More 3D Printing

[sojourner]

Hey guys,


-Ricky

Hey, question for you. I have recently come into some discretionary cash and was thinking about getting a 3-d printer. Any recommendations on a good entry level unit? Maybe one of those that can be "self improved" by printing out upgrade parts for itself? Any in particular to stay away from?

 

[MadMan1701A]

Hey, question for you. I have recently come into some discretionary cash and was thinking about getting a 3-d printer. Any recommendations on a good entry level unit? Maybe one of those that can be "self improved" by printing out upgrade parts for itself? Any in particular to stay away from?

Sure.

I don't use them, but I have a friend who swears by the Tevo Tarantula. https://www.amazon.com/TEVO-Tarantu...qid=1496799424&sr=8-3&keywords=tevo+tarantula
Its a kit, so you have to put it together. There is a big facebook community that revolves around it, and they seem pretty enthusiastic!

If you want to go the Makerbot clone route, the CTC dual extruder http://www.ebay.com/itm/CTC-3D-Printer-DUPLICATOR-4-Dual-Extruders-Space-board-1Kg-ABS-PLA-for-Makerbot/331718046400?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid=555014&algo=PL.DEFAULT&ao=1&asc=41375&meid=f9cfa9847faf40e6b0940c9df03fe9e4&pid=100505&rk=1&rkt=1& is pretty good, I had one for a while.

The Tarantula can use the Cura print software, which is the same stuff as the Ultimaker.

I'd stay away from the M3D printer, I've heard bad things about it. Also, the Davinci printers seem to have a lot of build quality issues, so I would probably not go for one of those.

If you want to spend $700, look up the QiDi tech printer. It's awesome.

-Ricky

 

[sojourner]

Thanks for the info! Now I just have to decide if I would really make use of one enough to warrant the purchase.

EDIT: ooh, based on a little reading, that QIDI is a tempting way to spend $700.

 

[MadMan1701A]

Yep, it really is a good machine. I've had mine running almost every day since I got it back in February, and I love it. The bed needs to be leveled more often than my flashforge does, for some reason. And, it comes out of the box print ready.

-Ricky

 

[MadMan1701A]

Hey guys, I'm still here, somewhere.

It's been a productive week, despite the Tropical Storm raining on us most of the week. At one point I was dodging raindrops with my spray cans, just so I could get some things done!

I was able to finish up my revised Rocinante, the USS Merlin, Atolm's Romulan ship, and another copy of the Outlaw Star.

I also made some micromachine sized USS Discovery ones, but my son won't give them back so I can take a picture. I'll have to print my own, I guess.

More soon, have fun guys!

-Ricky

 

[Captain of the USS Averof]

They all look great but I love your Rocinante!

 

[MadMan1701A]

Thanks!

-Ricky

 

[fireproof78]

That Merlin looks great!

 

[MadMan1701A]

That Merlin looks great!

Thanks man.

 

[Atolm]

I just got my Boid in the mail today, and she's rather Epic!!!
Thanks Bro! Thanks a lot!

 

[Kor]

Wow, impressive work.

Kor

 

[MadMan1701A]

Thanks guys!

Something new I was messing with yesterday, still WIP of course.

I used a simple set of battery powered LED lights for the chevrons, which I just masked off when painting. I printed the gate out of clear ABS, so it really comes through and diffuses well.

The event horizon is a laminated print of the wormhole, with a sheet of rippled clear plastic on top. these two layers are held in place by magnets on the back of the gate, so it could be removed it needed. I like it so far! My next thing is to do a stand that looks like the ramp at the SGC.

Have fun guys!

-Ricky

 

[MadMan1701A]

Hey guys! It's been a really busy weekend getting things finished up. First up, is my Orville model, just about done!

I also finally finished my Gunstar, and my lit Stargate. The Stargate is battery powered, lit by some really tiny LEDs I embedded in the ring, which I printed out in transparent plastic.

Got even more stuff in the works, gearing up for the next Con!

Have fun guys.

-Ricky

 

[Atolm]

Those re pretty epic bro!!!
love them all!

 

[fireproof78]

Thanks guys!

Something new I was messing with yesterday, still WIP of course.

I used a simple set of battery powered LED lights for the chevrons, which I just masked off when painting. I printed the gate out of clear ABS, so it really comes through and diffuses well.

The event horizon is a laminated print of the wormhole, with a sheet of rippled clear plastic on top. these two layers are held in place by magnets on the back of the gate, so it could be removed it needed. I like it so far! My next thing is to do a stand that looks like the ramp at the SGC.

Have fun guys!

-Ricky

Wow!

 

[publiusr]

Great work!

 

[MadMan1701A]

Thanks guys. Hopefully will have some more stuff built up soon!

-Ricky

 

[Atolm]

Thanks guys. Hopefully will have some more stuff built up soon!

-Ricky

Aces!

 

[MadMan1701A]

Hey guys, been pretty busy around here, but I've been getting a few things done.

FIrst, I finally built my 3D model and Did a test print of Discovery! It came out really well, and it 16" long. The design is really growing on me, which seems to happen every time I build a 3D model of something that I'm unsure of. The 1701-A from Beyond is next up on that list.

And, on a kind of related note, I've been working on my TOS Movie era uniform! I printed and painted my Ensign rank pin, the chest pin, and the belt buckle, all of which are held on magnetically. I still have to make the security device thing for the back on my shoulder, but it's getting there! I got the jacket from CosplaySky on Amazon, and it fits really well!

More soon, guys.

-Ricky

 

[Atolm]

Hot damn! Looking real spiffy there, oh and the Discovery is sweet too