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raddevus wrote: I've recently converted my breadboard prototype (rat's nest of wires)[^]
Where did you get the breadboard done? I've got a couple of projects and started the research, but was a little overwhelmed. Any pointers would be appreciated.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -- Groucho Marx
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I downloaded Kicad[^] (FREE schematic / PCB design software).
And watched a couple of videos on getting started with it -- if I find the links I will send them along.
I had to create my PCB direct -- meaning I skipped the schematic creation step -- which is probably not advised -- and I directly designed the PCB. That's because i didn't know how to match a schematic symbol to the through-hole part that I wanted to end up on the PCB.
I was in hurry, because I'm always in a hurry. 
Well, I finally somehow got a basic PCB designed.
OSHPARK
Somewhere I saw this Oshpark.com - PCB manufacturer in US[^] (maybe on twitter)
Very Cool : Upload Test
Here's the cool thing.
I noticed that I could upload my PCB to the oshpark site and it would generate a board preview -- a real image of what my board would look like.
I kept altering things & uploading over and over and that really helped me get to the final.
I used Oshpark and got three boards for $30.50 USD. Shipping is included in that price -- but it is slow (via US postal service).
It's a long wait when you want to test it to see if it even works. 
But I got them in about 14 days or so.
I really like Oshpark and how their site works. Very helpful. And I still can't believe I got it done because I have no idea what I'm doing. 
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Personally I'm avoiding Autodesk Fusion 360 because it's 100% cloud-based. I've settled on FreeCAD for my first attempts at learning this stuff, but I have nothing more to offer you other than the following:
Andreas Spiess just put out a video about how he prints his project boxes.
- Owen -
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Thanks for the info. I will definitely check out FreeCAD and I've just started watching that video link. Really great.
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The thing that's always stopped me from buying one, is uncertainty about the cost of feeding it. About how much filament would it take to print, say, the angel shown on the Amazon page?
Truth,
James
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I have no idea about that either. I ordered two spools of stuff that the amazon site suggested with the printer. One was $10 & the other was $21. I saw the type of one was PLA and others have mentioned it so I am guessing they will actually work.
When I get my printer and make a test print I will try to give you an idea of how much it takes.
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Ah... Didn't realize you didn't have it yet.
Truth,
James
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Completed my first print & wanted to let you know about filament usage.
Filament usage is very small actually.
Here is the sample filament they gave with the printer: https://i.stack.imgur.com/QukEv.png[^] There is a micro SD card in the center of that loop to give you an idea of how small amount this really is.
Here is an item (chip clip) I printed with that filament (with much left over): https://i.stack.imgur.com/iWe65.png[^]
I added a normal ball point pen for scale comparison.
Here's what is left of the spool on the 3d printer (a lot):
https://i.stack.imgur.com/Ae2BC.png[^]
Hope this helps give you an idea.
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My systems drive was only 256 GB and was slowly filling up. So I decided that in preparation for a clean install next month when Windows 11 arrives, I will install a new, larger drive. I got a 512 GB NVMe SSD from Amazon and fitted it into the machine.
Then I tried to boot from a Macrium recovery USB flash drive to restore my last image. Macrium booted OK, but nothing worked. The mouse had no effect. I was stymied. Went into the BIOS a couple of times to fiddle with the boot options, but nothing worked. Fiddling with the BIOS always makes me nervous, and I became convinced I had broken something in the BIOS.
I was about ready to start crying when I noticed something: The mouse was black! My computer's wireless mouse is red! When I started using the red mouse, everything worked like a charm! I felt such a fool! 
Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!
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I had the same issue with multiple keyboard for multiple machines on my desk. I'd always wonder why the typing wasn't working.... wrong KB!
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
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Yes. With wireless keyboards and wireless mice, one has to remember which goes with which machine. But it requires such a lot of intellectual effort! I get the mice in different colors to avoid confusion, but I still manage to mess up.
Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!
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I have actually never seen a red mouse. Just my two cents.
The difficult we do right away...
...the impossible takes slightly longer.
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You mean you've never embarrassed a mouse. 
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I double checked. It is RED indeed!
Get me coffee and no one gets hurt!
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How did a black mouse get in the house,
and, how did get it sneak ahead of red?
«The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled» Plutarch
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If you can't remember where you parked your Ford, do you keep losing your Focus?
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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You'll just have to get somebody to Escort you back to it... 
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
Mark Twain
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Seems like a phishing Expedition, that puts me on Edge and makes me want to Escape.
"the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment
"Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst
"I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle
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OriginalGriff wrote: If you can't remember where you parked your Ford
It will probably be found on road dead.
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More Probe-ing questions from Griff!
If you can't laugh at yourself - ask me and I will do it for you.
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Then trade it in for a Pinto!
The less you need, the more you have.
Even a blind squirrel gets a nut...occasionally.
JaxCoder.com
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Mike Hankey wrote: Pinto
You might get flamed for that one!
"the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment
"Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst
"I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle
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I inherited an old Pinto station wagon many many years ago. It was a POS but it refused to die.
The less you need, the more you have.
Even a blind squirrel gets a nut...occasionally.
JaxCoder.com
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My sister had one many, many years ago, it too was a POS. No fuel fires for that one.
"the debugger doesn't tell me anything because this code compiles just fine" - random QA comment
"Facebook is where you tell lies to your friends. Twitter is where you tell the truth to strangers." - chriselst
"I don't drink any more... then again, I don't drink any less." - Mike Mullikins uncle
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Well, I don't own a Ford, so I can Dodge that bullet.
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