Title: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 02, 2025, 05:17:48 AM
Post by: jessenator on June 02, 2025, 05:17:48 AM
Inspired by the "been thinking" thread, let's get a good vibes in diy running thread going. Something to get the forum chatter up.
Something you're excited about, good things happening, crazy ideas, kudos, whatever is good on your corner of the world and your workbench.
In the last couple of weeks:
Been giving my nephew a break from his more complex (3d) milling jobs to do some of the more difficult (squared) shapes and things for enclosures. Stuff I can't do on the drill press. He's enjoying it.
Also gave my oldest (who basically bought their first electric on their own dime) a G enclosure Rat. He cane up to me and said, "which one of your pedals can I have?" Loves that thing.
Occasionally one or both want to help populate boards. Oldest also wants to solder, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that 😅 maybe I'll dig some of the bogus boards out of the ewaste box, but some beezosmart components and let them go to town .
Shout out to aleph null for keeping up with their projects. Always cool to see.
Something you're excited about, good things happening, crazy ideas, kudos, whatever is good on your corner of the world and your workbench.
In the last couple of weeks:
Been giving my nephew a break from his more complex (3d) milling jobs to do some of the more difficult (squared) shapes and things for enclosures. Stuff I can't do on the drill press. He's enjoying it.
Also gave my oldest (who basically bought their first electric on their own dime) a G enclosure Rat. He cane up to me and said, "which one of your pedals can I have?" Loves that thing.
Occasionally one or both want to help populate boards. Oldest also wants to solder, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that 😅 maybe I'll dig some of the bogus boards out of the ewaste box, but some beezosmart components and let them go to town .
Shout out to aleph null for keeping up with their projects. Always cool to see.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: benh on June 02, 2025, 10:49:24 AM
Post by: benh on June 02, 2025, 10:49:24 AM
Alright, the semi beginner hobbyist here ...
I got my first Tayda UV printed enclosures done. A few minor mistakes but nothing catastrophic, it's great ! And the lot on Linux without using any commercial software (Inkscape for most of it and Scribus to fix up the colors and generate the layered PDF)
Unboxing these and seeing the result felt good :-)
I got my first Tayda UV printed enclosures done. A few minor mistakes but nothing catastrophic, it's great ! And the lot on Linux without using any commercial software (Inkscape for most of it and Scribus to fix up the colors and generate the layered PDF)
Unboxing these and seeing the result felt good :-)
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 02, 2025, 01:41:00 PM
Post by: jessenator on June 02, 2025, 01:41:00 PM
Quote from: benh on June 02, 2025, 10:49:24 AMUnboxing these and seeing the result felt good :-)Heck yeah!
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: flanagan0718 on June 02, 2025, 02:44:06 PM
Post by: flanagan0718 on June 02, 2025, 02:44:06 PM
I found my old MacBook with all my old board files and works in progress yesterday. I'll have to see if it will fire up. That's a step in the right direction.
Also nice to see / talk to all you fine folks again. Missed this place.
-Mike-
Also nice to see / talk to all you fine folks again. Missed this place.
-Mike-
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on June 02, 2025, 05:35:40 PM
Post by: jimilee on June 02, 2025, 05:35:40 PM
My youngest graduated high school, child support ends in September, and off she goes to college in Knoxville. I'm sure I'll be giving her money. 
I've been putting a few guitars on stands to leave out all the time and hopefully inspire me to play more since I don't have to keep them put up for lack of room in her room.
I'm excited for her and a little nostalgic too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've been putting a few guitars on stands to leave out all the time and hopefully inspire me to play more since I don't have to keep them put up for lack of room in her room.
I'm excited for her and a little nostalgic too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 04, 2025, 02:24:03 AM
Post by: jessenator on June 04, 2025, 02:24:03 AM
Worked on another Kewpie for a friend of mine. Had some fun working on it and improving the design a bit.
I will say, it'll be nice if I can use my nephew's work laser. I've got this 5W guy that has to move at 1500 mm/m (1h34m) to get through the paint (2 passes) but it'd take a matter of seconds with their 60W guy!
IMG_20250603_165130__01.jpg
IMG_20250603_165136__01.jpg
Went with monochrome (ivory white) per his request. Bought the lever caps on a whim, but I like it. Super cheap at Tayda.
I will say, it'll be nice if I can use my nephew's work laser. I've got this 5W guy that has to move at 1500 mm/m (1h34m) to get through the paint (2 passes) but it'd take a matter of seconds with their 60W guy!
IMG_20250603_165130__01.jpg
IMG_20250603_165136__01.jpg
Went with monochrome (ivory white) per his request. Bought the lever caps on a whim, but I like it. Super cheap at Tayda.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: peAk on June 05, 2025, 09:58:49 PM
Post by: peAk on June 05, 2025, 09:58:49 PM
Quote from: jessenator on June 04, 2025, 02:24:03 AMWorked on another Kewpie for a friend of mine. Had some fun working on it and improving the design a bit.
I will say, it'll be nice if I can use my nephew's work laser. I've got this 5W guy that has to move at 1500 mm/m (1h34m) to get through the paint (2 passes) but it'd take a matter of seconds with their 60W guy!
IMG_20250603_165130__01.jpg
IMG_20250603_165136__01.jpg
Nice build!!!
Went with monochrome (ivory white) per his request. Bought the lever caps on a whim, but I like it. Super cheap at Tayda.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 06, 2025, 02:51:11 PM
Post by: jessenator on June 06, 2025, 02:51:11 PM
Quote from: peAk on June 05, 2025, 09:58:49 PMNice build!!!Thanks! I hope the caps on the levers stay on, but they were pennies, so I'm giving my friend the surplus of what I bought just in case.
Sadly this weekend is full of exciting things for the kids, but next week we're going camping. Stocked up!
Screenshot_20250606_084424.jpgScreenshot_20250606_084605.jpg
Tried out "chicken chunks" which isn't nearly as bad as that name implies. It's basically canned chicken, but in a flat retort pouch like the posh tuna fish. Those tortillas? they tasted like they just came out of a fresh bag; food science is crazy. The cheese spread has come a long way, but that's not how it's supposed to be! I grew up with these things back in the '80s. MRE cheese spread isn't supposed to taste like mac 'n cheese flavor pack, it's supposed to taste like Cheeto dust in margarine!
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 08, 2025, 05:02:40 PM
Post by: jessenator on June 08, 2025, 05:02:40 PM
Wife has been ramping up the garden and we've already got berries. They're not the biggest, but man are they good!
Looking forward to the san marzanos. They're in the greenhouse, because we've had some weird weather, but the sun is out now and frost is highly unlikely.
Looking forward to the san marzanos. They're in the greenhouse, because we've had some weird weather, but the sun is out now and frost is highly unlikely.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 13, 2025, 11:04:06 PM
Post by: jessenator on June 13, 2025, 11:04:06 PM
Finally went camping with the kiddos. Everything was great, except the sleep part. Youngest and I share acute hearing and we just heard everything... apparently people don't seem to think "quiet time" includes their trailer generators >:(
National Forest campgrounds are nice because it's not glamping but not primitive either. But they can get crowded, especially on Father's Day weekend. The one we went to is deceptively divided up into single sites and group sites. On a walk we found that there were a number of single sites on the group side, and no neighbors... oh well.
Like I said, it was great apart from actually sleeping. Next time we'll grab one of the more remote sites, or pick another campground. This one is nice because it's got lots of tree cover.
Screenshot_20250613-170148.jpg
It was probably 50ish this morning, but rose to 80 quickly after the sun was up over the mountains. Only a little campfire. Have to go pillage some additional wood from my in-laws.
National Forest campgrounds are nice because it's not glamping but not primitive either. But they can get crowded, especially on Father's Day weekend. The one we went to is deceptively divided up into single sites and group sites. On a walk we found that there were a number of single sites on the group side, and no neighbors... oh well.
Like I said, it was great apart from actually sleeping. Next time we'll grab one of the more remote sites, or pick another campground. This one is nice because it's got lots of tree cover.
Screenshot_20250613-170148.jpg
It was probably 50ish this morning, but rose to 80 quickly after the sun was up over the mountains. Only a little campfire. Have to go pillage some additional wood from my in-laws.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: madbean on June 14, 2025, 02:53:49 AM
Post by: madbean on June 14, 2025, 02:53:49 AM
I've got a couple great things happening: we finally replaced my 21 year old Jeep (that caught on fire last year), paid cash, and my wife and I are just a few days away from being totally debt free (except mortgage). Both of those things have caused me considerable anxiety over the last few years and just like that, they are done.
Title: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on June 14, 2025, 01:11:59 PM
Post by: jimilee on June 14, 2025, 01:11:59 PM
Quote from: madbean on June 14, 2025, 02:53:49 AMI've got a couple great things happening: we finally replaced my 21 year old Jeep (that caught on fire last year), paid cash, and my wife and I are just a few days away from being totally debt free (except mortgage). Both of those things have caused me considerable anxiety over the last few years and just like that, they are done.Hell yeah! Congrats, It's a great feeling.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: NorthCoast on June 15, 2025, 04:18:09 PM
Post by: NorthCoast on June 15, 2025, 04:18:09 PM
Quote from: jessenator on June 13, 2025, 11:04:06 PMFinally went camping with the kiddos. Everything was great, except the sleep part. Youngest and I share acute hearing and we just heard everything... apparently people don't seem to think "quiet time" includes their trailer generators >:(
National Forest campgrounds are nice because it's not glamping but not primitive either. But they can get crowded, especially on Father's Day weekend. The one we went to is deceptively divided up into single sites and group sites. On a walk we found that there were a number of single sites on the group side, and no neighbors... oh well.
Like I said, it was great apart from actually sleeping. Next time we'll grab one of the more remote sites, or pick another campground. This one is nice because it's got lots of tree cover.
It was probably 50ish this morning, but rose to 80 quickly after the sun was up over the mountains. Only a little campfire. Have to go pillage some additional wood from my in-laws.
Which campground did you go to?
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 15, 2025, 06:30:24 PM
Post by: jessenator on June 15, 2025, 06:30:24 PM
Quote from: NorthCoast on June 15, 2025, 04:18:09 PMWhich campground did you go to?It's part of the Uinta national forest area, not far of a drive, which is nice.
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232229?tab=info
There are actually closer ones, but too much college crowds for my liking. No diesel generators, but lots of loud music.
Maybe in the fall we'll go to Payson Lakes or Strawberry reservoir.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: NorthCoast on June 16, 2025, 12:26:39 AM
Post by: NorthCoast on June 16, 2025, 12:26:39 AM
That looks nice.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 16, 2025, 02:59:48 AM
Post by: jessenator on June 16, 2025, 02:59:48 AM
We're pretty spoiled with nature out here.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on June 20, 2025, 04:06:43 AM
Post by: jessenator on June 20, 2025, 04:06:43 AM
Oldest is getting good at cooking. Been making own scrambled eggs for a while, and today made some ham and swiss sliders. Time is flying, man.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 01:53:39 PM
Post by: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 01:53:39 PM
After months of companies ghosting me, I finally had an interview yesterday. That feels good.
To placate a broody hen, we got some chicks for her. Then to placate the kids, we got them some chicks to take care of and raise—now they've forgotten about wanting a dog.
To placate a broody hen, we got some chicks for her. Then to placate the kids, we got them some chicks to take care of and raise—now they've forgotten about wanting a dog.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 02:46:55 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 02:46:55 PM
Quote from: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 01:53:39 PMAfter months of companies ghosting me, I finally had an interview yesterday. That feels good.That's great news!
To placate a broody hen, we got some chicks for her. Then to placate the kids, we got them some chicks to take care of and raise—now they've forgotten about wanting a dog.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 04:09:23 PM
Post by: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 04:09:23 PM
Quote from: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 02:46:55 PMThat's great news!Oh yes it is. Thank you. I think things have become more chaotic since basically no one local (despite calling itself "silicon slopes") is hiring non-entry or non-principal roles. Everything's remote! But this one is very promising.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 05:11:02 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 05:11:02 PM
Quote from: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 04:09:23 PMThe job is yours, you just gotta let them know.Quote from: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 02:46:55 PMThat's great news!Oh yes it is. Thank you. I think things have become more chaotic since basically no one local (despite calling itself "silicon slopes") is hiring non-entry or non-principal roles. Everything's remote! But this one is very promising.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 05:31:47 PM
Post by: jessenator on July 12, 2025, 05:31:47 PM
Quote from: jimilee on July 12, 2025, 05:11:02 PMThe job is yours, you just gotta let them know.
heheheh, I had a rather cheeky intro on my personal site a few years ago now that was basically that.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 19, 2025, 04:35:04 AM
Post by: jessenator on July 19, 2025, 04:35:04 AM
Well, I got it! Just hope I can smoothly readjust to working life.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: benh on July 19, 2025, 06:45:14 AM
Post by: benh on July 19, 2025, 06:45:14 AM
Quote from: jessenator on July 19, 2025, 04:35:04 AMWell, I got it! Just hope I can smoothly readjust to working life.Congrats :-)
Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro Fold using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 19, 2025, 01:50:28 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 19, 2025, 01:50:28 PM
Quote from: jessenator on July 19, 2025, 04:35:04 AMWell, I got it! Just hope I can smoothly readjust to working life.Very cool man, congratulations!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: djaaz on July 20, 2025, 04:42:40 PM
Post by: djaaz on July 20, 2025, 04:42:40 PM
Congrats man.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 20, 2025, 04:55:06 PM
Post by: jessenator on July 20, 2025, 04:55:06 PM
Thank you, all. Hopefully I'll still have time to build stuff ;)
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 20, 2025, 10:01:33 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 20, 2025, 10:01:33 PM
Quote from: jessenator on July 20, 2025, 04:55:06 PMThank you, all. Hopefully I'll still have time to build stuff ;)Wait, what? You never mentioned that!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 21, 2025, 02:43:16 AM
Post by: jessenator on July 21, 2025, 02:43:16 AM
Quote from: jimilee on July 20, 2025, 10:01:33 PMWait, what? You never mentioned that! (https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji1787.png)(https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji1787.png)(https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji1787.png)you're right. I'll rescind my acceptance letter ;D
builds before bills!
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 21, 2025, 03:11:53 AM
Post by: jimilee on July 21, 2025, 03:11:53 AM
Quote from: jessenator on July 21, 2025, 02:43:16 AMBwahahahahahaQuote from: jimilee on July 20, 2025, 10:01:33 PMWait, what? You never mentioned that! (https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji1787.png)(https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji1787.png)(https://emoji.tapatalk-cdn.com/emoji1787.png)you're right. I'll rescind my acceptance letter ;D
builds before bills!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 22, 2025, 12:51:21 AM
Post by: jessenator on July 22, 2025, 12:51:21 AM
Utah has been the only state that's technically in drought so far this year, but we've been getting some late July rain. Hopefully it'll help with the fires. It's welcome all the same. I'd call that good.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 22, 2025, 02:37:28 AM
Post by: jimilee on July 22, 2025, 02:37:28 AM
Quote from: jessenator on July 22, 2025, 12:51:21 AMUtah has been the only state that's technically in drought so far this year, but we've been getting some late July rain. Hopefully it'll help with the fires. It's welcome all the same. I'd call that good.Yessir, winning!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: NorthCoast on July 22, 2025, 06:24:09 PM
Post by: NorthCoast on July 22, 2025, 06:24:09 PM
The weather here in Sacramento has been really nice this summer. It's supposed to be 79f/26c today, well below average. And it's been like this for a couple of weeks now, and before that it wasn't bad. I'm really happy with it, I don't do well in the heat.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 23, 2025, 10:04:39 PM
Post by: jessenator on July 23, 2025, 10:04:39 PM
I hear you. And despite my dislike of the heat, I actually chose to live in the high desert. No one to blame but myself :P
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 23, 2025, 11:16:24 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 23, 2025, 11:16:24 PM
Here in TN, it's about as hot as I've seen in a while. With the heat of index, around 105 several days running. Humidity is terrible, weather you can wear.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jessenator on July 24, 2025, 12:36:36 AM
Post by: jessenator on July 24, 2025, 12:36:36 AM
Ooohhhf yeah no thanks. Sorry to hear that, Jimmy. My lingering experience of east and south was , as you perfectly put, weather you can wear! Took a shower in Georgia, dried off but still felt wet all day.
Today though, we got a special treat from my folks and spent the afternoon at some hot springs. Best part was it didn't stink of chlorine!
Today though, we got a special treat from my folks and spent the afternoon at some hot springs. Best part was it didn't stink of chlorine!
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 24, 2025, 03:54:00 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 24, 2025, 03:54:00 PM
Quote from: jessenator on July 24, 2025, 12:36:36 AM....Hot springs sound nice, especially the no chlorine part.
Today though, we got a special treat from my folks and spent the afternoon at some hot springs. Best part was it didn't stink of chlorine!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: mjg on July 28, 2025, 12:16:58 PM
Post by: mjg on July 28, 2025, 12:16:58 PM
Hot springs sound real nice.
It's mid winter here, usually we get cold and clear skies, but this year it's been more cold with cloud and drizzle.
It does mean I have to stay inside and play lots of Baldurs Gate 3, so it's not all bad.
It's mid winter here, usually we get cold and clear skies, but this year it's been more cold with cloud and drizzle.
It does mean I have to stay inside and play lots of Baldurs Gate 3, so it's not all bad.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: TNblueshawk on July 29, 2025, 04:04:51 PM
Post by: TNblueshawk on July 29, 2025, 04:04:51 PM
Just caught this thread. I am retiring next year around March'ish. That's good news enough. But when I do I plan to take guitar lessons again and try to play 2 hours every day.
I'm going to get out of the seasoned beginner stage if it kills me!
Then I plan to start building more amps just because I can.
I'm going to get out of the seasoned beginner stage if it kills me!
Then I plan to start building more amps just because I can.
Title: Re: what's been good?
Post by: jimilee on July 29, 2025, 05:05:37 PM
Post by: jimilee on July 29, 2025, 05:05:37 PM
Quote from: TNblueshawk on July 29, 2025, 04:04:51 PMJust caught this thread. I am retiring next year around March'ish. That's good news enough. But when I do I plan to take guitar lessons again and try to play 2 hours every day.Woohoo, congrats!
I'm going to get out of the seasoned beginner stage if it kills me!
Then I plan to start building more amps just because I can.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk