MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Jan 6, 2018 15:21:47 GMT -5
So I took the very reluctant plunge and bought their ugly new plant spacers, since the Grainger hole plugs that fit the large units so perfectly don’t fit the Harvest. I’m particularly bummed because I had just recently purchased a huge new box of the Grainger ones in anticipation of my 5 new Harvest machines. And, the new AG ones only come in black, which look lousy with my white Harvests. Grr.
Well, at least things are 20% off right now. But, to get the free shipping I added a bunch of other unnecessary, but fun, stuff. I finally bought the Be the Bee, the magnifying loupe, a filter pack (always necessary), and a seed starter insert for the Sprout.
I could not decide between the seed starter for the Sprout or the Harvest. I figured the Sprout will be more useful for my purposes. I plan to use it to help stagger my herb and Choy gardens. And 15 holes is more than enough.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on Jan 6, 2018 17:17:46 GMT -5
They are easier to remove however
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Jan 7, 2018 0:40:46 GMT -5
Re removing, I figured, given the little tab they added. And that’s a positive (the only positive). But still, did they hafta make the tab in the shape of a cutsie little leaf, and then slap their logo on it in bas relief? Ugly. I get the logo, cuz that’s plain marketing. But the leaf tab and logo both done in relief is altogether not streamlined or clean looking, which is what we got from the Grainger. Ugh. (I know, Negative Nelly here, I apologize. Just hafta say, bad design on their part). Ok, now I’m back to sunflowers and sunshine.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on Jan 7, 2018 4:51:38 GMT -5
LOL, It is ok to rant about it. But I like the Mary better
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Post by serri588 on Jan 7, 2018 10:15:32 GMT -5
I don't mind them, but all my AGs are black. I'm sure if mine were different colors I'd feel differently. It would be nice if they had them in both black and white at least. Maybe red since that's an option for a lot of machines.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on Jan 7, 2018 10:25:39 GMT -5
Send in an email with suggestions. You never know. Maybe we all should send in emails asking for a 60W Replacement hood to purchase separately for the Tall machines.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Jan 7, 2018 13:32:35 GMT -5
They are super new, so it’s entirely possible that they will eventually make them in different colors. And, of course I have to admit that they are worlds better than their original, even uglier ones. I just wish they didn’t change the Harvest holes so that my plugs would fit like they do in every other machine. Including the little Sprout.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2018 14:51:22 GMT -5
If you are referring to the plant spacers that have been out for over a year or so I do like them a lot for the following reasons: I do use the Grainger, but the calcification always finds its way around the edges and they are so hard to clean off. The AG ones have a bit more slip' to the plastic and are easier to clean.
The AG ones have that leaf tab for easier removal.
I still use the old red spacers, but the new holes make them sit on top and the algae can form around the clear base of the red ones.
I guess I am a fan of the AG ones but still use what I have accumulated over the years.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Jan 10, 2018 12:17:36 GMT -5
If you are referring to the plant spacers that have been out for over a year or so
Yes those are the ones. I’m sure I will enjoy the utility of them once I have them. I just think they’re a lot less attractive than the Grainger, and I really wish AG didn’t change the holes on the Harvest such that I can’t use the Grainger.
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Post by drbanks on Jan 10, 2018 13:16:41 GMT -5
What do you think of these? Covers. I could probably print you some in any color you like.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on Jan 10, 2018 13:20:12 GMT -5
Those look good. How much would you charge for them?
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Post by drbanks on Jan 10, 2018 13:22:50 GMT -5
Don't even know if they're worth charging for.
With any luck, I'll have two hopefully operational printers by the end of the week. The filament costs about $22/kg, and these barely weigh a few grams. They cost cents (or less) to print.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Jan 10, 2018 18:41:42 GMT -5
Ohmygosh those are exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for! As always, you’re brilliant. And, I was just thinking of you today because I visited our recently renovated main library and was blown away that we can use a 3D printer there. I mean, how libraries have adapted to the modern age is, to me, astounding. I haven’t been in a library (embarrassingly) since law school. And that as way back (not that long ago) sans internet. Yet it was cutting-edge then...
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Post by drbanks on Jan 10, 2018 20:12:40 GMT -5
Well, you can always download the models then print them at your library...
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Jan 11, 2018 11:09:10 GMT -5
Well, you can always download the models then print them at your library... Oh cool, I hadn’t noticed it was a link. Thanks!!
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Post by drbanks on Jan 11, 2018 11:23:25 GMT -5
I printed one last night in my usual pink.
It took a half an hour, which is screamingly fast for any 3D print, but then again, there isn't much to it.
It was a bit unsightly because my old printer's having bed adhesion issues (I probably have to re-level it, but I'm lazy), but it's certainly functional, and I tried it out on my extra with the Lemon Drop peppers. Seems to be thoroughly adequate for the task.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,266
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Post by Shawn on Jan 11, 2018 11:24:01 GMT -5
I have no clue who around here has a 3d printer. I will have to look into it.
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Post by drbanks on Jan 11, 2018 11:27:18 GMT -5
How to print:
What you get off thingiverse is usually a STL file, which is just a 3D model of what you want to print. Often you have to run that STL file through a piece of software called a "slicer" that generates the "gcode" that's actually used by the printer. Some printers will do that internally, others (like my old printer) require you to run the slicer on a PC or Mac, then put the gcode file onto a USB key or SD card that you plug into the printer. Fancier printers will also let you transmit the gcode file to the printer wirelessly.
I'm sure the fine peeps at the library will provide all the help you need. One thing to consider is to put four or five copies of the model into the slicer so that it'll print four or five of them in one run. Which would probably end up taking longer than just printing one five times, but it's less work.
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Post by drbanks on Jan 11, 2018 11:29:10 GMT -5
I have no clue who around here has a 3d printer. I will have to look into it. I was serious about my offer to print you some. There are lots of people who will take a model and print things for you on their own printer, but for an object this small, the per-item overhead you'll be paying for will far exceed the actual expense of printing the item yourself. I can just load up my new printer (assuming this one works) with a sheet of a half dozen and let it go overnight.
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Post by drbanks on Jan 16, 2018 7:53:52 GMT -5
With the new printer settled in, my household is now a plant spacer factory
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