3d printed kits.

[m1keh]

Does anyone have experience building a complete 3D printed kits? I would like to know of your experience with them, from cutting off the trees to final painting. Picture is just for reference. Feel free to move as I wasn't sure where to post this question. Thanks.

[Tobi]

I have yet to do a completely 3d printed kit. I have one in my stash. My experience with printed parts so far is they are very brittle and easy to break when applying almost no force. Often there is structure from the printing process on them which is sometimes hard to remedy. Your example kit looks good though. Maybe some of the guys who did recently indy link tracks can give some advice.

[Tojo72]

I have used 3-D printed tracks by Quick tracks they are fragile,but they give you enough,they simply click together with 2 tweezers,they give you a few open links so that you can pin or wire the run together.

[m1keh]

Thank you Tobi and Tojo. If to fragile I'm probably to "bull in a china shop" for them then. What about clean up, do they need a good washing and priming? Do they take paint well? How is to clean up all those attachment points? Thanks.

[Tobi]

Washing and priming I say yes. It is inevitable you create dust on them from cleanup and many 3d parts are made from a material intended to cure under UV light. So to protect your parts from unwanted aging and deforming you should prime them soon, once they are out of the box.
The primer should have a powerful grip like the Tamiya Grey from the spray can or something similar. Maybe also first only a light dusting and then second a heavier opaque coat.
The cleanup itself is tedious, I don't advise cutting and scribing with a blade. The program is mini-saw, files and sanding-paper. Side cutters can work, but be sure the part can stand the stress forces without taking damage.

[Whiterook]

Everything said is what I’ve heard, too. Post this uo at the DropZone of you haven’t already, and I’ll message my buddies Tim and Brian, both of whom are doing lots of 3D printing these days. Brian (Zone member) made me some wonderful card and chit trays for DVG Leader games and though sturdy, man, are they potentially brittle… as in, don’t drop them on a hard floor or your day will be ruined brittle!

[stikpusher]

I have bought some 3-D printed parts to upgrade a project, but haven't actually used them yet. But the producer recommended a bath using Simple Green cleaner and a toothbrush to remove any residue, then allow the parts to airdry. Afterwards they recommend a primer like Stynelrez or Ammo One Shot before any painting.

[m1keh]

Thanks gents. I think I will stay with Styrene for the time being, as least as far as complete kits are concerned.

[406 Silverado]

Jun 28, 2023 10:52:45 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

I have bought some 3-D printed parts to upgrade a project, but haven't actually used them yet. But the producer recommended a bath using Simple Green cleaner and a toothbrush to remove any residue, then allow the parts to airdry. Afterwards they recommend a primer like Stynelrez or Ammo One Shot before any painting.

I’ve done this as well with update sets. No complete kits as of yet ……but I am still looking for a 1980 Malibu kit that’s worthy of building. I had a resin kit a few years ago and it was TERRIBLE! Maybe a 3D printed kit is the way to go with that car

[jeaton01]

My impression is there is a very wide variety of quality. Also, there are filament printers and resin printers. Resin printers can produce much finer resolution. So far I concur on the brittleness. What I have so far is good for detail but not for structure.

[Tobi]

Jun 30, 2023 18:39:36 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jun 28, 2023 10:52:45 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

I have bought some 3-D printed parts to upgrade a project, but haven't actually used them yet. But the producer recommended a bath using Simple Green cleaner and a toothbrush to remove any residue, then allow the parts to airdry. Afterwards they recommend a primer like Stynelrez or Ammo One Shot before any painting.

I’ve done this as well with update sets. No complete kits as of yet ……but I am still looking for a 1980 Malibu kit that’s worthy of building. I had a resin kit a few years ago and it was TERRIBLE! Maybe a 3D printed kit is the way to go with that car

The tragedy is, I'm used to warped resin castings, but I had to learn the hard way that 3d printed is also no guarantee that things are not warped.



My credo therefore, whatever exists in styrene is worth of super-detailing before going down the resin road.

[Medicman71]

Not to hijack the thread, but I had a question about 3d parts. I got some Super Hornet exhausts that are 3D printed. Do you sand them as you would normal parts? And I'm assuming you use super glue with them since they're resin?

[adt70hk]

Jun 27, 2023 12:40:06 GMT -5 m1keh said:

Does anyone have experience building a complete 3D printed kits? I would like to know of your experience with them, from cutting off the trees to final painting. Picture is just for reference. Feel free to move as I wasn't sure where to post this question. Thanks.

Sorry, only just seen this.

Check out the YouTube modeller Night Shift. He did a fully resin kit two or three years ago....a post-WW2 French tank if I recall correctly.

EDIT: Here you go youtu.be/nFPjiwmlBoc?si=g0wcOzzXqITOoRv9

[Medicman71]

Aug 24, 2023 12:35:51 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Not to hijack the thread, but I had a question about 3d parts. I got some Super Hornet exhausts that are 3D printed. Do you sand them as you would normal parts? And I'm assuming you use super glue with them since they're resin?

Anyone?

[Tobi]

Sept 4, 2023 14:48:12 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Aug 24, 2023 12:35:51 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Not to hijack the thread, but I had a question about 3d parts. I got some Super Hornet exhausts that are 3D printed. Do you sand them as you would normal parts? And I'm assuming you use super glue with them since they're resin?

Anyone?

This one is difficult to answer, as the material for 3d printing can vary. Especially the ones which are lasered out of a bath can be so hard that you have a hard time sanding the printer marks. 

[Whiterook]

Sept 5, 2023 1:12:31 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Sept 4, 2023 14:48:12 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Anyone?

This one is difficult to answer, as the material for 3d printing can vary. Especially the ones which are lasered out of a bath can be so hard that you have a hard time sanding the printer marks. 

Yeah, I was thinking a lot depends on the #d Printer used, too, as there’s a wide variety from cheaply to NASA quality   The filament stuff is probably all pretty much the same, but the few pieces of gaming gear I have that was 3D printed seems fragile and need care in handling (more so, bumping around in your tournament gear storage carriers).