I designed a cardboard cutter that turns boxes into free cat scratchers : 3dprinting

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

This is cool but my cat won't touch cardboard scratchers.

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[+] [email protected] -16 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Reminder to avoid using Amazon boxes for this: Their boxes contain a rodenticide to keep rats/mice away from their products.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Reminder to check snopes before believing random internet factoids:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/amazon-spray-boxes-chemicals/

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 7 months ago

Is there a source on this? My initial fact check search suggests this was debunked.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Is the hot glue pretty good for standing up to kitty abuse? I was thinking PVA glue, but a glue gun would make things quicker.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago

My two are pretty good with not eating things they shouldn't so I just made sure stringy bits were cleaned up. Googling says PVA/wood glue is safer for cats but I would check brands if they are non-toxic

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Looks like the specific design in this video is being sold here, but if you'd prefer something that isn't behind a pay wall there's a few options (like this one).

Side rant: I'm all for people getting compensation for creative work but I feel like it's wrong to put the source file behind a waywall instead of simply selling the actual print directly to people that don't have access to a printer, that seems much more fair imo

[–] [email protected] 19 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Selling the actual print is more work than selling the STL.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (7 children)

Oh definitely, I just think it's easier to justify paying for a physical product than it is paying for a single file if you still need to manufacture it yourself. Still a valid business practice, I'm just biased toward "information should be free" and all that.

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[+] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Depending on what that couch has been through, it might be about marking/refreshing territory.

But also understand that there are different kinds of scratching materials and structure. My cat only likes the cardboard kind in a small A3-ish box and that is more because she likes to move it around. For actual scratching she very much prefers the ropier material in something sturdy at a 90 or 45 degree angle that she can really push against without it moving.

And I've NEVER seen a cat actually like one of those free standing scratching posts after the first time they push it over during a more energetic session.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

My two cats prefer them. Even the new one we got (and need to replace) that keeps falling on top of one of them.

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[–] [email protected] 50 points 7 months ago

[–] [email protected] 115 points 7 months ago (2 children)

[–] [email protected] 70 points 7 months ago (2 children)

STL files available on Thangs

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago (6 children)

This would work with regular shaped blades, right? Like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GIZ9164/

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago

I found this one online from last year

https://www.printables.com/model/356486-cat-scratcher-cardboard-cutter-v2

[+] [email protected] -39 points 7 months ago (9 children)

You've designed a niche solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Use a box knife. Or, for a more versatile tool, get a Morakniv Companion.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Hard disagree.

Waste packaging is a common problem.
Lots of folks have cats
You can already buy a commercially made strip and strap cutter. This is just fixed size version that uses a more common blade.

Honestly, my bigger gripe with the video is the little dots of hot glue. That feels like wouldn’t hold up (I’ve had cats disassemble store bought scratchers). I’d brush on flour paste or thinned down school glue for non-toxic full coverage. You could even mix in cat nip to encourage use.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I hope you only drink room temperature tap water. Any flavor makes you a hypocrite.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Good luck getting consistent cuts while you're freehanding. The idea is to make the nice flat cat scratching pad, and also being able to make the tool with the tool printer you have at home

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I mean, you could make a jig to use a box cutter to make consistent width strips very easily with three pieces of scrap wood. But this commenter coming in here for the express purpose of trying to shit on 3D printer hobbyists was a stupid move on his part.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Or a ruler. And make the strips the width of the ruler. The only "extra" needed is a cutting surface. This plastic gizmo simply eliminates the need for a work surface, nothing else.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

make a jig

You mean like the handheld jig seen in the demo?

[–] [email protected] -3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I meant without printing anything, for anyone without access to a 3D printer. This was in response to the above comment about freehanding it.

To use an ordinary box cutter for this purpose all you need is something to use as an endstop and something to use as a fence, and they have to be parallel to each other.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I mean that's kinda the whole deal with 3d printing, it's useful for really niche applications where you can just add a small amount of convenience to your life.

Someone else commented about this being good for school kids so they can safely make cat scratchers to donate to animal shelters, and as a cat owner with a constant pile of recycling I can see this being actually useful if I wanna avoid spending $20-$40 on one of those fancier cardboard cat scratchers from Target or whatever.

[+] [email protected] -9 points 7 months ago (3 children)

I mean that's kinda the whole deal with 3d printing, it's useful for really niche applications where you can just add a small amount of convenience to your life.

Is it? All I ever request to be printed is the proprietary part that prematurely broke as it was designed to do.

Someone else commented about this being good for school kids

Instead of teaching them to use scissors? We're raising a generation that can't think or do for themselves. They're reliant upon consumption.

as a cat owner with a constant pile of recycling I can see this being actually useful

As an adult you think it's more useful than a box knife? It's not even going to be faster than a box knife with straight edge. And, why do you need a product to pet your cat?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I work with kids with significant disabilities who we keep in public school until they're age 22. They do unskilled jobs and volunteer 'work' and safety is a big concern. If there are five students and one teacher at a table, a plastic device that automatically measures and has a hidden blade is going to be much better for them than scissors or box knives. Yes, we do need to teach children to safely use everyday items and for most kids that's fine, but there are some for whom 'just do it my way' doesn't work. Your life experience may not be the same as that of other people. Teach generally, but make space for the individual.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Cutting carboard with scissors? It can be done, but it's a chore amd the results are poor. I wouldn't wish it on school children.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Boomer posting

"Kids today!!!"

[+] [email protected] -9 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Not a boomer and it's not just kids. My suburban neighbors are calling plumbers to fix toilets and electrician to fix light switches. They just mindlessly consume resources, as they've been instructed. They're choosing fiscal slavery, like lemmings off a cliff.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

You don't have to be a Boomer to be boomer posting.

"Kids today" is an illustrative phrase, not a literal one.

People have been interested in new gadgets for all of human history, no matter the cost or utility. Acting like something changed is boomer posting.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Welcome to the world of 3d printing

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If I don’t design and print something I could buy I might be tempted to do more mods for my printer.

Things like this give us… balance. Luckily I have a new project… building a Voron so it’s both something new AND printing printer parts.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Things like this give us… balance.

Otherwise known as, "Justification for ownership of printer."

Look, I totally didn't just buy this thing as a hobby to make more parts for itself! See, I actually do occasionally make useful things with it!!!

That's what I tell myself, anyway...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago

Exactly… this printer is useful honey.

I can make parts for the printer, accessories for filament management for the printer.

Halloween decorations… once I get the printer back online when I have this mod finished.

Parts for another printer.

Mounts for the brooms… when more filament comes in since I used the last of it for the parts for the new printer.

Save 450 on a unique appliance part they’re not making anymore which now justifies the thousands I’ve spent on this thing.

Seriously though. It is a fun hobby and if you want to just print and make things and not tinker there are plenty of good options out there. Me? I like tinkering. It’s a blast.

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Awesome! Is that a real device that's available for sale? Those would be good school or scout projects to donate to animal shelters.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I have the STL files on Thangs for 3D printing.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (10 children)

I've been thinking about getting a 3D printer. Well, yesterday I decided I need a 3D printer. I know nothing at all. What should I get?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Don't get an ender unless you want your hobby to be working on the printer. That's fine, but it's not the same as having something ready to go when you unbox it.

Prusa printers are quality and open source; very much worth supporting if you have the money. Your hobby will be printing things for other things if you get one.

Bambu printers are cheap, but not open source. However, you will spend most of your time actually making stuff instead of fixing the printer.

Cheap, reliable, open source/modifiable. Pick two.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I have a 3D printer buyer's guide on my website that lists a few. I mostly use and would recommend any Bambu printer, there's a few that can suit any price range. Elegoo also make good printers too which won't break the bank

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

Ender 3 is pretty good introductory model and does nice prints with little effort.

If you're a buy once, cry once sort of person, Prusa makes good stuff that has a lot of community support.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I have an AnkerMake M5 and it’s gloriously painless. There are intrinsic unavoidable challenges to 3D printing, but this thing has been incredible for casual creation.

https://www.ankermake.com/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Do I need the M5 or can I get away with the m5c? I really know nothing about it or how much material things need. I just want to make cool things. How much filament did your cardboard cutter require?

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