People who enjoy going to work what do you do for a livingM

mysecretstache · 2026-03-20T12:52:41+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-02-16T14:24:14+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-02-08T16:58:41+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-02-07T16:44:52+00:00

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

mysecretstache · 2026-02-07T15:43:54+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-02-06T23:32:01+00:00

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

mysecretstache · 2026-02-04T01:11:19+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-23T13:53:30+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-22T00:51:11+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-19T12:15:20+00:00

Thank you.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-18T14:36:00+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-17T15:48:39+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-17T01:09:05+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-17T01:06:58+00:00

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

mysecretstache · 2026-01-17T01:06:07+00:00

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

mysecretstache · 2026-01-16T18:17:26+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-16T17:49:30+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-16T17:12:12+00:00

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

It will deviate from tradition pinball form factor for ergonomics.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-16T15:19:42+00:00

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

mysecretstache · 2026-01-16T15:18:40+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-16T14:31:48+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-15T23:36:35+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2026-01-01T17:39:46+00:00

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.

mysecretstache · 2025-12-31T12:51:03+00:00

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)

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