Strengthened, The best time

You may recall last week that I had an incident where I made a smart ass video in response to someone that made negative commentary on my stands on FB.  I don’t mind criticism, I didn’t appreciate that instead of telling me of any issue he had so I could address it he thought it best to just throw it out on social media.  My video of me standing on one of my stands clearly demonstrated that they are able to withstand high amounts of weight applied in a vertical manner.

However I have always been aware that the stands are much less tolerant of horizontal forces being applied to them, for example if someone isn’t careful and doesn’t get the wheel in over the pedal hangers, allowing it to fall in between supports like a wood splitting wedge.  I had this very scenario happen to me when I was shooting one of my videos this weekend. I was doing stuff exerting side pressure on a stand, causing one of the side supports to snap at the section above the bolt holes.  If a stand breaks, that is normally where it will happen.

So despite my sarcastic reaction to the criticism last week, I decided to address it. The top picture is the new version and the bottom is what I have been using.  I tweaked the model to add much more material around that vulnerable lower section which should make it considerably more resistant to breaking.  It adds a bit to the print time but not in a major fashion.  I did my first test print of the model overnight and it turned out well.  I actually sort of prefer the new design, it balances out the visual better.  I plan to swap over to this design exclusively but I have 12-15 of the old style I need to unload first.

The last few days before Christmas are actually my favorite time of the holiday season.  The anticipation is at it’s paramount level and I have several days off to look forward to ahead of me.  Although of course I still like receiving gifts the vast majority of my enjoyment for many years has come from giving gifts to my loved ones.  With DJ getting older and more aware of what’s what it should only add to that enjoyment.

The forecast for Christmas Day is going to be a first for me in Florida.  It is supposed to be legit cold here with highs not getting out of the 50’s during the day.  It’s the closest thing to a White Christmas I have ever had since moving to a tropical climate.