3D Printer Stuff
Good article on the ultrafine particle s and VOC emitted by 3D printers. It compares the types of particles and VOC's emitted by various filament materials, and in my opinion shows the need for some sort of enclosure when printing indoors, as well as some sort of active air filtration for the printer. I will not print ABS (or HIPS) indoors unless it is inside the enclosure. PLA is relatively safer but that does not mean perfectly safe. Adding a 3D printer to a home is something that needs to be weighed carefully since there are possible risks which I feel are probably not well understood yet. At a minimum I'd keep it in a room where nobody sleeps and with a HEPA filter nearby (running at least when the printer is on and then for an hour or so afterwards).
https://3dprinterchat.com/ultrafine-particles-from-3d-printers/
Best fonts for 3D Printing:
https://printingit3d.com/best-fonts-to-use-for-3d-printing/
Very good guide on setting up the Z-axis on a CR10
How to Level the X-Gantry and adjust the eccentric nuts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwVxkukxJlw
Extruder Calibration and Flow (extrusion multiplier)
Alternatively, this is a good video on the Extruder and Flow Calibration:
https://3dprinterchat.com/ultrafine-particles-from-3d-printers/
Best fonts for 3D Printing:
https://printingit3d.com/best-fonts-to-use-for-3d-printing/
Very good guide on setting up the Z-axis on a CR10
How to Level the X-Gantry and adjust the eccentric nuts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwVxkukxJlw
Extruder Calibration and Flow (extrusion multiplier)
Alternatively, this is a good video on the Extruder and Flow Calibration:
Fixing a clog on an Ender3 (also works on a CR10)
This is a great tool for cutting bowden tubes square (much better than doing it by eye)
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:665862
Also a good video for more serious problems with oozing around the heat break or nozzle here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5cFDlhk-tA
Ender3 Setup guides:
Intermediate Setup
Expert Setup
Simplify3D print quality troubleshooting guide
Rigid.ink print quality troubleshooting guide
Heat Creep and clogs that just wont stop:
If you are seeing intermittent clogs, it could be that the PTFE tube is slipping on the bowden coupler at the hot end. If that happens there could be a void forming where melted plastic can work up the heatbreak causing problems with extruding. There is something called the "Original Hot End Fix Creality" on thingiverse which can help. Note however that I have read that often the guides are not perfect one size fits all solutions, so you may need to do some trial and error to get the right fit for your printer. See this video for an explanation and permanent fix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCxO17XZtw.
To clean up and fix oozing around the hot end see this video - but note the warning in the comments about using the metal brush and the possibility of blowing the board by shorting the hot end heater (either don't use a metal brush or do it with the power off and the heater cartridge removed). You can also see the permanent hot end fix in the video, though it is not explained there as well as in the Chep video linked above.
Excellent video on how to upgrade the firmware (and bootloader on an Ender3) using an Arduino UNO. This video shows the install of TH3D firmware which is based on Marlin but has a more user friendly setup - and an online configuration tool - https://ezfirmware.th3dstudio.com/ezconfig/
Note that when doing this upgrade, the printer's mainboard will get power from the Arduino UNO, so the printer should be off - and I also unplug it to avoid issue with grounding. As shown in the video, some printers also have jumpers to switch the source power between USB (the Arduino) and their internal 5V regultors (which is the normal setting). My Ender3 did not have a jumper, but I have other boards that do. General rule is if you have the jumper, set it as shown in the video (to USB for programming and then back when all the jumpers are removed and it is all done). I'd also suggest connecting all the jumpers, then double checking them (and then triple check them) before applying power to the Arduino.
How to use the Creality BL Touch kit to install the firmware (I have not tested this since I used the arduino as ISP method). I would not recommend doing it this way but if you got the kit already then this will help. The Creality BL-Touch Kit with the programmer does not seem very well documented and relies on some apps which I'd rather not install. A better / simpler method is to use an Arduino to flash the bootloader (see the video above). If you already bought the Creality kit though and are struggling to figure out how to set it up, here is a good video:
Guide to using an Raspberry Pi to flash the board on an Ender3 (similar method to those shown above, but uses a Raspberry Pi running AVRDude to do the job (I have not tested this method since I use an Arduino as ISP).
Setting Vref - adjusting the stepper current, which can be helpful to tune steppers that loose steps or run too hot.
https://matterhackers.dozuki.com/Guide/Tuning+Motor+Current/37
E3D video on setting Vref on a Creality printer (CR10)
Super cool terrain to STL generator. http://jthatch.com/Terrain2STL/ also has one for the moon! http://jthatch.com/Moon2STL/
Creality GitHub - has stock Marlin configs, board schematics, etc.
CR10S Pro all metal extruder wear issue and fix
Good Explanation of retraction, combing and coasting in Cura, which are ways to avoid stringing and holes in prints.
CR10S Pro transfer board PCB and Ribbon Cable Breakout Board Designs (useful if swapping the stock board with a non-stock board):
github.com/darknode/cr-10s-pro-mods
A great Instructable explaining how to set the vref on a CR10S Pro
www.instructables.com/Creality-CR10S-Pro-Y-Axis-Stepper-and-Power-Upgrad/
How to design printable gears:
Simple way
A more complete explanation
TPU Shore Hardness diagram (and info)
Interesting fix for bowden tube couplers (I have not tried this yet, but it's on the list of stuff to do):
3D Printing Deals
Here are some sites where deals on 3D printers, filament and accessories can be found:
https://3dprintingdeals.com/
www.reddit.com/r/3dprintingdeals/
https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLAFantasticPLA
https://3dprintingdeals.com/
www.reddit.com/r/3dprintingdeals/
https://twitter.com/hashtag/PLAFantasticPLA
Unix Stuff
How To Change Forgotten Password On Ubuntu 14.04 Servers (from www.liberiangeek.net)
How to remove the Grub Bootloader from a dual boot setup with Windows 10 and Ubuntu (or other flavor of Linux). This is handy if your Ubuntu install got corrupted or the disk it was installed on fails and you are getting the "grub rescue>" prompt when booting and need to say f' it all and start over.
How to remove the Grub Bootloader from a dual boot setup with Windows 10 and Ubuntu (or other flavor of Linux). This is handy if your Ubuntu install got corrupted or the disk it was installed on fails and you are getting the "grub rescue>" prompt when booting and need to say f' it all and start over.
Computer Stuff
How to check the MD5, SHA1, SHA256 or SHA512 Checksum in Windows without downloading another program (built in certUtil command).
Thunderbird database corrupted? Here is a fix (also here). Thunderbird database corruption can cause email to stop being received when it had been working and nothing else changed.
Seeing a CMD prompt box open up and flash away real quick like? You can see if it was a scheduled task by following the instructions here, and then going through the file and searching for today's date and the time closest to the time the box popped up. That will give you an idea of what it was, since there are probably gonna be many scheduled tasks and there will be a lot of stuff to sort through there. In case that link does not work, I will post the summary info below (thanks to Frederik Long):
1. Open a command prompt (type cmd in the search box on the start menu).
2. paste the following in there (this will create a file called "schedule.txt" on the desktop where the scheduled task history will be copied to)
schtasks /v /query > "%UserProfile%\Desktop\schedule.txt"
3. Open "schedule.txt" on the desktop and then look though there for the info on the most recent tasks (I would search by the date and time if possible).
Windows 10 Sandbox (for running applications in a protected sandbox) - requires Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) or higher, and virtualization needs to be enabled in the bios. It is not all kittens and gravy though, the sandbox can still see your network and it starts with very little in the way of applications, and is very bare bones which is by design really. It relies on Windows Defender as the AV software and comes with Edge. The primary use would be to test a program or file that you don't want to let loose on your primary system - nothing is perfect however, and that goes double for Windows, so I would still exercise caution.
Lec'tronics Stuff
How to get a HEX file from Ardunio IDE
Add bluetooth to your Arduino project - Arduino+HC-06 (from www.instructables.com)
LiquidCrystal I2C libraries (from bitbucket.org)
i2c/SPI LCD Backpack (from www.adafruit.com)
I2C LCD Controller (the easy way) (from www.instructables.com)
Wire Gauge and Current Limits Including Skin Depth and Strength
Fritzing - a cool app for designing and documenting circuits
Eagle PCB design CAD
PICAXE - official site for info on the PICAXE microcontroller (BASIC programmable micro). Great, cheap way for students to learn how to control stuff with micros.
http://electropit.com/ - Interesting electronics blog, but has not been updated in several years.
Flyback diodes explained. Flyback diodes are used to protect against back EMF (voltage) when an inductive load like a motor or relay is shut off. They will protect the switching circuitry (transistors or mosfets), though sometimes these diodes are integrated into mosfets, they wont hurt to add one. Here is another great video which shows the back voltage on a scope.
Arduino IDE setup for NodeMCU32 (board manager)
Arduino PWM Fan Control
Wire chart showing reistance, max amps and other stuff
USB Volt / Power Meters Reviews
Add bluetooth to your Arduino project - Arduino+HC-06 (from www.instructables.com)
LiquidCrystal I2C libraries (from bitbucket.org)
i2c/SPI LCD Backpack (from www.adafruit.com)
I2C LCD Controller (the easy way) (from www.instructables.com)
Wire Gauge and Current Limits Including Skin Depth and Strength
Fritzing - a cool app for designing and documenting circuits
Eagle PCB design CAD
PICAXE - official site for info on the PICAXE microcontroller (BASIC programmable micro). Great, cheap way for students to learn how to control stuff with micros.
http://electropit.com/ - Interesting electronics blog, but has not been updated in several years.
Flyback diodes explained. Flyback diodes are used to protect against back EMF (voltage) when an inductive load like a motor or relay is shut off. They will protect the switching circuitry (transistors or mosfets), though sometimes these diodes are integrated into mosfets, they wont hurt to add one. Here is another great video which shows the back voltage on a scope.
Arduino IDE setup for NodeMCU32 (board manager)
Arduino PWM Fan Control
Wire chart showing reistance, max amps and other stuff
USB Volt / Power Meters Reviews
Z-wave Stuff
Aeotec Reset Z-stick Gen 5
Setup Hassio Guide
SSH setup for Hassio (note that the key goes inside " ")
Adding and Removing Z-Wave Nodes in Hassio (includes a work around for removing zombie nodes).
Setup Hassio Guide
SSH setup for Hassio (note that the key goes inside " ")
Adding and Removing Z-Wave Nodes in Hassio (includes a work around for removing zombie nodes).
CNC Stuff
CNC Fusion - CNC kits for mills and lathes
A good overveiw and review of the Sieg X3.
http://www.mini-lathe.com/X3_mill/X3rvw/X3.htm
A really good guide to fully tearing down an X3 mill.
http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projects/prepguides/X3%20Mill%20Preparation%20Guide.pdf
A great site with lots of info, this is the schematic for a G540 control box.
http://www.homanndesigns.com/pdfs/EN010_V8.pdf
A guide to pinning a mill table and tooling plate (via the wayback machine since it appears they removed it).
https://web.archive.org/web/20130917045958/http://ihcnc.com/pages/mill-tips.php
cnczone.com - check the forums for small mills and benchtop mills, tons of info there.
Info on setting up a VFD (speed control) using the G540 controller.
http://pminmo.com/g540-vfd
Crevice Reamer's site, packed with cnc info and stuff.
geckodrive.com - these guys make the G540 which is an awesome controller for the X3 mill. There are limits on the sizes of steppers in can control though so know what you need for steppers and check the specs on the controller before buying. My mill uses a larger 906 oz-in stepper on the Z-axis which is too big to be fully driven by the G540 but it still works well enough.
cnczone.com - check the forums for small mills and benchtop mills, tons of info there.
cncfusion.com - makes kits for converting mills, check the forums and contact the owner before ordering to check on lead times. If you are looking at an X3 conversion ask about the "CR Option" for the Z-axis (short for Crevice Reamer, and yes that link is safe for work :D)
grizzly.com - they sell most types of mills, most are manual, but they are a good place to compare.
littlemachineshop.com - place for replacement parts, they also sell some small mills and lathes. I would stay away from anything smaller than an X3, but that is just one person's opinion. The X2 size mills are better than no mill at all if space is at a premium.
Threading Calculator - useful for figuring out what values to use for designing threaded holes. For 3D printing, I use it to get a baseline for designing threads in parts to match non-printed parts. This thread calculator is another great option.
Common thread sizes and dimensions - good place to find all the info needed to design common threads.
A good overveiw and review of the Sieg X3.
http://www.mini-lathe.com/X3_mill/X3rvw/X3.htm
A really good guide to fully tearing down an X3 mill.
http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/projects/prepguides/X3%20Mill%20Preparation%20Guide.pdf
A great site with lots of info, this is the schematic for a G540 control box.
http://www.homanndesigns.com/pdfs/EN010_V8.pdf
A guide to pinning a mill table and tooling plate (via the wayback machine since it appears they removed it).
https://web.archive.org/web/20130917045958/http://ihcnc.com/pages/mill-tips.php
cnczone.com - check the forums for small mills and benchtop mills, tons of info there.
Info on setting up a VFD (speed control) using the G540 controller.
http://pminmo.com/g540-vfd
Crevice Reamer's site, packed with cnc info and stuff.
geckodrive.com - these guys make the G540 which is an awesome controller for the X3 mill. There are limits on the sizes of steppers in can control though so know what you need for steppers and check the specs on the controller before buying. My mill uses a larger 906 oz-in stepper on the Z-axis which is too big to be fully driven by the G540 but it still works well enough.
cnczone.com - check the forums for small mills and benchtop mills, tons of info there.
cncfusion.com - makes kits for converting mills, check the forums and contact the owner before ordering to check on lead times. If you are looking at an X3 conversion ask about the "CR Option" for the Z-axis (short for Crevice Reamer, and yes that link is safe for work :D)
grizzly.com - they sell most types of mills, most are manual, but they are a good place to compare.
littlemachineshop.com - place for replacement parts, they also sell some small mills and lathes. I would stay away from anything smaller than an X3, but that is just one person's opinion. The X2 size mills are better than no mill at all if space is at a premium.
Threading Calculator - useful for figuring out what values to use for designing threaded holes. For 3D printing, I use it to get a baseline for designing threads in parts to match non-printed parts. This thread calculator is another great option.
Common thread sizes and dimensions - good place to find all the info needed to design common threads.
ViaCAD Stuff
MasterViaCAD.com - Great resource for ViaCAD training and tutorials (thanks to jcuevas @ Thingiverse for letting me know about it!
Here is another video (thanks again to Jcuevas @ Thingiverse for the link), which demonstrates how to make a section cut to slice STL's. A similar method can be used to generate 2D sections from a 3D STL file.
Here is another video (thanks again to Jcuevas @ Thingiverse for the link), which demonstrates how to make a section cut to slice STL's. A similar method can be used to generate 2D sections from a 3D STL file.
Cool Stuff
Nominal vs Actual board sizes - in inches
ISS observation - find out when the ISS will be viewable from where you live
Instructables - the best place to find stupid stuff to make
Printables - The best place to find stupid stuff to print.
My Stoopid Haiku
ECNmag - Cool stuff and a good place to waste time on things I don't understand
Thermal Expansion of Metals - chart showing the Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient of various metals.
ISS observation - find out when the ISS will be viewable from where you live
Instructables - the best place to find stupid stuff to make
Printables - The best place to find stupid stuff to print.
My Stoopid Haiku
ECNmag - Cool stuff and a good place to waste time on things I don't understand
Thermal Expansion of Metals - chart showing the Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient of various metals.
Cooking Stuff
MAKE IT WITH MER Gluten Free Cooking & Recipes - Youtube channel with tons of great GF recipes and some reviews.
Pretty good Green Bean Recipe
AirFyerCalculator.com - Excellent tool for estimating cooking times for an Air Fryer
Quick Freezer Ready Chicken Marinade Recipes
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
Greek Salad Dressing - works great for a cucumber salad too.
Greek Lemon Rice - really good, I usually add just a 1/2 teaspoon of Mediterranean Miracle Seasoning as well, but it's perfect without out it too, just don't forget the bay leaf.
Tzatziki Sauce - very simple recipe, I use dry dill seasoning and remove the seeds from the cucumber before mincing it up.
Lana Under Pressure - Great YouTube Channel for air fryer and instant pot recipe ideas.
Really Good Philly Recipe (not the best I have had, but pretty good still). I only added a couple shakes or Cumin to this recipe.
Air Fryer Shrimp (I make them as Kabobs)
Neely's Sauteed Spinach
Easy Beef Kabobs Recipe (I'm testing this one 5/15/2021)
Pretty good Green Bean Recipe
AirFyerCalculator.com - Excellent tool for estimating cooking times for an Air Fryer
Quick Freezer Ready Chicken Marinade Recipes
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
Greek Salad Dressing - works great for a cucumber salad too.
Greek Lemon Rice - really good, I usually add just a 1/2 teaspoon of Mediterranean Miracle Seasoning as well, but it's perfect without out it too, just don't forget the bay leaf.
Tzatziki Sauce - very simple recipe, I use dry dill seasoning and remove the seeds from the cucumber before mincing it up.
Lana Under Pressure - Great YouTube Channel for air fryer and instant pot recipe ideas.
Really Good Philly Recipe (not the best I have had, but pretty good still). I only added a couple shakes or Cumin to this recipe.
Air Fryer Shrimp (I make them as Kabobs)
Neely's Sauteed Spinach
Easy Beef Kabobs Recipe (I'm testing this one 5/15/2021)
