Ned
@nedman.bsky.social
B.S. Physics, M.S. Chemistry , Astro πͺ Buff, Maker, Husband, Freemason, Dad, Nerd, Dog Dad, Am. Photographer, Stalker of Butterflies, π³οΈβπAlly, π Coastal NC
Yeah, I've done BPA testing before and the background contamination issue was a huge pain in the ass to deal with.
January 14, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Yeah, I've done BPA testing before and the background contamination issue was a huge pain in the ass to deal with.
The Cape Fear River for me.
My favorite Twitter prompt was "RT this with your home river," so reskeet this with your home river.
Mine is the Patuxent.
Mine is the Patuxent.
January 13, 2026 at 3:49 AM
The Cape Fear River for me.
Reposted by Ned
As much as I WANT this to be a magic portal to a happier world, it's not.
Captured on the slopes of an Austrian ski resort, it's a LIGHT PILLAR, an optical phenomenon created by the alignment of hexagonal ice crystals reflecting a strong light source in a way that creates the illusion of a pillar.
Captured on the slopes of an Austrian ski resort, it's a LIGHT PILLAR, an optical phenomenon created by the alignment of hexagonal ice crystals reflecting a strong light source in a way that creates the illusion of a pillar.
January 12, 2026 at 2:03 PM
As much as I WANT this to be a magic portal to a happier world, it's not.
Captured on the slopes of an Austrian ski resort, it's a LIGHT PILLAR, an optical phenomenon created by the alignment of hexagonal ice crystals reflecting a strong light source in a way that creates the illusion of a pillar.
Captured on the slopes of an Austrian ski resort, it's a LIGHT PILLAR, an optical phenomenon created by the alignment of hexagonal ice crystals reflecting a strong light source in a way that creates the illusion of a pillar.
After following all the ICE fuckery being shown here on Bluesky, the quote line at the end hit hard.
January 12, 2026 at 5:45 AM
After following all the ICE fuckery being shown here on Bluesky, the quote line at the end hit hard.
Said every 3D printing person ever. π
January 11, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Said every 3D printing person ever. π
Reposted by Ned
In happier news, it's been a great week for learning strange new things about the universe. A few highlights:
The Rubin Observatory opened its eyes & immediately discovered 1900 asteroids, including the fastest-spinning large asteroid (once every 1.88 minutes!). π§ͺπ
noirlab.edu/public/news/...
The Rubin Observatory opened its eyes & immediately discovered 1900 asteroids, including the fastest-spinning large asteroid (once every 1.88 minutes!). π§ͺπ
noirlab.edu/public/news/...
January 11, 2026 at 12:31 AM
In happier news, it's been a great week for learning strange new things about the universe. A few highlights:
The Rubin Observatory opened its eyes & immediately discovered 1900 asteroids, including the fastest-spinning large asteroid (once every 1.88 minutes!). π§ͺπ
noirlab.edu/public/news/...
The Rubin Observatory opened its eyes & immediately discovered 1900 asteroids, including the fastest-spinning large asteroid (once every 1.88 minutes!). π§ͺπ
noirlab.edu/public/news/...
You're welcome. The Omtech K40+ routinely goes on sale for $600 (Normal price $800). But that's for a new as apposed to this refurbed one.
www.amazon.com/OMTech-Engra...
www.amazon.com/OMTech-Engra...
January 10, 2026 at 2:14 PM
You're welcome. The Omtech K40+ routinely goes on sale for $600 (Normal price $800). But that's for a new as apposed to this refurbed one.
www.amazon.com/OMTech-Engra...
www.amazon.com/OMTech-Engra...
Feel free to hit me up with any questions if you buy the machine.
January 10, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Feel free to hit me up with any questions if you buy the machine.
You'll want to keep the tube temp bellow 25C and preferably below 20C to prolong the life of your laser tube.
January 10, 2026 at 4:42 AM
You'll want to keep the tube temp bellow 25C and preferably below 20C to prolong the life of your laser tube.
Get a digital thermometer with a long wired thermocouple to measure your bucket temp. Personally I have a dual thermometer, one thermocouple in the bucket and one taped to the tubing at the outlet of the laser tube cooling jacket.
January 10, 2026 at 4:42 AM
Get a digital thermometer with a long wired thermocouple to measure your bucket temp. Personally I have a dual thermometer, one thermocouple in the bucket and one taped to the tubing at the outlet of the laser tube cooling jacket.
That's about as inexpensive as I've been able to find. It has a built in water pump so you can use a 5gal bucket and frozen 1/2L soda bottles filled with water for cooling.
January 10, 2026 at 4:35 AM
That's about as inexpensive as I've been able to find. It has a built in water pump so you can use a 5gal bucket and frozen 1/2L soda bottles filled with water for cooling.
You will need an exhaust for the laser. I recommend a 6" inline duct fan to give you around 300- 400cfm. Using 6"to 4" duct reducers will let you use 4" flexible drier vent ducting. The foil liner flex ducting is better.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHW7MDPD/
www.amazon.com/Therwen-Redu...
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHW7MDPD/
www.amazon.com/Therwen-Redu...
iPower Inline Booster Duct Fan 6'' 240CFM Low Noise HVAC Exhaust Blower Ventilation and Flex Air Aluminum Ducting 8 Feet Dryer Vent Hose for HVAC Exhaust, Basements, Bathrooms, Kitchens and Attics
iPower Inline Booster Duct Fan 6'' 240CFM Low Noise HVAC Exhaust Blower Ventilation and Flex Air Aluminum Ducting 8 Feet Dryer Vent Hose for HVAC Exhaust , Basements, Bathrooms, Kitchens and Attics
www.amazon.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:33 AM
You will need an exhaust for the laser. I recommend a 6" inline duct fan to give you around 300- 400cfm. Using 6"to 4" duct reducers will let you use 4" flexible drier vent ducting. The foil liner flex ducting is better.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHW7MDPD/
www.amazon.com/Therwen-Redu...
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHW7MDPD/
www.amazon.com/Therwen-Redu...
Of course if you can afford a bigger laser (50-60W) to start with I would go with that. But for an entry machine you really can't beat this. These bench top machines have come a long ways since I first started, especially on the control side.
January 10, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Of course if you can afford a bigger laser (50-60W) to start with I would go with that. But for an entry machine you really can't beat this. These bench top machines have come a long ways since I first started, especially on the control side.
Sorry, but not sorry. DO IT!
That's a heck of a price for what you are getting. I bought my bare bones K40 about 15 yrs ago for around $300, then put another $300 in upgrades over the years and this is still a better deal. Lasering is so much fun and then leads to bigger lasers. π
That's a heck of a price for what you are getting. I bought my bare bones K40 about 15 yrs ago for around $300, then put another $300 in upgrades over the years and this is still a better deal. Lasering is so much fun and then leads to bigger lasers. π
January 10, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Sorry, but not sorry. DO IT!
That's a heck of a price for what you are getting. I bought my bare bones K40 about 15 yrs ago for around $300, then put another $300 in upgrades over the years and this is still a better deal. Lasering is so much fun and then leads to bigger lasers. π
That's a heck of a price for what you are getting. I bought my bare bones K40 about 15 yrs ago for around $300, then put another $300 in upgrades over the years and this is still a better deal. Lasering is so much fun and then leads to bigger lasers. π
Reposted by Ned
BIG FIGHT AT POLANDβS WROCLAW ZOO!!!
January 9, 2026 at 8:02 PM
BIG FIGHT AT POLANDβS WROCLAW ZOO!!!
Reposted by Ned
This is really, really great.
wantmymtv.vercel.app
wantmymtv.vercel.app
MTV REWIND - I Want My MTV
Celebrating 44 years of continuous music videos. Stream classic music videos 24/7.
wantmymtv.vercel.app
January 6, 2026 at 4:58 PM
This is really, really great.
wantmymtv.vercel.app
wantmymtv.vercel.app
Just call me nerdy Nedry. π€
Fuck I just realized Nedry is a lazy as hell anagram of nerdy
January 7, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Just call me nerdy Nedry. π€
Same (but doggo instead of chickens). π
January 1, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Same (but doggo instead of chickens). π
Reposted by Ned
Our Solar System is orbiting the center of our Galaxy at about 220 km/s so in 2025 we collectively traveled something like 7 billion kilometers across the Milky Way. Once in a while, when you have a moment, itβs worthwhile to take a look around, see where you are, and appreciate how far youβve come.
January 1, 2026 at 5:27 AM
Our Solar System is orbiting the center of our Galaxy at about 220 km/s so in 2025 we collectively traveled something like 7 billion kilometers across the Milky Way. Once in a while, when you have a moment, itβs worthwhile to take a look around, see where you are, and appreciate how far youβve come.
Reposted by Ned
Not now, super-massive runaway black hole!
Astronomers made a truly mind-boggling discovery using the JWST:
A runaway super-massive black hole, rocketing through space at a staggering 1,000 km/s, leaving a 200,000 light-year-long tail in its wake in which gas is accumulating and triggering star formation.
π§ͺ
www.space.com/astronomy/bl...
A runaway super-massive black hole, rocketing through space at a staggering 1,000 km/s, leaving a 200,000 light-year-long tail in its wake in which gas is accumulating and triggering star formation.
π§ͺ
www.space.com/astronomy/bl...
James Webb Space Telescope confirms 1st 'runaway' supermassive black hole rocketing through home galaxy at 2.2 million mph: 'It boggles the mind!'
"The forces that are needed to dislodge such a massive black hole from its home are enormous."
www.space.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Not now, super-massive runaway black hole!
Reposted by Ned
