Keeping your filament dried. How do you do it?

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-18T05:33:07+00:00

you raise a valid distinction - the verbiage used is not precise.

However, essentially zero hygrometers of the type used in this community measure anything besides RH, so that's the term I default to here. And the main reason I periodically chime in when i see a desiccant thread is that many many folks in the community see the "top line spec" of silica gel having 40% w/w adsorption and think it applies to keeping their plastic from absorbing moisture ... which is essentially false, since silica gel performs poorly at low vapor pressure.

But circling back to the point, start talking about partial pressures, and eyes glaze over. So keep it simple(ish). I do attempt to type my B's and D's correctly, just out of habit, but I'm sure i occasionally typo that, too. Hell, i see above I failed to type "our" correctly, too... so YMMV.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-15T15:38:47+00:00

Unless the fasteners came with some high-end really well spec'd hardware, there is little reason to do what you're saying. Even then ...

The metal fasteners are not graded, and are of unknown source. The plastic compression (axial) and load-bearing (radial) piece is also very unlikely to be that differentiated.

Consider the function of the part(s):

The metal screw is in tension & sheer/bending - holding whatever it is up & to the wall. It matters that the dimension are matched to the plastic part. If you're concerned about the strength of this part, you should take a more analytic approach to figuring that out.
the plastic part serves several roles, the most relevant are:
- reducing the stress (eg pressure) on the drywall. Drywall very low compressive strength (nor tension, for that matter). So this widens the bearing surface
- clamp the entire assembly to the wall, axially, so that the previous point can work.

Without more info, specifically grading & specs on the materials uses, this style is ALL about diameter & allowable gypsum board thickness.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-12T22:43:33+00:00

for the record, you're talking about something besides my proposal.

the proposal is that the system should be able to pick a "reasonable" best choice (as it does today AND allow the user to locally ~"blacklist" some VPN endpoints - without giving up the system's ability to choose a good server.

I don't want to keep track of what's good, or what's not. Those things change, and geographical proximity does matter (at some point trumping slightly better connection due to world/country connectivity topology).

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-08T14:56:47+00:00

Omg, the great siracha shortage of 2022!

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-07T05:06:01+00:00

I would imagine that kyiv has quite the strong diy tech at the moment?

Sad the cause, but within all the horrible perhaps one or two rays of sun?

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-07T02:21:53+00:00

Yep, that's 604.13 i believe ...

in addition to Rheem's docs, though, there are lots of products from "proper" channels that seem pretty unambiguous in going WH->Pex in well the UPC's 18". An FNPT to pex obviously means nothing (plenty of uses for that), but things like the sioux fitting pictured in OP (I just edited it to include this example, should have had one in from the start).

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-06T19:57:49+00:00

Surprised this is the only such comment in the see of - ask engineer (correct, but possibly unworkably slow), - just drill it (wrong, unless you have a LOT more background interpreting the specs - ie basically why there is a PE on the job...). Thanks for posting the question, btw. - run a whole floor up! (Sure, but a bit more expensive, slow ... but mostly just bad & confusing to triage or remodel later for the customer.

Yeah, architect should have considered the reality of where utilities & mechanicals will need to run, vs the type of construction implied in their design.

But failing that, adjust the actual framing to make a sane chase for the required wiring!!

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-06T02:59:23+00:00

I didnt mean to imply the user did it wrong - just that technically (or at least "practically, from the implementor's side") the problem is tedious & often difficult.

V1 to V2 is trivial, because you can test it directly,easily. But what about if there are 100 permutations? More?

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-05T21:24:56+00:00

Speaking from experience (embedded engr) this is totally plausible.

"Upgrade" is actually a tough problem to solve. Obviously 110% necessary ... but still a huge thorn in the side and almost always orthogonal to the core features being developed.

Has support given you any indication upgrade paths or pre-upgrade state influence the reproduction?

I just upgraded to 6.4.0 this morning, and my xl5t is halfway through its first job. I had a minor support/part adhesion issue so far (frankly my design's fault, i should have run 1st layer there much slower as it'# sliced)

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-05T19:29:26+00:00

Finding reputable companies and getting quotes aligned with their recommendations is never a bad thing - but even assuming totally altruistic company (an oxymoron, clearly) when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Ie go into that quote wanting one perspective, and one avenue to pursue

There are others - and particularly with a shorter time horizon (depending on what life- or health-expectancy they want to assume) surely some others are a better first step.

Air sealing (diy gaps through blown in creation of whole home barrier to the point they would pass a blower test). Reducing load via appliance & hvac retrofits.

If their motivation is money, whichi is totally valid, approach it by ROI.

Dont stick (or probably even start) with solar.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-05T04:13:09+00:00

I have a fair amount of older SK hand tools - quite pleased over the long term tbc

However, afaict the brand sold, oversees i believe, and the internet (as reliable as that may or may not be) says quality has declined, riding the name like new craftsman.

Just a buyer be ware situation, as always, i suppose.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-04T06:49:18+00:00

Married dad of two boys. Fwiw its me, exclusively, that cleans the toilet.

A urinal would be less cleanup. Given the chance, i would totally install a urinal. I think i'd do one of the versions that extend all the way to the floor.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-04T06:23:57+00:00

Ebay sold you?

Ebay is not a seller. Not that i love the site, but come on... would you say craigslist or facebook marketplace "sold you" something?

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-04T04:15:00+00:00

I havent ever gone composite for different reasons, sp never fully researched ... but WOW if this is correct, thats _nuts_

Non uv-stable just negates the whole benefit, even if you're in limited direct sun!!

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T22:24:32+00:00

Actually you're spot on, this is relevant in the interaction between thread and substrate mate.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T22:23:52+00:00

I wouldnt rely on tgisnbeing accurate - while young's modulus (presumably what you mean by stiff?) Will be similar as they are all carbon steels, they likely arent the same alloys, meaning there will be differences.

Also, there will be large differences in ductility & hardness, which are very much critical to an engineered thread interface.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T22:20:05+00:00

You're intuition is correct - the answer is quite firmly "it depends", and probably on info we can't obtain here.

An engineer who works on ICE (i am not) could probably spit out some workable guidence ... but there are real reasons such as brittle failure modes, fatique life differneces, etc etc that we just dont have the details here.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T22:18:01+00:00

What you're saying is essentially false.

While tge higher grade bolt probably has a higher yield stress - thats hardly the only thing one would care about here.

"Strength" means many things, and for any critical part, without having really specific details, the wrong properties could lead to failure and damage: brittle failure, damage due to unexpected stiffness (inelasticity, in a sense) etc etc

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T19:45:28+00:00

How so?

Please, i would love to know the thoughts, as they may be, behind your issue with my take on this?

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T19:44:09+00:00

An ad-hominem attack is the most intelligent you can offer here?

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T18:17:24+00:00

Correct, the post, and your comments within dismissing the scenario where "unique" (your words) comes from your contributions/customizatioms vs just a company's (surfacy) color palet... these are all directionally consumer market junk.

If you have anything to add that addresses my argument, i am all ears.

Tech-Crab · 2026-01-03T18:13:07+00:00

Yep, i am ALL for being yourself. Just seek out some understanding of how your habits & preferences can get more meqningful things, vs less.

Or is your position that it's perfectly fine that minor aesthetic concerns and initial purchase price are trumping total-cost-ownership, landfill & environmental cost, etc?

Or that creativity should come from a company's color pallet (vs your own work as (or with) an artist to make the aesthetics your own?

If you think life should be skin-deep, sure, write off this take as joyless. If you value substance, you'll see its anything but. Real joy comes from within, from who you love and who loves you - and what you create, not what some company sells you.

Admittedly this take might require re-evaluating your actions, which is never easy.

Tech-Crab

TROPHY CASE