3D Printing anyone?

ThreatMatrix

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Has anybody invested in a 3D printer.
Apparently they've found a niche in the hobbiest market. Model rocket builders, etc.
 

bradgator2

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No. But one of my best friends bought a relatively cheap one ($500 I think). His pool was built in the 60s and the skim cover broke. There is not one to be found. It was going to cost over $1000 to have one custom made. So he decided to buy a little nicer than entry level 3D printer and make one himself. I have to admit... the thing is pretty damn cool and can make pre-linked moving parts. For example, it can make a linked chain. He makes alls sorts of corny, yet surprisingly useful, stuff with it. There is a surprising learning curve to it. And yes, eventually worked up to a new skim cover.
 

ThreatMatrix

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Yeah the learning curve is the thing. The printers themselves are relatively simple. The Slicer software that takes the model file and prints it has about 5-6 settings that always need to be adjusted depending on what you are printing and knowing what settings to use just comes with experience. And even something simple takes an hour to print with 4-5 hours not being uncommon. Some people set up cameras to monitor the print so they can remotely stop the printing if it's not producing correctly.
The big issue is getting the file. Assuming that you can't find it online you have to create it yourself and that requires learning how to use a CAD program like Blender or Fusion360.
But once you've mastered that you can print parts yourself or there are companies online (Xometry seems to be the biggest) that you can send your file. They will give you a quote based on that file, Online you have the option of selecting a wide assortment of material to print from.
For the price they look to be a cool thing to have..
 

Detroitgator

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I build little stupid nazi (and other nation) plastic scale models. For decades, most "after market" add on items you could buy for them were limited to resin. There has been a steady rise of items being offered in 3D by people for these type of after market items. These are resin, but stuff like this in the picture...

stw.jpg

I also had a group of Ukrainians that approached me as an investor to go full tilt into 3D printing and I think they were the right group of guys to pull it off (there are a TON of VERY smart tech guys in Ukraine, and they can figure anything out at a fraction of the cost to do it in Europe or the US), but it was too dicey for me at the time.
 
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CDGator

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We don’t have one but I was trained at the library to use one but then we went on lockdown and haven’t been back. They also have wood and metal carving too.
 

AlexDaGator

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I saw a documentary about a couple of teenage whiz kids who used a computer to 3D print a chick. I don't think they were Ukrainian.


iu



Alex.
 

NVGator

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I have a client that is a sales rep for a company that makes them. If you want, I can put you in touch with him.
 

URGatorBait

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The father of my stepdaughters best friend has a garage full of 3D printers. I have no idea what he's printing because we've never been over there long enough to get into that conversation but the garage is used only for the 3D printers lol
 

MJMGator

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The father of my stepdaughters best friend has a garage full of 3D printers. I have no idea what he's printing because we've never been over there long enough to get into that conversation but the garage is used only for the 3D printers lol
20FB0C70-26AB-4E06-B63B-2C6B17FC6584.jpeg
 

Durty South Swamp

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We have one at work. It can print in 316 stainless steel, and 6061 and 7076 aluminum.

For those of you that understand the benefits, tip of the hat to you :grin:
 

G8trwood

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Between 3D printing (even houses!) and the 5 axis cnc machines, the number of youngsters fluent in Rhino, solidworrks and cad cranking out cool stuff is amazing. My neighbor has a 3 axis homemade cnc in his garage for foam, wood and small aluminum. It is way cool. Unfortunately the cnc for dummies used too many big words for me.
 

Spectator

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I have no 3D printer but I'm getting into 80/20 extruded aluminum as a hobby to make useful things. Currently learning all the products and accessories to see about making a truck rack instead of buying yakima, thule, or rhino rack.
 

ThreatMatrix

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I just discovered the adult erector set aluminum. Also another cool thing.
I'm finding out a lot of really cool things.

The more I think about it the more I can think of things that I could make.

My house has double doors. One of the doors stays locked with a mechanism on the top and bottom that slides into the frame. However the bottom one has busted and try as I might I can't find the replacement part. Even when I bought the house I put it on the punch sheet to get fixed and the owner said he couldn't find the piece any where so I ended up just screwing it shut. But I think I'll copy the top piece and make my own.
 

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