Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: Boys' Toys

It's a cliché and a stereotype, but when it comes down to it, this is also a simple truth. Boys love their toys.

So for today's Father's Day badge I thought it might be productive to find out exactly what kind of new toys you, your dad, your uncle or whoever else in your family that likes to get silicon all over their fingers might enjoy as a Father's Day pressie.

Below is a poll of the kind of tech toys that talented tinkerers dream of (one is harder to acquire than all the others put together -- guess which), so cast your vote for the one you'd most like to find under your Father's Day tree (if there is such a thing), and grab yourself the Father's Day Boys' Toys badge.

And you could always tell us of anything else you wouldn't mind the family chipping in for, to make your dad's day a little bit more special, in the comments below.

But remember that in order in order to get this badge, you first need to have earned the Father's Day Shed Dweller badge from yesterday!

You have until 26th June, 2016, to get all the badges, so don't delay!

Day One: June 13th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: Shed Dweller
Day Two: June 14th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: Boys' Toys
Day Three: June 15th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: DIY Ninja
Day Four: June 16th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: The IoT of Chaps
Day Five: June 17th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: The Maker
Day Six: June 18th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: The Maker
Day Seven: June 19th - Father's Day Badge-a-Thon: Day of the Dad

Top Comments

beacon_dave over 9 years ago in reply to spannerspencer

Spanner Spencer wrote:

Me too. I really want to build one, actually.

And it feels like there must be a way to combine the two into one piece of equipment. Not sure what it is, but it'd be great to experiment with that idea.

How about the BoXZY ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcJ6kOIRdPY
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Instructorman over 9 years ago

Tough choice between 3D printer and thermal camera.
I have been spoiled by access to high end 3D printers and thermal cameras at work.
Anything I could afford for home use in either category would pale by comparison, but I think I'd splurge a little more on a 3D printer right now.
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Fred27 over 9 years ago in reply to jkutzsch

Why vote for what you already have? Surely you'd want something else as a present. That was my thinking anyway.
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Fred27 over 9 years ago in reply to rsc

That looks great, but you'd really have to trust whoever programmed it. With your life. Literally!
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danielw over 9 years ago

Thermal camera because it would be so useful in diagnosing issues. I'd love the robot arm or CNC but don't have the space, and what would I do with a massive arm anyway?
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Fred27 over 9 years ago in reply to spannerspencer

Many, many people have thought of combining a 3D printer, laser and CNC mill into one machine. There's a reason you won't see one (or a good one anyway). They all have very different requirements with regard to speed, rigidity, power, etc. You would end up with a machine that awful for all three. You're far better off with separate machines.
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mcb1 over 9 years ago in reply to spannerspencer

We were contemplating making a large 1200x1200 CNC for The Shed magazine.
The theory was that it was much easier to scale it down than to scale up a flimsy design.

The guy I had lined up had sorted out the best construction method and had sourced the electronics.
He used a router that you buy from a hardware store as it was cheap, easy to replace and came with a warranty.

He commented that it was very easy to add the third axis to make a very large 3D printer.

Sadly due to insurance issues after the earthquake he decided that Australia was a better option, and it never got done.
I've gone as far as buying the router (I didn't have one) to use for another job.

Mark
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spannerspencer over 9 years ago in reply to mcb1

Me too. I really want to build one, actually.

And it feels like there must be a way to combine the two into one piece of equipment. Not sure what it is, but it'd be great to experiment with that idea.
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mcb1 over 9 years ago

I voted for the CNC.
I do mechanical stuff as well as electronics, and while a 3D printer is tempting, the CNC to me is more useful.

A laser cutter would be more useful, but the CNC is a close second.

Mark
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spannerspencer over 9 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics

I just had a quick look in the admin area, and it shows you voted just now, but didn't register one yesterday. I'll keep an eye on things, make sure it's not missing any votes

We don't want to have to do a recount!
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