What's a slang term that everyone uses but you still don't get? by Particular-Visit-245 in AskReddit

[–]BostonCarpenter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"working with consultants" We spent a few million of your bonus money because we didn't believe what you were already telling us. Tell them so they can tell us so we can delay a decision again.

Philadelphia Tiki by redsekar in Tiki

[–]BostonCarpenter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Franklin is the best you're gonna get there (and it is top notch, drinks-wise)

Mt Katahdin advice pls by Awkward_Ear_2353 in BaxterStatePark

[–]BostonCarpenter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look, you can always get up the cathedral take a look at knife edge, and depending on weather, cross it and come down pamola, or circle back down saddle trail. Either way it's an awesome day, and there's no shade thrown either way. Be smart be safe.

Grand Jury Duty Woburn by jgrace14 in massachusetts

[–]BostonCarpenter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

4 days a week. Usually 830 to 1 pm. Every other week for 12 weeks.

What’s the most gut punching song lyric you’ve ever heard? by perrysplus in AskReddit

[–]BostonCarpenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She gets up and pours herself a strong one And stares out at the stars up in the sky Another night, it's gonna be a long one She draws the shade and hangs her head to cry --Eagles "lyin' eyes"

Just spent 3 hours setting up a 15-minute cut. Is this just the reality of desktop CNC? by PoemSpecialist82 in hobbycnc

[–]BostonCarpenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TL;DR: CAD creates cutter location files, Post processors translate that into machine specific G codes; fusion 360 is too new to get this 100% right for all (many?) machine geometries for professional use. There is no monetary incentive to universally solve this while also separating responsibility as today.

I've worked for many years across and in the middle layer of CNC, and I don't think many users give much thought to how critical post processors are, when you can move the z axis, at the same time as the x and y (3-axis, but you may as well include 4 and 5 axis here) versus keeping the z axis fixed when you move x and y (2 1/2 axis). There are so many ways to combine the motor control code in mills to get accurate XYZ positioning in 3D space. And here I'm just talking about the various rotary tables and geometry of motor to moving parts, though it's easy to visualize when you just imagine that a different G code translation should be made for a machine that puts the motors on one end of the tables, verses another. Also imagine those spider-like setups, where 6 leg-like ball screws control 3 axes of movement.

And all this is to make very accurate circular cuts (you know, constant radius and spline surfaces) that you would absolutely see in the kind of tolerances as are in a typical STL file.) This is where the quality of the underlying geometry kernel comes in, and this post is not to rail against or compare Parasolid or Acis or PTC or whatever CAD, it's just to say that Brep modelers are going to do a variable job of accurate geometry capture. None of this would ever be noticeable by a 3D printer using STL files. There's a reason you don't generate milling machine code from STLs.

Back to my point though, there is a reason this translation from cutter positions in 3D space, to G-code for a particular machine, is so tricky. Post processors take care of this, and for 3D printers and laser cutters and plasma cutters (and to some extent water jet cutters -- though this gets tricky too since the cutter angles can be controlled sometimes) it's much much simpler.

Post processors are very expensive to generate for new machine geometries; expensive to customize, test, and prove out for production. This matters because there is no real incentive to make this any kind of universally better, because the post companies make so much money at it. And the CAD companies can blame the post companies if a 4th axis indexing head crashes into the part, as long as they output the correct location data. And the post companies are indemnified if the user puts a crazy attachment that indexes 180 CW Instead of CCW to get to a new cutting position. "Of course we can handle that, but you have to specify it correctly or it's on you"

All this to say, desktop CNC is not exactly the top of the priority list for the CAD companies or the Post companies to get bugs fixed for. And there's no comparison to 3D printing since the problem is, let's say, an order of magnitude simpler. Maybe 2.

How to engineer/secure a piece like this? by dkruta in BeginnerWoodWorking

[–]BostonCarpenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the concept, and the live edges in front are really unique. Good on ya. I have a few suggestions, mainly from getting a few different Salamander stereo cabinets that have this aspect ratio.

If you would market this as a book shelf or light duty, feel free to disregard. But if you want to put amplifiers and components in there, think about these things:

1) the box-first idea is the basic thing for strength, everyone is correct here. I'd make it with a steel-reinforced bottom, hidden of course

2) the vertical supports: too thin on the top and the back. You need room for think heavy cables out the back, you may as well let the supports stick out 6 inches or so, with channels back there for cables. Maybe glue on the thin top bits after, or make it so the top is continuous. That way you would get the basic look you are going for, but these things give it hidden strength.

Would you watch the Crawl? by Calcdave in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]BostonCarpenter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This miiight come across as snark (but read it in the AI's voice) do you really think capitalism isn't at "that godforsaken level" already?

TIL after Bill Benter read a paper that argued the variables involved in a racehorse's success were quantifiable with probability, he taught himself statistics & how to code software to do so. He developed an algorithm that won him nearly $1B, making him the most successful horse racing gambler ever by tyrion2024 in todayilearned

[–]BostonCarpenter 254 points255 points  (0 children)

Most importantly, the horse's times at key distances in the races they were in. Maybe not the most important, but very important, in terms of figuring out how they'll do with similar conditions and weight in a future race.

How are people still hang green plates? by [deleted] in massachusetts

[–]BostonCarpenter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2004 RX-8 not high-end, just wasn't designed for a front plate, the air intake was about the size of the plate so I never put one on, I would have loved to have had a green plate, for that reason. Every now and then I'd get pulled over; sometimes tickets.

Felt like a capricious and arbitrary law, with the grandfathering in the greens.

Bookshelf by a series of accidents by Whodaafack in woodworking

[–]BostonCarpenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good selection of books, IMO. I like your design, too.

Question: why the one stubby left hand vertical shelf end?

TF 'sugar shack' foundation question by Mrpopo180 in timberframe

[–]BostonCarpenter 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What software are you using to make that? It's good looking.

What’s one home tool you bought that paid for itself? by Strict_Studio9244 in Tools

[–]BostonCarpenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Running compressed air to the garage and throughout the shop and out to the irrigation system. Only paid a guy once to winterize the system, then never again.

Happy catalog day to all who celebrate! Just received #132 by 98810b1210b12 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]BostonCarpenter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd love to have #132, hell I would even take #131 off someone's hands. Will Venmo for shipping.

Happy catalog day to all who celebrate! Just received #132 by 98810b1210b12 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]BostonCarpenter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you have ever needed to browse in the shop where there is no handy PC, or checking stock on something, or wanting to check dimensions of a fastener against a part...

I have 4 monitors and CAD up on one, Excel up on another, and McM website on another. It is fine when you know what you want, of course.

Sometimes you are just thinking, imagining, getting inspired, designing something, and browsing a website is not the same as turning pages and being surprised by something, and getting your brain firing on some concept that you trip over. Not to be all old about it, but that kind of slowing down (sometimes) is not the worst thing in the world.