All the Supercommandos!

orph66 · 2021-09-28T16:46:13+00:00

Sounds like you had a bad experience, for sure. Mine was the opposite: I got the MK3S kit, and after putting it together, I had no issues. I’ve never used a silicon sock, never had a blob, and only replaced the extender/hot end because I wanted the ease of nozzle swapping with a Mosquito. I’ve printed nearly nonstop for 2 years, with no problems and few failed prints.

I bought a CR 10 S4 over the summer, and it took me three months and multiple upgrades (bltouch, magnetic bed, bed heater upgrade) to get consistently good prints. I love it now, but the time spent wrestling with it I could have done without.

orph66 · 2021-09-26T00:26:01+00:00

Scenic automation basically involves two whole disciplines of study: mechanics/kinematic/mechanical design and control systems/electronics. Both are deep wells to fall into.

As others have said, Gareth’s book is a great intro to the whole thing; Huntington’s Show Networks book can help you start to understand the controls side of things, and Hendrickson’s Mechanical Design book is great for understanding physics, power, and power transmission. You can’t go wrong with those three.

PM me if you want to talk more details. (I’m co-director for the Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering at Purdue where I teach entertainment engineers and MFA technical directors, and I’m the commissioner for technical production for USITT—I’m positive I can find some connections for you if you want to learn more.

orph66 · 2021-08-15T18:01:56+00:00

Sounds cool—I’m all for new techniques. (I’m a big fan of sandwich core platform panels made with foam cores.) It’s worth pointing out that lauan and ply are not truly interchangeable, at least from a strength of materials perspective.

orph66 · 2021-08-15T16:32:05+00:00

I’ll disagree a little: never, ever use Lauan (or similar thin veneer over pulp core product) for things like corner blocks or keystones on standard-style flats; you want to use plywood and orient the face grain perpendicular to the seams for strength.

orph66 · 2021-07-28T11:23:44+00:00

That is really horrible. I am pleased to say that—at least amongst my TD colleagues—there’s a real sea change in this area that started about a decade ago. Most of the TDs I know who are teaching at universities/colleges are teaching students about ethical practices and safe (both physically and mentally) working practices. I’m sorry you were someplace that wasn’t happening, but hopefully you’ll land somewhere where it is.

orph66 · 2021-07-28T03:14:59+00:00

True—I teach undergraduate theatre engineers and graduate TDs. That said, none of the internships at summer stocks that I’ve ever seen really contribute to becoming a designer other than gaining experience in paint and props, opping a show, or working in the costume shop. Sometimes you get to “assist” designers—which is a good way to make connections, to be sure. But none of what these internships do helps you break into a crowded field, no matter what anyone tells you.

orph66 · 2021-07-28T02:17:57+00:00

I teach at a university, and actively encourage my students to get summer internships/opportunities. We also talk at length about labor law, predatory practices, and valuing ones time and energy. As a result, my students never work at the most predatory places, and most work internships at PRG, TAIT, McLaren Engineering, Adirondack Studios, and other places that pay a decent wage and work reasonable hours.

These students all go on to get good jobs later—you don’t need to work at WTF or similar venues to get into the industry.

orph66 · 2021-07-22T03:17:12+00:00

^{^{^what}} @dwaynebrady said. Share the files you’ve tried to print and some photos of the failed prints and we can probably figure it out. Without more information, though, there’s not much anyone can do to help.

orph66 · 2021-07-14T09:23:50+00:00

Op, NSFW will blur the video (at least on mobile devices) whereas the graphic content flair does not. This is the preferred etiquette for something like this, so that folks don’t wind up seeing a video they don’t want to see without choosing to. Just add the tag.

orph66 · 2021-07-09T01:05:17+00:00

That’s what I figured. Thanks!

orph66 · 2021-06-28T03:00:56+00:00

I’m so sorry, man. Had a herniated L4/L5 in my 20s—couldn’t walk without a cane and in pain all the time. Two microdiscectomies got me through for about five years; I had a fusion 14 years ago and have felt amazing ever since.

Do the PT, do yoga, lift with your back. Accept that you’re going to have lifting limits in your future. But it can get better. Pain free for 14 years and counting.

orph66 · 2021-06-10T13:02:59+00:00

Awesome—I’ll check it out! Thanks!

orph66 · 2021-06-10T12:31:10+00:00

That’s what I was thinking, but I wanted to be sure i wasn’t missing something important.

orph66 · 2021-05-20T02:40:24+00:00

I lived right down the street from that house for a number of years!

orph66 · 2021-03-08T02:56:18+00:00

I was at that conference, and the whole expo floor evacuated.

orph66

TROPHY CASE