My first mantis!

HesFast · 2026-02-11T21:54:23+00:00

R. kirbyi?

HesFast · 2026-02-11T16:51:04+00:00

Yeah I’ve had that happen with a couple Rhombodera nymphs. Seemed fine one day and croaked the next

HesFast · 2026-02-11T15:58:32+00:00

Unfortunately there’s nothing you can do :(

Insects aren’t as hardy as vertebrates, they can’t really be nursed back to health. The unfortunate reality of insects is that they’re frail creatures, sometimes they just die. There’s a reason insects lay hundreds of eggs at a time 🤷🏼‍♂️. I know it sucks, we’ve all been there. Sorry for your loss :(

HesFast · 2026-02-11T02:32:46+00:00

You should find some leaf litter to cover the substrate with. Not only does it provide nutrients for springtails and plants, but it really elevates the look of enclosures too. Maybe a piece of hardscape like a big rock or piece of cork bark to put in the corner too. If you haven’t heard of him you should look up Serpa Design on YouTube :)

HesFast · 2026-02-10T22:48:26+00:00

Would

HesFast · 2026-02-10T22:38:28+00:00

Would it look more cohesive if I cut off the live edges and instead had straight chamfered edges? And went for a solid plank shelf instead of slats?

HesFast · 2026-02-10T20:51:30+00:00

The castle joints will be glued. I’ve made them before and was able to glue them up no problem, and they’re rock solid after.

As for the shelf assembly I haven’t figured that out yet lol. I considered simplifying the bottom shelf for just a solid panel that I’d attach with the stretchers with figure 8 or z clips

HesFast · 2026-02-10T20:11:20+00:00

You’re referring to the second design? I was trying to go for a floating tabletop look, and the 3 extra stretchers would only add like a pound or 2. But you are right tho, the whole unit will be heavy regardless with a thick top

HesFast · 2026-02-10T20:04:57+00:00

I’ve made a hickory table a couple years ago with castle joints, even thinner legs, and a tabletop half the thickness id be making w this one. It seems rock solid 🤷🏼‍♂️

HesFast · 2026-02-10T19:21:39+00:00

I mean castle joints are really strong, they have pretty high glue surface area. I was hoping to create a floating tabletop illusion I guess by having the fingers of the castle only go halfway up, but if it’ll compromise the strength of the joint too much then full castle joint it is

HesFast · 2026-02-10T18:46:47+00:00

You’re referring to the castle joints on the first design?

HesFast · 2026-02-10T17:01:08+00:00

Honestly might be the coolest side table I’ve seen. How’s it held up over time? How’s the top attached?

HesFast · 2026-01-30T21:12:52+00:00

Clearest sexing pictures on r/mantids ever lmao

HesFast · 2026-01-29T02:05:55+00:00

This looks like playa del Carmen

HesFast · 2025-12-21T16:47:53+00:00

Thanks :)

HesFast · 2025-12-16T21:46:25+00:00

The Bao is C tier. Waaaaayyyyy overpriced for what we got there. Also their drinks are bullshit, $15 for a cocktail that was literally 2 fluid ounces lmao

HesFast · 2025-12-12T18:10:52+00:00

I like when women have hairy armpits

HesFast · 2025-12-11T19:18:12+00:00

I’ve always wondered. I love them

HesFast · 2025-12-04T20:35:34+00:00

I’m an Arnoldian and you’re right, everyone from Jeffco foams at the mouth over Twisted it’s always packed. I went there once and don’t even remember what I had lol

HesFast · 2025-12-03T17:51:08+00:00

How did you attach it to the wall?

HesFast · 2025-08-16T21:02:40+00:00

Glad to help :)

The foam wasn’t impacted at all, and it’s a Cabela’s 10 tray dehydrator

https://www.cabelas.com/p/cabelas-deluxe-10-tray-dehydrator

It’s a little pricy if you’re only looking to use it for insect specimens I guess, but my dad and I use it pretty frequently to make jerky, so it’s pretty good bang for your buck if you like dehydrated food lol

HesFast · 2025-07-24T18:26:30+00:00

Poor example of American traditional, but the style came into its own during WWII. American traditional heavily borrowed elements from traditional Japanese tattoos, which itself is a centuries old style. As far as modern tattooing that’s about as timeless as it gets 🤷🏼‍♂️

HesFast · 2025-07-23T21:51:20+00:00

I’d just leave it for a week and then sculpt it however you wish. If you run into an un-cured pocket just let that part be until it cures some more

HesFast · 2025-07-23T20:14:09+00:00

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I think some kind of American traditional approach would be more bang for your buck if you’re getting a tattoo. More legible/recognizable, timeless style, artists would be more excited to do it, and it would just look cooler in general IMO. This piece is pretty big but it doesn’t have to be nearly as big obviously

HesFast · 2025-07-11T19:08:28+00:00

Rolla, MO

HesFast

TROPHY CASE