SITREP – March, 2026

Welcome to the inaugural Silversunbeam SITREP and to my new blog centric website. I’m hoping that this will be the first of many SITREPs. I’ll  try and provide a new one every month or so (heavily dependent on my poor time management skills). Most of what I’ll be covering is updates on work in progress, upcoming interactions (both virtual and IRL), and updates on The Council of Andrews STEAM Foundation. 

Current Work in Progress

  • Astroboy (1:1 scale) – 99% of the parts have been printed and he’s awaiting final assembly. There are a couple of parts that need some slight re-mixing in order for things to fit properly.
  • Astronautica Chess – The basic pieces and board are 100% complete and printed. I received confirmation of Copyright registration late last year. Currently awaiting a test piece that’s being printed in aluminum by PCBWay. Moving forward the plan right now for me is to splash molds from the pieces and cast them in either lead free pewter or white metal. While I was hoping to use additive manufacturing to turn out a few sets of metal pieces it’s currently very cost prohibitive.
  • Project Whale Shark – This themed mod to the Prentice/Baddeley/Offset Tiny Bike is still in the final design phase. The chassis will be based on mods created by the amazing crew over at Offset Maker Lab. Design of the head and the sides is mostly complete but I’m still working on the tail. Fingers crossed for a debut at MRRF 2026.
  • Petzval Lens Project – Completed initial prototype as a proof of concept. Initial tests show promise. Currently working on jigs to make blackening the edges of the optics easier, a rack focusing mechanism, and a simple shutter mechanism. Also working on refining the basic design so that everything fits better and is less bulky.
  • SunWide / Modulus  Camera Project – Mostly complete. For the Sunwide I just need to create template files for cutting the adhesive flocking material. The Modulus needs flocking templates and I need to create a couple of lens cones in different focal lengths. I’d also like to source some small lenses to create basic viewfinders for both cameras.
  • NASA Chess – This came at the prompting of a friend and long time community stalwart. Basic design of the pieces has been completed and print testing/assembly is ongoing. Basic design of the board has been completed and is awaiting test printing. Demo pieces will be appearing with me at RMRRF next month.
  • Bird Feeder Project – Currently in “final” print and assembly phase. Designed as an homage to the famous Balboa Park Botanical Building in San Diego, CA. Initially intended as a one off print for my mother, I’ll likely offer finished prints for sale later this year. 

The Council of Andrews STEAM Foundation (AKA: The COA Foundation)

Still a work in progress, but it’s not dead, just back burnered a bit. Not to put too fine a point on it, the last six months or so have been challenging. I’ve had to deal with several family crises, the passing of my father, a terrible bout with the flu, and the life threatening health crisis of an immediate family member. That said, much of the groundwork has already been laid. The basic incorporation documents are done (pending review), website is ready for content, and the Discord server is ready and waiting. What is still needed are volunteers. As such,  we need some competent folks to create the board of directors, contributors to volunteer time and expertise in the communities where we’re providing support, partners to supply materials and equipment, and so on. There’s quite a list. This will take time, but I think the outcome will be something that the Artist/Maker/3D Printing communities can be proud of. If you’d like to be involved at any level, please reach out to me and I’ll get you hooked up with the COA Discord server. I intend for discord to be the central communications/ interactions hub for COA.

Upcoming interactions – 

  • April 18 thru 19, Loveland Colorado – I will have a table at RMRRF (The Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival) again this year. If you’re looking for something cool (and free!) RMRRF is an absolute treat. While most of what you see is related to 3D printing in it’s various forms, there are exhibitors (makers, designers, content creators) and vendors from all over, community projects, discussion panels, and more! Best of all, the event is free to attend and is very family friendly.
    • Editor’s note: Due to circumstances beyond my control I’ve had to cancel my RMRRF appearance this year.
  • June 12 thru 14, Goshen Indiana – This will be my fifth year attending MRRF (The Midwest RepRap) festival. MRRF is the grandaddy of RepRap festivals and well worth coming if you can make it. Free for all to attend it’s a lot more laid back and ad-lib than the newer RRFs. It feels very much like hanging out in your cool neighbor’s garage to check out the fun new machine they just bought. Very family friendly.