Looking back on the year

[KeithB]

I have been using a program called DraftSight to view *.dwg files that people send me. It's a free 2D program that is a less functional version of a commercial program. I haven't tried using it to create drawings (I use a true 3D program for that) but it looks like it would be easy enough to learn to use. Seems like there is enough support out there for it to help get somebody started.

I use a program on my ithingies called Machinist Journeyman. It around $10 but I've gotten my money out of it many times over. Lots of built-in calculators for bolt circles, trig, RPM, feedrates, machining time, plus tables of dimensions for UN screw threads, tap drills, drill diameters, etc. Very handy. Don't know if it comes in any other platform besides the Apple version.

 

[Brad]

Apple versions work for me. iPad and iPhone user here.
Thanks Keith

Well hell, machinist journeyman appears to no longer be available.

 

[KeithB]

No kidding, now I know why it hasn't updated in a while. Too bad, it's proven to be very useful to me.

 

[smokeywolf]

Ran AutoCAD from 1992 to about 2009. I never could bring myself to spend the three thousand or so dollars to upgrade to the 64 bit compatible version of AutoCAD, after my Win XP machine crapped out and I went to Win 7 and 8 laptops.

 

[Rally Hess]

First time reading this post. Talk about thread drift! LOL From happy new year to laptops. LOL This is a great site.

 

[358156 hp]

If you ever see a thread that seems to run unnaturally long, read it. I can guarantee it will drift all over the place, and that it will probably be one of your most interesting reads yet. It's funny how it works, on topic, off topic, but somehow its all still relevant to the topic. It's the damnedest thing you ever saw.

 

[9.3X62AL]

A late arrival at this thread......but it still is a Happy New Year at the Artful Bullet. SO DARN NICE to again have a place filled with genuine folks deeply skilled and passionately driven in this hobby field. A place where I don't cringe as I read through a thread. Very appreciative of what we have here!

 

[Rally Hess]

I hear you 358156. I've seen conversations at trappers conventions start at trapping Muskrats and end up talking about the valve body in a Turbo 350 transmission. I think it's just human nature amongst folks of simliar interests.

 

[Intheshop]

Thread drift....tangent....spitballing?

Semantics really.The investor in me says its vertical vs horizontal integration/information.How can anyone,thirsty for knowledge, really complain about broadening that knowledge base?Yet,some do.

Here at the estate(sorry),we have a crew of 50-75 semi regulars.Pairing that down to about 25 or so folks that bring their luggage.The ones that "get it" enjoy the atmosphere....

Conversations are like traveling down a 6 lane highway....we're all headed in the same direction,but the topic is devided(reckon an equation),between those lanes.Some folks show up and are like,WTF are you all talking about?The conversation,wit,jokes are at an extremely fast pace.They must be too polite?Others,new folks, attending whatever getogether that happens to be going on,get it...and join in.

We may be talking pro sports one minute...then change lanes deciding the fate of this or that conspiracy theory du-jour.

So looking back,on this site....I'm very appreciative of the vast knowledge base(horizontally) expressed.So,which is better for one of my sons...a Dillon 550,or the 650?

 

[Phlier]

Thread drift....tangent....spitballing?

Semantics really.The investor in me says its vertical vs horizontal integration/information.How can anyone,thirsty for knowledge, really complain about broadening that knowledge base?Yet,some do.

Here at the estate(sorry),we have a crew of 50-75 semi regulars.Pairing that down to about 25 or so folks that bring their luggage.The ones that "get it" enjoy the atmosphere....

Conversations are like traveling down a 6 lane highway....we're all headed in the same direction,but the topic is devided(reckon an equation),between those lanes.Some folks show up and are like,WTF are you all talking about?The conversation,wit,jokes are at an extremely fast pace.They must be too polite?Others,new folks, attending whatever getogether that happens to be going on,get it...and join in.

We may be talking pro sports one minute...then change lanes deciding the fate of this or that conspiracy theory du-jour.

So looking back,on this site....I'm very appreciative of the vast knowledge base(horizontally) expressed.So,which is better for one of my sons...a Dillon 550,or the 650?

Yes.

No snarkiness intended in that reply at all. Both are fantastic presses, and IMO, you can't go wrong with either one. I bought my son a 550C for Christmas, as we have a 1050 to cover the high volume loading. If I didn't have the 1050 to go along with the 550, I would have opted for the 650, as we do reload in volume.

If mass quantities of ammo aren't a consideration, the 550 is a fine press; we love ours.... er... "his".

Now if I could just get some help on this sugar cookie recipe I've been working on. The cookies are a bit bland, but I'm thinking it shows promise as a boolit lube.

 

[Intheshop]

Phlier,my mom was the hostess at the Mayflower in D.C. for years...

So,there's baking...and then,well...the 5 star stuff."Time &temperature" is food prep 101.So will assume you're there.

I'm not a cookie guy,instead have made a mark in pie crusts.The secret can not be taught in the kitchen.It becomes crystal clear in the world of masonry.Yup,old fashioned hard labor involved with mixing mortar.

Take 10 guys,give them all the same "recipe",and have them mix,by hand,a wheel of mud.One of the ten,may get it right.Oh,and if I'm laying....am going to be way more vocal on it's acceptance than any James Beard judge...just sayin.

How you mix your dry ingredients...then EXACTLY the right amt of wet.The brush,err fork strokes incorporated is what makes the product.How can you explain that to someone who's never mixed mortar for a bunch of demanding redneck bricklayers?

Practice?And don't settle for anything less than perfect.

 

[Brad]

I have a 550. A 1050 is more money than I am willing to spend based on my ammo consumption. A 650 would be nice but would I ever notice the difference in time to load what I shoot? No, I wouldn't. Not near as much as I would notice the difference in my wallet.

As for baking, to be really good it is a passion. I'm messing around trying to learn to smoke meat and I am finding it is an art. I don't see why baking would be any different. Sometimes it just takes time to "know" when things are right.

Amazing isn't it? Casting and shooting our own bullets isn't much different? Takes time and lots of experience to be able to look at results and know when it is right. Knowing why is even more important.

 

[fiver]

550.
I have 4 of them.
I only have 1 650.
it mostly sit's covered up while I look at the tool heads and changeovers I have for it gathering dust.

I got nuthin for the sugar cookies, I'm a chocolate chip guy.

 

[RBHarter]

So many things are a matter of knowing just how to place a hand to reach what you need to reach to have the intended results.

No help for cookies or blue presses .

 

[Rick]

Cookie fix is easy, add one cup finely chopped Red Savina Habanero.

 

[Ian]

First mention of the bland cookie thing made me think "SALT". Add a little more salt (it should call for some already). After that, add vanilla extract. After that, give up and make oatmeal/raisin cookies instead, and use butter instead of oil and Crisco.

As for the presses, the way I see it is a 550 or 650 choice purely based on the personality of the operator. If a person is very attentive and methodical, the 650. If ADD and having a tendency to daydream during monotonous tasks, perhaps the 550 would be a better choice.

 

[Brad]

Raisins? In cookies? Gross. I dislike raisins and they look like bugs in a cookie. I like my grapes young and fresh.

A good chocolate chip cookies is the best kind. Oatmeal with butterscotch chips and good ginger snaps are a close second and third.

A 650 is enough more money to keep me away. To be its best it also needs a case feeder which means more expense. My 550 does all I need.

 

[Phlier]

Yup, a raisin is a terrible thing to do to a grape.

 

[fiver]

the case feeder is what throws me off I think.
I'm so used to the 550 and the ponsess warren operations that not having a place for my right hand to go has me all flustered up.
I finally modified the priming wheel on the 650 so that I have to manipulate it manually with my right hand.
I actually go quicker this way.

 

[Intheshop]

I'll push the 550,thanks gents.

N.C. Moravian heritage says "pie at every meal".Typically,these are thin pies....not sayin good/bad.It's a cultural....and somewhat vernacular thing.So,home made crust(doh),and then only about 1/2" thick filling.I know,sounds strange.....remember though,you get it 3 times a day.

Moravian cookies...super thin ginger snaps in juuust the right degree of crisp.Google "Old Salem" .....part of Winston Salem NC.....resto'd historical town.Their MESDA,museum of early southern decorative arts is pretty acclaimed.Ranking with top tier furniture museums in the U.S.