Makers

[Frankj]

Just curious, are there any other Makers here?

If so, it would be interesting to know what you make and the tools and techniques you use.

 

[Vanguard]

May I ask, makers of what?

 

[tango]

Just curious, are there any other Makers here?

If so, it would be interesting to know what you make and the tools and techniques you use.

Are you thinking of anything in particular, or are you asking generally if people here make anything at all?

I recently started wood carving. There's no way it's going to make enough money to warrant the time it takes but it's a pleasing way to turn offcuts into something fun. So far I've made one spoon and I'm part way through another. I'm making the second spoon from a piece of walnut which is hard and has a funky grain to it, so I may yet put it to one side and try again with something easier - maybe a piece of cedar or pine salvaged from my house.

When I've got my big saws consolidated into one room again I plan to resume making things like tables and benches. At the moment my house renovation project means tools are in different rooms, and I really don't feel like hauling pieces of wood around the house to access different tools. I've got a few ideas I want to work with, and at some point I plan to build myself a new desk from recovered wall studs, and build a pair of over-under beds. I have an old set of frames but they don't take standard size mattresses so working with them is difficult. They are neat because one rolls under the other, but then can stand on spring-loaded legs so both are the same height. It means it can be one bed with one out of the way, two twin beds, or they can be pushed together to make something that's almost the same as a king size.

If I get to building the beds I can probably salvage things like the springs from the ones I have. With the ones I have the bottom bed has no headboard at all, so I might design it so the end has a couple of lugs so a headboard can be slotted into place if needed. It's handy to not have a pillow falling off the end of the bed when you're trying to sleep.

 

[Frankj]

May I ask, makers of what?

Actually anything you make to use or for other people (users) to use instead of buying it.

Wood, metal, plastics, ceramics, etc and the various skills and tools you have to accomplish it.

 

[Vanguard]

I would like to get into 3D printing. I've been eyeing some machines each time near Christmas when they go on sale, but have yet to take that plunge and actually buy one.

 

[Frankj]

I would like to get into 3D printing. I've been eyeing some machines each time near Christmas when they go on sale, but have yet to take that plunge and actually buy one.

l bought an Ender 3 when they came out, around a hundred and a few tens at the time.

There are far better entry level printers on the market now and the lower priced ones are really quite good for the most part.

3D printing is a really wonderful thing for those inclined to make things, everything from mechanical parts, toys, major artistic stuff becomes available on a shelf or kitchen table manufacturing facility.

One thing to consider is that you will need to learn to use a 3D cad program to design your prints, there are some really good ones available for free online. It's a good idea to start learning how to use CAD while you contemplate the printer purchase.

I always recommend starting at a minimal equipment level, as you learn how to print you will become aware of what you will need as you develop your skills.