3D PRINTING

IF YOU CANT BUY IT, PRINT IT!

3D printers have been one of the most fun TOOLS that I have been able to add to my current toolbox. With some creativity and skill there seems to be almost no end to what can be created with 3D printers. Their not just for making knickknacks, trinkets, do-dads, and fidget spinners. In the right hands they are extremely useful. It is very exciting to be able to create and produce new and unique items that you cannot obtain any other way. If there is a part or a product that you cant find and purchase... Now, you can just print it!

1/5 SCALE RC-MOTO

A great example of a product that I could not purchase was a particular 1/5 scale R/C motorcycle that I had been searching for. CAD modeling and 3D printing allowed me to not only put my hands on the physical object, but also modify and customize it to fit my exact needs.

INSTANT PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Very shortly after acquiring my first 3D printer I found myself loading and unloading printer filament so often that my fingertip was actually starting to blister. With that... the first practical use for my new printer was realized. I shared this file on thingiverse so others could benefit from my pain. Years later I had bought a couple used printers from other people and didn't even realize until much later that both used printers that I had bought already had my part installed on them.

PRINTERS MAKING PRINTERS

Here is my first 3D printer starting to print my second 3D printer.

Most of the 3D printed parts needed to print a larger 3D printer.

Start with a handful of 3D printed parts. Add some aluminum extrusions, nuts and bolts, some electronic gizmos here and there. This is the basic recipe for a large 3D printer.

When you have a small 3D printer, and you need a large 3D printer... It only makes sense to print another printer.

1/10TH SCALE KAYAK MODEL KIT

Many projects are not printed as 1 single print. For many reasons they are better printed as a "kit" of parts, that can be assembled to create the completed model. Part size, color, and finish quality all drove the decision to print this model as a "kit" of parts.

The two main halves of this kayak are joined via three brass rods. This was done to accommodate the limited size of the printer used to create this model.

The finished model .

The intended use for this model is to be a scale accessory for this R/C Jeep.

MULTI-COLOR 3D FDM PRINTING

Very quickly I figured out that multi-color 3D printing could be achieved with a single extruder FDM printer by simply pausing the print and swapping filament colors mid print. using this method greatly expands the creative range of the most simple 3D printer.

MINI-KINGCAT

This desk model is yet another example of 3D printings unique ability to create something that cannot be obtained in any other way. With a little more work to this current project, this will make an exceptionally nice desk model of a truly unique aircraft.

Sanded, prepped, and ready for paint

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