fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 14, 2017 10:53:05 GMT
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Well I thought I would chuck a thread up about this. I built a 3D printer. Not bought, built. We've pitched it directly against a couple of different printers that cost upto about £1500, and the quality from mine is better. Significantly so, actually. Mine cost about £120 to build, though I have just ordered some steel to make a better frame for it and plan on fitting about £100 worth of new parts soon, so mine will have cost nearer £300 after the next rebuild. So mine can print in PLA, ABS, wood (yes, WOOD), bronze, copper, aluminium, nylon, high impact polystyrene, a few rubber-like compounds... Not managed to experiment with many filaments yet. There are kits available, one of which mine is based upon (with extensive alterations and modifications), that can be had for reasonable money. So... I use it for printing all sorts of stuff. Mostly prototyping things, making brackets, mounts, gimbals, and novelty items. This is the beast: I used the printer to print better parts and gradually improved it over time: A few examples of prints I have done: Hodor "Hold the door" doorstop high resolution draft print and proof in blue PLA plasti): Hodor "Hold the door" doorstop low resolution print in cedar wood: "XYZ" calibration cube mid-resolution (in wood): 3D relief of Mount Etna, high resolution, in grey PLA (no, it's not a cow pat) Raspberry Pi brackets with integral camera gimbals for mounting inside an enclosure: A few vids of it in action: Will stick some pics up of the new stainless frame when its done.
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MiataMark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,954
Club RR Member Number: 29
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My 3D PrintingMiataMark
@garra
Club Retro Rides Member 29
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Sept 14, 2017 12:43:43 GMT
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Intrigued, how do you 'print' wood?
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1990 Mazda MX-52012 BMW 118i (170bhp) - white appliance 2011 Land Rover Freelander 2 TD4 2003 Land Rover Discovery II TD52007 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon JTDm
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 14, 2017 12:50:06 GMT
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Intrigued, how do you 'print' wood? Impregnated thermoplastic basically. So not true "wood, more like chipboard.
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Sept 14, 2017 19:22:53 GMT
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Thanks for posting, I'm in awe!
I used to work with a guy who bought a 3d printer but admitted "I can't think of anything to print"....
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rude
Part of things
Posts: 537
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Sept 14, 2017 19:34:07 GMT
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Print Landrover discovery 2 steering wheel horn push button replacements. It's a market right there!
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1986 Haunted BMW E24 635CSi 1999 Povo spec BMW E36 1.8i Touring Work Hack 2001 Petrol annihilating Discovery V8 2000 Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 ~NEW~
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Scott
Part of things
Posts: 50
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Sept 14, 2017 19:43:11 GMT
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This is very interesting to me, more from a technical point of what folks can do nowadays....
However,, 3D printing is fast becoming a big thing for accessories and add-ons in my other hobby of air rifle target shooting, there is a lot of money to be made for people who are prepared to invest a bit of time and skill in single shot loader trays, rifle butt hooks etc etc
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What looks right is not necessarily right, but what looks wrong is definitely not right!
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 14, 2017 21:08:18 GMT
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Print Landrover discovery 2 steering wheel horn push button replacements. It's a market right there! Send me one I'll send 10 back.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 14, 2017 21:08:33 GMT
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This is very interesting to me, more from a technical point of what folks can do nowadays.... However,, 3D printing is fast becoming a big thing for accessories and add-ons in my other hobby of air rifle target shooting, there is a lot of money to be made for people who are prepared to invest a bit of time and skill in single shot loader trays, rifle butt hooks etc etc Show me what you mean
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Sept 14, 2017 23:26:21 GMT
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Thanks for posting, I'm in awe! I used to work with a guy who bought a 3d printer but admitted "I can't think of anything to print".... I'd probably be similar. I'd love one for work, because sometimes plastic clips etc aren't available any more for a 20 yo car. If I had one at home, I'd probably just print figurines of robots and busty anime girls.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 15, 2017 5:53:35 GMT
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Thanks for posting, I'm in awe! I used to work with a guy who bought a 3d printer but admitted "I can't think of anything to print".... I'd probably be similar. I'd love one for work, because sometimes plastic clips etc aren't available any more for a 20 yo car. If I had one at home, I'd probably just print figurines of robots and busty anime girls. I built it to do a job that I couldn't do without it. The trick is to get good at 3D cad and think differently about what it can do and what you need. I use it loads now.
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Scott
Part of things
Posts: 50
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Sept 15, 2017 21:01:50 GMT
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This is very interesting to me, more from a technical point of what folks can do nowadays.... However,, 3D printing is fast becoming a big thing for accessories and add-ons in my other hobby of air rifle target shooting, there is a lot of money to be made for people who are prepared to invest a bit of time and skill in single shot loader trays, rifle butt hooks etc etc Show me what you mean This kind of thing www.airgunforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php/233004-Artemis-P15-single-shot-trayMany PCP air rifles have a multi shot magazine, competition shooters cannot use these magazines as they need to be removed between shots and its a pain in the neck and so they need single shot trays, often they are either unavailable or made from aluminium and quite (stupidly) expensive (have a look at Rowan Engineering), with the advent of 3D printers some are starting to realise that this is a godsend in terms of what can quickly and relatively cheaply be achieved and tested
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Last Edit: Sept 15, 2017 21:02:17 GMT by Scott
What looks right is not necessarily right, but what looks wrong is definitely not right!
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 16, 2017 5:47:44 GMT
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That's interesting. With dimensions and someone to show me whats what to help and test prototypes I could do that.
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Sept 17, 2017 8:47:06 GMT
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I love the fact that you've used the printer to print better parts for it.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 17, 2017 16:29:47 GMT
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I love the fact that you've used the printer to print better parts for it. Best use for a 3D printer. I'm designing a 3D scanner now.
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geoffc
Part of things
Posts: 55
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Sept 17, 2017 16:32:05 GMT
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Could you make centre caps for alloy wheels with one of these? As the ones for my alloys are no longer available and i am missing two. Might be another avenue for you to look at. Alloys in question are 10" mini exacton / 1100 special edition.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 17, 2017 19:23:29 GMT
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Could you make centre caps for alloy wheels with one of these? As the ones for my alloys are no longer available and i am missing two. Might be another avenue for you to look at. Alloys in question are 10" mini exacton / 1100 special edition. Long answer is yes with an "if", short answer is no with a "but". I'd need a cap to start with for measurements. I'd need a vector graphic of whatever design is on them. Assuming the above ain't available, I'd need to draw it by hand. Then the problem is resolution and finish. After that, strength and durability and selecting the right material. Lastly, colour. I could print in PLA and do a lost wax casting in metal. But even not doing the cast, I'd be in weeks worth of work for something that doesn't even approach diecast products in terms of quality and reproducibility of finish. A 3D printer is a prototyping tool,great for proof of concept, making brackets and mechanical parts, but falls down when it comes to stuff like decorative wheel caps and such. Even if I got the finish bob on, the amount of work to get there would've staggering. That said, if what you want is an alright looking cap with your name or a custom design in it, sky is the limit.
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Last Edit: Sept 17, 2017 19:23:51 GMT by fad
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deanh
Part of things
Posts: 47
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Sept 17, 2017 20:19:08 GMT
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Did you follow any sort of plans when building this?
Have considered trying to build one in the past but reluctant to get the kits at £300ish.
Your budget of £120 sounds more appealing.
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geoffc
Part of things
Posts: 55
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Sept 17, 2017 20:21:22 GMT
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It's just a black plastic rear loading cap, no logo or anything looks like this goo.gl/images/D7MFhPAlso there are nut caps, Just really want to know if these are suitable for 3d printing or not.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 17, 2017 20:36:08 GMT
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Depends on what level of finish you want. The shape is easy, the finish with 3D print is nowhere near as good as injection moulded plastic.
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fad
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,781
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Sept 17, 2017 20:42:50 GMT
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Did you follow any sort of plans when building this? Have considered trying to build one in the past but reluctant to get the kits at £300ish. Your budget of £120 sounds more appealing. You very much get what you pay for, and it very much depends on how long you want to tinker. Mine really was a pile of bit, wires and circuit boards, its knowing what to do with them that saves you the money along with access to the right tools. Can you code? Are you familiar with arduino boards and similar? C++ and G-code? Stepper motor controllers etc? If yes,you can build them for peanuts. If no, you'll need someone who can help you out. My printer is still a prototype, I've made the mistakes and learned the lessons, now I can build a much better one. The hardware is cheap, its the time and effort in getting it to work that you pay for. But, if you are serious about giving one a go, I'm more than happy to help,starting with a parts list. :-)
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