My Journey into 3D Printing

[Medicman71]

Very cool! I'd love to have one but I can't afford one and all that comes with it.

[chromdome35]

I printed this today, the layers are .12mm thick. It is close to lifesize.

Printed with ESun's Bone White PLA.

I think I'll take it to a popular walking trail, dirty it up and leave it buried in the mud with just the face sticking out.

I need to finish removing the supports and sanding it a bit.




PS: I won't actually do that.

[project510]

wow excellent! And that would be a cruel, but HILARIOUS joke haha

[Medicman71]

I would do it!!!

[keavdog]

Great for Halloween! That's pretty cool - I wonder if there's a 1/20 great white printable. Been wanting one to go with my hammerhead. The pegasus kit looks kinda goofy to me.

[handiabled]

chromdome35, Brian how long did it take for that to print?

[chromdome35]

It took 31 hours and 400g of filament. Cost was about $8.50.

[capnmc82]

Aug 5, 2024 4:22:53 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

You lucky DOG!!! I've been wanting a 3D printer for a LONG while now but haven't had the extra money to buy one with OR the extra time in which to learn and/ or set up the proper area for one. This is just great news for you buddy.

Probably the best place to start is with a filament printer (aka EPDM printing) and budget three things.

You need around 3 square feet out of the dust and neither too hot nor too cold (beware Morrison's law about, no matter the desktop size, there will only be 2 square feet clear).

You will want reliable power, a dedicated outlet is not a horrible thing, on a circuit with no highly variable loads (no heaters, a/c units, large fans, and especially no "switched" loads).

You also want a space that can be "fire and forget."  Prints will take all the time they will take.  Not being disturbed is good for prints, so beign away from pets, small children, rodents, Orcs, etc. is all to your benefit (and a dark[ish] closet is not a horrible notion).

You will experience filament "layering."   It's part of the learning process.  You can "beat" some of this by "tipping" your print out of one  or more of the XYZ planes in your "slicer" software.  (Oh, and you will have to climb though the learning curve of your Slicer--this is much like learning about double action airbrush needles--daunting at first, but second nature eventually,)

Take all advertised abilities to render detail ate about 100% "optimistic."   So, if your printer claims 0.10mm you probably will only get from 0.30 to 0.25 "fine-ness" out of it. 

PLAN OUT YOUR SUPPORTS, aka Be Willing to Manually add them.  All of them.

Print slower not faster.  Better to wait 12 hours than have to start a 6 hour print over again.

Much like ink printers, the hooved evil one is in "the ink" in this case the filament.  This is both good and bad.  Good in that you can pick all manner of filament, from flexible to rigid.  You will wind up with reels of filament you rarely use.  Just the nature of the beast.  You will run out of filament in the middle of a print.  Accept this in advance.  Finding your kharma in advance will reward you.

It helps to thin like a Modeler, and not like a sculptor.  Sub-assemblies are your friend, not your foe.

You will need a computer, you probably will wind up with a dedicated computer.  It's ok to yo go "direct USB" to the printer as long as your kid does not need the computer or tablet, or if you are not leaving the computer or tablet out in the shed or garage.  Otherwise you are going to need thumb drives.  And, you will need a larger thumb drive than you have.  Networking your printer is a Good Thing (just limit the access in advance, lest scallywags send rude things to your printer).

When you decide (it's not really and "if" for those of us in the modeling community) to resin (e.g. sterolithography) printers, remember there's more than meets the eye.  You need to wash resin prints, so you want rather industrial quanta of Iso (you may become something of a consumer of isopropyl [why is that not in the spellcheck dictionary?] alcohols. Also, you will need a UV curing light or station.

Also, the rising printer world will suck you in with offers of faster, finer, better.  Is what it is.  (Don't ask me how I know, Mr has a Mono5a now)  Resin is not cheap.  It wants storing in dark places at fairly constant temp/humidity conditions (shed/basement/loft, probably not so much).  You will wind up with several kinds.  But, the prints will be worth it.

I'll skip the next 50,000 more words I could bloviate.

[project510]

Aug 10, 2024 18:09:06 GMT -5 capnmc82 said:

Aug 5, 2024 4:22:53 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

You lucky DOG!!! I've been wanting a 3D printer for a LONG while now but haven't had the extra money to buy one with OR the extra time in which to learn and/ or set up the proper area for one. This is just great news for you buddy.

I'll skip the next 50,000 more words I could bloviate.

Happy to have another experienced modeler on board. This is my first entry into this hobby so I am in that learning stage. See ya around the 3D printing sub board Cap!

[project510]

Got some garage time after my son's tennis practice. Got the printer inside the dut proof case and redid the cables to clean it all up.

 

[project510]

The journey and learning process continues. Just spent the better part of 90 minutes trying to figure out why I couldn't print more than two objects. I would always run into two issues. The buffer zone surrounding the object, and en error message saying the height was going to cause the printer head to collide with the object.



I've been avoiding calling my brother as much as possible to learn on my own I just couldn't find what I was looking for in the settings. I learned two valuable tools today.

1. In superSlicer Ctrl+F is your friend. 
2. The term I was looking for was Individual objects. Once I found it, it was as simple as unlocking it. Now the printer will print anything I can fit on the plate in layers, instead of 1 object at a time.



So now Im printing 15 objects at one, my longest print yet. Says 15 hours but my printer is a bit fast so it will probably finish while I am asleep.

[floki]

That's odd. That option is usually not set as on as default.

So what are you printing?

[project510]

Aug 15, 2024 22:33:53 GMT -5 floki said:

That's odd. That option is usually not set as on as default.

So what are you printing?

My brother probably set it on purpose. Which worked, it forced me to figure it out once I was ready to print multiple items.

They are wrench holders for inside the tool box. They lock together, or can be used individually. Files can be FOUND HERE

[project510]

Also learning another valuable lesson tonight. Dont forget to check your filament spool before starting a large print.

[chromdome35]

Does your printer allow you to change out the spool mid-print?

One of the things I really like about the Bambu AMS system, is you can load multiple spools of the same color and the printer will automatically start using the next spool if the first one runs out.

[TJ]

Man I just started browsing thingiverse. There is some really cool stuff

[fermis]

Aug 9, 2024 18:19:17 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

I think I'll take it to a popular walking trail, dirty it up and leave it buried in the mud with just the face sticking out.

 I have a pair of the old Lindberg skull models. I had envisioned doing the exact same thing...giggling to myself!

[project510]

Aug 16, 2024 0:34:12 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Does your printer allow you to change out the spool mid-print?

One of the things I really like about the Bambu AMS system, is you can load multiple spools of the same color and the printer will automatically start using the next spool if the first one runs out.

I have a run out sensor, I guess you could call it? It pauses the print when the filament runs out. Then I unload and reload, and it goes back to printing.
I can also set points for it to pause to change colors. Your Bamboo does it automatically which is great. Ill get one eventually!

[aaronw]

Nice set up and congratulations on actually making something.


Really happy to see this subforum. I have an FDM and resin printer, but just haven't had the time or motivation to do anything with them beyond set them up. I spent time learning everything about 3D printers except how to actually use them, oops.

[aaronw]

Aug 5, 2024 13:58:03 GMT -5 brandonk said:

Aug 5, 2024 11:48:36 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

I've considered adding a "3D Printing for Modeling" subboard to the forums; what does everyone think of this idea?

I bought my 1st 3D Printer this year, and there are a lot of modeling-related use cases. The resin printers are capable of quality as good as any sprue you'll find in a kit. The FDM Printers (Like Project 501's and mine) can also print models, but with less fidelity. They are great for printing modeling accessories like 501's Sprue holder.

Honestly, I would love to see a subboard for 3D resin printing and resin casting. It would be nice to discuss these things in this group rather than search the web for other threads with peeps you don't know. I'm just starting the casting journey and I think the two compliment each other.

Agree, I've had the same issue. I would be more comfortable asking questions some place like here where there is some connection of members beyond just the 3D printers.

I've done resin casting for myself for about 20 years, small parts to truck cabs if I can help there. It was fun teaching my Dad to resin cast ships, since he got me started in models way back when, kind of full circle.

[project510]

Aug 25, 2024 0:42:17 GMT -5 aaronw said:

Nice set up and congratulations on actually making something.


Really happy to see this subforum. I have an FDM and resin printer, but just haven't had the time or motivation to do anything with them beyond set them up. I spent time learning everything about 3D printers except how to actually use them, oops.

Thats awesome Aaron, you should give it a shot! I WISH I had room for a resin printer. Oh man, so many things to print!

Unfortunately, I have sad news to report. I had finished printing for the night, and was removing the filament. In the photo below you can see where I clipped the material, and was about to begin the unloading process. However, I had a sneezing fit and during that touched the back of the board you see and managed to fry it. I heard a loud zap, and smelled an electrical fire type smell. I was instantly depressed. Everything turns on fine, but the extruder head will not respond to commands from the raspberry pi. My brother says I broke the breakout board. His advice was to "stop being so cheap and to not cut the filament so close to the board." 




Bought a new one this morning, so we will be down for a week or so. Fingers crossed that is all I destroyed.




In some sort of good news, I printed this amazing 22 in dragon right before the destruction. Its pretty sweet. Im going to paint it gold, wrap it around some kind of stone pillar type deal. If it comes out nice I think I will give it to my mother in law as a gift. Year of the dragon and all.

[chromdome35]

Aug 25, 2024 13:28:26 GMT -5 project510 said:

Aug 25, 2024 0:42:17 GMT -5 aaronw said:

Nice set up and congratulations on actually making something.


Really happy to see this subforum. I have an FDM and resin printer, but just haven't had the time or motivation to do anything with them beyond set them up. I spent time learning everything about 3D printers except how to actually use them, oops.

Thats awesome Aaron, you should give it a shot! I WISH I had room for a resin printer. Oh man, so many things to print!

Unfortunately, I have sad news to report. I had finished printing for the night, and was removing the filament. In the photo below you can see where I clipped the material, and was about to begin the unloading process. However, I had a sneezing fit and during that touched the back of the board you see and managed to fry it. I heard a loud zap, and smelled an electrical fire type smell. I was instantly depressed. Everything turns on fine, but the extruder head will not respond to commands from the raspberry pi. My brother says I broke the breakout board. His advice was to "stop being so cheap and to not cut the filament so close to the board." 




Bought a new one this morning, so we will be down for a week or so. Fingers crossed that is all I destroyed.




In some sort of good news, I printed this amazing 22 in dragon right before the destruction. Its pretty sweet. Im going to paint it gold, wrap it around some kind of stone pillar type deal. If it comes out nice I think I will give it to my mother in law as a gift. Year of the dragon and all.

Bummer!!! This goes right along with my life's motto: Nothing is ever easy.

How hard is that to replace on your printer?

[project510]

Aug 25, 2024 15:28:48 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Aug 25, 2024 13:28:26 GMT -5 project510 said:

Thats awesome Aaron, you should give it a shot! I WISH I had room for a resin printer. Oh man, so many things to print!

Unfortunately, I have sad news to report. I had finished printing for the night, and was removing the filament. In the photo below you can see where I clipped the material, and was about to begin the unloading process. However, I had a sneezing fit and during that touched the back of the board you see and managed to fry it. I heard a loud zap, and smelled an electrical fire type smell. I was instantly depressed. Everything turns on fine, but the extruder head will not respond to commands from the raspberry pi. My brother says I broke the breakout board. His advice was to "stop being so cheap and to not cut the filament so close to the board." 

Bummer!!! This goes right along with my life's motto: Nothing is ever easy.

How hard is that to replace on your printer?

Nothing that I should not be able to do. A few plugs, a few screws. Maybe I have to recalibrate z axis? more of a cost issue than a knowledge issue haha. But, its part of the learning process as you mentioned.

[floki]

That sucks your going to be down for a bit. Why was you having to cut the filament to unload it? I never had to on my old enders

[project510]

Aug 25, 2024 17:30:59 GMT -5 floki said:

That sucks your going to be down for a bit. Why was you having to cut the filament to unload it? I never had to on my old enders

I was changing colors, I'm not 100% sure. Just doing what my brother showed me.

Cut filament as you see in the photo
Heat extruder head to 200C
select unload on software 

It ejects the material cleanly. I gues now that I think about it, cutting isnt necessary IN the printer.

Then I load a new filament spool and complete in reverse order selecting load on software and it loads it up.

[kyledehart5]

Man, that is a bummer. But that dragon looks awesome!!

[project510]

Thanks, Kyle! Hopefully the new part gets here quick!

[aaronw]

That is a bummer, but at least it doesn't sound like a difficult or expensive fix.

I'm hoping with this area of the forum, seeing other working with 3D printers will be the push I need.

The resin printers are not really any bigger than an FDM, but they do have a larger logistics foot print when you factor in the curing and cleaning accommodations. For a physically similar size printer, they also have a smaller capacity.

[project510]

Aug 26, 2024 11:00:17 GMT -5 aaronw said:

That is a bummer, but at least it doesn't sound like a difficult or expensive fix.

I'm hoping with this area of the forum, seeing other working with 3D printers will be the push I need.

The resin printers are not really any bigger than an FDM, but they do have a larger logistics foot print when you factor in the curing and cleaning accommodations. For a physically similar size printer, they also have a smaller capacity.

Man, I wish we were closer. I would really love to see this process. My whole reason for having this printer was that its an affordable way to get into the hobby. End result for me would be to have a decent resin printer capable of printing the resin bodies and parts I spend SO MUCH money on. To be able to print them myself would be awesome!

[aaronw]

There is a place for both, FDM seems to be the better choice for durability, so toys, tools, utility items. Resin is better for detail, but more involved process and is messier.

Or so I'm told my unused Saturn 2 is giving me the stink eye as I type.