September 2020 Sheddies’ Chatter · Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 668 65 ... that has good Customer Support. I went with the QIDI TECH Shadow 5.5 S 3D Printer, why? Late model, good

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The Men’s Shed (North Shore) Trust

September 2020

Sheddies’ Chatter

Welcome to the September 2020 Edition of Sheddies’ Chatter. Well, we’re getting closer (I think) Shouldn’t be too long before the Shed reopens again and we can get some semblance of normality. We were fortunate to have a very interesting article sent in by Peter McCracken, otherwise this would have been a rather thin issue.

Repeating a few messages here, but I think it essential that we still maintain contact with each other and are aware that outside help is available if we need it. These are trying times and although I am in a comfortable position, it’s still starting to wear a bit thin, especially when I see our security threatened by a small minority of idiots. These times must be incredibly difficult for some people.

Bit later than usual, my apologies, it’s been a tad hectic round here of late.

Hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Feel free to join our Facebook Community Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/235015333829819/

See you at The Shed. (Soon I hope!)

Roger Curl, Editor Ph: 027 264 1932

[email protected]

Need Help?

Covid -19 Shed Closure Men's Shed will remain closed for the time being, but the Zoom Meetings will continue.

The Board of Trustees is continuing to review the situation and the status of the Covid 19 pandemic. It is our view that opening the Shed and returning to normal operation under alert level 2 is not viable. As the situation evolves, we will review this but intend not to open the Shed before we achieve alert level 1.

Despite this closure, we do have some community projects that were underway before lockdown, and we intend to utilise a small team to complete these at the Shed. If you are keen to help out with one of these, let us know by email at [email protected] and we will be in touch. The team size is very limited. If you have any questions or concerns, please do contact us by email.

The Monday night Zoom meetings continue. If you would like to join us at 7PM, here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84449297925?pwd=eUl6UjRLSnVkanRSeXJ1MVVTbjN6Zz09

Stay Safe, Cheers Larry Klassen

Chairman, Men's Shed North Shore Trust

Ph 442 2145 (shed) Mob 021 311 036

These times have been very difficult for a lot of people. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Key telephone numbers:

COVID-19 Healthline 0800 358 5453

For general health issues, phone your doctor.

For emergencies dial 111.

If you are feeling anxious or just need someone to talk to call or text 1737

Elder Abuse Helpline 0800 32 668 65

If you need to discuss your entitlements phone the MSD Senior Services line 0800 552 002

Make sure all your details are correct through your MyMSD Account at www.my.msd.govt.nz

If you are unable to find what you need online, and are not sure who to contact for help, call the free government helpline on 0800 779 997 or on 0800 22 66 57 (8am–1am, 7 days a week).

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Well, where do I start? Well, I’m going to start with Resin Printers at this stage. Why? Well, at this stage I am interested in small items, such as Military Miniatures and Jewellery.

Resin printers are particularly adept at this, as they can pretty much print without layer lines. The other advantage is that no matter how many items are placed on the Build Plate the print time is the same, and is only limited by the height of the tallest item.

There are a lot of new printers coming onto the market at present, with very similar performance and price. My suggestion is you buy a reasonably well known brand, and one that has good Customer Support.

I went with the QIDI TECH Shadow 5.5 S 3D Printer, why? Late model, good resolution, well made and excellent Customer Support.

It arrived from their Amazon Store, fast, and very well packaged, as well as with an excellent selection of tools and great instructions. It was easy to assemble and came with a USB Drive with files and videos!

I said good Customer Support is important. Lots of printers coming to NZ have problems due to handling (The rest of the world as well). Mine was no exception. The USB Port would not work and I was worried. I sent off an email, expecting a reply within 24hrs. 2hrs later I had a reply with a list of potential problems and how to fix them, including documents and videos! 10 minutes later, all fixed and ready to go, just a loose internal USB cable, probably caused by rough handling. I sent an email with the good news and they replied with well wishes and an offer of any help in the future. Two weeks later I received an email with a request to write a review on Amazon for which they would send me a spare FEP Screen! What can I say.

Too much info?

Next, the Resin. I chose the "Siraya Tech" Fast (1kg) ABS-Like Fast Curing Non-Brittle 3D Printing Resin (Grey). This is a general use Resin. Not having used anything before, I was expecting the worst, as all the reports I have read say the smell of the resin when printing is pretty bad. Note, the printer has Charcoal Filters. To my surprise I found it no worse than paint, and the IPA I was using for cleaning and washing the final prints far worse.

1. Find a model. https://www.thingiverse.com/ this is a

good place to start.

2. The printer comes with Slicing Software. You import your model. Add Auto Supports, as this is the easiest way to start, Slice it, and save it to your USB drive. (You can just use the Test Pig on the USB drive and skip this, you’ll get a great model)

3. Pour the Resin into the Vat.

4. Plug your USB drive into the Printer, choose the file, and print. (The printer will tell you how long this will take) Don’t forget to put the cover on as this is a UV Shield.

5. Once the Print is finished, remove the Build Plate and use the metal scraper to carefully remove the model, making sure not to get resin on yourself, the surrounding area, or the printer. You will scratch the Build Plate, just try to

keep it to a minimum.

6. Place the model into your first tank of IPA, shake for about a minute.

7. Remove and place in your second tank of IPA, shake for about a minute.

8. Remove and place into your tank of water, shake for about a minute.

9. Remove and do a quick dip in the second tank of IPA. This is just so it will shed the water and dry faster.

10. With care, remove the supports from the model. Some models, like the Pig Test model do not require supports.

11. The finished model then needs to be cured under UV

Light to harden the Resin. They can be left out in the NZ

Sun or you can make a UV Curing Box. I’ve never used the

sun, but I’m thinking 24hrs with reasonable light. Maybe

an hour in a Curing Station. I also hear that if you put you

models in a water tank in your Curing Station, they will

cure faster, something to do with the oxygen.

NOT THE CHEAPEST CURING STATION An upside-down shiny metal bucket (Stainless works well, or a Black PolyPale with a foil liner), a strip of UV LED lights and power supply $25, wound inside the bucket, and a Solar Turntable $9 (TradeMe). The LEDs should be enough to power the turntable.

FYI - Gloves are a must, (Nitrile) Resin and IPA are not good for you. A mask, although you could use a well-ventilated area, safety is a must. Something to protect your clothing. Something to protect your bench. Lots of paper towels.

1. Tweezers – for removing excess resin in models

2. Modelling Knife – for removing excess resin in models

3. Flush Cutters – for cutting supports

4. Tongs – for handling sticky models

5. Metal Scraper – for removing model from Build Plate

6. Plastic Scraper – for cleaning Resin from Vat

7. Silicone Pastry Brush – for cleaning Vat and Build Plate

8. Funnel – For Straining Tank #1 IPA and the Resin from the

VAT

9. Fine Strainer – for straining IPA and Resin

10. Wash Tank/Bowl – for Vat and Build Plate

N.B. Never leave the FEP side of the VAT face down. If it is damaged it will have an affect on your models. If there is Resin stuck to your FEP sheets, pour IPA into the VAT and let it sit for a few hours, then you should be able to remove it with the plastic scraper. If you use a bowl as your cleaning tank the VAT will be supported by its corners. Order extra FEP Sheets or non-FEP Sheets (I hear these are good) Many people damage theirs on their first try.

I’m sure there’s lots I missed. Any questions? You can email me: [email protected]

Stay well, Peter

So you’re interested in 3D Printing - By Peter McCracken

Continued....

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Build Plate

Resin Vat

Charco

al F

ilter

s

LCD Display US

B D

rive

Red Protective

UV Cover

Qidi Shadow 5.5S 3d Resin Printer showing build plate, resin vat, and charcoal filters

STL File with Automatic and Manual Supports added. From here the Software will slice your files into layers and save them for printing.

Original STL File Purchased through Kickstarter and loaded into software provided with printer. The software is called CHITUBOX

Large red cover is designed to keep out UV light as it is UV light that is used to fuse that layers of resin. The printer uses a USB Drive to receive files, and the Screen displays files and

controls the printer.

So you’re interested in 3D Printing

Continued....

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The Vat is removable for cleaning, which I recommend after every print. In the bottom is an FEP Film that is replaceable. I recommend having a number of spares.

The LCD Screen showing the same image as was on your computer screen, a good double check you are printing the correct file.

I am using a plastic rubbish bin as a cover for the whole printer. This helps keep the dust away and provides an extra UV barrier if I need to leave the resin in the Vat over night.

The main tools etc. that are needed for operation of the printer.:

Isopropyl Alcohol 2 - 4Ltrs

Bottle of UV Resin,

3 x Canisters - I use Systema Canisters with baskets, I’ve found these to be great.

Bottle for straining IPA

Tongs for removing small parts from Canisters

Metal Scraper for removing models from the build plate (normally provided with printer)

Brush for cleaning Vat and Build Plate. I have found a silicon pastry brush to be the best for this.

Container for cleaning the Vat and the Build Plate.

Strainer and a Funnel for straining the Resin and the IPA

Lots of paper towels

A spill tray. You can buy specific 3 packs of funnels and strainers on Amazon that do the trick extra well.

So you’re interested in 3D Printing

Continued....

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The Build Plate has been removed , and now the model needs to be removed from the Built Plate.

Use the provided metal scraper with care.

Printing has finished and the Build Plate automatically rises so it can be removed. The Resin is still dropping from the models.

The Model has been removed from the Build Plate but is still coated in Resin. It needs to be washed twice in Isopropyl and

then in water. Then I dip quickly in IPA again to aid in drying.

This is the Strainer and Funnel I use. Great for straining Resin, and used IPA. The finished model then needs to be cured under UV Light to harden the Resin. They can be left out in the NZ Sun or you can make a UV Curing Box. NOT THE CHEAPEST An upside-down shiny metal bucket, a strip of UV LED lights and power supply $25, and a Solar Turntable $9. Original STL File Purchased through Kickstarter and loaded

into software provided with printer. The Software is called CHITUBOX

So you’re interested in 3D Printing

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Lance & Shelley’s Q & A Forum

New Polo Shirts for sale

We now have Men’s Shed North Shore polo shirts available for sale.

They have the Men’s Shed North Shore logo embroidered on them.

Colours available: Red, Green, Blue and Black

Sizes available: S, M, L, XL and 2XL

Cost: $25.00 each for members.

To order your shirt, contact Graham Bolton: [email protected]

or see him at the Shed.

"Surprisingly post Covid19 lockdown we are seeing increased activity to prior the lockdown in the housing market. Houses are selling well - we have large numbers of buyers with not enough stock to sell them. With increased competition between buyers prices in our areas are holding very well. Would you like to know what value your property holds in the current market? Please give us a call or email and we can organise a free and confidential market appraisal for you, along with some advice on what will add value to your property if you are looking at selling.

Lance and Shelleys available times

You can send your questions to Lance and Shelley:

By email: [email protected]

On Facebook messenger on Shelley Boyed and Lance Clarke Real Estate:

https://www.facebook.com/shorerealestatenz/

View their Website:

https://www.barfoot.co.nz/s.boyed

My client testimonials and recent sales

Lance and Shelley regularly donate a prize at our monthly Barbeques

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Major Supporters

The Men’s Shed (North Shore) Trust, PO Box 311012, Glenfield, Auckland 0747 442 2145

The Men’ s Shed North Shore

Address:

Elliot Reserve

34 Elliot Ave, (off James St) Glenfield

Hours:

Mon, Wed: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Fri, Sat: 9:00am - 2:00pm

Phone: 09 442 2145

Website: http://www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mens-Shed-North-Shore-214684608553333/

Facebook Community Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/235015333829819/

Feel free to add comments or interesting stuff.

Send your ideas, photos, comments or contributions to: [email protected]

See me at The Shed, or phone 027 264 1932

Lance Clarke & Shelley Boyed

New Members: We welcome the following new members who have joined the Men’s Shed North Shore since the last edition of The Sheddies’ Chatter:

Please extend them a warm Sheddies’ welcome when you meet them.

James Breton Allan Turner Tina Turner James Lee Keith Williams

John van Houton Joe Myers Simon Hoare Graham Wainwright

There is a lot of talk lately about fake news. If you spend a bit of time as I do on the computer and social media, you will see a large percentage of fake news and total rubbish. There are many people who actually believe it and then pass it on.

I came across this site the other day. It is an interesting way to learn how to assess what is real and what isn’t.

Click on the link and it will take you to an interesting website where you can test your ability to spot fake news. I though I was pretty good, but I still got quite a few wrong. See how you go:

https://yournewsbulletin.co.nz/about/?

The Chooks - Tales from the Henhouse The Chooks will not be meeting under the present lockdown, but will resume when appropriate.

The Chooks is a group of lovely ladies that meet every 3 weeks for coffee, cake, and a chat.

We would love to have some new ladies come and join our friendly bunch and meet some new people. If you (or friends, partners, aunts, sisters, etc) are interested in meeting some new people for a chat and a coffee, everyone is welcome

We would really like to see some new faces. For anyone that would like to come along and meet a group of lovely, friendly women and share a coffee and chat you would be most welcome. There are lots more tales from the henhouse to be shared.

If you would like to find out more or just interested in finding out who we are, just give Sandy a call for a chat or contact by email.

Mb: 021 465 046

Email: [email protected]

Fake News