You are cordially invited... (Update April 5th, 10:30 UTC ) (Patreon)
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(Update April 5th, 10:30 UTC )
Hi Folks,
I will be on Discord this Sunday evening at 22:00 GMT for the now regularly scheduled hour-or-so chat, so do come along and give me an update on what you're working on, show off your best pics of the week, and most importanty have a crack at the Sunday giveaway!
Today I have been working on a part for a future project, and I want you to give me your best guess at what you think I am making based on the image above - but - I'm after wrong answers only. Give me your guess in person on the discord this Sunday evening, and the most creative guess gets a free fire piston.
Also, I'll have an update for you on the new platform under construction, and more detail on what you can do right now so that you can hit the ground running with it as soon as we launch.
Cheers,
Chris.
ps - Again, don't forget I have made all of the Clickspring projects available as a free download to Patrons - so be sure to head over to http://www.clickspringprojects.com/project-plans--swag.html and use the code "ClickspringPatron" when you see the "Got a code?" prompt.
Connect to the Clickspring Discord: support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/212052266-How-do-I-receive-my-Discord-role-
Help me get a clear picture of who we all are, please complete this quick survey: http://unf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sHv2VtB0I3DMxL
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(Update Mar 29th, 22:30 UTC )
Hi Folks,
Just a quick note to let you know that I will be on the Discord for an hour or so to chat this Sunday 29th March at 22:00 GMT - do come along and get the latest on the completed scriber projects, the current status of the new platform under construction, and in particular what you can do right now so that you get the very most out of it from the moment we launch it.
Also, don't forget I have made all of the Clickspring projects available as a free download to Patrons - so be sure to head over to http://www.clickspringprojects.com/project-plans--swag.html and use the code "ClickspringPatron" when you see the "Got a code?" prompt.
Cheers,
Chris.
Connect to the Clickspring Discord: support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/212052266-How-do-I-receive-my-Discord-role-
Help me get a clear picture of who we all are, please complete this quick survey: http://unf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sHv2VtB0I3DMxL
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(Update Mar 22nd, 04:00 UTC )
Hi Folks,
Thanks to the very generous help of a long time friend and patron of the channel, work has now commenced on creating a robust platform upon which we can deliver some very cool things for each other. I will have more detail for you about this in a later update, but suffice to say it will be a convenient and easily navigated place where we can meet and interact in a way that I hope will keep us all very busy - making, learning and sharing over the next few weeks. At present we are working towards the launch of a minimum viable platform as soon as possible - but do please bear with me if it takes longer than you would like, as this has turned into quite the development project.
A group of you have also very kindly offered your time to start organising some fun projects that we can all be a part of, and that work will continue over the next week or two as we pull this thing together. I have also made all of the Clickspring projects available as a free download to Patrons. Simply go to http://www.clickspringprojects.com/project-plans--swag.html load up with what you want and use the code "ClickspringPatron" when you see the prompt "Got a code?" in the lower left portion of the shopping cart. Then click "Checkout", and you will be asked to provide your email address, after which you can commence the download of the drawings without charge.
As the background work continues toward building a suitable platform, I would like your help in generating some of the community momentum that we will need for this to succeed and become the best that it can be. So do please join me this Sunday 22nd March on the discord at 22:00 GMT, to catch up, have a general chat, and maybe get started on a project together.
Cheers,
Chris.
Connect to the Clickspring Discord: support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/212052266-How-do-I-receive-my-Discord-role-
Help me get a clear picture of who we all are, please complete this quick survey: http://unf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sHv2VtB0I3DMxL
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(Update Mar 19th, 03:30 UTC )
Ok folks,
The data is coming in loud and clear from the survey, so I wanted to start sharing a summarised version with you so that we can keep this moving forward, and so that you can continue to help guide it. (If you haven't already completed the survey, then do please click this link to do so: http://unf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sHv2VtB0I3DMxL )
Some key early takeout’s:
· 60% of you have a lathe, 44% a mill, and 40% of you have both.
· Almost all of you have, or have access to, hand tools.
· 50% of you own a 3D printer, and that increases to 60% if we include those with access to a 3D printer.
· 80% of you have a CAD application, with an additional 13% planning to get one.
· The top 5 projects (remembering that these are representational, not necessarily what you want to do. There are many project suggestions I will collate in a later update)
- Mill Clamping System 78%
- Scriber 71%
- Handvise 70%
- Finger Plate Tool 68%
- Hammer 63%
· Almost all of you have a high level of expertise in something related to our common interests. You are one very skilled group of people.
· Almost all of you have a specific thing you want to learn.
So here are my initial thoughts:
1./ There is a strong demand for CAD knowledge - it is far and away the skill that most of you want to pick up, and fortunately several of you teach or use CAD at the expert level. There is also a strong desire to learn:
· Engraving,
· General Lathe and Mill skills,
· Welding/Brazing/Soldering,
· Clockmaking,
· Metal casting,
· Forging,
· Finishing,
· Plating/Anodizing,
· Etching,
· And many of you responded that you are happy to just simply learn something new, responding with various versions of "anything that I can".
So first off I'd like to identify those willing to share their expertise. If you're willing to be part of a small team of experts that will take on the role of teaching/moderating and guiding a sub-channel dedicated to any of the above, then I'd like to hear from you directly via email: chris@clickspringprojects.com
2./ We can likely kick off a relatively straight forward project like, say, the metal scriber (and so iron out the bugs of how the project side of this will work best), by this Sunday the 22nd of March. Also, I'd suggest that if we were to proceed with the rest of the projects on that list (as an example), then most of you with the core machines will likely have the raw materials on hand already. Additionally, the top project is perfectly suited to being a first CAD modelling project, which dovetails (see what I did there?) nicely with the CAD learning above. If you don't have much in the way of materials at present, then I'd suggest do your bit for the local economy and go on a little spending spree. If you're already locked down, then I'd guess that the online metal suppliers will be thrilled to hear from you :)
3./ Almost all of you have major, interesting and eminently sharable projects under way - A lot of clocks (of course!), but also
· stirling/steam/IC engines,
· swords/knives,
· furniture,
· 3D printed models/props/mechanism (everything 3D print really),
· jewelry,
· firearms,
· arduino/coding,
· specialty shop tools,
· leatherwork,
· scientific instruments,
· and just about every other type of making and prototyping you could imagine.
I would very much like you to immediately start documenting those projects with high res pictures and/or videos, with a view to sharing all of the glorious detail with those of us that absolutely love seeing this stuff.
I have a new video in progress that will fit in well with a lot of the above, and likely form a terrific project for many. But in the meantime, let’s get this broader thing off the ground. I'd like to have a reasonable plan in place for discussion and possible launch on Sunday evening, so do let me know your thoughts on the above, and together we'll make it happen.
Cheers,
Chris.
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(Update Mar 18th, 11:30am AEST )
Hi Folks,
We've all said it, "I wish I had the time to..." — well now you very likely do.
Starting next Sunday, March 22nd, the Clickspring discord will be dedicated to helping you make the most of your time over the next few weeks to:
Upskill - get help from other Patrons on starting to learn CAD, engraving, soldering... whatever it is that you've been putting off learning, due to time limits.
Make - get started on that dream project, leverage the help of the Patron crowd, and inspire others to have a go.
Share - your knowledge and expertise, your build progress, and the details of your shop and tools.
I'd like your help getting this set up as effectively and quickly as possible - so please click the link below to fill out a very short (and painless!) survey. It will only take a minute or two to complete, and will give me a better idea of who we all are, what we want, and have to offer each other.
Survey Link: http://unf.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9sHv2VtB0I3DMxL
Cheers,
Chris.
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Righto folks,
Further to my last, I'd like to run something by you.
Nothing chases away the stay-at-home blues quite like a bit of shop time. Add a direct hotline to 5000 or so of like minded friends, and I'm fairly sure we've got something worth considering. So I think now is a good time to create a marshalling point for any and all who feel like they need to get into a new project, learn something new, ask an expert, or simply blow off a bit of steam in a place where they know they are surrounded by like minded people.
I've got in mind a few ideas like the following, but I very much want your ideas - this is for all of us to set up how we want it to be.
- Get started learning a new skill that has been forever put off due time - Or - nominate yourself as an expert in a given field if you are happy to provide advice.
- Start a collective group project - each making a single part
- Start a group working independently on the same project, almost like in a group workshop eg all building the Jewellers hammer for example, share build pics, advice etc
- Show off you solo project – Hi res pics, or it didn’t happen!
The objective of all of this of course, you will have identified: to keep our boredom and stress to a minimum, and, if we're going to be spending time apart IRL, then why not do our best to enjoy it, and maybe even turn it into something positive.
The location I suggest as most suitable and convenient is the Discord. It is as immediate as we require, and allows sharing of images, voice, text etc. You can learn how to connect your account to Discord here: support.patreon.com/hc/en-us/articles/212052266-How-do-I-receive-my-Discord-role-
I've had a chat today with the Clickspring discord mods, and between us we will structure it over the coming days and weeks to suit your needs regarding where you direct it to go. It can be organised as much, or as little, as you like. I am happy to make my published project plans available as requested, but do feel free to suggest anything that you think fits the bill. Let’s see what sticks, and what gets everyone involved.
So, if this interests you, do please help me get it happening. Send me through all of your project ideas, suggestions, modifications and general thoughts. The projects do not need to be metal work related or complex, and absolutely anything goes. Painting, 3D Printing, Coding, Barrel Making… you name it. The main objective is to build a cool place to hang out, get out of our heads for a decent stretch each day, and relieve the stress.
We've got quite the collection of expertise and enthusiasm in this fantastic group of Patrons, so lets put you all to good use.
Cheers,
Chris.