4 ms·

Once you learn to design (which is pretty easy), it changes your life. You can get custom-built components tailored exactly to your problem in minutes. Computer

Once you learn to design (which is pretty easy), it changes your life. You can get custom-built components tailored exactly to your problem in minutes. Computer cables being rowdy? Design a hook in five minutes, done. The other day I designed and printed a custom mobile phone holder for my laptop so I can use my phone as an HD webcam with DroidCam. Cat opens the door at night? Print a small doorstop and that problem is solved. A lot of problems just go away when you realize you can make custom components for them.

dceddia 6y ago
I love this mindset. I definitely think this way about software, and more recently, about things I can make out of wood. Plastic or machined parts have always felt out of reach so I'm not in the habit of believing I can fix things that way yet. I think it'll take some practice to get that idea to sink in. Thanks!
- StavrosK 6y ago
  > I definitely think this way about software, and more recently, about things I can make out of wood. Yes, exactly. Though, I have to say, going from software to hardware was quite magical: You can suddenly affect the physical world, which is amazing. Plus, if you already know software, adding hardware to the mix rounds you out very well, and opens up a large array of things you can make. > Plastic or machined parts have always felt out of reach so I'm not in the habit of believing I can fix things that way yet. I very strongly recommend designing a few things in OnShape or FreeCAD or SoveSpace and getting a 3D printer once you get the hang of that (it shouldn't take you very long at all, maybe a few evenings). Machined parts I find pretty hard, but then again I also found plastic things impossible before getting a printer and they turned out to be quite easy.
  - ingend88 6y ago
    What 3D printer do you have, in market for one..? Love your simple project and how you went about building it!!
    - StavrosK 6y ago
      Thanks! I have a Wanhao Duplicator i3, but it's a few years old now. The good thing about 3D printers is that they're so simple they just won't get obsolete, since they're 99% software. I think the current recommendation is either an Ender 3 (for a budget one) or an Ender 5 Pro (if you can afford something a bit better). I would recommend the 5, it looks much sturdier. You might want to eventually add a BLTouch so it automatically levels, and you definitely definitely want to get the "silent" package (it really is entirely silent), the normal one makes way too much noise.
      - roadbeats 6y ago
        Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and suggestions here. What do you use for designing?
        StavrosK 6y ago
        You're welcome! I use OnShape because I'm on Linux, but I'm waiting for FreeCAD to get a bit better (or for me to learn it well enough) to use. You can also use Fusion 360 if you're on Windows/Mac, it's free for hobbyists and very powerful.
    - benhurmarcel 6y ago
      In addition to the Ender, you might want to look into the Prusa printers, like the Mini+. They're a bit more pricy but easier to set up and use, fewer issues to tinker with, have great documentation and are more reliable in general.

dceddia 6y ago

I love this mindset. I definitely think this way about software, and more recently, about things I can make out of wood. Plastic or machined parts have always felt out of reach so I'm not in the habit of believing I can fix things that way yet. I think it'll take some practice to get that idea to sink in. Thanks!

StavrosK 6y ago
> I definitely think this way about software, and more recently, about things I can make out of wood. Yes, exactly. Though, I have to say, going from software to hardware was quite magical: You can suddenly affect the physical world, which is amazing. Plus, if you already know software, adding hardware to the mix rounds you out very well, and opens up a large array of things you can make. > Plastic or machined parts have always felt out of reach so I'm not in the habit of believing I can fix things that way yet. I very strongly recommend designing a few things in OnShape or FreeCAD or SoveSpace and getting a 3D printer once you get the hang of that (it shouldn't take you very long at all, maybe a few evenings). Machined parts I find pretty hard, but then again I also found plastic things impossible before getting a printer and they turned out to be quite easy.
- ingend88 6y ago
  What 3D printer do you have, in market for one..? Love your simple project and how you went about building it!!
  - StavrosK 6y ago
    Thanks! I have a Wanhao Duplicator i3, but it's a few years old now. The good thing about 3D printers is that they're so simple they just won't get obsolete, since they're 99% software. I think the current recommendation is either an Ender 3 (for a budget one) or an Ender 5 Pro (if you can afford something a bit better). I would recommend the 5, it looks much sturdier. You might want to eventually add a BLTouch so it automatically levels, and you definitely definitely want to get the "silent" package (it really is entirely silent), the normal one makes way too much noise.
    - roadbeats 6y ago
      Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and suggestions here. What do you use for designing?
      - StavrosK 6y ago
        You're welcome! I use OnShape because I'm on Linux, but I'm waiting for FreeCAD to get a bit better (or for me to learn it well enough) to use. You can also use Fusion 360 if you're on Windows/Mac, it's free for hobbyists and very powerful.
  - benhurmarcel 6y ago
    In addition to the Ender, you might want to look into the Prusa printers, like the Mini+. They're a bit more pricy but easier to set up and use, fewer issues to tinker with, have great documentation and are more reliable in general.