday.

Making Blocks

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The design question I keep coming back to is “How do I create a reliable interlocking system for blocks?”  My criteria for a robust and useful system are:

  1. The interlocking system should allow interconnections in three dimensions.
  2. The pieces should snap/interlock together reasonably well/easily.
  3. The pieces should stay assembled reasonably well.
  4. The pieces should snap apart reasonably well/easily.
  5. The pieces should not require additional tools to be assembled and disassembled.

New print: Replacement scrabble tile

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Replacement Scrabble Tile - and a real dime

Replacement Scrabble Tile - and a real dime

Replacement scrabble tile FAQ:

  • Question: What use is a RepRap replacement tile if an unscrupulous player could just feel for this piece.
  • Answer: Print 99 more.
  • Question: But the tile doesn’t have a letter!
  • Answer: That’s not a question.  But, if it were…  just sand down one side and write/paint the letter.