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Post by notoes on Jul 30, 2018 10:49:26 GMT -5
Odd question I know but I'm looking into buying one as I don't want to spend $200 (or more) on a 3D printer that I don't really have room to put and don't have cash to just throw away on something I'm not sure I'd use enough to pay for itself.
What I want to do with it is this - I'm starting to come across custom orders that involve lettering and not only is my handwriting not that good but my hands aren't as steady as needed to painstakingly do each tiny letter nicely (tiny as in barely 1/4" tall). I've been experimenting with making my own sets of clay letter stamps (yes I do mean SETS, I need different fonts) but not very good luck yet.
Once I get the letters in the fonts I want done, I plan on stamping them into clay to cast the rubber stamps using HS-2. Then I'll either use the rubber stamps or the 3D pen letters to stamp the letters into silicone putty to cast them as resin stamps. Now I've never used a 3D pen (or 3D printer) and have never seen a 3D printed item in person (though I've seen 3D printed cookie cutters and items made with a 3D pen online), I'm fairly certain the 3D pen will do what I need it to but I wanted to see if anyone here has ever used one or seen it used in person and can tell me if my idea will work before I go spending $30 (found one on sale) on a 3D pen.
So has anyone ever used a 3D pen or printer or has seen a 3D printed item in person and has some feedback they can share? |
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Post by Brian on Aug 2, 2018 18:54:06 GMT -5
...I am presently working on an 1/8th scale '56 Ford pick up...the body is a 3-D print. 
There is a texture ....almost like a fine grit sand paper....this door, along with the exterior of the body has been sanded smooth prior to the paint being shot.
This picture shows the texture a little bit better. I have read where guys building 1/25 scale 3-D stock car roll cages are using floor wax to get a smooth surface prior to painting....the smaller the scale , the more pronounced the gritty texture is it sounds like.
This 3-D printed door seems to be denser than if it had been styrene plastic, but pretty much the same density as a resin cast. I had to open up the area where the door hinges will go and used the boring bit w/ my Dremel tool...it took some work. One thing I can appreciate is that it has uniform thickness thru out the body...and it is to scale  |
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Post by notoes on Aug 3, 2018 6:30:45 GMT -5
You've got access to a 3D printer? Lucky! Did it take a long time to print the door? Looks good even with the texture. I have seen a few people online using the 3D pen to fill in missed spots on 3D printed items and that heat can smooth both the surface of the pen made item and the printed one, have you tried that? I don't mind a little texture, I can work on that. Plus half of what I want to use it for isn't a final product, I'm thinking of using it as a starting point to make a copy of and using resin as the final casting material. Thanks for the info.
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Post by carol - Alumilite Corp on Aug 3, 2018 8:49:40 GMT -5
Notoes,
I don't think the pen is what you would need for your application you described, especially for such small items. Our engineer has used the pens and said a steady hand is important with the pens. I think perhaps a laser or a vinyl cutter but the cost on those would probably be equivalent to the 3D printer. We have a 3D printer here and they are such an amazing piece of equipment as you know.
Have a great weekend!
Regards,
Carol
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Post by Brian on Aug 3, 2018 19:58:27 GMT -5
You've got access to a 3D printer? Lucky! Did it take a long time to print the door? Looks good even with the texture. I have seen a few people online using the 3D pen to fill in missed spots on 3D printed items and that heat can smooth both the surface of the pen made item and the printed one, have you tried that? I don't mind a little texture, I can work on that. Plus half of what I want to use it for isn't a final product, I'm thinking of using it as a starting point to make a copy of and using resin as the final casting material. Thanks for the info. No, I don't have any access to a 3D printer...what I have is a build that Bob Hayes was working on at the time of his stroke and he has asked me to help him with some parts that he is not able to work with. The body was printed by someone that he knows. I can find out for you how long it took to print the door. I wouldn't be able to get past the copy portion of the program....I am an analog guy trying to find my way in the digital world.
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Post by notoes on Aug 4, 2018 7:42:41 GMT -5
Thanks, knowing how long it takes is helpful. Actually knowing anything on how it was done is helpful.
Oh I'm absolutely sure you would be able to learn how to do it just as long as you have an interest in it, I've helped older generation people learn how to do a lot with computers - what they remember and apply (and then go onto create themselves) is just a matter of if it is of interest to them or not. Besides, the copy portion of the program is one of the biggest things, if you can do that then you can do most anything you need to with it. I'm fairly certain someone else knows how to do the rest (within reason) and has made it available online. And someone else probably has also made available how to adjust the things they made with the 3D printers to create more.
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Post by straightliner on Aug 4, 2018 18:08:22 GMT -5
The '56 Ford Brian showed above is one of two my friend had printed. Printed in France, I believe the cost to draw and print was about $1200 per body ,the body took a couple of days to print. Very detailed, it was worth the time to massage it. I used copious amounts of filler paint along with many hours of hand sanding. Brian, if you still have my Fotki site please post it here. another gift from the stroke, apologies!!!?
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Post by Brian on Aug 4, 2018 18:53:00 GMT -5
.................... Brian, if you still have my Fotki site please post it here. another gift from the stroke, apologies!!!? ... Sure thing,Bob public.fotki.com/molderone/ |
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Post by notoes on Aug 6, 2018 7:57:45 GMT -5
Wow. Considering how big the door was, I'm not surprised it took days. They probably had to use a huge 3D printer. Anything worth having is worth the time taken. I wouldn't mind seeing it when you two get it finished, I bet it will be beautiful.
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Post by carol - Alumilite Corp on Aug 9, 2018 9:12:42 GMT -5
Straighliner,
Welcome... WELCOME my dear friend. A valuable and knowledgeable resource added to the forum with all the others who impart their knowledge and kindness in helping others.
After speaking with you on the phone yesterday and hearing your determination to not only overcome but conquer this stroke confirms the person you are and your dedication to your art/hobby.
Thanks Bob.
Carol
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Post by notoes on Aug 14, 2018 14:35:57 GMT -5
Notoes, I don't think the pen is what you would need for your application you described, especially for such small items. Our engineer has used the pens and said a steady hand is important with the pens. I think perhaps a laser or a vinyl cutter but the cost on those would probably be equivalent to the 3D printer. We have a 3D printer here and they are such an amazing piece of equipment as you know. Have a great weekend! Regards, Carol If I go very verrrryyy slow I might be able to pull off a steady hand, I only need the pen to do a very short, single line about 3mm high then I can stamp that into clay or putty and cast a copy in resin which I can then fix any shaky lines with my Dremel (love that thing). I might have to see if I can find a new home for some of the things on my Silhouette cutter's table and see if there's any way I might could squeeze in some space for a 3D printer... maybe one of the smaller ones.
If you have one in house, does that mean you can make a mold of a 3D printed item using either one of the liquid mold materials or the mold putty? Or does any of the printer filaments inhibit them?
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Post by dwilliams on Feb 7, 2020 1:23:07 GMT -5
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Post by notoes on Feb 18, 2020 6:42:05 GMT -5
I have since gotten an Ender 3, I just thought about a pen to do some small work but decided to go with a printer instead. Now I just need to sit down and really learn how to keep it running like it was meant to - I haven the hardest time keeping the bed leveled and am going to invest in a BLTorch auto bed leveler (forgive me if I misspelled that).
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Post by mark07 on Aug 6, 2021 7:13:00 GMT -5
3d printers are definitely worth the money. I am happy to say that I convinced my 2 sons to spend their money on a 3D printer, instead of a Nintendo Switch. And it was the best decision. Our Qidi Tech X-Pro 43dprint.org/dual-extruder-3d-printer/#product_7 was not really expensive and works very well. |
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Post by djnos1978 on Oct 25, 2021 14:14:15 GMT -5
Odd question I know but I'm looking into buying one as I don't want to spend $200 (or more) on a 3D printer that I don't really have room to put and don't have cash to just throw away on something I'm not sure I'd use enough to pay for itself.
What I want to do with it is this - I'm starting to come across custom orders that involve lettering and not only is my handwriting not that good but my hands aren't as steady as needed to painstakingly do each tiny letter nicely (tiny as in barely 1/4" tall). I've been experimenting with making my own sets of clay letter stamps (yes I do mean SETS, I need different fonts) but not very good luck yet.
Once I get the letters in the fonts I want done, I plan on stamping them into clay to cast the rubber stamps using HS-2. Then I'll either use the rubber stamps or the 3D pen letters to stamp the letters into silicone putty to cast them as resin stamps. Now I've never used a 3D pen (or 3D printer) and have never seen a 3D printed item in person (though I've seen 3D printed cookie cutters and items made with a 3D pen online), I'm fairly certain the 3D pen will do what I need it to but I wanted to see if anyone here has ever used one or seen it used in person and can tell me if my idea will work before I go spending $30 (found one on sale) on a 3D pen.
So has anyone ever used a 3D pen or printer or has seen a 3D printed item in person and has some feedback they can share? Yes, I have used the 3d pens and like the other users here mentioned "they require a very steady hand". With that said I have been in the 3d printing business since 2012. I used to manufacture 3d printers but now have gotten out of that particular part of the industry due to the "cheaper" machines. I now use the machines to make prototypes which I use to create molds then reproduce. That is the #1 use of 3d printers. If you need help to understand, use, or whatever with 3d printing let me know. I'll answer as much as I can. I also have a youtube channel to where I teach 3d modeling, 3d printing concepts, and other educational subjects. My suggestion to you though is to find someone who can make what you what you want. I have 9 3d printers. I don't always use them and I'm in the "industry". It would be more effective for you to just pay someone to give you the parts, then make molds, or whatever. I don't do that but I can point you in the right direction if you need assistance. |
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