Jimmy's Workshop Kits (Diresta)

If you know me, you know that I love it when people learn new skills, when people make something by themselves.

These DIY Woodwork kits from Jimmy Diresta are the perfect thing for kids or adults!

We got one for each of our kids. It took a little help from me to get the kits cleaned up. I however always take the opportunity to teach the kids how to do tasks and use the tools to your advantage.

You can get your own from Walmart!

Here are some pictures of us doing the projects and how they turned out.

Ender 3 Custom Start Code - with BLTouch

I use the BLTouch for my Ender 3 printer.  While it's not ideal to have to wait for it to do it's probing for Auto Level before every single print, neither is waiting for your printers hot end and print bed to heat up.
So, that's why I changed my start g-code to the following:

; Ender 3 Custom Start G-code
M140 S{material_bed_temperature}; Start heating Bed Temperature
M104 S{material_print_temperature}; Start heating Extruder Temperature
G28; Home
G29; Auto Level
M190 S{material_bed_temperature}; Wait for bed pre-heat to finish
M109 S{material_print_temperature}; Wait for extruder pre-heat to finish

Now my printer heats up both the print bed and the hot end at the same time while the printer does the Auto Leveling.  And by the time that the bed leveling is done the printer is already up to temperature.

Amazon Affiliate Link:

BLTouch: https://amzn.to/2VCsRgw 

Ender 3: https://amzn.to/3eDdUni
Metal Extruder: https://amzn.to/3auSplu

Ender 3 Direct Drive

I switched my Ender 3 over to a Direct Drive with the following 3d printed parts.
I have a BL Touch on mine and I had to edit the direct drive part to fit.  In order to use the BL Touch I had to turn the sensor around 180 degrees.  I also left the part that needs to get cut off to help support the print where the BL Touch actually bends.

Here is the link to the files I used.
Fan duct - BULLSEYE_DUCT_9.27.stl
BLTouch version - Ender3_BLTouch_DirectDrive_Bullseye-2-1.stl
Original version - Ender3_DirectDrive_Bullseye-2-1.stl

Part sizes for the Direct Drive are as follows:

Orientated like so:

Prosthetic Leg Lamp

I wrote an Instructable about this build. So instead of writing the project twice, I'll just let you go there and see the whole project. 

https://www.instructables.com/Prosthetic-Leg-Lamp/

MFBA Cribs Airbnb Edition

This is a fun little video we shot of our Airbnb at MakerFaire Bay Area earlier this year!  What a great bunch of guys!  Check it out!

Tribute to Brian "Superman" Bitner

My good friend Brian Bitner passed away on September 18th, 2017 after an incredible journey with chondrosarcoma cancer.  There is no question about the kind of "Superman" Brian was.  He literally gave 100% at anything he put his mind to!  His inspiration and example will live on forever!  #superbit



This is a simple tribute to Brian.  A simple walnut wood frame for some laser etchings of their family picture.  Please support those listed in the description of the YouTube video.

Mason Built His Pinewood Derby Car

I grew up doing Cub Scouts as a kid.  I always found the Pinewood Derby to be one of the most fun activities!  Being able to spend time with my dad and build a car to race!  I don't remember how well my car worked when I was a kid but, I do remember the time together.

I can only hope that Mason will remember the time we spent together with him learning how to build his Pinewood Derby Car.

Please enjoy this video I made of him building his car!