Viability of 3d printed props
- Thread starter JcarlA
- Start date
It all depends on what you want to print, how much you want to spend and how much time you want to invest. You can get a decent starter printer for around $300 and there are websites out there files that are ready to print, but you want something that isn't already out there then you going have to learn a 3D modeling software, which is probably the hardiest part of it all if you don't already have that skill.
I've been designing and printing my own Sci-Fi props for a couple of years now and can provides some feedback. You can certainly get any number of outstanding FDM (plastic extruding) 3D printers for under $500...some for as little as $200 if you do your research and are willing to do some modifications.
I personally use a Monoprice Maker Select Plus which I feel is an outstanding printer. I've had very little problems with it though in truth I don't really push it trying to print odd types of filaments. I stick with PLA plastic and am very partial to Polymaker's Polysmooth filaments because I also own their Polymaker Polysher. The Polysher will smooth out nearly any 3D print by surrounding the print with a mist of Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. The process takes about 20 minutes, is very effective and certainly cuts down on the amount of time required to sand a 3D print smooth.
Of course, you still need to do some sanding, priming and painting so these items are added expenses. If you add up the hardware and filaments alone, the price of everything would be between $600 and $700. Of course, you don't need to purchase everything at once. There's lots you can do with just a 3D printer, sandpaper, primer and paint without purchasing the Polymaker devices.
I'd certainly suggest looking around on Amazon.com for various 3D printer reviews and buy the biggest printer your budget allows. The Monoprice printer I use allows for prints about 7 x 7 x 7 inches (the print bed is larger than this but I don't like printing right to the edge). Of course, the larger the print, the longer it takes. There are no good shortcuts around this aspect of the hobby...a decent sized 3D print takes hours to finish. I usually print my object overnight if it will take longer than 4-5 hours to complete. There's always the potential a print might fail but I haven't really had any disastrous problems. I usually check the print every hour during the evening until it's time to sleep and might check it at some point during the night if I'm unusually anxious about its progress.
As far as environmental issues are concerned, stay away from ABS plastic and stick with PLA. PLA is derived from corn starch doesn't really smell while printing. I'd still suggest finding a spot that's decently ventilated or away from the main portion of your living space. I'm fortunate enough to have a part of my cellar I can devote to my 3D printer along with some workbench space to keep my tools and supplies.
As was mentioned by Notsubway above, you can either download models already designed or else design your own which requires some skill with 3D or CAD software. No matter what you want to print, it has to be run through the "Slicing" software that should come with your printer. This software takes a 3D model (hopefully already in STL format) and creates instructions to tell the printer how to print the model. The STL file resides on your computer and transported to your 3D printer, either by SD card (which the Monoprice printer uses) or by Wifi depending on your manufacturer.
I hope this is helpful. I'm including some images of 3D prints of my own design (though obviously inspired by Trek devices in some cases) so you can see what can be done. The prints were created using the Polysmooth filaments, smoothed in the Polysher device, primed, sanded and painted with paint pens and regular hardware store spray paints (make certain your primer and paints come from the same manufacturer otherwise the primer and paint might interact badly). The colored graphics are simple paper prints cut out and glued with Elmers glue directly onto the 3d print.
3D printing is a great hobby as long as you temper your expectations to what can be done on whatever your purchase. It's certainly a hobby that is limited only by your own imagination and skill.
I personally use a Monoprice Maker Select Plus which I feel is an outstanding printer. I've had very little problems with it though in truth I don't really push it trying to print odd types of filaments. I stick with PLA plastic and am very partial to Polymaker's Polysmooth filaments because I also own their Polymaker Polysher. The Polysher will smooth out nearly any 3D print by surrounding the print with a mist of Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. The process takes about 20 minutes, is very effective and certainly cuts down on the amount of time required to sand a 3D print smooth.
Of course, you still need to do some sanding, priming and painting so these items are added expenses. If you add up the hardware and filaments alone, the price of everything would be between $600 and $700. Of course, you don't need to purchase everything at once. There's lots you can do with just a 3D printer, sandpaper, primer and paint without purchasing the Polymaker devices.
I'd certainly suggest looking around on Amazon.com for various 3D printer reviews and buy the biggest printer your budget allows. The Monoprice printer I use allows for prints about 7 x 7 x 7 inches (the print bed is larger than this but I don't like printing right to the edge). Of course, the larger the print, the longer it takes. There are no good shortcuts around this aspect of the hobby...a decent sized 3D print takes hours to finish. I usually print my object overnight if it will take longer than 4-5 hours to complete. There's always the potential a print might fail but I haven't really had any disastrous problems. I usually check the print every hour during the evening until it's time to sleep and might check it at some point during the night if I'm unusually anxious about its progress.
As far as environmental issues are concerned, stay away from ABS plastic and stick with PLA. PLA is derived from corn starch doesn't really smell while printing. I'd still suggest finding a spot that's decently ventilated or away from the main portion of your living space. I'm fortunate enough to have a part of my cellar I can devote to my 3D printer along with some workbench space to keep my tools and supplies.
As was mentioned by Notsubway above, you can either download models already designed or else design your own which requires some skill with 3D or CAD software. No matter what you want to print, it has to be run through the "Slicing" software that should come with your printer. This software takes a 3D model (hopefully already in STL format) and creates instructions to tell the printer how to print the model. The STL file resides on your computer and transported to your 3D printer, either by SD card (which the Monoprice printer uses) or by Wifi depending on your manufacturer.
I hope this is helpful. I'm including some images of 3D prints of my own design (though obviously inspired by Trek devices in some cases) so you can see what can be done. The prints were created using the Polysmooth filaments, smoothed in the Polysher device, primed, sanded and painted with paint pens and regular hardware store spray paints (make certain your primer and paints come from the same manufacturer otherwise the primer and paint might interact badly). The colored graphics are simple paper prints cut out and glued with Elmers glue directly onto the 3d print.
3D printing is a great hobby as long as you temper your expectations to what can be done on whatever your purchase. It's certainly a hobby that is limited only by your own imagination and skill.
Last edited:
Here are a couple of videos showing a Trek movie inspired tricorder and table-top terminal of my own design. The blinking lights are LED lights I found on Amazon that drop into holes I designed in the props and twist on and off when needed.
Thank you to the moderator for moving this thread to where it might get a bit more traffic and interaction with other members of the group. Much appreciated!
