What skill are you learning right now?

**kbalch** · May 12, 2015, 09:00 AM

I've always believed that life, when lived to its fullest, is an adventure of continual learning. The many disciplines that make up our various building activities all require education and practice to attain and maintain a high skill level. The challenge of taking up something new offers its own rewards…

What skill are you learning right now?

**Astro** · May 13, 2015, 05:09 AM

Hi Ken, I'm taking an advanced course in 2D CAD, and hopefully soon I will be able to post some quality drawings in my posts. I have been using CAD for a couple of years but I feel that I need to learn some of the finer points to produce better quality drawings

**kbalch** · May 13, 2015, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Astro

Hi Ken, I'm taking an advanced course in 2D CAD, and hopefully soon I will be able to post some quality drawings in my posts. I have been using CAD for a couple of years but I feel that I need to learn some of the finer points to produce better quality drawings

Hi,

Neat stuff! Learning CAD has been on my list for awhile, but I haven't gotten beyond some fumbling with Sketchup. If you could point a Mac guy in the right direction, I'd definitely be interested.

Ken

**Astro** · May 14, 2015, 03:42 AM

Originally Posted by kbalch

Hi,

Neat stuff! Learning CAD has been on my list for awhile, but I haven't gotten beyond some fumbling with Sketchup. If you could point a Mac guy in the right direction, I'd definitely be interested.

Ken

Hi Ken, I have been using a program called Draftsight for 2D drawings. It's a free download, and It's made by the same people who make Solidworks 3D, Dassault Systemes. It's very similar to AutoCAD with some minor differences. It is available for download to mac & others, you just have to choose the right download for your operating system. I have played with it for a couple of months, but as with most programs it helps to have some one-on-one training. That is why I am attending my local training facility. There are also lots of online training and tutorial options. I'd recommend giving it a try

**kbalch** · May 14, 2015, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Astro

Hi Ken, I have been using a program called Draftsight for 2D drawings. It's a free download, and It's made by the same people who make Solidworks 3D, Dassault Systemes. It's very similar to AutoCAD with some minor differences. It is available for download to mac & others, you just have to choose the right download for your operating system. I have played with it for a couple of months, but as with most programs it helps to have some one-on-one training. That is why I am attending my local training facility. There are also lots of online training and tutorial options. I'd recommend giving it a try

Looks interesting; thanks. I've downloaded Draftsight and will commence playing with it in my free time…

Ken

**Pa1963** · May 13, 2015, 10:34 AM

I've been reading a book on basic electronics, and I picked up one of those electronic experiment kits. They're supposed to be for 10 year olds, but I think a kid would have a hard time using this without a knowledgeable adult at hand. I had to learn how to decipher the color codes on resistors, so, if nothing else, I know how to do that now.

**kbalch** · May 13, 2015, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Pa1963

I've been reading a book on basic electronics, and I picked up one of those electronic experiment kits. They're supposed to be for 10 year olds, but I think a kid would have a hard time using this without a knowledgeable adult at hand. I had to learn how to decipher the color codes on resistors, so, if nothing else, I know how to do that now.

Very cool! Remember Heathkit? I built a radio from one of their kits - must be 40+ years ago.

I remember learning the resistor decoding in high school physics and then again in A&P electronics class, but the details seem to have entirely vanished from my head. Must be all that other acquired wisdom, right? …or maybe just age…

Ken

**Pa1963** · May 13, 2015, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by kbalch

Very cool! Remember Heathkit? I built a radio from one of their kits - must be 40+ years ago.

I remember learning the resistor decoding in high school physics and then again in A&P electronics class, but the details seem to have entirely vanished from my head. Must be all that other acquired wisdom, right? …or maybe just age…

Ken

I wish they were still around. Maybe I'll check ebay. That's how I found that experimenter kit. $30 as opposed to $100+ new, and looked to never being used.

**Edge20** · May 13, 2015, 03:28 PM

Learning how to combine stl meshes on MeshLab

**kbalch** · May 13, 2015, 11:03 AM

At the moment, I'm wrestling with the leather dash cover on my kit car. I suppose you could say that I'm learning automotive trimming, though I'm honestly looking forward to never having to do it again!

I'll stick with the mechanical bits next time out…

Ken