Wait a minute Mr Postman!...

[43rdRecceReg]

A massive package arrived this morning. The bulk of it was as much a surprise to me, as the courier person huffing and puffing under it's awkward size ('twas a female of the species). Unless I was losing my marbles, I thought, I couldn't recall ordering anything
of that size in my recent - and ever-increasing forays.. online. Having relieved grateful Postie of her burden, I noted that the sender was my son: the one in Switzerland, with the collection of fully functional WW2 Weaponry.
When I opened this surprise (unannounced) gift, this is what I saw..and no, it wasn't the Lee-Enfield .303 Mk IV (sigh) we took to the range in February :

Hictop Prusa 13 desktop 3d Printer

This is merely the top layer...
I'm currently teaching myself how to install and use RC servos, for my Cromwell project, and no sooner have I started that 'learning curve', when I'm besieged with additional, and significantly more complex, technology
This is the Hictop 3d printer..and I know absolutely nothing about it.. yet A tidal wave of technology

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning again,
A very auspicious start to any day!
regards,
Painless

P.S. Have Fun !

[jarndice]

You don't impress me Roy,
I have a pair of PZ4 rear fender springs coming, So there
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

You don't impress me Roy,
I have a pair of PZ4 rear fender springs coming, So there
Shaun.

Yes.. Shaun and Painless, but before this latest tech deluge, my post-Cromwell period was going to be about making a big choice... Which of these should I start first? What would you choose? Yes, Shaun, probably the Tamiya Pz 4 ..me too, but i couldn't afford one of those, and these came at the lowest prices available..

What would YOU choose?

Hummph. This is all getting a bit much. I like the sound of the quiet life, Shaun, and the Pz IV fenders

[43rdRecceReg]

Good morning again,
A very auspicious start to any day!
regards,
Painless

P.S. Have Fun !

Auspicious for me, Painless, but not for the Dog! her daily walks are likely to be a lot shorter

[jarndice]

You poor (Do I mean Poor?) Man having to make such a difficult choice,
As to the quiet life of PZ4 rear fenders springs HA!
Should they be Tension springs or compression springs, and if they are compression springs How do I hold them in position ?
and why would you fit compression springs in such a position?
If they are Tension springs I will have to pin vise holes in the body and the fenders to take the Tangs at each end,
That means the spring will pull its way through the Plastic like a cheesecutter, so a bigger hole to take a 2mm length of 1mm brass tube to hold the tang.
And then I have to disguise it?
I thought that finding the right size springs was hard enough, (I have 5 bags of various size springs)with another bag on its way.
But I have decided to rest my brain and go off in search of the source of the "Big Bang",
It does not help when so called friends start boasting about FREE 3 D Printers arriving unsolicited in the post and being in the heart breaking position of having to choose Which Tamiya Build to take on. BUG*ER me sir Lent is but days past and you are opening a Blo*dy hobby shop.
Shaun.

[43rdRecceReg]

You poor (Do I mean Poor?) Man having to make such a difficult choice,
As to the quiet life of PZ4 rear fenders springs HA!
Should they be Tension springs or compression springs, and if they are compression springs How do I hold them in position ?
and why would you fit compression springs in such a position?
If they are Tension springs I will have to pin vise holes in the body and the fenders to take the Tangs at each end,
That means the spring will pull its way through the Plastic like a cheesecutter, so a bigger hole to take a 2mm length of 1mm brass tube to hold the tang.
And then I have to disguise it?
I thought that finding the right size springs was hard enough, (I have 5 bags of various size springs)with another bag on its way.
But I have decided to rest my brain and go off in search of the source of the "Big Bang",
It does not help when so called friends start boasting about FREE 3 D Printers arriving unsolicited in the post and being in the heart breaking position of having to choose Which Tamiya Build to take on. BUG*ER me sir Lent is but days past and you are opening a Blo*dy hobby shop.
Shaun.

Ah, yes, Shaun, I'd almost forgotten the perils of the Panzer IV: that Pandora's Box of all Panzers ... Hmm, poor smitten you! Well, after the timeout you'll have locating the ultimate wellspring of the Universe; there's a host of equations to solve in the realm of Particle Physics too, for a distraction. They're Mathematical conundrums that have been driving boffins bananas for decades. Or....you could return to the grail equivalent for tankers of producing a perfect Panzer IV
Incidentally, dear old chap, this Cromwell project has just about syphoned off every ounce of energy I have remaining! So, In a way, the printer and the Tamiyas are what the fatally dehydrated explorer sees in the desert: a bar full of enticing water and intoxicants (maybe served up by Dorothy Lamour )...but it's all a mirage! Yep, and like the washed up wayfarer, I really can't take another step in that direction for some time....Thus, no boasting from me, old chap; merely a glimpse of an unattainable mirage! I'm knackered

[jarndice]

I would have thought the Cromwell a doddle for you, after all its just a bit of Plasticard isn't it? and you being at the true home of the Water of Life it should be filling you with the unrestricted vigour of a Celtic supporter
I am sorry Roy I know how much you dislike bad language
Please do not talk to me about achieving perfection with Panzer 4s or any other human endeavour,
When I left the service I determined that as it had taken so much blood sweat and tears getting fit it would be a waste to lose it and so I enrolled in an "Akido" Class.
My Master was brilliant as an instructor except he insisted we only speak in Japanese,
If you did not he would hit you,
It would go something like this--"RENSHU punch WA punch KANPEKIDESU" punch punch punch punch punch.
It means PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!
I have never been able to write or read Japanese but on the odd occasion I meet people from that country they are always surprised how well I speak their Language,
The women no matter what their age giggle like schoolgirls when they hear me.
It's always refreshing to know I can make the ladies smile still
I remember one of the very few times I impressed my Lady we were at Heathrow going to Mauritaus and we did not know which gate to go to so I asked a couple of Ladies from "All Nippon Airlines" they of course giggled but told me the gate and my lady just sat on the Aircraft for 9 hours saying almost nothing.
Almost worth the punches.
Shaun.

[AlwynTurner]

Hi Roy, not only will you need to assemble that printer but you will need to set aside time to get comfy with a 3d design tool... When were you planning to sleep? Anyway congrats on joining the 3d printer users asylum and have fun.

Alwyn

[wibblywobbly]

Oh dear, someone else who, not satisfied with the premature dementure that being in this hobby brings, has embarked on the nightmare experience of 3D printer ownership. Insomnia will now become a way of life, Prozac will become part of your daily diet, and regular visits to your optician and psychiatrist will become a matter of routine.

Being the owner of two, which both caused me endless headaches initially, I can say in all honesty that by the time all of your friends have forgotten that you existed you will be having great fun with it, be living like a monk, and wishing you had more money for hair restoration cream.

I may yet buy a third, or convert one of mine, so that I have a much bigger build plate. If I could print a one piece hull I would then be truly happy.