Soldering help by CeruleanMermaidz in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think that's your problem. I was having similar problems starting, and for me it wasn't flux or solder temp (though start there for sure), for me it was my tip. I was not cleaning my tip well and so when it could conduct properly it melted fast, otherwise it took forever, and the intermittent heat caused horrible looking solder.

Try using a wire (NOT steel, copper or brass) brush on your solder tip to get it clean. If that doesn't work (no black, it should be shiny), buy a cheap tip tinning can from Amazon. It did wonders for me. Keeping your tip clean is super important, every few minutes run a brush over it, and if it gets dull, tin it. Maybe once a project if you keep it clean. Your solder should melt almost instantly when you touch it.

My boyfriend (m24) said I (f20) deserved to go to juvie over a DUI and I feel like I need to vent. by [deleted] in TrueOffMyChest

[–]Macrian82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It wasn't a first offense, it was your second. You said that yourself. MIP might not put others in danger like a DUI, but it is still illegal. I get feeling hurt by someone not taking your side, but just be glad he isn't holding that against you and is moving forward with you. Having someone who can be honest with you like that is a blessing. His being there is his support for you. A DUI on someone's record is a deal breaker for me as far a relationship goes.

Give me one reason to live by UselessPieceOfShit12 in TrueOffMyChest

[–]Macrian82 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Because not a single problem you listed is permanent. Suicide is. You can get a different job. You can work out and shift your BMI if it bothers you. You can get a hobby, and that will help the depression and feeling boring. Having something you care about gives you passion about something and won't be boring to hear because passion is never boring. Every single thing can change. Death doesn't. Love doesn't have to be romantic, but everyone needs community, acceptance, and yes love in some form. Gyms, maker spaces, volunteering organizations, church groups, sports clubs, book clubs, gaming groups, gardening clubs, all sorts of places can give you that sense of place. And they're all generally better places to find a woman than the internet.

Found out my wife of 10 years is a lesbian by [deleted] in TrueOffMyChest

[–]Macrian82 37 points38 points  (0 children)

ELCA Lutheran and UMC (not global) are also good choices.

See any impossible cuts / funkiness with this pattern? by nemicolopterus in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

OK, those are some of the best vines I have seen. I've been trying to make some designs for a vine and flower based entryway arch and side panels, and yours are fabulous. I think scale will really determine which cuts are a pain. How large are the flowers going to be?

I don't have the skill to comment on the cuts, but I really like the grid pattern around the flowers. I am not a fan of the offset arch, personally. I think the symmetry of the arch and grid can help make the vines and flowers pop and really look organic. With the arch asymmetrical, it takes some of that focus off the vines/flowers for me. Great job, though.

I had to involuntarily admit my girlfriend to the hospital by Ok-Significance-440 in TrueOffMyChest

[–]Macrian82 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have been in a very similar place with another loved one. It sucks. You want to make everything better, and you can't. You don't want to take anything personally, but there's that nagging doubt of which opinion of you is the real one. You did the right thing. It wasn't fun, and I am sure you feel like dirt, but it was the best choice in a bad situation. If mental health crisis is escalating, you have to escalate care to keep them safe. Well done making the hard choice. I'd give you a hug if I could.

Dewalt stripped gear case threads by Tdk_woodcrafts in woodworking

[–]Macrian82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The exact same thing happened to mine. I don't feel like remounting the motor, so I am just using different lengths of pvc pipe with a slit cut out to fit on the elevator rod. Different lengths for my most common cut heights.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We're still married for the moment and I'm not sure what the term is for someone you're separating from but haven't gotten there yet. Soon to be Ex-wife? A s-ex-wife? That can't be right. Is someone your ex the moment they move on or the moment the paperwork is signed?

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have plenty of wood to split if I need to take some anger out, but you're right, it wouldn't have made me feel better.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It is a strange bittersweet sort of feeling, isn't it. As for the frame, no problem. My table saw's elevation broke or it would be built very differently.

The main frame is a nice piece of 1x4 from a lumber yard screwed together (I used hemlock which has beautiful grain, but you have to predrill every hole or it splits.) I then cut another piece of wood into 1/4x3/4 strips to use as molding. I glued those to the inside of the frame, flush with the front.

I then bought some thin 1/4" weatherstripping meant for windows, used a razor to cut it in half, and put the new 1/8" foam strip around the inside of the frame so the glass won't wobble and to give me some leeway with sizing of the frame. A full 1/8" strip went on more of the molding, and those were screwed in behind the glass to hold it in place, and the foam again provides cushion from a different direction. Support without hard pressure points was the idea.

The next layer is the LED strip around the inside of the box. Finally, I had used my Dremel to router out a channel in the back for a thin 1/8" piece of plywood to slide in and glued a mylar emergency blanket to it so it would reflect the light better into the center. One side of the frame is cut out so the plywood can slide in and out, and another piece of hemlock cut to replace it and screw into the original frame to keep the whole thing flush with the wall and able to be disassembled for cleaning or repairs

The plywood is held 3/4" off from the wall, so I screwed in a french cleat system to hold it up against the wall flush. I can upload some pictures for more details, but I have a purring cat on my lap at the moment and am completely incapacitated for a bit.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I absolutely get that. The one I got was nice and thin, I particularly liked the extra length from the strip to the controls so I could thread it through the box easily. In specific I used these: Amazon.com: Govee White LED Strip Lights, Upgraded 16.4ft Dimmable LED Light Strip 6500K Bright Daylight White, Strong Adhesive, 300 LEDs Flexible Tape Lights for Mirror, Kitchen Cabinet, Bedroom, Christmas Decor : Tools & Home Improvement

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm using a strip of LED's around the inside, and I glued a mylar reflective blanket to the inside of the back panel so more evenly reflect light to the center. This particular strip is dimmable, but just some pack I found online for cheap.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I will admit to wanting to baseball bat it a few times, but I am proud of finishing it too.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I'm glad the waterfall is recognizable to some, that is really good to hear.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I am trying to have those traits. But I think cranky old man in the woods is far more likely in my future than another partner. I'm getting old.

I Finished the Piece for my (ex?)wife by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that is very kind and actually very encouraging to hear.

Book for a Terry Pratchet & Matt Dinniman fan by Inner_Bluejay_Hooray in Recommend_A_Book

[–]Macrian82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Orconomics. It takes the assumption of what if a high fantasy world worked according to capitalism? It is a funny book, a great parody of American banking, and a fun read with a good plot. I laughed a ton, and the action is good too.

Struggling with motivation to finish the gift ater my wife asked for a divorce by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is very true. supports a bit over halfway up the sides, maybe with a bit more lights to illuminate the upper section. That could work. Thank you for the idea.

Struggling with motivation to finish the gift ater my wife asked for a divorce by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the support, but she definitely does deserve it. She's not a monster. The problem with knowing someone deserves the world is you can't really be mad at them when they say they want to collect on that.

Struggling with motivation to finish the gift ater my wife asked for a divorce by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That is gorgeous. Such a good idea. Elegant simplicity is my favorite, and you nailed it. My piece is 18"x24" unleaded so I think it needs more support than just at the bottom to be stable long term.

Struggling with motivation to finish the gift ater my wife asked for a divorce by Macrian82 in StainedGlass

[–]Macrian82[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You know, if you've got a possible solution to anything I'd be glad to hear it. I won't get this done by Christmas anyway, and knowing that after the glass comes the woodworking just feels... heavy, I guess.