It is currently 29 Mar 2024, 13:23
DaveL wrote:...don't have any space for another machine.
Mike G wrote:Blimey, Dr Al, you've spent some time drawing........
Malc2098 wrote:Nice.
Still trying to get my head round Fusion 360.
Andyp wrote:Great stuff Dr Al.
I am sure you will have given ideas to others who are contemplating a 3D printer.
Lons wrote:Not everyone would get away with using the dining room - nice one.
Lons wrote:I've often looked and wondered about a printer but also about a laser engraver and have so far resisted as being honest with myself they would just be more playthings, not that there's anything wrong with that.
Some of your projects look very interesting, others could easily be made from scrap wood, out of interest do you know the rough costs of producing an item, not time just filament etc. and electricity?
Lons wrote:I admit I remain very tempted as it's easy to imagine many items that could be made and as our old dining room is now my space I'd get away with that as well.
Lons wrote:I take a similar view to yours it's difficult to put a cost on the enjoyment factor of a hobby apart from if I can't afford it then I don't do it. I didn't realise filament was so cheap, when I first looked it appeared to be expensive.
novocaine wrote:PLA would have worked for everything you've shown. don't discount it because "it's for models". I use it for the majority of my prints that aren't structural or under load/flexed. things like your chisel holders would be fine, I'd have considered PETG for your dog remover, but PLA would have worked too given the small amount of force and flex.
at some point I'll put up some of my stuff, for the most part, all of them could be made by hand in the workshop, but would take considerably more time. I tend to print utilitarian items, occasionally models for the kids.
I have a fair few small parts trays, dials, handles, tools (daft things like spoke tension gauges, or one offs that aren't worth buying). I use PLA+ a lot, 18 quid a kilo, prints at lowish temperatures and works with a lined hot end without gumming up. I also have PETG on the shelve that gets used for things like flexed clips, frames etc. I'm working on making a bottle to filament maker, so I can make my own PETG.
That's very interesting to hear. I've only made a few things in PLA and found it quite brittle so didn't pursue it much further. To be honest, a lot of the reason I avoid PLA (apart from reading stuff suggesting PETG might be better for the things I make) is that PLA smells quite a bit when printing (and the printer is about half a metre from my home working desk). It's also noisier when printing as the part cooling fan is running. I've not tried PLA+ but maybe I should give that a try.
Having said all that, there's a certain amount of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it": most of the filament reels I've got are PETG, they cost me £15-£20 a kilo typically and involve minimal thinking to print (I clean the bed with IPA after each print, but otherwise I just send the file directly from the slicer to the printer and it just works). I'm sure most (if not all) of that would be true of PLA too, but unless there's a good reason not to use PETG, I'll probably just leave it all as is.
I'll definitely look forward to seeing some of things you've printed!
novocaine wrote:No smell from PLA (or non from the brands I've used), the only filament I've found with an odour is ABS and nylon so far (printer is on my desk next to the computer).
Malc2098 wrote:I'm struggling to register with the fee Onshape product as a hobbyist/maker. The next form it gives me is for a commercial business.
Dr.Al wrote:Malc2098 wrote:I'm struggling to register with the fee Onshape product as a hobbyist/maker. The next form it gives me is for a commercial business.
Did you start from this page and click "Get started"?
https://www.onshape.com/en/products/free
It was years ago that I signed up, so I'm not exactly sure what's involved these days.
Malc2098 wrote:Dr.Al wrote:Malc2098 wrote:I'm struggling to register with the fee Onshape product as a hobbyist/maker. The next form it gives me is for a commercial business.
Did you start from this page and click "Get started"?
https://www.onshape.com/en/products/free
It was years ago that I signed up, so I'm not exactly sure what's involved these days.
Been in touch with them and a nice chap activated an account for me. You might have to give me some lessons.
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