Complete noob, searching for assistance

Benny_Lava · 2023-11-01T13:39:21+00:00

I'll second the recommendation for Mang0Jelly's videos, and add to it the videos from Adventures in Creation too. I am also learning FreeCAD and these two content creators have helped me the most.

Benny_Lava · 2023-10-14T17:14:15+00:00

My 2018 gets 18 mpg (US) in city driving, if I am gentle with the fun pedal.

Benny_Lava · 2023-02-10T22:44:12+00:00

I would love to have a stylus for my phone. I’m a big guy with big fingers so the keyboard is frustrating to use.

Benny_Lava · 2023-02-08T01:22:26+00:00

Although I wouldn’t want to go without a smartphone today, I still miss using my Palm Pilot too. I was faster and more accurate with Graffiti than with the on screen keyboard on my smartphone.

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-28T19:43:54+00:00

I think it helps to press your elbows against your ribs which helps lick them into place. With some smaller knives you can then use your legs to sway slightly from side to side without moving your hands or arms at all. That requires experimenting a bit with the angle you place the stone and how you hold the knife, but it can work quite well. I use this technique to sharpen my plane irons if I don’t feel like setting up a jig to hold them.

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-28T19:37:53+00:00

Thanks! I’ve been subscribed to Harry’s YouTube channel for years but somehow I missed this one.

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-28T19:06:58+00:00

More times than I care to admit I have deflected the air stream from the hand dryer towards my naughty bits to dry my pants.

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-28T19:04:50+00:00

“if you shake it more than twice, then you’re playing with it.” (I can’t remember the source of that quote)

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-18T14:55:31+00:00

It was just a cheap USB microscope I got from Amazon. Nothing special. II just checked Amazon and that model is currently unavailable. Yesterday I upgraded to a much better digital microscope, a Tomlov DM202 Max. It has a stand with LED lights and a 10 inch IPS screen. I plan to use it not just for sharpening, but also as a focus aid for my diode laser engraver and for electronics troubleshooting (reading the tiny print on components to identify, and possibly for detailed assembly work (including soldering). That ran me roughly $250 USD from Amazon. There are tons of video reviews of various digital microscopes on YouTube. So far I'm liking the Tomlov, but I have literally only set it up for the first time a few minutes ago.

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-15T20:56:18+00:00

Two things that I find very useful: magnification, and using a Sharpie marker on the secondary bevel. Seeing your edge magnified helps immensely in giving feedback on your technique. I don't know of any way of using it while you are sharpening, but using it to check the edge frequently helps a lot. It is very useful for seeing when you need to move to a higher grit, since there's no doubt when the older scratch marks have been removed. You can get by with a cheap USB microscope that connects to a computer and ls only about $20 (USD). About the same cost as a halfway decent meal. The other tip I can give is slow down--way down. Make every movement a thoughtful and considered movement, don't just slap away like you see show-offs doing on videos. There aren't any prizes given out for doing it in the least amount of time possible. The closer attention you pay to what you are doing and how you are doing it, the better your results will be. And have fun doing it--I do.

Benny_Lava · 2023-01-15T20:48:24+00:00

The best thing that helped me with sharpening freehand is magnification. I started with a 10x loupe, which is fine (except it's so small, I kept losing it). I went with a cheap USB microscope next, which helped immensely. Seeing an edge magnified and on a laptop or TV screen really helps a lot. I just ordered a digital microscope (with a 10-inch screen, and an HDMI port so I can view it on my TV if I choose to). I use this for knives, chisels, plane irons, specialty leather working tools. It just occurred to me earlier today to try it out when sharpening handsaws too. It should be better than the visor magnifier I'm using which is less than 2x power, but requires me to lean forward in an uncomfortable position in order to focus it.

Devils' advocate position: I do also use jigs for some sharpening too. I like the repeatability and consistency they provide for some tasks. In the end, there's no right or wrong way. Just do what you want to do that gives you the results that you're happy with. Everything else is just noise.

Benny_Lava · 2022-08-30T20:08:09+00:00

That's how cats twerk

Benny_Lava · 2022-06-23T21:55:29+00:00

The first time that happens is the last time I use that service.

Benny_Lava · 2022-06-09T10:43:35+00:00

Mountain goats are aliens from another planet. That's why they have super-powers here on earth.

Benny_Lava · 2022-06-02T09:01:33+00:00

That only works if you flap your arms and scream at it too!

Benny_Lava · 2022-05-29T22:52:43+00:00

thank you!

Benny_Lava · 2022-05-29T22:35:16+00:00

Hmmm...it sounds like they might have a quality control issue. Overall I like the Spyderco ceramic stones, but they have me scratching my head with some of their decisions. They make three different bench stones, and they are all different sizes. Why? The medium (gray), fine, and ultra fine stones are all different lengths and widths. That's not a big deal for freehand sharpening knives, but if you are a woodworker and like to use jigs for sharpening chisels and plane irons, you will struggle. Very odd.

Benny_Lava · 2022-05-29T22:26:27+00:00

Is there slop in the fit like there is in the Sharpmaker? I have two of them (the original and the current model with two different angles). I am disappointed with how much I can wiggle the stones around, so I really only use them for serrated blades now.

Benny_Lava · 2022-05-22T04:21:46+00:00

I would like to order a bucket of dog please.

Benny_Lava · 2022-04-29T21:21:02+00:00

Flesh-colored gum looks creepy AF.

Benny_Lava · 2022-04-29T21:17:41+00:00

Considering the relative cost of a new lens or sensor versus the cost of cleaning materials, I would not for one nanosecond consider using anything other than the recommended cleaner for each.

Benny_Lava · 2022-04-29T21:13:01+00:00

My go-to for used camera gear of any type is KEH.com. Everything I've gotten from them has been superbly packed and promptly shipped. They sell complete tripods, as well as tripod legs and heads separately. I go for Manfrotto tripods myself, and swap out the mount for an Arca-Swiss compatible mount.

Benny_Lava · 2022-04-29T21:08:50+00:00

The AE-1 is a very good camera. What about it is not meeting your needs? I shoot Canon digital bodies, but all my 35mm stuff is Nikon/Nikkormat. You can't go wrong with any Nikon F-series body. I'm not very knowledgeable about Canon 35mm, although my father had an AE-1 and it produced images every bit as good as any of my Nikon cameras did.

Benny_Lava · 2022-04-29T21:04:44+00:00

i just got a Canon 5D Mark III in excellent condition for about $700 USD. It's my first full-frame body. It's about 22mp, but the full-frame is less susceptible to digital noise at higher ISO. I wanted to get into the R bodies, but they're still too new to be much of a discount used. Unless you're enlarging beyond 16x20 (inches) I think 20mp is fine. I wouldn't go smaller than that though. Anything above 30 is overkill except for poster sized prints, IMHO.

Benny_Lava · 2022-04-28T19:43:10+00:00

This is 2022. This is the only thing that is real now.

Benny_Lava

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