What’s on *YOUR* workbench?

Yeah, I remember. For games that didn't have a 'boss mode' key, I created my own custom-short-cut key combos in Windows.

In the mid 80's to the mid 90's I was repairing coin-operated video games of all sorts. Sometimes I'd change game parameters that made it impossible for the player to win. Sometimes I'd alter a game so the player always one. In the office, I'd prank PC users with the opposite of a 'boss mode' and have a game randomly pop-up on their screen for 30 seconds that would interrupt whatever they were doing. Turns out, electronics engineers have less of a sense of humor than accountants. (At least, in that office.)
I was too young back then so I didn’t have a job yet but the boss key never made sense to me: the fake work screen looked way too fake and never like an actual spreadsheet or a word processor! Were bosses just totally unaware of what those softwares looked like?
 
I was too young back then so I didn’t have a job yet but the boss key never made sense to me: the fake work screen looked way too fake and never like an actual spreadsheet or a word processor! Were bosses just totally unaware of what those softwares looked like?
I certainly got the impression that bosses only glanced at workers' screens. At one point, as late as 2005, I went so far as to hack the 'boss-mode' screenshot in a couple of games and replaced it with a screenshot of an actual current Word or Excel document. (Yes, the native game 'boss-mode' screen was very fake looking.) But I was just part-time then. Got caught once when the boss wanted to highlight a specific cell on a hacked 'boss-mode' spreadsheet. My hack was not good, as I couldn't get the mouse to move while in 'boss-mode'. He just laughed, warned me about doing games again and went away. It was embarrassing to say the least.
 
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My beloved Shika is on the bench.

She’s been cutting out in bypass. Couple clicks on the switch and she’d come back. Thought I finally got a bum 3pdt and was gonna have to replace it until I pulled out the loupe for a closer look.

Looks great right?

View attachment 63804

ummmm… nope
View attachment 63805
I was going to comment on how neat your solder joints looked. Was really going to...
 
So I use Fusion 360, and Easel. And that’s awesome! I also wanted to build my own CNC and ultimately why I went with Longmill, linear rails and ball screws, minus the spindle. But I have a huge CNC at my work to do bigger jobs or metal if needed. The journey is definitely what it’s about, I live learning and DIY
I've considered learning fusion 360, I know learning CAM software will be a part of learning CNC for me. That cool you have access to the machines at work. I look forward to seeing more of your stuff.
 
I've considered learning fusion 360, I know learning CAM software will be a part of learning CNC for me. That cool you have access to the machines at work. I look forward to seeing more of your stuff.
I just today figured how to generate tool paths on there. I wouldnt say it was easy but its definitely worth it. The power of the software really allows you to do some neat things. Just watching the simulation can be entertaining.

I would definitely say its worth learning it! That goes for both the Design and CAM side of it! :)
 
I just today figured how to generate tool paths on there. I wouldnt say it was easy but its definitely worth it. The power of the software really allows you to do some neat things. Just watching the simulation can be entertaining.

I would definitely say its worth learning it! That goes for both the Design and CAM side of it! :)
I probably should learn it one day. I use some Autodesk products at work so I could probably pick it up fairly quickly. I currently don't own anything but a Chromebook which runs Blender and all the Linux stuff pretty well. I'm hoping I can get my Quadro based laptop from work when they upgrade me to a new one.

Your enclosures look awesome by the way. I have idea in my head to make a tiered pedal board that the pedals stick to with magnets placed inside the enclosures. I think I may try to do something like those cases for the rails that they stick to.
 
I probably should learn it one day. I use some Autodesk products at work so I could probably pick it up fairly quickly. I currently don't own anything but a Chromebook which runs Blender and all the Linux stuff pretty well. I'm hoping I can get my Quadro based laptop from work when they upgrade me to a new one.

Your enclosures look awesome by the way. I have idea in my head to make a tiered pedal board that the pedals stick to with magnets placed inside the enclosures. I think I may try to do something like those cases for the rails that they stick to.
Thats a very cool idea! That's something i think you would have a blast designing in Fusion 360. Ive seen your 3D printed enclosures and I love them! I think you can for sure learn it quickly. For me it took a whole day of playing with it and watching videos. Theres so much more to learn, for me now that i know how to create the tool paths I can now make test cuts and see the limits of my machine!
 
What's that, a finger-to-power outlet adaptor?
Ha! It’ll do that too I guess.

It’s a current limiter for testing amps. Two outlets wired in series with a light bulb socket in one so the current going to the amp has to flow through the bulb. If there’s a short somewhere in the amp, the bulb goes bright instead of blowing the fuse or melting down your amp. In theory anyway. I just finished putting it together.

Turns out the hard part is tracking down a 100w incandescent bulb. I ended up having to order some from an electrical supplier in Texas.
 
Ha! It’ll do that too I guess.

It’s a current limiter for testing amps. Two outlets wired in series with a light bulb socket in one so the current going to the amp has to flow through the bulb. If there’s a short somewhere in the amp, the bulb goes bright instead of blowing the fuse or melting down your amp. In theory anyway. I just finished putting it together.

Turns out the hard part is tracking down a 100w incandescent bulb. I ended up having to order some from an electrical supplier in Texas.
Got it. If there's a short somewhere along the path between your finger, your heart, and Mother Earth, the bulb will shine bright while your ghost soars into the Heavens.
 
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