Wanted Enclosed Car Trailer

Shake it real good before opening for optimal result!

 

That's a pretty slick cover. Nice work.
I suspect you've got a bunch of people thinking they might need to look into 3D printers...

 

Thanks !

I'm using it for more things than I originally thought I would.

 

Prices have really come down over the last several, (maybe 10 or so) years . . .

Just a few years ago it was $1k plus for a decent machine, . . . Now you can get as much for about half the cost . .

Have to admit I've been tempted myself . . came pretty close a couple times

 

It is something that you cannot just buy, install and start printing anything you want. It does
take some dedication to learning about 3D printing and 3D software. Some types of plastic
give off VOCs and Particulates so you need a well ventilated space or a enclosure with
filtration. Might as well add a heater because some plastics will require it. But at this point I
have neither, so don't let this stop you from getting involved.

 

For me it's finding time to dedicate to learning something with a steeper learning curve . . .

Hardly ever use my Mini CNC since I bought it about 3 years ago, I'm afraid a 3D printer would unfortunately share the same fate . . .

 

You might want to reconsider ..... both CNC and 3D printing use what's called "GCODE". Which
defines the path for the tool (CNC) or extruder (3D Print).

Usually you design a part in your choice of 3D software (FreeCAD, Fusion360, Blender) and then
use a slicer to create the gcode. From there the slicer will send it to your CNC or 3D Printer.

Or maybe you already knew this, but others reading this might not know.
.

 

I bought a Battery Box for a boat at Walmart, for $8.27!

 

Before I retired a few years ago, I bought a 3D printer through Microsoft, for the company I was working for. The cost,at that time, was about $2,000.00. Then there is the cost of consumables. That’s the plastic filament. If I recall correctly, about $40/ roll. It looks like weed eater string. Maybe the same stuff. We used it quite a bit to make prototype parts. I would design a part in Solidworks and download it to the printer and in a short (or long) time I would have an actual part that I could actually use as a prototype. I’m sure over the last few years there have been many improvements in that technology. The parts didn’t have much structural strength but was good enough to prove out your design. My job in engineering was prototype building.

 

I would like to have access to one. I view it like having a lathe and mill. I have always wanted to have them, but in reality, I don’t use them often and have a couple of friends who have one or work at machine shops. Then there is the shop space issue. I think the printers are very cool, but I really don’t have much affiliation with or knowledge about them. Keep posting and educate us, it makes interesting food for thought. Being able to design and create custom parts like radio enclosures, gauge consoles, etc is a very enticing possibility.

 

You have a CNC machine? Does it do steel or wood? Have you tried to use it with your plasma cutter?

 

It'll do wood, plastics and limitedly, soft aluminum.

I got it when I was doing a lot of custom water cooling computer setups to make acrylic reservoirs and distribution plates.

 

My mistake! I thought Rick had the CNC. I thought he was holding out on me! Lol

 

You can certainly pay that much and many times more, but I paid just under $400 for
mine. Smaller ones are available for under $200. But like the saying goes, you get what
you pay for and the support might not be that great for the cheaper printers.

Filament can cost anywhere from $15 up to several hundred dollars for a 1 kg spool. Just
depends on the properties you need in the plastic. Carbon fiber is available for printers, but
it takes hardened nozzles, not sure about the temp. ABS plastic is used alot by automotive
manufactures and can be printed with most 3D printers. But it does give off toxic fumes.

 

Next time I post a project, I will probably start a thread just for 3D printing and share my
trials and tribulations.

Once you have a printer it becomes more useful than you originally anticipated. All kinds
of possibilities start cropping up in your mind.

 

Ain't that the truth. When I had my first lathe, and now upholstery machine, I would just look for something to mill or sew. I would make some things on the lathe that I could have bought for sometimes more than have the cost of my time making it.

 

Yeap !

WE have been there done that !

 

That would definitely be something I would like to follow. I believe you would generate a lot of interest in 3D printing. VA is going to print a complete upper dental partial using a plastic type of material that will flex a bit. Should be interesting.in the very near future. If I don't like it they will do it in metal as it is now. Will be looking forward to your lessons.
Thanks!
George

 

Like I mentioned above there are lots of different plastics available for printing, even one that
is flexible and could be used for a gasket. Kinda like your dental partial. Plastics are a big part
of our lives and can be had with just about any conceivable property one could want.

I've already printed my next project to help with mounting a Derale 40 row stacked plate
cooler on my Navigator to keep the trans cool. I will start a 3D Printing thread after I get
back from the Lake Texoma trip.

Short Notice - Cruise Lake Texoma
.

 

Thanks! I will alert my son to watch for your "Teach the Blind" classes. Looking forward to being schooled at least one more time before I leave this planet.
George