In this episode of 'Meet the Makers,' we dive into Willie's transition from a curious maker tinkering alongside his father to a 3D printing enthusiast and professional in the engineering field. Willie shares his initial steps into the maker community, his evolution through various 3D printers, and the support from friends and the wider maker community that fueled his passion. His story unfolds from humble beginnings with a gifted G Tech A10 printer to contributing his knowledge and creations at Maker Fairs and donating 3D printers to educational institutions. Beyond his personal journey, Willie emphasizes the importance of community support, the openness to share knowledge, and the empowering nature of failing forward in the world of 3D printing and making. His reflections also touch on advice for young people contemplating their career paths and the dynamic, supportive makeup of the maker and 3D printing communities.
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Where to find Willie
Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@williespaintnprint
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williespaintnprint/
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Meet the Makers: Diving into 3D Printing with Willie
00:16 The Maker's Journey: From Childhood Curiosity to 3D Printing
01:14 First Steps into 3D Printing: A Birthday Gift Turns into a Passion
01:33 The Evolution of 3D Printing: From G Tech A10 to CR 10
03:13 3D Printing in Education: Donating to SUNY Poly College
03:33 From Buffalo to Arizona: A Maker's Geographic Journey
03:58 Exploring Maker Spaces and 3D Printing in Education
05:29 The Impact of 3D Printing on Engineering and Cosplay
07:05 3D Printing's Role in Reducing Waste and Enhancing Creativity
07:44 From Practical Fixes to Space: The Versatility of 3D Printing
09:14 NoCoCon: A Gathering of Makers and Cosplayers
13:53 The Voron Project: Building a 3D Printer from Scratch
16:11 Personal Connections to 3D Printers: More Than Just Machines
20:52 A Maker's Career Path: How 3D Printing Led to an Engineering Job
22:50 From Hobby to Engineering Career: A Personal Journey
23:45 The Viral Success of a Creative Hobby
24:24 Navigating Career Paths: Education and Experience
27:32 The Value of Exploring and Growing in Your Career
30:34 Breaking Into Software and the Power of Community
33:39 Embracing Challenges and Community Support in 3D Printing
37:31 The Importance of Creativity and Community in Personal Growth
45:19 Concluding Thoughts on Community and Creativity

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