I designed a cardboard cutter that turns boxes into free cat scratchers

https://lemmy.world/post/20205083

I designed a cardboard cutter that turns boxes into free cat scratchers - Lemmy.World

Also good for composting and making room in your recycling bin

You’ve designed a niche solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.

Use a box knife. Or, for a more versatile tool, get a Morakniv Companion.

I mean that’s kinda the whole deal with 3d printing, it’s useful for really niche applications where you can just add a small amount of convenience to your life.

Someone else commented about this being good for school kids so they can safely make cat scratchers to donate to animal shelters, and as a cat owner with a constant pile of recycling I can see this being actually useful if I wanna avoid spending $20-$40 on one of those fancier cardboard cat scratchers from Target or whatever.

I mean that’s kinda the whole deal with 3d printing, it’s useful for really niche applications where you can just add a small amount of convenience to your life.

Is it? All I ever request to be printed is the proprietary part that prematurely broke as it was designed to do.

Someone else commented about this being good for school kids

Instead of teaching them to use scissors? We’re raising a generation that can’t think or do for themselves. They’re reliant upon consumption.

as a cat owner with a constant pile of recycling I can see this being actually useful

As an adult you think it’s more useful than a box knife? It’s not even going to be faster than a box knife with straight edge. And, why do you need a product to pet your cat?

I work with kids with significant disabilities who we keep in public school until they’re age 22. They do unskilled jobs and volunteer ‘work’ and safety is a big concern. If there are five students and one teacher at a table, a plastic device that automatically measures and has a hidden blade is going to be much better for them than scissors or box knives. Yes, we do need to teach children to safely use everyday items and for most kids that’s fine, but there are some for whom ‘just do it my way’ doesn’t work. Your life experience may not be the same as that of other people. Teach generally, but make space for the individual.

That’s great. Use this thing. It’s what I’d give my developmentally disabled 55 year old uncle as well.

But, it’s definitely not what I’d teach my child or the vast majority of other children. A typical child only needs a couple of safety accommodations relative an adult: an auto-reteact safety knife and a double fence.