Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 21, 2024 15:40:27 GMT -8
I didn't model (draw) this from scratch. I found it online. But it was still a learning process in regards to printing and assembling. And, yes, a little bit of fun as well.  Larger ViewThese are the official parts and recommended colors, although I used whatever colors I had on hand.  |
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 22, 2024 9:09:00 GMT -8
Is that how it looked like after you made this on the 3D printer? I don't see any rough edges and such.
Do you have an idea of what that cost to make?
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 22, 2024 10:15:58 GMT -8
The slicer software gives an estimate of $4.58. The dimension are 5" x 5.5" x 2.5". The "infill" is 10%...making it 90% blank space on the inside. They are also some solid structures, consisting mostly of an outer wall. Most things I've printed default to two layers for the wall. This one was set by the maker at 3 so I just stayed with that. The PLA is a surprisingly strong plastic. One reason I chose this printer is that all the reviews said it gave very good results. I tend to agree although I have nothing else to compare it with. You can actually get a finer nozzle (0.02 vs. the stock 0.04) and make very finely detailed figurines and such. But for medium-to-large sized models, you don't need that detail. And getting the detail with a smaller nozzle (which I don't have and don't plan to get) ups the printing time by triple or more. For strictly utilitarian parts, you can go with the built-in "draft" setting (there are 10 stock quality software presets, from fine to coarse...all of which can be tweaked...and this is separate from whatever physical size nozzle you are using). The difference is merely the thickness in the layers. But for functional utilitarian parts, the aesthetic difference is minimal and the speed gains more than compensate, although the gains are not so much that you just can't go with the "standard" middle-of-the-road quality setting. But for most things I use the "draft" preset.
Have Kung. Jr. pick out something at MakerWorld. And if it's not too complicated, I'll make it for him and send it. You can also choose from items at Thingiverse. I could do a custom item as well such as a desk name plate with his name on it, a coaster with his name or favorite character on it, etc. |
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 22, 2024 19:11:50 GMT -8
Thanks very much for the offer. I guess the most useful thing for Kung Jr. would be the following.
It would teach him how best to empty a tube. Manipulating the thing would also help him learn how to handle simple tools. Anything which helps coordination is always good.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 22, 2024 19:14:53 GMT -8
Gee. That looks useful. What color do you want?
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 22, 2024 19:21:06 GMT -8
Kung Jr. said "I'd like a green one."  |
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 22, 2024 20:03:32 GMT -8
Okay. This is a multi-piece print. I'll print it out and see if I can put it together. It may just snap together. We'll see!
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 23, 2024 8:38:46 GMT -8
Here's what that looks like being printed out:  Larger ViewThe only green I had on hand was a sort of minty pastel green...which might fit into the overall scheme of toothpaste. |
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 23, 2024 9:55:08 GMT -8
I showed Kung Jr. the picture and asked him what he thought. He said, "It's looking pretty good." You'd have to hear his intonation to fully appreciate that. |
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 23, 2024 9:59:57 GMT -8
Fantastic. I printed it out and assembled it. It's just a screw-on thing. It seems to function okay in terms of the right parts spinning and the right parts ratcheting, although I'll let you guys try it with an actual tube. Granted, this may turn out to be a little flimsy or unworkable. But let's give it a try. I'll send it along...along with another Cracker-Jack-like free prize inside.
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 23, 2024 11:30:26 GMT -8
It's in the mail, USPS Ground. It will take a few days. It should work as a proof-of-concept. If it breaks quickly, but at least worked a few times, it might be something then that you would buy at the store. Or maybe it will just work.
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 23, 2024 12:18:43 GMT -8
That is my feeling as well. Thanks.
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 27, 2024 11:48:38 GMT -8
The package just arrived in the mail. The tube squeezer is neat. Let's hope it is strong enough to work on the tube of Colgate. Kung Jr. will like the turtle. I wonder if it will be one of those things he puts into his lunchbox when he goes to the continuing-education establishment. I am trying to figure out how you put that together. Many thanks. |
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 27, 2024 12:13:51 GMT -8
The PLA plastic is probably stronger than it looks. But I don't know if it will hold up to regular use. If Kung Jr. likes the turtle, he should feel free to look online for a few more creatures and see if anything strikes his fancy. I need more practice with the 3D printer.  The "flexi" turtle was printed that way. It just magically is segmented like that. |
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Post by kungfuzu on Feb 27, 2024 16:41:13 GMT -8
I gave the turtle to Kung Jr. and he likes it. I asked him if he wanted to say anything to you and he said, "Thank you Mr. Brad." I am amazed that the thing came out like that without having to be assembled.
The toothpaste squeezer does not work with the large-sized tube one often buys today. The closed end of the tube is too wide. But it works pretty well with the old "large-size," which I guess is now medium. I will continue to fool with it and let you know what I think.
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Feb 27, 2024 18:26:31 GMT -8
You’re welcome, Mr. Alexander.
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 15, 2024 19:09:45 GMT -8
We got through the first tube of toothpaste and I can confirm that the contraption works pretty well so far. I am not rough with it, nor am I handling it like a piece of glass, and it has held up better than I thought it would. I will continue the experiment with another tube and keep you informed.
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Brad Nelson
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עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 15, 2024 19:17:28 GMT -8
That's good to hear. I could always just scale up the entire model and print it larger for a larger size tube. That's as easy as just, say, "printing as 125%" or whatever. Or if you find another, perhaps larger, toothpaste squeezer, I'd be willing to print that out. The PLA from a few tests I've seen online is pretty strong stuff. But because these models are built by layers, thin pieces will tend to sheer. But otherwise I've been impressed with how generally non-fragile the PLA is. Let me know if Mr. Alexander like Star Wars models and stuff. I ran across this Imperial Shuttle that I thought would be fun to build. There are a lot of kits like this. I printed out a biplane one the other day. I couldn't get all the parts to fit but it was a good bit of fun anyway. |
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