Project of the month

[Shelton]

I like some of these ideas. And I only made that forum not visible after it was just not much action in there. And getting more difficult to find a post that had not already been featured.

I'm very glad that @dnalot noticed and said something.

 

[awake]

As a newbie, I am a bit hesitant to weigh in, but here goes anyway:

I had been wondering what constituted a Project of the Month, and this thread has been very helpful in answering that question. I have to say I lean towards there being at least some write-up of the project - not just pictures of a finished build - but that is selfishness on my part, as I am learning so much from the build logs!

With respect to the low response rate for build logs, I have to say that I have felt hesitant chiming in when I am such a newbie, with nothing but ignorance to share - but now that I am seeing how valuable it is, I will be much more likely to post a word of encouragement. All that to say, it may be that some of what is needed is some "training" for us newer members.

Finally, a suggestion/question, for what it is worth: if the consensus leans towards build logs, but these can get bogged down due to perceived lack of interest ... is it possible to name a well-established-but-not-yet-complete build log as project of the month? (Not as finished engine of the month, but as project of the month - open to ongoing projects.)

Perhaps it would even be appropriate for a given project to be celebrated as POM more than once - say, after 25% or so has been built, there may be some really good discussion of how the design has evolved and how it has begun to translate into metal ... then at the 60% mark, there is a really worthwhile solution to a nagging problem ... and then maybe at 100% there is yet another celebration of the running completion?

 

[Shelton]

I have just put up the suggested Featured Build, and asked for member to off support.

So, I would think one in the process of being built would be a good suggestion so we can Feature Build and bring attention to it for the support of the builder.

This is a good thread, and all types of members should participate.

If you notice, the Project of the Month build is back, and a Featured Build is listed. There is a notice at top of forum with a link to that new thread. The image was persisting in being too large, so I compromised and put a title.

Please keep the comments and suggestions coming.

 

[lkrestorer]

I'm adding my 2-1/2 cents (2.500 cents ) because my situation might be similar to many of the 'lesser-abled' folks who follow this forum. I am totally amazed at the build logs that I see and I look them over very closely. I very much appreciate them because I need all the instruction and ideas that I can get.

That being said, I love anything mechanical. I have three collector cars, an 80 year old John Deere tractor, several 80 + year old gas powered Maytag washers and some hit 'n miss engines that are in great need of attention. This is in addition to a house with all of it's "I'm wearing out" surprises that sits in the middle of 11 acres of trees. Being retired, I can find time for a lot of it but advancing age and all of it's 'features' can be limiting.

I love machining! Winter in Minnesota is very welcome because I can bury myself in my beloved projects in my heated shop. I spend a lot of time making pieces that end up in my 'oh-no' bucket and, as my grand daughter says, making 'glitter'. I follow builds on the forum and try to imitate many of the things that are shown. I admire the projects and abilities of the more experienced members. This is my inspiration and keeps me in the shop. Yes, I have some interesting (to me) accomplishments but they are of the simple variety. I have even designed and built a couple of cannons that look pretty good.

I don't know how the people who post all of this stuff find the time to do it. I don't have the inclination to get immersed in the world of CAD because there's already so much to do. I get the HMEM emails every day but maybe read one every 4 0r 5 days (today was the day).

My point with all of this is that I believe I'm an example of another layer of followers of this forum. There are many wanna-be's that can only use this as an excellent learning tool and don't have the knowledge, expertise, abilities or spare time (I'd really rather be making my scraps or 'glitter') to be even eligible for project of the month status - let alone being able to document the road we took to make something.

We need the "experts" to keep us going while we fumble and scratch our heads. Please keep showing us 'the good stuff' that we can aspire to. I'll keep watching.

 

[TonyM]

I have seen all types of projects receive project of the month. From all levels of skills and equipment which is inspiring and informative for everyone. I can understand how current projects can dry up making it difficult to find a regular monthly project. I am sure that many, like me, can take years to finish a project so there must be a limit to how many new projects are finished or published each month. The only problem I see is finding a Monthly project.
Simply changing the title to Featured Project solves the problem and the featured project remains until it's replaced by another one. It does not need to be 'monthly'

 

[propclock]

"Making Glitter!", excellent! My father used to say "Making Wrinkles"
when he was single point cutting threads.

 

[SteveM]

I can see the reasoning in making in the provision of a build log being a requirement for the POM or Featured Project or whatever it may become. But that denies some amazing engines that really deserve special recognition.
A perfect case in point is the engine posted last month by 'srobovak' here: https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/single-cylinder-ohv-snöffy.31615/#post-329292
That engine is beautiful and original, a marvellous piece of engineering. An engine of that quality is rare indeed and should be recognised as such, even if the maker - for whatever reason - did not provide a build log.
Could there perhaps be a 'Hall of Fame' gallery that would simply be a showcase for engines like this?

 

[kadora]

I was 56 years old when I got my POM - I was happy like little child having new rocking horse.
POM is only valuation for our patience and effort .
Please keep it live.

 

[nel2lar]

A better way to draw interest is to put a reply prize. Maybe it would draw more viewers and participants if they thought they could get something for just leaving a comment. Maybe a T-shirt or maybe a nice spread of photos for the POM for that month. I look almost every month and I am guilty as the next to not leave a comment. That does not make it right but maybe a prize would be the boost in response.

 

[minh-thanh]

First, I want to apologize to the Admin who created and tried to maintain this wonderful forum, when I have the offensive words, I apologize !

I have questions:
for example: the project of "webster engine" , the people before created and win "POM" for that project, such as bmac2, Brian Rupnow .... there are many, they are the masters. And then, for "amateur" people like me or like werowance ( i'm sorry ) in the project :
https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/werowance-builds-a-webster.30772/
and more..
Even though I or them, trying their best to achieve only 80% can be more, but cannot achieve 100% or more with the projects that have win POM, so can win POM?

And:
https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/lanz-tractor.31327/page-3#post-330454

https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/longboys-black-water-model-gas-engine.31284/
......
Can be considered "in process"?
and if, is considered "in process" then it can win POM?
I do not know why they do so? Maybe they don't know if those Pictures are considered "in process" or some other reason ...... ( different my Picture V2 and V4 engine , it's just updated, not more )
and can nominated as a POM ?

 

[cds4byu]

"Making Glitter!", excellent! My father used to say "Making Wrinkles"
when he was single point cutting threads.

My brother used to use brass shavings as "gold dust" in his dungeons and dragons games...

 

[Shelton]

@minh-thanh The projects of the month were completed builds, and often had a separate build thread to refer to.

If using the Featured Build, this could be a mostly built project. This is a new idea and evolving. I did save your post so I can see the links you mentioned. They may be able to be a Featured Build if not a Project of the Month.

@nel2lar The idea of a reward for participating on a thread. Rather foreign to my way of thinking, but I'll have to think on it more. Something may help.

 

[nel2lar]

Angie
If a person has input to a build and contribute maybe they should at least have a Shout Out To. Maybe a T-shirt campaign to see how many are onboard.

 

[TonyM]

I am very much against a 'prize' competition.
This site membership covers a wide variety people from around the world with varying levels of skills, equipment, disposable income and access to materials. from someone who is new to machining and has an old lathe and bits of metal from a scrapyard to another who is a highly competent design engineer with the latest CNC machines and loads of spare income. Every one of them has a valuable and respected input but there is no way to compare their efforts. I have been involved in a website competition before and they can create a fair bit of controversy when an open comp treats everyone as equal when they are clearly not. Recognition or drawing attention to a particular effort is great and for most is reward enough whatever their skills levels.

 

[Shelton]

Thanks everyone. I'm really appreciating all the outlooks posted and the ideas. At this time a t-shirt would be a costly effort to have created and then buy enough to make it work. Also, the members should appreciate all the effort and the projects being built since they are on a forum for that and just want to post.

I know some shyer folks won't post as they think they don't have anything to add. But, the truth is everyone wants to be appreciated and just a couple of appreciative comments go a long way to help encourage more builds.

 

[Peter Twissell]

I'm a new member here, so please forgive me for wading in after only posting an introduction and a request for help.
I would suggest that there are many reasons for selecting a Featured Project, Project of the Month, or whatever title is settled upon.
Certainly, a well built engine warrants attention, but perhaps we should also look for novel design features, manufacturing methods, applications or anything a little unusual.
I often find myself more impressed by an engineering solution that just about works, when made with very little resource, than a shiny CNC produced, slick product.

 

[kuhncw]

I feel TonyM's comments (quoted below) are very good. I like the idea of Featured Project rather than Monthly Project and I feel the recognition should be for a completed project. To me, a build log is a plus, but should not a requirement as a lot of good work is turned out by members who don't keep a log. We can always ask questions or ask for photos of a specific feature or operation. Let's not complicate the way we recognize members for their accomplishments or make this into a competition.

Chuck

I have seen all types of projects receive project of the month. From all levels of skills and equipment which is inspiring and informative for everyone. I can understand how current projects can dry up making it difficult to find a regular monthly project. I am sure that many, like me, can take years to finish a project so there must be a limit to how many new projects are finished or published each month. The only problem I see is finding a Monthly project.
Simply changing the title to Featured Project solves the problem and the featured project remains until it's replaced by another one. It does not need to be 'monthly'

I am very much against a 'prize' competition.
This site membership covers a wide variety people from around the world with varying levels of skills, equipment, disposable income and access to materials. from someone who is new to machining and has an old lathe and bits of metal from a scrapyard to another who is a highly competent design engineer with the latest CNC machines and loads of spare income. Every one of them has a valuable and respected input but there is no way to compare their efforts. I have been involved in a website competition before and they can create a fair bit of controversy when an open comp treats everyone as equal when they are clearly not. Recognition or drawing attention to a particular effort is great and for most is reward enough whatever their skills levels.

 

[ShopShoe]

I agree against prizes (except for the recognition part).

What TonyM said: Individual members have individual differences and side-by-side comparison of different projects is not directly possible.

On the build log question: Members differ in terms of their abilities and equipment to produce build logs. This should also mean we are not creating a competition for the best technical writer, photographer, or video producer. I like build logs, and like to see them with POM and other posts, but I also like to see all varieties of them.

--ShopShoe

 

[ShopShoe]

I am making another post as I think this is entirely a different thought than what I said above.

One thing that could possibly be considered:

The currency of a lot of YouTube presenters is in stickers. Perhaps if there was enough interest in stickers by members and a variety of ways to "buy" them that might be a reasonable approach.

THEN: Featured project, etc. could get a free sticker.

OR MAYBE I'm contradicting myself. Not the first time. I think I'll go to the corner and sharpen some pencils for awhile.

--ShopShoe

 

[minh-thanh]

Several times translated

I think POM should be kept, with "in process" to create the project that is "how to create it" or a similar meaning. and I think I and many people learn a lot from project processes and other "processes". POM is an acknowledgment of their contribution and they deserve it
Because projects that achieve POM are too great, it will be difficult for others or find new POM, so look for something new like a "featured project" or similar meaning. It will enrich the forum

And this is for you who use English as primary language !! You can do things like me but a lot easier.