Never too old to learn something new!

[MikeSibley]

Last night, I was working with a STL file that I got from a vendor on Ebay. It had portions that worked for me and others that really wasn't fitting. Remember that I am new to all of this, so I just dived into DuckDuckGo (alternative to the masters of the universe, Google) and studied quite a bit.

I found that I could import the 3D STL file into a free program called Meshmixer (made by AutoDesk, a reputable firm) and with a few clicks of the mouse separate the individual components, select the one that I didn't want and boom, the portions of the STL file that I didn't care for were gone! All I had to do was to group the remaining portions together and export it back to another STL file and It works perfectly. It's fairly easy and aboe all, cheap! After all, it's hard to beat free!

If anyone is interested, I'll try to post what I have learned in an easy 1, 2, 3 type manner to help you guys but you probably are already miles ahead of me on this type of thing!

By the way, today is Christmas Eve and to all my good friends here, I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a much brighter 2021. I sincerely thank all of you who have always been more than willing to jump in and help me with my sometimes stupid questions and as always, the camaraderie and friendship of everyone is a true blessing to me!

[Cherryville Chuck]

Merry Christmas to you too Mike but don't expect any help with your CNC from me. To me STL sounds like something I'd need to go to the doctor and get penicillin shots to get rid of.

[Herb Stoops]

The same to you, Mike, and thanks for all you did to help us get our own forum. Merry Christmas.
That includes all you guys on the forum.
HErb

[Bushwhacker]

I guess this is why I will never have a CNC. I read everything that you said Mike and have no idea what you said.
I am going to go back and look at Herbs hammer again.
Now that I understand.

Bushwhacker

[Herb Stoops]

I am with you David, but I love to see these IT woodworkers projects and stand amazed at what they can do,. A whole different world than mine. They fully enjoy making their computers do such fabulous work, we are the generation that amazed our grandfathers by making our power tools do amazing work and so fast compared to their hand tools.
Herb

[Bushwhacker]

My good friend Honest John made some dragon carvings for me recently. I used one to make this jewelry box for Sandra. I got it done just in time for Christmas. The top is what HJ made on his CNC in Michigan and mailed to me in Texas.
She was very pleased with it.

[Cherryville Chuck]

Nice work both of you.

[Herb Stoops]

WOWSER!! great looking job,both you guys. The combinations of colors really set it off. She can be proud of that for a long time.
Herb

[Nickp]

Very nice...! Love the accent diamonds...!

[Herb Stoops]

Are the diamonds the drawer slides?
Herb

[Bushwhacker]

Yes Herb they are. I made them out of squares of cedar and notched both the corner post and the drawers. What you are looking at are the ends of the square strips. I made spacers in the drawers out of thin strips of cedar and notched them so they fit together. . Also lined it with green felt.

Bushwhacker

[Bushwhacker]

Thanks for the coodos my friends, I could not have made it with out Johns help. I have spend the last 5 years trying to carve my dragon with a Dremel Tool but each time I had it going well, I would break off a tooth and loose a claw. One time I could not get the grin off the face of the dragon. He stops smiling when I ran him through the planer . Plus the Dremel would have the tendency to follow the grain of the wood.
I even made a trip to the Rockler store in Houston and bought a plank of soft maple, it was almost grain less but I still could not keep the dremel on the lines.
Then along came the LONE RANGER "HONEST JOHN"> and we got her done.
This next summer, Sandra and I will have to drive to Michigan and take him and his lovely wife out to dinner.
Some place classy.
Maybe TACO BELL !!

Bushwhacker

[honesttjohn]

Love the Cool Ranch taco shells, David, but you've been more than fair with me. If you guys make it here room and board are on us. You did the real work. I just cut a file on some different boards. Sandra should be real proud of it. Now......what are you going to make out of the other ones?? Just glad you could use at least one of them.

[Bushwhacker]

I have some ideas. I plan to use them all. I have 19 Grand kids and 3 Great grands. Most all of them are girls. I am sure they would love to have a jewelry box with a carved dragon lid. These could become heirlooms.

Bushwhacker

[Herb Stoops]

David, did you just put an order in for 20 more???
HErb

[honesttjohn]

I'll start on them as soon as David confirms the order.

[MikeSibley]

Hello Guys! HonestJohn has been a real friend and mentor as I learn. I wouldn't be this far along without John. That's good work Bushwacker and John! Wife has me out in the yard putting mulch etc in the flower beds! I'd rather be playing in the shop!!

[Bushwhacker]

Don't complain Mike.
I was going to do some work in my shop today but smelled Sewage at the side of the house. I had to cut a hole through the floor tiles of the kitchen and 3 layers of wooden floor, to get under the house. The main sewer line had come loose and was draining under the house. Three trips to the lumber yard and a lot of digging in S***. and it is fixed.
Now I have to repair the floor and retile it. Lucky I still had a box of tile left from when I remodeled the kitchen.
Not sure which subject this should be posted under.

Bushwhacker

[Bushwhacker]

My Mom used to say that if you got together with everyone that you know, and they all threw their problems in a pile and you could change yours for any other ones. That, you would take your own problems home with you.

Bushwhacker

[Herb Stoops]

Not sure which subject this should be posted under.

Bushwhacker

I think it goes under "S**T HAPPENS"

Just saying,
Herb

[Bushwhacker]

Sounds about right.

Bushwhacker