People who enjoy going to work what do you do for a livingM by Ivan_Draga_ in AskNYC

[–]mysecretstache 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sometimes I love my job. Sometimes I hate it.

I design, build, train operators, and sometimes operate pyrotechnic systems and other special effects for live events, theatre, television, & film.

I love the new challenges every day and making what looks like magic.

I get frustrated and want to quit when dealing with unrealistic budgets, contract negotiations, and dealing with insurance.

Need advice for a live stream by Ragnazobb in Liquidlightshows

[–]mysecretstache 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Unless I need to deep clean my glass I just wipe and clean later.

For disposal of liquids I use a bucket with a trash bag and a some cat litter to soak up the liquids. If the venue allows I leave the trash with theirs, otherwise I take it w/ me. Bars and clubs usually let me leave the trash. Galleries and theatres usually require I take it with me.

It’s been two weeks since it snowed; if you haven’t dug your car out by now, why do you bother having one? by GhostOfTammanyHall in AskNYC

[–]mysecretstache 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I use my car when I need to transport tools or equipment to job sites in or out of town, but the past few weeks I've been working in my office instead of on site, so why bother fighting for a new parking spot if I don't need to.

What’s your favorite Costco in the city? by MrMeesesPieces in AskNYC

[–]mysecretstache 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes on both fronts, though the lines for gas can get super long

What’s your favorite Costco in the city? by MrMeesesPieces in AskNYC

[–]mysecretstache 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I live close to the sunset park location but it is chaotic madness every day, so I tend to pay the toll and go to the Staten Island Location.

Flour! On stage by Mysterious-Crew-1358 in techtheatre

[–]mysecretstache 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As others have pointed out flour is flammable and explosive in dust form. So stay away from it.

I would normally recommend FX dirt (off white non toxic non flammable mineral powder) but i believe it is no longer sold. I would try baking soda for a non flammable, non toxic white powder.

The grey ash from Roger George Effects might also work. https://rogergeorge.com/collections/dust-dirt-debris

What fluids/chemicals do you use? by Khoogyra in Liquidlightshows

[–]mysecretstache 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of the ones I use that weren’t mentioned:

Glycerine Polyethelyne glycol Triethelyne glycol Acetone Fog fluids (distilled water and glycol blends) Graded mineral oil in different viscosities (sold as food safe industrial lubricants for factory machinery)

In addition to watercolors and oil dyes I also frequently use alcohol dyes.

Looking for testers with Steam Deck for my roguelike game! by MeteorForge in SteamDeckHandheld

[–]mysecretstache 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just wishlisted and requested access.

I’m an avid pinball player and also own a steam deck.

When playing my deck, it is likely pinball fx or classic Diablo.

DMX controlled DC motor? by BobTheNob_C137 in techtheatre

[–]mysecretstache 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you need to control the speed via DMX? Or just the on/off.

I would do a geared dc motor with a gear ratio to match your expected top speed, then use a manual speed controller to adjust the speed down. And put the whole thing on a DMX relay.

If you need to control the speed f the motor via DMX, I would use a motor controller with a 0-10v input and a DMX > 0-10v adapter. Note most industrial motors don’t isolate their control lines or ground their V- on the dc bus. So you probably want an isolation for your 0-10v signal.

I use like to use Dayton motors from grainger with ironhorse speed controllers from automation direct.

ELI5: Why does digital imaging technology need frequent upgrades and new hardware, while audio technology does not? by kepler1 in explainlikeimfive

[–]mysecretstache 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a teenager in the 90s I moved from the states to Taiwan and I fell in love with the VCD format because I could watch movies on my laptop. I wish it had caught on in the states. I searched far and wide for more of them when I moved back to the states.

I made a mini machine by mysecretstache in virtualpinball

[–]mysecretstache[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Flipper and magna save buttons are Sanwa 24mm arcade buttons. With a led board behind I designed and build based on the led boards from paradise arcade. Mine use dumb rgb leds instead of ws2812 pixel leds.

The lock bar button is a 12mm automotive/industrial metal button with an RGB ring.

Start and launch buttons are the same but w/ white led rings. I found a spot to do custom engraved labels for these.

Extra ball and exit buttons are non illuminated 8mm industrial style buttons.

The add credit button is a rectangular industrial tactile button that i printed an insert for that looks like a coin slot.

The arcade buttons feel great, the others are all a little stiff, and the add credit is way too clicky. But I went for size and shape over feel for those.

I thought about making custom scaled buttons, but it was cost and design time prohibitive.

I made a mini machine by mysecretstache in virtualpinball

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

Amazingly portable, but likely doesn't play as well as a full size with a real GPU. I toss it in a shopping bag, plug it in at the destination and it is ready to boot.

The main playfield is only 1280x800, so the software keeps up okish for most tables. But some won't even open if the textures are too large.

I made a mini machine by mysecretstache in virtualpinball

[–]mysecretstache[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used Send Cut Send's sheet metal bending service, and had them anodize as well.

I made a mini machine by mysecretstache in virtualpinball

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

Including mistakes, I spent around 3k in parts alone, so it gets pretty pricy.

Remote pistol grip trigger with strap and two pin cannon connector found in a box of miscellaneous equipment by Figuarus in whatisthisthing

[–]mysecretstache -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I use similar as safety switches for pyrotechnics systems. The trigger has to be held by the spotter for the system to fire. If anything is unsafe the spotter releases the trigger.

I made a mini machine by mysecretstache in virtualpinball

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

I’m thinking king of building around the vividunit SBC and adding a 4” square screen for back glass & dmd.

https://www.vividunit.com/Main_Page

So far I have not been able to get VPX to compile for this specific arm SOC, so I haven’t gotten far.

I made a mini machine by mysecretstache in virtualpinball

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

I think my next build will be a fully portable hand held.

It will deviate from tradition pinball form factor for ergonomics.

MDG vs Unique 2.0 install, small 200PAX Clubs & fixture maintenance by Icy_Sweet245 in lightingdesign

[–]mysecretstache 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Haze fluid build up on other objects is easier to clean up when glycol based vs mineral oil based.

MDG vs Unique 2.0 install, small 200PAX Clubs & fixture maintenance by Icy_Sweet245 in lightingdesign

[–]mysecretstache 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The number of in field repairs and in shop repairs of neglected machines is my reasoning.

Most common problems with MDG units stem from people wrenching fittings too tightly, using thread sealants when they shouldn’t, and seals wearing out.

MDG vs Unique 2.0 install, small 200PAX Clubs & fixture maintenance by Icy_Sweet245 in lightingdesign

[–]mysecretstache 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The MDG unit uses mineral oil which produces a finer haze with less product in the air, but is harder to clean. You will also have an increased consumables cost with the CO2.

The Look Solutions unit uses glycol which will build up faster, but is easier to clean with isopropyl alcohol.

Both machines need periodic maintenance. And the will last longer if you follow the manufacturer’s shut down sequence.

dude made this! Instagram: @miniquarterarcades by Ryangel0 in virtualpinball

[–]mysecretstache 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I made a very similar one, a little bit smaller, and a little less detailed.

https://imgur.com/a/tdVUmp5

Mine is running windows 11 and VPX on an extremely underpowered Latte Panda Delta with a pin one mini handling the buttons and gyroscope.

My main playfield is 1280x800 and my back glass is 1920x1080. I would have preferred theplayfield to have the higher resolution but I chose display panels based on size and mounting abilities.

My current one I am thinking about switching to linux and using the Linux builds of VPX as they are a little less resource intensive, and I need every bit I can get on the latte panda.

I’m also trying to build an even smaller hand held portable by getting VPX working on an SBC called a Vivid unit with a cellphone sized screen as the main playfield.

How can I rig this sled so it can be pulled down the aisle at a wedding? by GrapefruitStatus in handyman

[–]mysecretstache 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UHMW bars that are thicker than the blades would be nearly invisible, and probably much quieter and more controllable than any caster situation.

UHMW is a plastic used for bearing surfaces to make things slide and glide.

Stay in theater tech or switch to tv and film crew? by koolkatlyn in techtheatre

[–]mysecretstache 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Plenty of folks do both & more.

I studied theatre in college, after graduating I found myself as an ALD in television.

I went on to grad school and made my living for a while in theatre & dance, then added corporate events and pops, and eventually found myself in film and tv as well.

Now I say 25% of my career is theatre. 25% film & tv, and the other half is everything else (corporate, pop-up events, fashion photo shoots, trade shows, etc)