Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

This forum is dedicated to those Hobbyists Interested in CNC machining & 3D Printing in their home shops. (Digital Read Outs are also topical, as is CAD/CAM as it relates to CNC)

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ctwo
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by ctwo »

I've run out of ideas of things to print.
Standards are so important that everyone must have their own...
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WJH
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by WJH »

I just bought a Taig ballscrew CNC, and an Acorn. Can't wait to give it a try. As for printing stuff, try using it for actual parts.
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Rick
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by Rick »

Been printing models to be used as casting patterns for a club member that's building a J Class Loco. Printed drivers and tender truck frames that will be cast and printed journal box covers that will be used on the tender trucks once they are cleaned up and painted. The tender truck frames has to be printed in two pieces. I evidently didn't take a picture of the covers.
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Rick

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Bill Shields
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by Bill Shields »

Printing steamer patterns and other things like lost wax forms for jewelry is a great boon...3D printing has a lot of uses..

some patterns I made for a fellow at the club.
truck 3.JPG
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
WJH
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by WJH »

I just designed and printed DIN rail mounts and clips for my Acorn, relay board, and power supplies. Also made mounts for my G540 for my CNC Taig project for less than $5 in material.
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Adirondack
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by Adirondack »

SteveHGraham wrote: Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:54 pm I put an Anet A6 together, but I can't get it to work. Apparently, the free software either likes your computer, or it doesn't, and debugging the problem is the end user's job. I have no idea how to make it run.
Have you read the manual? Contacted customer service? Gone online and used Google?

What is the "free software" called? That would help with answers.
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A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
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SteveHGraham
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by SteveHGraham »

No, none of those things occurred to me. Do you think they would help?
Every hard-fried egg began life sunny-side up.
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NP317
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by NP317 »

The video won't load.
~RN
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Adirondack
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by Adirondack »

SteveHGraham wrote: Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:57 pm No, none of those things occurred to me. Do you think they would help?
I love sarcasm on the internet. :)
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/

A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
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PhooBar
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by PhooBar »

SteveHGraham wrote: Wed Feb 20, 2019 1:57 pm No, none of those things occurred to me. Do you think they would help?
Steve,
I had the same kind of problems with my Printrbot
Ask around and see if you have a Makerspace in your area. There are usually several 3D experts in their membership.
Check out your local High School as well. Some of them teach kids how to run 3D printers.

I'm using Tinkercad and Cura with good results.
Captain of the 1984 Olympic Dumpster Diving Team.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by Bill Shields »

remember that generally you get what you pay for.

if you pay nothing, then expectations should be low..

HOWEVER, if you pay something...then it is a different kettle of fish...

sometimes you pay a lot and get nothing...other times, you actually get what you pay for..which is why many of the more successful companies are still in business..but $$$ for what they provide.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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PhooBar
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Re: Are 3D Printers Finally Practical?

Post by PhooBar »

And I think this answers the original question very nicely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrJPGO_ ... L&index=35
Captain of the 1984 Olympic Dumpster Diving Team.
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