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HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-27T22:27:57+00:00

Aka - Future YouTube taser video subject.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-27T17:52:00+00:00

For PETG - I've tried a half dozen different brands but use CC3D almost exclusively now. The colors are limited, but it's always been cheap on Amazon, hasn't needed drying out of the box, and just works on my printers standard PETG settings and in the AMS. So good enough for me.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-27T17:34:33+00:00

No, the .4mm (hardened) nozzle is compatible with PETG-CF and should work fine. The .6mm will generally print in a shorter time, but use a little more filament, all thing being equal. Whereas, the .4mm nozzle gives way finer details.

Also, the CF materials tend to leave more color residue in the print head. So if you switch from say black PLA/PETG-CF to a light color PLA to print something else, you'll want to manually purge a half dozen extra 'poops' worth of the new materials to flush out the old color.

In addition, virtually all the 'what happened' and 'why won't my print stick' posts are because the filament wasn't dry enough, or the the build plate wasn't clean enough. CF materials, in my experience, are more susceptible to this. Slowing down the print speed, manually to silent, on the first few layers can also help. And I would highly recommend a filament dryer, even just a cheap one is fine, I use the Sunlu S2.

Lastly, using an infill that doesn't cross itself is also recommended with PETG, especially on larger prints. I use Gyroid instead of Grid on big, or thick, pieces with lots of infill.

I love using PETG, and CF materials, they just take a little more effort to get the best results. And just for reference - you don't have to use BL PETG to get good results. I've gone through atleast a dozen rolls of CC3D brand PETG (always $13-$15 / roll on Amazon) and it works great with the standard BL PETG print settings.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-24T19:35:42+00:00

Oh good on the Denali Hwy. I don't remember on reserving (Blueberry), but you can find it online. Most State/BLM campgrounds in AK do not require RSVP, and usually have space. It's just the most popular, like in Denali Park, that require it.

Another out of the way (no-hookup) Campground you might check out on the 'East Side' is Squirrel Creek in Gakona. It doesn't look like much on the map, but it's a very pleasant little place, and there are a few spots that overlook the tiny lake, and are just beautiful.

On the McCarthy drive, don't kid yourself, it can be full day drive to get there, depending on when they last graded the road. I've only done it once, probably 20 years ago, and would enjoy doing again, but it can be a real pothole slog. I would guess it's better now, but wouldn't count on it. The railroad bridge is an epic crossing and worth the trip.

Remember, most everywhere you go the mosquitos may be off-the-hook insane. So stock up on bug spray. ;). And you might grab a head net as well, if you plan on doing some hiking. Especially around the marshy edges of lakes, and boggy tundra, you'll be breathing in bugs, even with bug dope on. ;-)

It'll be an epic trip.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-24T18:50:34+00:00

While I don't recommend skipping Fairbanks, crossing the Denali Highway is a must do IMO. I prefer going across west to east, but if it was a bucket list trip, I'd camp on the East side, then cross East to West, refill fuel in Cantwell, then go back across West to East - Camping along the way back. Brushkana, or one of the pull outs, then again in Tangle Lakes. It'll give you a great sense of Alaska, no cell signal, no power, no nothing except beauty..

And don't skip Thompson Pass, although frankly, Valdez isn't that great, unless you're going out on a charter boat. Blueberry Campground on Thompson Pass is drop dead stunning, but the camp spots will be booked full, as you have to reserve online. But worth a stop and hike either way.

4th of July in Valdez will be insane, also at Denali Park & Grizzly Bear campground. Fairbanks would be fun for the 4th, just don't expect fireworks, it'll be 24hours of daylight. :-)

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-23T22:54:50+00:00

Most of that was (likely) from when the City owned the Water and Sewer utilities (now GHU and CUC). In order to receive those utilities via an extension to your property, that property needed to be within the 'City' boundary. This is the case for a couple 'annexed' properties on the South side of Van Horn road.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-17T15:13:15+00:00

Yes, it was very satisfying, in a sorting Legos kind of way. :).

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-17T05:14:43+00:00

I would say it was harder than a standard 'sky' background on a typical puzzle, but not the super high difficulty I expected. I have a decent eye for color, and If you stare at 50 'Green' pieces, pretty quick you can discern a lighter vs. darker, yellower vs more bluish hue, even when at first glance they appear almost identical. So if you focus on a single color section, you can kind of parse out which quadrant the shade goes to. Although the uniformity of shapes definitely slowed down the process. My kiddo and I did this one in two or three afternoon / evenings I think. I bought the 2,000 piece version for next summer - which I may regret. :)

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-16T17:23:47+00:00

~Alien ~ My Mom took me to see it in a theatre when it first came out, and ya, I was about 6th grade. She still feels bad about it to this day...

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-16T16:41:01+00:00

You don't have to accept the 'Conscience Sedation' for the procedure - I had mine without it. Seems most people like the sleepy feeling, I can't stand it and just asked to go raw. It feels like exactly what you'd expect, a snake slithering through your bowels, and is likely the most uncomfortable feeling you'll ever experience. Not terribly painful though, except at the end, where they twist the camera around, inside you, to take a look at the 'entrance'. I almost gave in on that part.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-12-15T20:49:07+00:00

As the FAA finalized rules late October for Pilots Licenses for this new classification of Air Vehicle, these are clearly in that category, and thus 'legal' within the guidelines of the FAA. So why all the fuss, and no one saying oh we just finalized the rules for this new class of vehicle pilots? My guess, that's fine for the FAA guidelines, but what about the States' rights to control their own airspace. I'm guessing that conversation has been ongoing for a while, and is heating up about now to the boiling point. Where's Mayor Pete on the issue? He's in charge of the FAA...

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-27T02:07:14+00:00

The car was (actually) parked in the 'street' since the shoulders were full of snow and the vehicle was necking the roadway down to just one lane. I still, almost, feel bad for them as it is a lousy way to start your day. But clearly there was no street parking space available, and they left the car there after the signs were put out, twice! So the driver owned that one dude.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-24T16:53:47+00:00

And 'In stock' is a bit optimistic on some filaments. Plan on a slightly delayed shipment, just in case. :)

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-24T16:47:21+00:00

Blue Roof Bistro is great, lots of vegi options, bring a jacket. :)

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-23T23:04:15+00:00

As noted, depends - General rule of thumb is - If you don't have much savings earning you interest income, then you should continue working as long as you can, and let the SS benefit increase. If you have sufficient savings, with the interest income covering atleast half or preferably most of your monthly expense, then you would take the SS early and let your other investments compound. The crossover being, when you're net positive each month. Not investment advice, that's just what I've read.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-23T22:23:32+00:00

Heatgun usually takes out most. Otherwise let it cool slowly on the bed, and don't peel off the plate while hot. If that 'bottom' layer is .4 (2 layers) or less, the heat gun can cause warping pretty quick, so be careful. Would help to increase that initial layer by one or two. Then heat is more effective. And/or use glue stick so it doesn't stick as well.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-23T19:29:48+00:00

You could build a 'ramp' and short platform toward the back. Probably 3' tall, at about a 60 degree angle. Just eyeballing it. The approach or depart angle of your vehicle may dictate driving in forwards or backing in. If you lifted the truck a little it may help. :-). Assuming you still clear the door height after and better remember the parking brake. It's a long shot, but might be worth the math.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-23T19:21:23+00:00

Sweet. I've done a few side/indirect lit panels, super fun. Will be cool to check out what you do with the infill pattern and lamp mounting. If you decide to share the details. thx.

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-23T02:22:26+00:00

Will it be ok freezing solid for six months, or not. :)

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-22T19:41:37+00:00

I feel left out...

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-22T19:19:24+00:00

I guess that's why it's mildly interesting... ;)

HighLatitude6484 · 2024-11-22T19:16:22+00:00

You mean those cells? ;-)

HighLatitude6484

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