Other Builds - Pandora's Box

[A_Camera]

the site has become myopic and does not serve the whole cnc community, which is a great shame.

Well, I think this site has always been like that. Some members don't seem to understand the difference between hobby and profession. There is a clear difference between between those who MUST have a machine to finance their daily bread, and those who have one because they are interested or want to use one occasionally for some DIY projects. That difference is not seen by those people. They believe that only the best will do, and your machine, as well as mine, is nothing to have. Well, maybe that is the case for them, but for us, a hobby is a hobby, not something which demands the best quality parts or can't be down for maintenance and must run H24/7. The way I see it is that a CNC based on skate bearings, built on MDF plates, using a small DC motor as spindle can give more joy for the users than a huge 1.5 tonne machine gives to these guys. As you say, not everyone needs, wants or even interested in those large machines, we are not necessarily drooling over them, at least not all of us.

Anyway, in my opinion, this forum would benefit from people like you. I think it is interesting to see and read other people's experience and is interesting to see progress in other people's DIY projects. While the high end machine can be cool to watch occasionally, I fin't it more interesting to see amateurs progressing in their projects than perfect machines milling parts I will never mill at a speed I can not even dream about.

Unfortunately, these guys can chase away people like you and me from this forum, unless we are stubborn and keep on staying. On the other hand, without us amateurs, this forum will die, because there isn't much to talk about something which is perfect and everyone has the same opinion. In the end it will become a boring place if everyone leaves and no one is helping with contractive comments those who ask for, or need help. Also the occasional ridiculing comments are counter productive, because it just kills the conversations. Bullying does not help anyone. I think those people should lighten up a little, because they are scaring away other valuable people and contributors. But perhaps that's what they want, I have no idea. Never the less it is sad to see such behaviour.

I did say elsewhere that this hobby is like a black hole. It can swallow everything in terms of money, time and other resources, including our marriage if we are letting it controlled by those guys, or if we always chase perfection and don't set any limits and lose control. Money is not always a subject (at least not in every stage) but never the less, one may not be happy spending a limitless (or very high) amount of money on a hobby. This is nothing they need to consider, it's not their time, not their money, not their marriage.

Anyway, there are some very knowledgable people here, so use their knowledge but filter out what you need and let the other crap pass. After all, it is you who are in control of your actions, and you don't even have to give any motives why you do this or that. Read what they write, learn, but use that the way it suits your needs. Be happy that you receive some answers, far from everyone is that successful every time, so if a discussion starts that's good, even if does not end the same way as you expected. It's their way or no way for some of them, but in the end, that's nonsense, because in the end, you decide which way you go, and I decide which way I go.

Please stay. Believe me, I am not the only one interested in the progress you, and other hobby / DIY people are making. I can see that clearly on the number of views my threads generate, not only here, but also on my YouTube, so while not many people comment (and not always with the words we wish for) it is clear that it is beneficial for the community if we don't just disappear and shut up. I like to see and read about other people's experience and opinions because it opens up my mind and I learn new things or new, different (not necessarily always better) approaches.

You did indeed open a Pandora's box, but if you leave then the lid will be closed again and nothing will improve. If you stay then this site will improve and you will in fact learn and improve as well, but I know how it feels when people ridicule what you are doing and express or insinuate some rude comments. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt... but in the end, I am glad I stayed, even if the ridiculing is still occasionally ongoing.