Builder Dads

Finally, My CNC Machine Roars to Life!

Well, friends, the moment my close friends and I have been joking about for the past 2 years, 9 months, 1 week, and 6 days has finally arrived. My Lugana CNC machine, which has been sitting idle and collecting dust, just completed its very first project—a beautifully inlaid cutting board!

I was so excited when I first got the CNC back in 2021. I made a table for it, rented a small front-end loader to lift it, and couldn't wait to get it running. But then, life happened. Other projects and priorities took over, and the CNC became just another flat surface in my shop.

But last night, it finally roared to life. Funny enough, it was for a cutting board engraving that needed that special CNC touch. The shop is a mess (as it’s been a perfect flat surface for collecting not just dust), but seeing the CNC in action was worth every moment of waiting.

Now, I can’t wait to make some improvements to its cabinet and space so it can be ready to run on demand anytime I need it.

Here are some pictures of the first CNC project—my inlaid cutting board. I’m really excited about it, even if it took this long to get here. Thanks to everyone for keeping the joke running and encouraging me along the way.

Do any of you have tools or projects that have sat idle for way too long? Share your stories!

I just noticed that one of my favorite clamps, the Bessey LM2.004 General Purpose clamp, is currently 50% off on Amazon!

🔗 Check it out here! https://amzn.to/3x95MJj

This clamp is an absolute workhorse in my shop. With 330 pounds of clamping strength, it's classified as light duty, but don’t let that fool you. I use it all over the shop, and it’s especially handy when building shoe racks. Its compact size allows it to fit into tight spaces, making it incredibly versatile for various projects.

Pro Tip: When you wear gloves for extra grip, you can really crank these clamps down, ensuring your projects are secure and precise.

Don’t miss out on this great deal! If you’re looking to upgrade your clamps or need an extra for your collection, now is the perfect time.

Happy woodworking!

Are you into 3D printing? Experiencing challenges with getting the perfect print or maintaining your equipment? You're not alone, and I'm here to help!

Head over to my Patreon site [https://www.patreon.com/posts/whats-your-3d-105660621?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link] and join our community to share your biggest pain points with 3D printing. To participate in the poll is free; you just need a Patreon login. Let's work together to solve these challenges and achieve better prints!

Join us now and be part of a supportive community of 3D printing enthusiasts!

Expanding Our Horizons! 🌟

Did you know that Builder Dads has a dedicated community to support both woodworkers and 3D printing enthusiasts? Our community is a hub for sharing woodworking tips, 3D printing techniques, and business advice with our subscribers.

We offer a dedicated podcast and exclusive content for both free and paid members. Follow the link to check it out and join us!

👉 https://patreon.com/BuilderDads?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink "

Get more from Builder Dads on Patreon Crafting More Than Furniture, We're Building Dreams!

It’s been a while since our last update because we’ve been really busy! We’re excited to share that we’ve shipped something to every state in the United States except North and South Dakota.

When this year started, we never imagined we’d have this many orders, but wow! Plus, we’ve even shipped to Canada and Japan as a bonus. Builder Dads is rocking and rolling!

Thank you, everyone, for your incredible support. We ❤️ you!

One of our customers drilling the top hole for his planer.

March 17, 2024 Boring a DW735 planer hood for a dust chute.

Well, if you don't know me well enough yet, let me share a secret: I'm a perfectionist. I'm constantly refining my ideas to improve the product, the process of making it, and reducing costs whenever possible.

Exciting news! I've just made a major ground-up tweak to the DW735 Dust Boot, jumping from version 3.7.2 to version 4.0 (pictured above). And true to form, I've already made another tweak; version 4.1 alpha test is printing as I type this post.

What's new in this version:

• Fixed Minor printing issues due to greater than 45° climb
• Thickened walls from 1/8in to 5/32in
• Improved mounting screw locators
• Widened bottom profile to not leave ledge on front side
• Enhanced interior spacing to reduce volume and direct air flow to sides

Can't wait to get this version mounted into my machine and give it a whirl!

With my printers running around the clock, it's crucial to keep a watchful eye on them or, at the very least, have a means to review their status at any given time.

To achieve this, I decided to equip all four of my printer enclosures with Wyze CAM OG cameras. This decision has proven to be a game-changer, eliminating the need to print blindly. Initially, I mounted the cameras using a sticky adhesive that came with some magnets I purchased on Amazon. However, the heat within the printer enclosures caused two of the cameras to detach unexpectedly. Fortunately, they were securely zip-tied, preventing any damage.

Introducing my new solution: the Wyze Cam OG Magnetic Mount, printed in PETG. This mount allows me to utilize four magnets in roughly the same space as the original mounting plate, granting me the flexibility to position my camera wherever there is a magnetic connection point.

I'm genuinely excited about this upgrade and its potential benefits. As such, I've decided to share it with all my fellow 3D printing enthusiasts on Printables. I hope you find it useful and valuable—I certainly have!

For those interested, detailed information about the cameras and additional hardware needed can be found within the Printables model description.

Wyze Cam OG Magnetic Mount by BuilderDadDan | Download free STL model | Printables.com Needed any easy way to mount my camera anywhere on the ceiling of my Original Prusa Enclosure | Download free 3D printable STL models

I love how this one turned out and so glad our customer loves it!

https://builderdads.etsy.com

We always get excited with every sale. Today we get really excited with a sale from around the world!

With this shipment we add Japan to places we have shipped.

December 29th we hit 150 sales on Etsy and today February 23rd we hit 200!

🎉 Exciting News! 🎥 Our latest YouTube video just dropped! Join me as I dive into a PETG Filament Showdown featuring Prusament, Polymaker, and eSUN! Which brand will reign supreme? Find out now! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more awesome content! Watch the video here:

PETG Showdown: Prusament vs. Polymaker vs. eSUN! Dive into my latest video where I put PETG filaments from Prusament, Polymaker, and eSUN head-to-head! From unboxing to printing, I cover it all, so you can ...

4 of our favorate employees Alice, Buffy, Clarice, and Dana working around the clock without even a cup of coffee.

Exciting News! 🎉 Builder Dads now offers an exclusive subscription service at www.patreon.com/BuilderDads ! 🌟 Join or very own behind the scenes for exclusive details, member-only discounts, and insider information. Dive into a world of exclusive content and support the creation of new projects. Subscribe today and be part of the Builder Dads community! 💻🛠️

Get more from Builder Dads on Patreon Crafting More Than Furniture, We're Building Dreams!

Check out the latest video uploaded to YouTube!

Navigating the Prusa MK4: From Out-of-Box Success to PETG Challenges and Triumphs Join me on a journey with my new Prusa MK4 3D printers as I share the excitement of their flawless out-of-the-box performance and the challenges I faced when...

Meet the new printers that are going to add capacity and propel innovation!

I decided instead of just calling them Prusa 3 and 4, I wanted to do something different. The new printers are Clarice Starling (The Silence of the Lambs) and Dana Scully (The X-Files). They will join their sisters Alice (Resident Evil) and Buffy Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) shortly in their out of the wood shop home.

Reading reviews like this make the long hours completely worth it! So glad to have had this opportunity to build this.

https://builderdads.etsy.com

Reading these reviews made my day!

🚀 New YouTube Video Alert! 🎥

Embarking on a design journey with the Magnetic Dust Coupling mount, and embracing failure as a step toward innovation. 💡 Join me in exploring the lessons learned and the exciting possibilities ahead. Watch the video now: https://youtu.be/9pEG-LRUKwo

Learning from Failure: Exploring Design Flaws in My 3D Printed Ceiling Mount Join me in this candid exploration of design failure as I dissect the flaws in my 3D printed ceiling mount for the magnetic dust connection. I'll share the c...

Teamwork makes the work!

Now that my portion of this custom walnut shoe rack is done it is time for my mom to take over and finish it. Can’t wait till it is done to get a glamor shot before it heads to its new home.

My 3D printers have been busy!

Well that was my last run to USPS for the year! One off to Vancouver B.C., Canada and the other to Indiana.

Celebrating our 150th sale on ETSY!

Hey Builder Dads Fans! 👋🏼✨ I just shared a brand-new video on YouTube, and I couldn't wait to tell you all about it. 🎉📹 This one takes you on a journey behind the scenes of my woodworking world, specifically the evolution of my packaging process.

📦 Join me as I spill the beans on how I transitioned from the early days of cardboard chaos to the game-changing partnership with Custom Made Boxes. It's not just about boxes; it's about ensuring each creation reaches you in perfect condition. A special shout out to my very first Etsy customer and now friend Tony Scott for sticking with me even when his beautiful shoe rack got broken, because lets face it I had no clue what I was doing at first.

🔗 Watch the video here https://youtu.be/iYlCUZgBST0 and discover the transformative power of custom packaging! ✨

Your support always means the world to me. If you have thoughts or questions, feel free to drop them in the comments on YouTube. Happy watching! 🌟🛠️

www.youtube.com

It had been a while since I last produced a cutting board and I was thrilled when an order came in to make this beauty.

3 more shoe racks to go and all 2023 order will be complete. Then back to shooting YouTube videos and building the new 3D printer farm.

I can’t believe it! Builder Dads is closing in on 200 subscribers for YouTube with almost 6k views and 325 watch hours.

I am feeling so grateful for this success and recognition that people like my content. Way more to come, but thank you to all who have watched. It means so much to me and the rest of the family.

https://youtube.com/?si=OncJRXabKPhH659-

A new feature is coming soon for the DW735 upgrade kit!

One of the Holiday Trees in its new home! How cute they put a Santa leaving it.

https://builderdads.com/store-XqrbB/p/holiday-tree

How cool just like that all 3 trees are gone.

Don’t wait they are going faster than I can make them!

https://builderdads.com/store-XqrbB/p/holiday-tree

Introducing our newest Scroll Saw creation... the Holiday Tree!

Shipping is included with the cost of the product.

Holiday Tree — Builder Dads This hand made Holiday Tree is the perfect direction to lighten up your holiday season. Cut from hardwoods on a scroll saw no on tree is exactly the same. The tree stands at about 5-1/2” W x 4” D x 10-1/4” T. It comes with ornamental balls fully assembled and ready for display. Shipping is inc...