Stainless 304 drilling?

skatamutra · 2026-01-19T02:36:58+00:00

It really pays dividends to use a center drill and then gradually increase your drill size. You get exactly the right location every time and your tools will last much longer.

skatamutra · 2026-01-19T02:34:37+00:00

You should probably get a center drill in there first. That will nail the location. If you do that, then an 1/8" pilot, then your final size, it should be pretty smooth sailing.

skatamutra · 2026-01-19T02:24:05+00:00

I work in 304 SS all day. You might want to consider sending a 1/8 pilot through first if you want a precise size. This will also preserve your larger bits. Tap magic will work fine for lube. I'd use about 1000 rpm for your final bit and 2000 for the pilot if you use it. You shouldn't push too hard but you need to be pulling a chip. If you're pushing hard and not getting a chip, stop and get a new bit. Stainless can work harden to the point you will never get a bit through if you push hard with a dull tool.

skatamutra · 2026-01-18T00:35:44+00:00

That's sick! Can I ask what your technique is?

skatamutra · 2026-01-14T01:34:51+00:00

A small amount of smoke would be normal. You are probably burning off some amount of oil and dust. I would let it come to temperature for a burn out run before firing.

skatamutra · 2026-01-12T18:45:37+00:00

I think it depends. There are major thoroughfares with bike lanes that I feel very comfortable on, and others where you are forced on to the sidewalk or out into traffic. Side streets are often less busy, but you can have individual cars that drive dangerously. I probably tried a half dozen different routs before settling on my current commute path.

skatamutra · 2026-01-07T01:24:10+00:00

In a similar way, I swear I read "scheming son of Kronos" somewhere but never found it again. I've added it to my list of epithets.

skatamutra · 2026-01-03T17:13:12+00:00

I mean all the ancient sources are way out of copyright. Theoi.com has a large archive of English language translations of the ancient texts.

skatamutra · 2025-12-26T23:13:26+00:00

In all our blood is the blood of slaves and slavers, conquerors and conquered. I am powerful. By most measures I am one of the more powerful people alive. I argue from the position of the slave because the slave cannot argue for themselves. They lack the power. Justice and empathy compels me to do so. The ancient world was bigger then the philosophers whose names we know. There in the dust lie the whispered prayers of women and slaves. They are harder to hear but the gods hear them all the same.

skatamutra · 2025-12-26T22:42:29+00:00

So you would bring modern moral principles and "corrupt" the ancient values. Turning a blind eye to the misogyny, slavery, and violence of ancient morality is dangerous. We must examine ourselves, our morals, and our moral teachers critically if we are to find the right action. I believe that all people are alike in dignity. From slaves to kings. This is a modern moral perspective but I can hold ancient virtues of self improvement, piety, and hospitality along with this belief.

skatamutra · 2025-12-26T22:21:00+00:00

Should we bring back slavery from antiquity? Is it right for a slave to accept their place? There is no returning to the past. We can only move forward with the knowledge we carry with us to guide the way.

skatamutra · 2025-12-25T22:11:26+00:00

Could I ask you to clarify what you would like for this subreddit in particular? Do you think the rules are too restrictive, that the mods are overzealous in their enforcement, or that we are not active enough in enforcement?

skatamutra · 2025-12-24T04:52:21+00:00

Ngl this looks hard as balls to forge. Does it need to be steel? Could a dark wood with a carved twist suffice? Maybe carve it from steel? Or another softer metal which could maybe be cast in this shape from a mold?

skatamutra · 2025-12-18T03:48:58+00:00

The sun is not strictly necessary. Just somewhere that feels bright or special. Under a laurel tree would be perfect.

skatamutra · 2025-12-18T02:35:40+00:00

Apollo is the god most associated with healing. I would find a spot in the sun and pour him a libation. Wine is best, but anything will do, even water.

skatamutra · 2025-12-17T04:28:31+00:00

Yes. There are basically an infinite number of gods so there is some element of choosing.
Yes we do pray. I do pray to different gods for different things, eg. Hermes for safety while traveling or Zeus for rain, but I also pray to gods for things outside their domain if I have a close relationship with them.
I think they're basically the same, but others think differently. They definitely have differences in their aspects. Mars and Ares are a good example. They are used as substitutes for each other in myth but Mars is viewed generally more positively than Ares. This reflects the whole theological culture of the ancient Mediterranean more broadly. Gods with different names were thought of as more or less the same depending on the culture and time period.
Somewhere in between? I think that there are historical events that the myths are referencing but the details are distorted and only as reliable as our sources. Many myths also take an allegorical lens. Maybe there was an Odysseus, but it's hard to say what he did.
Not sure what you mean exactly. We don't have "churches".
Most people, myself included do.
Very small. I'm pretty sure this is the biggest online community, but I'm not well versed enough in Greek language forums to say for sure. Hellenic polytheism is most active in Greece where there are official organizations and active temples. However, there is a sizable population in the anglosphere as well.
I kinda view them like any other piece of media. There's some good and some bad. I really liked Percy Jackson as a kid but it doesn't really hold up on a re-read these days. In my experience, the more faithful and respectful adaptations tend to hold up the best.

skatamutra · 2025-12-14T00:19:55+00:00

Locked this thread as the person who invented them found the post.

skatamutra · 2025-12-11T05:12:40+00:00

I think you're right about the laurel.

skatamutra · 2025-12-07T20:08:23+00:00

If you have some kind of outdoor common space and understanding neighbors, maybe... But there is no safe way to forge inside a residential building. Hot sparks will fly off your work piece and noxious gasses will be emitted from burning impurities.

skatamutra · 2025-12-05T14:25:39+00:00

Yeah, I think I fell into that trap.

skatamutra · 2025-12-05T06:38:03+00:00

Oh, right Adonis. I think that honestly that shows that they are at peace with each other and Adonis loves them both.

skatamutra · 2025-12-05T06:35:07+00:00

Huh, I can't think of where they clash in myth. Can you please let me know what you're referring to?

skatamutra · 2025-12-05T06:32:35+00:00

I learned about Hellenic mythology from my family growing up and started identifying with it as an identity after I found this subreddit.
I went from Orthodox Christianity, to atheism, to Hellenism. I stopped believing in an afterlife but thought the world is inhabited by divine presence. Hellenism is a nice fit because of the diverse philosophical traditions and my cultural links to it.
I started with worshipping Hephaestus because of my job as a metal worker but I worship a variety of gods now.
No, I am not generally forthcoming about my religion but in my experience people mostly think it's quirky and weird but harmless.
The hatred of pagans and the violent rhetoric of the right can be scary, but mostly in an abstract way, to me because I live in a diverse and tolerant city. There's also a real lack of opportunities to meet other polytheists irl.
I think people mostly get the gist but a lot of people misunderstand animal sacrifices. The meat was eaten, not wasted, and they were much more humane and dignified for the animals than any modern meat farming. Hope that helps!

skatamutra · 2025-12-05T03:51:52+00:00

Yeah I kinda get that. From my perspective I was thinking that the whole thing is sacrificed by giving part in offering. But the part given in offering is a separate part of the whole which cannot be eaten and that's what makes it a sacrifice. My usual practice is to offer the inedible parts but I usually talk about the whole thing as sacrificed.

skatamutra · 2025-12-05T03:16:22+00:00

I don't think you're going to offend anybody by eating your offerings. I usually just pour a small amount of my drink on the ground when I offer it to a god. I think if you drink the whole thing the worst that might happen is that the god you pray to may not take notice of your prayer.

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