Gondor Goes 3D

[Gondor]

This is not going to be a regularly posted to thread, at least I don't see that as happening on my part.

If anyone has been paying attention, they might have noticed that I have recently bought myself a 3D printer. The intention is to design and print parts for models that I am either building or intending to build. This might, in time, include complete subjects. As my interests include ships, there will probably be some upgrade/conversion parts, especially now that Shapeways is not what it was, and that not all of what I wanted to build was available there either.

So what did I buy?

One of THESE. Now, some will say, why go for something so relatively expensive and high-end when something cheaper and less expensive is better for a beginner? My counter is that I don't want to try to sell a used printer later on. Operating a resin printer will be the same regardless of the cost or quality of the machine. Agreed that the software that handles the printing may be different, but that would be down to the capabilities of the printer and not much else, I would think. Also, I got a good price for a complete bundle. All it lacked was cleaning products. So printer, Wash station, Cuering station and 2Kg of resin with insurance and P&P just pushed the price over £600, and I am happy with that.

I have since then bought some clear resin and a spare resin tank. I also have some new covers for the bottom of the tank on their way. All my own fault. I thought there was a protective cover on the bottom of the resin tank, and I was right. The only problem was that I thought it was on the inside and not the underside. I ended up picking a hole through the base of the tank, hence the spare tank and new covers on order. 

We live and learn.

Gondor

[scooter]

You cannot view this attachment.

[frank2056]

This may seem like an extravagance, but it won't be when you have to replace the FEP film and have to worry about all the screws and the film tension... Chitu Systems Hoopat X4H Quick Release Resin Vat for ELEGOO Saturn 4 Ultra 16K

Clear resin is not the easiest to start with. I would suggest starting with either a gray or dark gray resin. The clear will allow the UV light exposing a pixel layer to slightly expose adjacent, uninvolved resin. Plus the clear resin will be frosty and may turn yellow unless you coat it with a clear varnish.

The tilting vat and exposure finder feature on the 16K are great! Fauxhammer reviews printers (including the 16K) and has other tips that are useful.

[Gondor]

I am aware of that option of resin tray frank. I also never said I was going to start with the clear resin, I said I had bought some and that the printer, etc, came with 2Kg of resin. Admittedly, I did not specify anything about the resin that came with the printer other than the weight. The box says that it is ABS, like water-washable resin, though why it needs an automatic breaking system I don't know    Oh, well, new tool, new terminology I suppose.

[Gondor]

Not much further forward with setting up the home for the printer. I have bought some brackets to provide extra support between the vertical sides and the shelf. I was going to do the routing of the MDS today, but as the weather is not very nice today at all, drizzle, that will be shelved for now 
I will find out where the existing shelf attachment points are and make them up, probably do all the marking up on the MDF as well, so that I can simply have one session of routing. Watching and saving videos on YouTube for reference. I did dig out the ducting I was planning on using for the paint booth; it should do a similar job with the 3D cupboard in moving the fumes out of the flat.

[Rheged]

I did dig out the ducting I was planning on using for the paint booth; it should do a similar job with the 3D cupboard in moving the fumes out of the flat.

The removal of obnoxious effluvia is always a good thing.  Poisoning oneself with fumes  is never wise............especially if one lives on ones own!

[Gondor]

I finally managed to get some of the DIY done for what I am going to call "The Printer Booth". It was also the first time that I have used a router, other than for the internet 

It was a little dustier than I expected







The jeans and jersey are in the washing machine as I write this.

If I had known it was going to be that dusty, I would have worn a pair of overalls, well, as best as they would fit, as I have not worn them for years, and I would have moved the work station further outside and shut the door on the extension lead. There is dust halfway up the stairs! At least I knew enough to do the work outside.

[PR19_Kit]

It's called 'living and learning' Alastair. 

[Gondor]

It's called 'living and learning' Alastair. 

Oh I know that Kit! It's all a case of live and learn. I only went into the kitchen once, to take the clothes that went into the washing machine off, but the floor surface feels as if I could perform the "Sand Dance" on the floor in there.

[kerick]

You'll be a master cabinet maker soon! You just need a bigger work shop.

[Gondor]

You'll be a master cabinet maker soon! You just need a bigger work shop.

Just a simple workshop would be nice. The only space, other than outside the front door, is the kitchen, can you imagine the mess if I had tried that in there! 

[zenrat]

Router dust tends to be very fine and can be usefull for weathering model armour and cars.

You are of course wearing a mask.

[McColm]

You could print an adaptor to fit on your router or sander that attaches to your hoover. In my day we used gaffer tape and cardboard with the hose from a Henry hoover, this when I worked for a TV and film hire company based in North Acton, the workshop was in the basement of the car park.

[Gondor]

You could print an adaptor to fit on your router or sander that attaches to your hoover. In my day we used gaffer tape and cardboard with the hose from a Henry hoover, this when I worked for a TV and film hire company based in North Acton, the workshop was in the basement of the car park.

All the dust was being shot horizontally from the cutting blade. The adaptor for a hose was fitted to the router; hardly anything was diverted in that direction, though. This is possibly the only time I may need a router. The thing is, if I or any of my relatives need to use one, I have one ready.

[Rick Lowe]

The thing is, if I or any of my relatives need to use one, I have one ready.

A variant of the Modellers' Axiom, "I'll use it some day, and it's there for when I need it."
Of course, one has to find it when it's needed - or indeed remember one has it in the first place...