Steel City LUG | Mac | Activity https://steelcitylug.com/members/jupdyke/activity/ Activity feed for Mac. Mon, 14 Sep 2026 23:07:32 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 a3d7571024084ab8f30ead6114f5d4a1 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/13/24 - 1/14/24 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-13-24-1-14-24/page/2/#post-56105 Wed, 06 Dec 2023 21:36:16 -0500 Hello all,
I am still active, though I dont post as much as I should. But I will look tonight and post the bluebrick file from last year. I will say that we ended up deviating from the digital design. I think that is to be expected though because you need to have the parts in one place to really know how they will fit together.

I also have a…Read more

]]> 0 b3ae9eee4412daed0220200eed879a6d Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/7/#post-49786 Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:56:05 -0500 @joshhall I am happy to lead the I Spy kit. I will create a new forum thread regarding it and get the ball rolling.

@rcgrier3406 I will work on updating the bluebrick layout as soon as my kids give me a break. This weekend at the latests. Just depends if I can get them to sit and calmly watch a movie or not before the weekend.

Mac

]]> 0 83c8ed3206b717dff8787154fb7e023c Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/6/#post-49760 Tue, 17 Jan 2023 01:14:28 -0500 @rcgrier3406 I am happy to update the layout to match what we ended up with and document it.

I think a lessons learned activity would be great. Do you think we should continue that in this forum thread or would it make sense to try and organize a meetup somewhere? I think lessons learned is a great topic, but I think we should not let the name…Read more

]]> 0 db454d55d1c6fbad292cef9e90441584 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/6/#post-49752 Mon, 16 Jan 2023 03:07:56 -0500 Hello all,

This was my first LUG event that I participated in and I am blown away. It was really fun and seeing what the other members have created is spectacular. I personally have never seen a larger lego train display up close. I am inspired to go back home and try and step up my own personal creations.

Thank you all for the allowing me to be…Read more

]]> 0 fce6e37ee420fbdd82cb9ab9dbab57ec Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/4/#post-48966 Wed, 21 Dec 2022 01:43:13 -0500 @greg We definitely have room for a static train display. If you tell me about how long it is I will add it to the BlueBrick layout. Does anyone else have things they want to add?

I am getting very excited about this display. I can’t wait to see all the trains and get inspired on what to build next. The Polar Express is really cool, I would love…Read more

]]> 0 1021493e359a011a0cc4368273bbf1f5 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/3/#post-48855 Thu, 15 Dec 2022 03:30:59 -0500 Thank you all for the feedback so far. Please keep it coming. Here is my latest revision. I think we are really getting somewhere now.

Updates
1. I added baseplates to the large corner radius which match the image Josh supplied. So this should be accurate.
2. I added a second 9v look to the inner left track.
3. I removed the double switchback to…Read more

]]> 0 100fe424d328e104646666469478ea2b Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/3/#post-48820 Wed, 14 Dec 2022 02:09:15 -0500 I tried to take the input so far and make a rev 2 of the layout. Again, this is just me trying to put some stuff on paper so we can visually see it.

the first picture is showing that I changed the table sizes to be 6ft and pushed them against the wall. I also left a middle table out because we will need to be able to reach stuff inside. A…Read more

]]> 0 e7a420f3c8775a3914e4f9e455c5087e Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/2/#post-48795 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:46:03 -0500 @rcgrier3406 I have to say that model is impressive. Getting it to all fit in 2 baseplates and look that good. Honestly, ever since I saw it my mind has been playing around with building a similar one, but having a tunnel connected to it for the train to go through.

I will add 2 baseplates for the incline to the BlueBrick tonight for a rev2…Read more

]]> 0 ed84cc53ef0a3d87f631358c40c36e02 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/2/#post-48790 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:14:14 -0500 At the quarterly meeting I saw someone had a model of the incline. I am sorry I didnt catch who it was. But I also heard of a larger model too. Should we think about including these in the display since they are a different type of train? Just at thought.

Mac

]]> 0 49e6c8823289940148fde28b81b7e81c Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/2/#post-48779 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 04:01:56 -0500 We could leave the larger orange section open so people can sit in the middle. That would be about 4×8 foot. I will work on a revision tomorrow and adjust the tables too. Do we know we can use the whole 12×20, or do we need to reduce the 12×20 to allow people room to walk around. That make a huge difference on what I am doing in BlueBrick.

Josh,…Read more

]]> 0 230c8ba025598df3006ce8a376ee5e0d Mac's profile was updated https://steelcitylug.com/activity/p/39172/ Tue, 13 Dec 2022 03:21:45 -0500 0 cd69b7881e8fedf6c2e7739922b64f02 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/2/#post-48774 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 03:19:25 -0500 @joshhall I am happy to try and fix any lego electronics or even work on some projects to potentially build cool new stuff. I have done a lot of soldering and circuit board repair / prototyping. I have a nice electronic work bench in my basement and have soldered 0603 components onto boards before. Which are .06 inches by .03 inches. And if I…Read more

]]> 0 5acf4636a0ead1f8f0eec7658f7cb209 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/page/2/#post-48769 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 01:43:28 -0500 I just wanted to add my thoughts to the recent conversation.

1. I also think a switch yard is a good idea. It sounds like most of the groups trains are 9v. I have the latest powered up version. I am curious if anyone other members are playing to bring trains that don’t require the powered track.

2. I think it is a good idea to at least have some…Read more

]]> 0 6454d1a39263bba548cfddd7c85ac1e7 Mac replied to the topic 11/30 discord build night in the forum All Things LEGO! http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/11-30-discord-build-night-7-1030pm/#post-48453 Wed, 30 Nov 2022 19:38:34 -0500 Hello,

I joined the discord channel but it says that I dont have permission to post in any of the channels. Has anyone else had this problem? Am I missing a step somewhere?

]]> 0 4429f8d6212ee69b17d51526864d4a55 Mac replied to the topic Hello All in the forum Introductions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/hello-all-5/#post-47532 Fri, 28 Oct 2022 02:05:10 -0400 @timf That is very possible to do. Just let me know how big you want the design to be. I will look around and see if I can find some material. But honestly this seems like a super easy project.

]]> 0 01aa529ef460773f5cabbb2c9f1ae03a Mac replied to the topic Hello All in the forum Introductions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/hello-all-5/#post-47488 Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:22:25 -0400 @timf A .svg is just a scalable vector graphic. So it just means a image file that you can scale up without it looking all pixelated or grainy. You can think of it as just another image file format similar to .jpeg or something like that.

Honestly, if you can just share any image file with me of what you want I can probably convert it in a…Read more

]]> 0 1c758ecd9e170293cb43e844b7fa13d9 Mac replied to the topic Mils Questions in the forum All Things LEGO! http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/mils-questions/#post-47461 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:14:29 -0400 @bengood921 Thanks for the information. I was just looking online and saw several examples using the 4×4 plates on top. Here is one example from brick train depot.
https://www.bricktraindepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Cams-Brick-MILS-BTM-Green.pdf

I was just curious is there was an advantage of using lots of smaller plates on top, rather…Read more

]]> 0 e205cf56e15d3d2231065d7e3e3413f4 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/#post-47460 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:58:15 -0400 @timf That is good to know that the LUG has a battery charger. My first Lego train was the 9v version and I really enjoyed it. There is something about the control box that is very satisfying to use. Turning that big yellow knob just feels great.

My newest train is the powered up version which runs on batteries. Personally I like this version…Read more

]]> 0 a2974ef3e9c16721112c3cf2fcc056c0 Mac started the topic Mils Questions in the forum All Things LEGO! http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/mils-questions/ Tue, 25 Oct 2022 20:21:20 -0400 Hello all,

I am relatively new to AFOL. But I am starting to work on some MILS plates. I had a couple questions.

1. Why is the 4×4 plates used on the top rather than something larger like 6×6 or 8×8? Is there some cost reason, or building reason? I was playing around with building a MILS with the random plates I had just to get a feel for the…Read more

]]> 0 0f3ff281c8cc5ad527e0e14629b5a410 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/#post-47427 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 16:10:07 -0400 @timf That sounds awesome. I guess the first main step is to figure out how much space will be available.

In the mean time I am going to work on slowly converting my tracks to MILS plates. It is something I want to do anyway, so it isn’t a big deal. I am looking forward to being part of the next LUGBulk to be able to order more parts for MILs…Read more

]]> 0 43d619ef9291c5f932043b233ab686df Mac replied to the topic Hello All in the forum Introductions https://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/hello-all-5/#post-47423 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:58:22 -0400 @timf I do have a cnc mill that could engrave on legos. I have never tried that but I have engraved on aluminum and it worked fine. So I would assume we can do it.

The laser can cut foam. I have only tried cutting EVA foam but I dont see why it would not work on other foams too. I would just google Glowforge Laser Cutter and see if someone else…Read more

]]> 0 cab5848d01846af35624b0eabc01a68f Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/#post-47399 Mon, 24 Oct 2022 20:20:22 -0400 Since I am new to LUG I am not sure how these events are typically organized. I know there will be a quarterly meeting Dec 10th. But since the event is mid January I would assume some planning would happen before the Dec 10th meeting.

It sounds like we have 5 people for sure and possible a 6th depending on schedule. Has the LUG participated in…Read more

]]> 0 95d24710f44066c636290e3df6bda700 Mac replied to the topic Hello All in the forum Introductions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/hello-all-5/#post-47386 Mon, 24 Oct 2022 15:17:32 -0400 @greg Happy to help on anything I can. I manage a prototyping shop at work so we have lots of fun toys. It is a little unrelated to lego but might have some opportunities for cross over too.

We have some really nice measurement tools and 3d printers, cnc milling machines, laser cutter and even 3d scanners. I also have an injection molding machine…Read more

]]> 0 828fb682ee37de34a2c2a1749ba27bee Mac replied to the topic Hello All in the forum Introductions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/hello-all-5/#post-47375 Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:27:29 -0400 @greg Thanks for letting me know about the Trolley Museum. I will look into it further. This weekend was already pretty full but perhaps I can take the boys out to see it next weekend.

I have been involved with Lego Robotics a little over the years. I coached a team while I was in high school and also another team while in college. Since I moved…Read more

]]> 0 eb134d4c2ff9f9f7f162dda7a8dd6f70 Mac changed their profile picture https://steelcitylug.com/activity/p/38194/ Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:22:42 -0400 0 a3f04abeda3b9b1521f4fd61ddf899a5 Mac replied to the topic CSC Locomotion Weekend - 1/14/23 - 1/15/23 in the forum LUG discussions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/csc-locomotion-weekend-1-14-23-1-15-23/#post-47360 Sun, 23 Oct 2022 02:24:24 -0400 I have a small train collection, but would be happy to help. I just joined the LUG so I have never been part of a group build, but I would love to be part of it. Just let me know what I can do to help.

]]> 0 5739de7434c80395890d33174d40ae62 Mac started the topic Hello All in the forum Introductions http://www.steelcitylug.com/forum/topic/hello-all-5/ Sun, 23 Oct 2022 02:15:31 -0400 Hello all,

I just wanted to introduce myself. I have played with Legos since I was a little kid, but now that I am all grown up and a father of 3 boys I am playing again. My wife got a new job and is travelling a lot more. I struck up a deal that when she comes back from work trips she buys me Legos. I enjoy having more time with my kids, but it…Read more

]]> 0 2f8b6b0c3126815d0e5ffd3c1dc9da33 Mac became a registered member https://steelcitylug.com/activity/p/38185/ Sun, 23 Oct 2022 01:56:51 -0400 0