@Chris Savage have you had chance to try it yet, I'm hoping things are right now.

Good luck with that. Let us know how it goes.

I need to quickly put some stuff together and want something quick and simple. TinkerCad looks great, but I really don't like web-based/browser-based stuff - if it isn't kept on my computer, it isn't mine. Does anyone have a suggestion for a dead-simple 3D print CAD program, that resides on my computer (for Linux, of course)?

Once I get done with my quick stuff, I am thinking that FreeCAD will be my next design program.

Well, it's been a while and recently in order to move ahead on many projects that require custom 3D printed parts, I decided to get up to speed on FreeCAD V1.0, only to find that it has been updated to V1.1.1. Now, you might think that's no big deal, but apparently there are 200+ changes and bug fixes and well, none of the tutorials for V1.0 seems to work for me. Some tools have changed. Icons are gone or re-branded. It's a lot different!

Anyway, after trying three tutorials built around V1.0 and having two fail, I need to try again with more updated tutorials. My weekend will be mostly set around this endeavor. Wish me luck!

A package was delivered today. Looks suspiciously like an international package. We'll see when I get home from work.

Thanks, much appreciated.

Quote from: granz on Apr 23, 2026, 06:18 AMCould you go back, and add in the .STL files for the different things that you have printed? That would help us find, and print, the things that you show. Thanks.

I've done even better...I linked to the pages where I sourced the models. Many have specific filaments and / or other parts which are often listed and linked from the pages I share.

For example, some have magnets embedded into the design. There are many sizes of these and this information is on the pages. Some use motors, LED lights or other accessories and are often linked on the pages as well.

To get an STL file, you'd have to load the model into the slicer and save it out, since Bambu Lab usually handles everything via the cloud. That is, the files aren't downloaded and then printed, they're sent to your device directly, unless you send them to the slicer, where they can be modified and saved.

Several of my grand-kids also like cats. Also, there are also several organizing tools that you have shown that would be cool.

Could you go back, and add in the .STL files for the different things that you have printed? That would help us find, and print, the things that you show.

Thanks.

Classic Cat Pencil Holder / Desk Container



I printed this for my granddauhter, who likes cats. I had previously printed the Phone Stand with Cat.

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This was still printing when I came home from work. When I got to the shop, this is what I saw. I thought it looked creepy, the way the supports were connected to the cat head. It seemed like it was being consumed by the supports.

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Of course, after it finished printing, someone else pointed out that it looked like hands reaching up from the plate to hold the cat's head.

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This is after the supports were removed. It still needs some deburring and cleanup, but it came out nicely.

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A top-down view so you can see the storage area for pens, pencils, whatever...

Quote from: granz on Feb 06, 2026, 06:38 PMI still think that the Pico with RunCPM will be the best deal:

Amazon:

• SD Card Breakout (2 ea) - $5.49 - https://www.amazon.com/DIYables-Adapter-Arduino-ESP8266-Raspberry/dp/B0BXKLNN2L
• Raspberry Pi Pico H w/ USB Cable - $9.90 - https://www.amazon.com/Microcontroller-Development-Pre-Soldered-Dual-Core-Multi-Function/dp/B0DSBQS5ZF/
• 830 Point Breadboard - $4.59 - https://www.amazon.com/California-JOS-Breadboard-Solderless-Distribution/dp/B0BRQX6G3T/
• 1 GB Micro SD Card - $7.79 - https://www.amazon.com/Lerdisk-Wholesale-1GB-Produced-Authorized/dp/B0D3KWY34B
• Hookup Wire - $3.86 - https://www.amazon.com/MECCANIXITY-Breadboard-Electronics-Electronic-Projects/dp/B0F1YDQ53Q

Total - $31.63 + sales tax
No shipping fee for Prime Members.
Price could be considerably less for someone who can solder.
No soldering, nothing else to purchase.
RunCPM firmware is a single file that is extremely easy to install on the Pico - great for complete beginner.

Quote from: granz on Jan 22, 2026, 06:10 PMI now have one of the RP2350-GEEK devices, from Amazon, on its way - should be here Friday.

It appears that the RP2040-GEEK (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLBLQ43) device is actually cheaper ($17.39 w/ S&H + SD card,) than the above kit. This will be cheaper, easier and faster for a complete beginner than the kit that I sourced out.

One of the RP2040-GEEK modules is now on order (unfortunately long shipping time - 1 May - 11 May. ) I will install the RunCPM for that module when it arrives.

There is one other option that I have been considering. The Adafruit Feather RP2040 Adalogger (https://www.adafruit.com/product/5980) with a cheap 512 MB SD card is only $19.90. The shipping to my place, near Pittsburgh) is (USPS - Ground Advantage) $5.53. This would be just over $25 delivered (here.) That would cover everything in the above kit, except for the SD card - the same as the RP2040-GEEK. The -GEEK module wins by being a bit cheaper and by including a case (plus the LCD, but that would not be used for this project.) The Adalogger should get delivered sooner - Adafruit is pretty good about shipping in my experience.

Sorry about being slow on this, the pain has been pretty bad lately. I could not even get to church this past Sunday, and I was the scheduled deacon for reading the Scripture and praying. This pain is a pain.