ABOUT · THE GUY WITH THE GLUE STICK

Hi. I'm the dad who dabbles.

I'm a dad who tinkers with everything — gadgets, paint, household hacks, and one very patient 3D printer. Dabble Dad is where I break PrusaSlicer down one setting at a time, in plain language, so total beginners can skip the mistakes I insisted on making personally.

OPERATOR SPEC SHEET
RoleDad · Tinkerer
Jargon0%
Failed printsPlenty · documented
Settings explainedOne at a time
Honey-do list80% done, forever
VideosOn the build plate
/01The story, layer by layer
LAYER 000PreheatA 3D printer arrives in a box. Yea, it was an Ender, but it was just for work. Loaded my first roll and everything else changed.
LAYER 001First layerFirst print failed. Second print failed differently. I eventually learned what progress feels like.
LAYER 002AdhesionDiscovered that 90% of printing problems are the first layer, and 90% of first-layer problems were me.
LAYER 003InfillFell down the PrusaSlicer settings rabbit hole. Took notes on the way down. Climbed back out with lessons. Got my first MK3, then a mini.
LAYER 004Top layerStarted Dabble Dad to show a friend how to use the slicer. Figured, well might was well "Just Do It".
LAYER 005Printing…After filming my first video, I knew…….I was going to fail a few times.
Dabble Dad workspace — maker, tinkerer
TRACK · 01

Slicing, one setting at a time

PrusaSlicer clarified. What each setting actually does, when to touch it, and when to leave it exactly where it is.

TRACK · 02

Tools I actually use

Honest reviews of what earned a spot on the bench and what lives in the drawer of shame. Tips and troubleshooting included.

TRACK · 03

Everyday wins

Easy painting projects, clever DIY fixes, and the honey-do list, outsmarted. If it makes life simpler, it counts.

/03Meet the crew

Meet the crew.

Every workshop has helpers. Mine just happen to have feathers.

Ricky, Black-capped Conure
Ricky
Production Supervisor
OPERATIONS

Ricky

Black-capped Conure

The oldest member of the flock, and it shows — in the best way. Calm, quiet, deeply affectionate, and almost always nearby while a project comes together.

Ricky doesn't cause trouble so much as oversee it. She gives every impression of making sure things run correctly, one shoulder-top perch at a time.

Official responsibilities
Production Supervisor Quality Control Shoulder Occupancy Specialist Emotional Support
Favorite things
Warm shoulders Slow mornings Being included Quiet corners of the shop
Personnel File · RK-01
PositionProduction Supervisor
DepartmentOPERATIONS
SpeciesBlack-capped Conure
Years on teamOldest of the flock
Reports toManagement (loosely)
Performance reviewExceeds expectations (by napping on shoulder)
Favorite snackMillet, shared reluctantly
Current assignmentSupervising the workbench
Workshop statusOn duty · Calm
Rio, Teal Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
Rio
Creative Director
CREATIVE

Rio

Teal Pineapple Green Cheek Conure

Talkative, curious, and constitutionally unable to let anything go uncommented on. New equipment gets a full investigation before it's allowed to stay.

Rio does not love being touched unexpectedly, and is quick to remind you of that fact. Consider it creative feedback.

Official responsibilities
Creative Director Package Inspector Morning Alarm Audio Interruptions
Favorite things
New boxes Loud opinions Mirrors Interrupting phone calls
Personnel File · RIO-02
PositionCreative Director
DepartmentCREATIVE
SpeciesTeal Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
Years on teamTwo and counting
Reports toManagement (loosely)
Performance reviewVocal, opinionated, occasionally biting (constructively)
Favorite snackAnything mid-inspection
Current assignmentAuditing new equipment
Workshop statusOn duty · Alert
Pip, White Lovebird
Pip
Key Grip
RIGGING

Pip

White Lovebird

Loud, restless, and always climbing. No tripod, stand, monitor arm, mic boom, shelf, or printer frame goes uninspected.

Pip cannot resist a wire. If it's exposed, it will be found, tugged, and reported on — usually mid-shot.

Official responsibilities
Key Grip Cable Inspector Lighting Assistant Professional Menace
Favorite things
Loose cables Tall places Anything unattended Chaos, generally
Personnel File · PIP-03
PositionKey Grip
DepartmentRIGGING
SpeciesWhite Lovebird
Years on teamThe newest recruit
Reports toManagement (loosely)
Performance reviewThorough, if unsupervised
Favorite snackWhatever is closest to a wire
Current assignmentInspecting every cable in the building
Workshop statusOn duty · Climbing
FOLLOW ALONG

Let's build, create, and simplify life together.