I had a roommate light a loose wax candle. No holder. Then he left the fucking house. As you can imagine the wax melted onto the table and spread the flame. I saw the light of the flame from the crack of my bedroom door. I was home alone but fortunately I caught it before the fire spread beyond the table.
A part of me couldn't help but feel like he was trying to kill me.
I would like to second this. I don't have a 3d printer, but my library does. I can do all the research in the world beforehand but nothing helps more than a file someone else has used successfully.
I'm sure. If not I can try setting up some kind of filehoster in the morning. I'm tried. How large are the files? I did this once and I don't remember.
It's probably not a standard, but I'm pretty sure the size of the flattened metal rod this knob goes on is very common in large household appliances (oven, washing machine etc).
In my experience, you're missing two steps. "Forget again how to print" because at some point, you're running out of models that are already available. Then the printer collects dust for two years, leading to "re-learn how to print and calibrate". I now own my third printer and never got around to teaching myself CAD. Must be happening soon though, I'm convinced.
That is way to accurate to be funny. I bought a printer a few years ago, printed a couple of things, worked pretty well after fiddeling for a few days. I was finally ready to print the thing i actually wanted to. Problem with the z-axis. Ah that's a problem for another day. Two years later i looked at that printer going: what even is anything?
I'm not horrible with CAD, but I always forget how to print. Well, not so much "forget" as "can't be bothered to sort out the software".
I have a MakerBot Replicator Mini which I bought second-hand. It only works with an old version of MakerBot's proprietary software, which is only available for Windows. I've since switched to Linux on all of my machines, so I'd have to do a lot of fiddling to get it to work.
Maybe the software works on Wine, I haven't tried yet. I don't really want to run a Windows VM just for this, but it's much more likely to work. Getting the STLs into the MakerBot software would be pretty annoying.
If I was more enthusiastic about it, I might want to replace the brains of the printer with something more universally supported, so it just works on standard 3D printing software. But it's so low in my priorities list that I don't think I'll ever do that.
Maybe I should just look for a makers space where there are public 3D printers that you just pay per print. But I don't know if there are such places in my country at all, let alone my city.
I got myself a printer with a 370°C hot end so I can print all of the filaments, including stuff that gets used in areas like an engine bay or needs to be very robust mechanically. If I'm not gonna learn some basic CAD, I might as well sell it and not think about 3D printing.
If you're not already used to any CAD software, I really recommend FreeCAD. It used to be pretty horrible, but the recent releases (1.1 especially) make it genuinely excellent IMO, quite a lot more user-friendly, and fun to use. It's still got a learning curve to it like literally any professional/creative software, especially those as complex as CAD, but there's a strong community with plenty of tutorials and resources that you can learn from.
I have heard that it's much harder to learn if you're already used to other CAD software, with one Lemmy user telling me it's far worse than switching between any other two CAD solutions. But since you don't have that baggage, I think you can do alright.
FreeCAD is what I made an attempt at last year when 1.0 was released. There is a bunch of great tutorial videos and files out there, so there's definitely no lack of resources. It's more a "I need to be willing to dedicate time to learning it on a regular basis" problem. I learned some basics, printed one or two of my creations and then stopped for some reason. Now I gotta start at zero once again.
Linux and cad or slicer software don't get along, i found out. I mean i didn't try suuuper hard, but definitely not out of the box. With a grudge i reinstalled windows on my laptop to use it just for cad and printing. A horrible experience to beginn with, but everhthing worked. The next day, the laptop suddenly had no internet connection. It could find every wifi network, except my own. I reinstalled everything and it worked. Used my wifi to print, nice. Next day, same thing. No internet, my wifi was gone. I'm no computer wizard, but usually i'm pretty good at dinding solutions online and fix problems. This one is so ultra specific that when you look for something like: can't find wifi or whatever, everything else comes up. I had wifi, it worked... Twice. Anyway, i fucking hate windows
Slicers on linux work just fine. At least the ones I've tried. With CAD you have a bit limited options. FreeCAD is fine if you need a new knob for your appliance or something relatively simple. OpenSCAD can do pretty wild things but learning curve for it is pretty steep. And then there's browser based cads but they tend to have monthly subscription. Plus of course Blender, but I wouldn't count that as CAD-software and that if something needs time and effort to learn.
I recommended my solution to make it easier to turn, no idea what OP's results are. Although my solution has too much potential to be too functional and thus procrastinate installing the new knob until it becomes lost.
I have an old VGA box. It switches between monitors. You connect your pc vga out to the box vga in. Then the box has VGA out A and VGA out B.
You turn the knob to send your display either to monitor A or B. Well, the knob broke in 2005.
On the floor was an old key that had no use. The key has holes at the top as a design choice. These holes are in the shape of a triangle.
I noticed the holes fit perfectly onto the metal rod that turned the broken knob. So I took the knob off, put the key over the rod, and now I don't need to use a wrench to turn the knob. The key is the new knob.
Well....not new. That key has held there since 2005.
Haha, I "temporarily" rigged up a wooden ruler under the dash of my car to control the heat after the knob broke. This was about a year or two ago, still there.
Did the same with a previous washer. The advantage was I only needed the bolt to pull it out to turn the washer on, and could still turn the larger part underneath with two thumbs pressure to select the wash. Never bothered with a replacement, worked fine, even for my wife. If it ain't completely broke, don't fix it.
Quick fix is not the most ethical or honest, but it's to go look for a store that sells your brand of washer. They don't change the knobs that often so you might be able to swap the broken for a non broken. But like, I don't personally feel good using that method.
There's a decent chance that store sells the knobs tho
I once lived in the garden cottage of some house and the main house shared the same washer and dryer. One day the dryer knob breaks and disappears and the actual device itself would fall into the dryer. So the landlord comes over and shows me what I need to do in case it happens while we wait for the replacement.
Day or so later the extremely good-looking woman who lives in the main house comes knocking on my door. She looks a little helpless and says "I hear you know how to fix the dryer knob?" Me, wanting to look like a man who can fix problems and impress the pretty girl, tell her that I can -- and I'll show her how it's done so she can fix it herself if it happens again.
So I go into the laundry room with her and explain to her that the actual switch itself has fallen into the dryer. So I use the screw driver to remove a few screws from the back panel and show her where it has fallen. Feeling really confident and manly, I reach down and grab the switch unit (I'm not at all sure on the terms here tbh).
Thing is, I forgot to unplug the dryer first.
So I immediately get electrocuted to the point of shaking. I'm able to withdraw my hand and I catch it on the inside of the dryer, nicking off a slice from around my lower thumb knuckle. I still bear a scar, a reminder to not let pretty girls distract me when handling un-shielded electronics.
Shot in the dark here but if you take the part number and try it at McCombs Supply you might be able to get the replacement timer a lot cheaper. eBay is another option.
I know am appliance store in Sacramento I trust as well. Also ACE hardware tends to hire experts who can help you jerry-rig something together. At least the owners of the local franchise (friends of the family) are cool.
Two of our control buttons broke, so I drilled out the panel and stuck chopping sticks into the holes to hold us over for the week it would take to get the replacement.
Looks like a job for a cad program and a 3d printer. I lost a knob off a outdoor fan and it only took me twenty minutes to create a new knob. Most of that was measuring the switch stem and the size I would have to make the knob. Took less than an hour to print.
74 Comments
DrSleepless@lemmy.world · 58 pts · 41d
I once replaced a volume knob on my guitar with a dryer knob. Thing was huge.
SatansMaggotyCumFart@piefed.world · 15 pts · 41d
Is it still there?
DrSleepless@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 41d
Sadly I lost that guitar in a fire
SatansMaggotyCumFart@piefed.world · 41 pts · 41d
You should have cleaned out the lint trap.
DrSleepless@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 41d
lol, or maybe I should have not moved in with a junkie who fell asleep while smoking. He made it out ok.
toynbee@piefed.social · 12 pts · 41d
Did you?
BucketBong@p.hobo.social · 11 pts · 41d
Omg, it's a g-g-g-ghost!
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 41d
jinkies! A ghost guitar!
DrSleepless@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 40d
I wasn’t home at the time
toynbee@piefed.social · 4 pts · 40d
So, technically, no?
forgetfulmeat@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 40d
I had a roommate light a loose wax candle. No holder. Then he left the fucking house. As you can imagine the wax melted onto the table and spread the flame. I saw the light of the flame from the crack of my bedroom door. I was home alone but fortunately I caught it before the fire spread beyond the table.
A part of me couldn't help but feel like he was trying to kill me.
TiePilot@feddit.online · 6 pts · 41d
A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip · 3 pts · 41d
Was it labeled appropriately?
HertzDentalBar@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 41d
It went upto extra dry.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today · 0 pts · 40d
bedding/bulky.
moondoggie@lemmy.world · 31 pts · 41d
Man, that dryer is screwed.
Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 22 pts · 41d
We must have similar models and problems. I was able to print out a replacement part luckily.
Gork@sopuli.xyz · 20 pts · 41d
It bothers me that stuff like this (appliance parts in particular) isn't really standardized.
I don't want to have to redesign a replacement part for every unique knob in existence.
Give me standard knob.stl and let me print it dammit
Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 12 pts · 41d
Yeah it's a really unnecessary problem to have. It took me three print iterations to get the fit good enough.
LemmyFeed@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 8 pts · 41d
Please share it to the 3d print community! If you had to solve the problem guaranteed someone else needs it too.
Thank you for your service.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 41d
I would like to second this. I don't have a 3d printer, but my library does. I can do all the research in the world beforehand but nothing helps more than a file someone else has used successfully.
Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 41d
I'd be happy to but I'm not registered in any repository. Is there a way to upload the STL here?
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 41d
Uh, yyyyyeeessssssss
I'm sure. If not I can try setting up some kind of filehoster in the morning. I'm tried. How large are the files? I did this once and I don't remember.
I'm going through https://fedidb.com/software looking for a file host right now
https://manyfold.app/ might be your best bet? It says it's for organizing 3d print stuff
Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 41d
It's no bigger than a couple of megs I guess.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 40d
STL file sharing sites are free to join. Just avoid thingiverse.
UnpledgedCatnapTipper@piefed.blahaj.zone · 1 pts · 40d
I'd vote for printables.com personally!
A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip · 2 pts · 41d
It's probably not a standard, but I'm pretty sure the size of the flattened metal rod this knob goes on is very common in large household appliances (oven, washing machine etc).
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 40d
The point is to encourage you to buy a new dryer.
FatVegan@leminal.space · 18 pts · 40d
I woulld order a 3d printer, learn how to print, learn CAD, print a new part that doesn't fit and then order a new part.
Schmuppes@lemmy.today · 6 pts · 40d
In my experience, you're missing two steps. "Forget again how to print" because at some point, you're running out of models that are already available. Then the printer collects dust for two years, leading to "re-learn how to print and calibrate". I now own my third printer and never got around to teaching myself CAD. Must be happening soon though, I'm convinced.
FatVegan@leminal.space · 2 pts · 40d
That is way to accurate to be funny. I bought a printer a few years ago, printed a couple of things, worked pretty well after fiddeling for a few days. I was finally ready to print the thing i actually wanted to. Problem with the z-axis. Ah that's a problem for another day. Two years later i looked at that printer going: what even is anything?
NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 40d
I'm not horrible with CAD, but I always forget how to print. Well, not so much "forget" as "can't be bothered to sort out the software".
I have a MakerBot Replicator Mini which I bought second-hand. It only works with an old version of MakerBot's proprietary software, which is only available for Windows. I've since switched to Linux on all of my machines, so I'd have to do a lot of fiddling to get it to work.
Maybe the software works on Wine, I haven't tried yet. I don't really want to run a Windows VM just for this, but it's much more likely to work. Getting the STLs into the MakerBot software would be pretty annoying.
If I was more enthusiastic about it, I might want to replace the brains of the printer with something more universally supported, so it just works on standard 3D printing software. But it's so low in my priorities list that I don't think I'll ever do that.
Maybe I should just look for a makers space where there are public 3D printers that you just pay per print. But I don't know if there are such places in my country at all, let alone my city.
Schmuppes@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 40d
I got myself a printer with a 370°C hot end so I can print all of the filaments, including stuff that gets used in areas like an engine bay or needs to be very robust mechanically. If I'm not gonna learn some basic CAD, I might as well sell it and not think about 3D printing.
NeatNit@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 40d
If you're not already used to any CAD software, I really recommend FreeCAD. It used to be pretty horrible, but the recent releases (1.1 especially) make it genuinely excellent IMO, quite a lot more user-friendly, and fun to use. It's still got a learning curve to it like literally any professional/creative software, especially those as complex as CAD, but there's a strong community with plenty of tutorials and resources that you can learn from.
I have heard that it's much harder to learn if you're already used to other CAD software, with one Lemmy user telling me it's far worse than switching between any other two CAD solutions. But since you don't have that baggage, I think you can do alright.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 40d
FreeCAD is not user friendly. Even with tutorials it never seems to behave the same way twice.
Schmuppes@lemmy.today · 2 pts · 40d
FreeCAD is what I made an attempt at last year when 1.0 was released. There is a bunch of great tutorial videos and files out there, so there's definitely no lack of resources. It's more a "I need to be willing to dedicate time to learning it on a regular basis" problem. I learned some basics, printed one or two of my creations and then stopped for some reason. Now I gotta start at zero once again.
varyingExpertise@feddit.org · 1 pts · 39d
If you just want a tool, OnShape.
FatVegan@leminal.space · 1 pts · 40d
Linux and cad or slicer software don't get along, i found out. I mean i didn't try suuuper hard, but definitely not out of the box. With a grudge i reinstalled windows on my laptop to use it just for cad and printing. A horrible experience to beginn with, but everhthing worked. The next day, the laptop suddenly had no internet connection. It could find every wifi network, except my own. I reinstalled everything and it worked. Used my wifi to print, nice. Next day, same thing. No internet, my wifi was gone. I'm no computer wizard, but usually i'm pretty good at dinding solutions online and fix problems. This one is so ultra specific that when you look for something like: can't find wifi or whatever, everything else comes up. I had wifi, it worked... Twice. Anyway, i fucking hate windows
IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 40d
Slicers on linux work just fine. At least the ones I've tried. With CAD you have a bit limited options. FreeCAD is fine if you need a new knob for your appliance or something relatively simple. OpenSCAD can do pretty wild things but learning curve for it is pretty steep. And then there's browser based cads but they tend to have monthly subscription. Plus of course Blender, but I wouldn't count that as CAD-software and that if something needs time and effort to learn.
synapse1278@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 40d
Chances are that someone already published the part ready to print, you just need the printer and filament ;)
CADmonkey@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 40d
Sounds about right to me.
Except I never have the sense to give up after one failure.
scutiger@lemmy.world · 18 pts · 41d
There's nothing more permanent than a temporary fix.
stylusmobilus@aussie.zone · 10 pts · 41d
Can you twist er with your fingers or is she a screwdriver job?
FireRetardant@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 41d
Screw the screw through a small scrap of wood then insert as shown in the image. Add sharpie arrow if desired.
stylusmobilus@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 41d
Yeah nah I mean when they use it. Can they just turn it with their finger or do they need pliers or a screwdriver to help?
Edited: I realised you weren’t OP then changed you to they
FireRetardant@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 41d
I recommended my solution to make it easier to turn, no idea what OP's results are. Although my solution has too much potential to be too functional and thus procrastinate installing the new knob until it becomes lost.
stylusmobilus@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 41d
I can’t imagine I’d turn that real easily with my fingers as it stands, I’d need pliers I reckon.
blarghly@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 41d
I would put on the perm-arary locking pliers, personally
stylusmobilus@aussie.zone · 6 pts · 41d
Ahh yeah set of these:
FauxLiving@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 41d
😂 This was our washer knob for most of my childhood
stylusmobilus@aussie.zone · 5 pts · 41d
I’m glad I could bring back this fond memory.
A_norny_mousse@piefed.zip · 2 pts · 41d
I wass missing this from the original picture!
Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 41d
I have an old VGA box. It switches between monitors. You connect your pc vga out to the box vga in. Then the box has VGA out A and VGA out B.
You turn the knob to send your display either to monitor A or B. Well, the knob broke in 2005.
On the floor was an old key that had no use. The key has holes at the top as a design choice. These holes are in the shape of a triangle.
I noticed the holes fit perfectly onto the metal rod that turned the broken knob. So I took the knob off, put the key over the rod, and now I don't need to use a wrench to turn the knob. The key is the new knob.
Well....not new. That key has held there since 2005.
Hello_there@fedia.io · 8 pts · 41d
If you put some tape on the screw with a lil flap, that can serve as the arrow.
0ops@piefed.zip · 7 pts · 41d
Haha, I "temporarily" rigged up a wooden ruler under the dash of my car to control the heat after the knob broke. This was about a year or two ago, still there.
HubertManne@piefed.social · 6 pts · 41d
finally! something on my level of skill.
naught101@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 41d
We need a "there, I fixed it" comm
bhamlin@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 41d
That's not a fix. Now you need a screwdriver to change it!
Rhaedas@fedia.io · 6 pts · 41d
Did the same with a previous washer. The advantage was I only needed the bolt to pull it out to turn the washer on, and could still turn the larger part underneath with two thumbs pressure to select the wash. Never bothered with a replacement, worked fine, even for my wife. If it ain't completely broke, don't fix it.
FunStuffIsFun@eviltoast.org · 5 pts · 41d
I just 3d printed a new knob and glued it on with epoxy. Fucker ain't never coming off now.
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 41d
I hope you yelled at it a few times too. "Come on! Fucking come off now! Do it! DO IT!"
FunStuffIsFun@eviltoast.org · 1 pts · 40d
If that knob needs to come off, I am cutting it off.
turtlesareneat@piefed.ca · 5 pts · 41d
Shear off two sides of that screw head, put on a vice-grip, and you have the washer I grew up with.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 41d
Quick fix is not the most ethical or honest, but it's to go look for a store that sells your brand of washer. They don't change the knobs that often so you might be able to swap the broken for a non broken. But like, I don't personally feel good using that method.
There's a decent chance that store sells the knobs tho
FrChazzz@lemmus.org · 5 pts · 40d
Story time!
I once lived in the garden cottage of some house and the main house shared the same washer and dryer. One day the dryer knob breaks and disappears and the actual device itself would fall into the dryer. So the landlord comes over and shows me what I need to do in case it happens while we wait for the replacement.
Day or so later the extremely good-looking woman who lives in the main house comes knocking on my door. She looks a little helpless and says "I hear you know how to fix the dryer knob?" Me, wanting to look like a man who can fix problems and impress the pretty girl, tell her that I can -- and I'll show her how it's done so she can fix it herself if it happens again.
So I go into the laundry room with her and explain to her that the actual switch itself has fallen into the dryer. So I use the screw driver to remove a few screws from the back panel and show her where it has fallen. Feeling really confident and manly, I reach down and grab the switch unit (I'm not at all sure on the terms here tbh).
Thing is, I forgot to unplug the dryer first.
So I immediately get electrocuted to the point of shaking. I'm able to withdraw my hand and I catch it on the inside of the dryer, nicking off a slice from around my lower thumb knuckle. I still bear a scar, a reminder to not let pretty girls distract me when handling un-shielded electronics.
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 41d
I had my shower knob fail so I had a vice clamp for a shower handle for a while.
frunch@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 41d
Shot in the dark here but if you take the part number and try it at McCombs Supply you might be able to get the replacement timer a lot cheaper. eBay is another option.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 41d
I know am appliance store in Sacramento I trust as well. Also ACE hardware tends to hire experts who can help you jerry-rig something together. At least the owners of the local franchise (friends of the family) are cool.
KairuByte@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 40d
Two of our control buttons broke, so I drilled out the panel and stuck chopping sticks into the holes to hold us over for the week it would take to get the replacement.
mittyta@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 40d
That's a content I subed for!
bstix@feddit.dk · 3 pts · 40d
I probably wouldn't bother paying for a replacement or 3D printing.
Instead I'd put a piece of wood as a handle and declare it fixed. The selection is shown on the leds anyway.
melsaskca@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 40d
Be careful...that looks like a load bearing knob! /s
Chaos@feddit.org · 2 pts · 40d
Reminds me of the nail on a string I was using for a while when the blinker switch on my motorcycle had fallen off.
Itdidnttrickledown@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 40d
Looks like a job for a cad program and a 3d printer. I lost a knob off a outdoor fan and it only took me twenty minutes to create a new knob. Most of that was measuring the switch stem and the size I would have to make the knob. Took less than an hour to print.