Member postings for Model Enginerd

Hello all, new here and getting into running live steam in my yard.

...and yup, I'm one of those guys that spent hours backing up all my F360 files.

I wanted to know if any of you were using Blender in a CADish way, and if you had fresh ideas.

Contrary to the word going around, Blender can be used parametrically and nondestructively in a very accurate way. It just requires some modified workflows.

Below are some parametric studies I did using Blender + cheap addons (not required but nice). Dimensioning displays live and is like PMI in NX.

Below is a Cayuse cyclic where the boss printed dead-on 1.002" for a nice snug fit on the pipe.

Anyways, I'm having fun with it. The learning curve is very steep, but it's worth taking a look given Blender will likely be free for a long time with an almost insane fan base. For now, I'm only looking at using it as a pseudo CAD for steam powered designs and making casting patterns.

Regards

Nice. I made mine on the kitchen island as well with my Sherline (wife is a keeper).

I ran 3/16" Hex stock from hobbymodelkits.com (nice if you need small quantities in US).

Sherline's 2 sided tool holder can hold the HSS to turn the major Ø and the 60 degree to run the threads on the other. I have the backside parting tool setup opposite side for the final op, so no tool changes. I did flip the bolts to knock the edge off the heads.

I have the threading attachment installed inverse and with an extension, so the motor can turn on anytime. After I'm done I decouple the drive gear. I leave the threads at 40 tpi since just about everything I do is around that pitch.

The nearest spacer in the photo is a bit off axis because of a floating fit (looks ugly in the photo), but you get the idea.