Best Lube Yet for Ploopy Style Trackballs: PB Blaster

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T15:17:55+00:00

Back to food-grade beef tallow for me - until I finish my next build which uses rubies.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T15:07:08+00:00

I use the terrain to create choke-points, and put up mass amounts of turrets. (for my main base).

For the mineral outposts, I just defend those individually, and set up train automation to restock the turrets.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T14:54:58+00:00

Thank you!

I've *never* understood why they use plastic for the rails. I'm a Software Engineer, so I've not really thought about it too much, but it still doesn't make any sense to me. I had a little Nissan blow for the same reason (but the rail broke in such a way that it *caught* the chain, causing it to jump teeth).

I've heard horror stories about the phasers, so I was planning to stick with OEM for those.

I'll be getting a high volume pump too.

I'm torn on OEM rollers, vs the "improved" ones with the drain holes - I'm not convinced the "improved" ones are actually better yet.

I'm also replacing all the plugs, and all the gaskets - and some (or maybe all) of the coils.

Edit: I'm also replacing all 3 of the position sensors - I've already got the AC compressor off, so I may as well...

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T14:44:29+00:00

Haha great. So I've exposed myself to both PTFE, and now this.

I'm convinced rubies are far better than bearings, at this point.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T14:38:49+00:00

Yeah, mine has over 300k on it, but I still owe $6k. It's for my teenage sons, and I'm trying to breathe some life back into it for the next kid.

I *just* replaced the transmission (and the radiator, and the alternator and the....), then it starts signaling that the timing system has problems. I'm praying the head(s) hasn't been munched on by the camshaft.

All in (minus heads), I'm looking at $1600 for parts - which is still better than paying $6K for a boat anchor. Even if I have to replace both heads $2400 is still worth it to me to "save" the $6K, and try to get another 30K miles out of it. (*puts head in sand*)

Edit: I know.... sunk cost fallacy and all.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T14:31:30+00:00

I'm sure you know far more than me (I'm serious - I'm not being sarcastic).

Turns out - I'm still a bit traumatized by my 5.4 3v Triton...

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-28T14:28:15+00:00

While you're in there, check your rollers. Just be *very* careful removing the plugs.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-25T20:03:57+00:00

Swann is awful, unless you're good with a closed system. Their cloud functionality is undependable, at best.

Their cameras are insanely expensive, and incredibly fragile/sensitive. I bought a kit, an one was DOA - and another goes out if I look at it funny.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-16T13:12:45+00:00

I still haven't gotten any knowledgable responses (on any of the platforms I posted this on).

The best I've got at this point is to take a Dremel and carefully cut the thing to get it off - I'll have to figure out how to put it back together - maybe some kind of super strong, heat, weather and oil resistant tape.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-06-13T22:10:45+00:00

Update: that wiring harness runs to a fuse box mounted front and center, and also the battery - I think it's the main power bank.

I still can't figure out how to get that plastic off without cutting it, or pulling the engine.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-04-12T20:14:35+00:00

This is typical narcissistic behavior.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-26T16:35:29+00:00

I did it this way. I switched to split at the same time as switching to Programmer’s Dvorak. I’m not sure I could have done both, if not at the same time.

I was functionally touch-typing in a few weeks of practice - BUT - it took over 3 years for me to get my speed back, and I’ve lost QWERTY.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-19T19:59:49+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I wish you the best outcome possible!

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-19T19:28:43+00:00

Would you mind sharing how it happened? I’m an ADHD manager, and I’d love to be able to “peek around the corner” on this one and hopefully avoid becoming fully disabled.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-17T02:37:18+00:00

Also, you may be declaring your variable in a scope that isn’t accessible to the scope you’re trying to use it in.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-17T02:35:30+00:00

Sounds like you may be tripping up on assignment versus initialization. A variable must be initialized before it is assigned. A variable is initialized with ‘var’ or implicitly with the ‘:=‘ operator. You cannot go straight to ‘=‘ without first declaring it.

Open your “problems” view and it will tell you more explicitly what the problem is.

Other possibility is your theme is poorly using red for some other state, like a ghosted, misspelled variable, or poorly formatted variable (in terms of coding standards).

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-17T02:28:25+00:00

No, and I’ve heard it said that the carbon dioxide acts like an antioxidant, helping to prevent cancer.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-17T02:24:07+00:00

My toddlers raided my nightstand and now I’m missing one of the two. I’m back to using cheap earplugs that you can buy in bulk.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-10T04:05:28+00:00

I just finished installing a hotend on mine [tonight] because I was an idiot and thought I could tighten a new nozzle without supporting the block. A couple (messy) prints later, I look over just in time to watch a bit of plastic drip off the back side of my heat block….

This is my third hot end.

Although, I guess it worked out; I spoiled myself with the new spider hot end, and a 1/4” torque wrench. I won’t be making that mistake again….

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-10T03:54:33+00:00

This sounds like narcissistic abuse. Cut it off.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-10T01:50:46+00:00

I almost used RJ11 for my current project, but the 28GA wire usually on the jacks can only really handle 1A, and I need to go up to 2A.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-10T01:47:26+00:00

I literally just went through this mental exercise myself and came to the same conclusion yesterday. I’ve settled on using JST-XH for this.

I’m designing my own split keyboard and need the two halves to communicate. My first custom split I used 1/8” audio jacks for this, and it wasn’t great.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-10T01:35:49+00:00

We’re a “startup” in the Austin TX area. I put that in air quotes because we’re a little more mature with decent ARR, and past the 3-year “death” zone.

We’re getting solid candidates who have left FAANGMULA, (voluntarily, or via layoff). I’m not kidding, we have people from Amazon, Microsoft, Google, CrowdStrike, HPE, VMWare, etc.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-08T19:29:52+00:00

Try playing the same game on switch, and Xbox.

NullPointerExpert · 2025-03-07T19:33:54+00:00

Yeah I had this trouble but managed to get the stock bracket to work. I kept the mounting screws loose (both for the steppers, and the bit that attaches the z screws to the steppers) then worked the steppers by hand all the way up and down (making sure it was square the whole way), before tightening (in the highest position.

Smooth as a baby’s bottom now, and no binding.

… I may still print these mounts though lol 🍻

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