I just noticed I have been here for 10 years today.  What got me here?  Two 8800 GTS's bought @ newegg to run in SLI to play Crysis.  What has transpired over the past 10 years since...?
 
It all started with water cooling...  

Some of my first (and most rudimentary blocks)
I think this is what started everything.  The first proof of concept leads to another version...
 
Which lead to this:

my first "milled" block.  An X/Y vice in a drill press (oh the shame!) The chipset block for the X58 chipset.  This shows where there is a will, there is a way (and lots of permatex in hand).  in hindsight its terrible... but we are all green banana's first.  This block held up for YEARS.  Until the JB weld that was plugging a hole in it gave way.  Then I bought a real one.
 
Then, someone here in the forums asked me to make them a block for a board that no one else made a block for.  The X58 Micro:

I think this is what started everything for me.  The long road down being a DIY'er.  After a few of these paved the way for me upgrading my tiny Harbor Freight manual Mill into a CNC, doubling its work envelope.   
 
2 years later thats when this was born:

While my first daughter was being born, in the hospital by my wife's bedside I had laptop in hand designing this block.  My first real waterblock with an O-ring which some blocks are probably still in circulation to this day.
 
The  SR2 absolutely block took off, it was time to make a REAL CNC machine:

Took me close to 2 years to make this and it was completed around 2012.  
 
After that, many 1 off's came and went:






 
All while experimenting with DICE/LN2 cooling and building chillers... watching my electric bill go through the roof.  
 
 
Then came building my own forge, and hydraulic press

 
making Knives, 

 
And most recently bringing back a hobby from my youth, Astronomy.  And in true to me fashion following it up  by making my own telescopes as well.  So many projects... so many years.  This is only a fraction of them.  
 
This forum has been my Myspace, my Facebook, my Instagram, my instant messenger, my email, and every other social media there is that I don't actually have.  You all have been so amazing.  I have never came across such a wealth of information, kindness, maturity, (and corresponding insanity) humor and downright good folks.  
 
You guys gave me a purpose in more ways then I can count.  You guys turned me into a Mechanical Engineer, Blacksmith, Machinist, PC Enthusiast and a humble servant of the EVGA community.  Thanks for putting up with me for 10 years and hoping to stick around at least another 10.  

So , it's all EVGA's fault.....  
 
 
Pretty sure they will cover some of the costs - just send in some of the paperwork. 
 
 
Good luck on another 10 + years.

Congratz nateman,  I have just reached that milestone myself.. though your a much more productive member of the EVGA community than I.
Heres to the next 10 years !

Congrats!  I love seeing all the cool stuff you make.
With each new project I see you progressing, branching into new areas, and always making a positive contribution to this community.
Now hold on, I have to go back to lurking in your other threads...

Congrats on your 10 years...  I've seen many pics of all your great work over those years.
 
PS. I remember the 8800 days and SLI'ing to try and get Crysis to look good...

Congrats on 10 years and hope to see more posts and more years added to it.

On All Your Products and Being A Forum Member

Grats to you Nate for sticking around this long. Ive really enjoyed watching your projects go through there iterations and especially remember the air/water block you started that really stirred things up back then. Also, its nice to see another NJ concentration camp slave in the forum too.

Welcome to the 10 year club...I joined last year!
 

Nate, you'r ability and drive knows no bounds. Congrats. 

Thank you all for the kind words.  After spending 25% of my life here as a forum member I can say I wouldn't be the person I am without you guys.  You guys helped me raise the bar whenever I have had doubts about anything.  
 
Thank you all again!

Congrats man!  Keep up the good work here on the forums!

nateman_doo
I just noticed I have been here for 10 years today.  What got me here?  Two 8800 GTS's bought @ newegg to run in SLI to play Crysis.  What has transpired over the past 10 years since...?
 
It all started with water cooling...  

Some of my first (and most rudimentary blocks)
I think this is what started everything.  The first proof of concept leads to another version...
 
Which lead to this:

my first "milled" block.  An X/Y vice in a drill press (oh the shame!) The chipset block for the X58 chipset.  This shows where there is a will, there is a way (and lots of permatex in hand).  in hindsight its terrible... but we are all green banana's first.  This block held up for YEARS.  Until the JB weld that was plugging a hole in it gave way.  Then I bought a real one.
 
Then, someone here in the forums asked me to make them a block for a board that no one else made a block for.  The X58 Micro:

I think this is what started everything for me.  The long road down being a DIY'er.  After a few of these paved the way for me upgrading my tiny Harbor Freight manual Mill into a CNC, doubling its work envelope.   
 
2 years later thats when this was born:

While my first daughter was being born, in the hospital by my wife's bedside I had laptop in hand designing this block.  My first real waterblock with an O-ring which some blocks are probably still in circulation to this day.
 
The  SR2 absolutely block took off, it was time to make a REAL CNC machine:

Took me close to 2 years to make this and it was completed around 2012.  
 
After that, many 1 off's came and went:






 
All while experimenting with DICE/LN2 cooling and building chillers... watching my electric bill go through the roof.  
 
 
Then came building my own forge, and hydraulic press

 
making Knives, 

 
And most recently bringing back a hobby from my youth, Astronomy.  And in true to me fashion following it up  by making my own telescopes as well.  So many projects... so many years.  This is only a fraction of them.  
 
This forum has been my Myspace, my Facebook, my Instagram, my instant messenger, my email, and every other social media there is that I don't actually have.  You all have been so amazing.  I have never came across such a wealth of information, kindness, maturity, (and corresponding insanity) humor and downright good folks.  
 
You guys gave me a purpose in more ways then I can count.  You guys turned me into a Mechanical Engineer, Blacksmith, Machinist, PC Enthusiast and a humble servant of the EVGA community.  Thanks for putting up with me for 10 years and hoping to stick around at least another 10.  

That's actually awesome looking at your oldschool custom waterblocks.  I've just recently gotten into custom pc builds and it really cool to look at how far it has come and some of the amazing people that make some astounding custom work.

Thank you for sharing with us. This is awesome