Not new, but I've been away for a while

[Andy the Sheep]

Welcome back, Steve and, as always, your models are really wonderful.

[bowman]

Steve,
wow - very nice - I've just started on the 3D printing rollercoaster - only PLA, as I don't have the facilities to cope with resin. Still learning how to get the best out of my printer(s)
Dave

Hi Dave, thanks for the kind words. My filament printer (Original Prusa Mini) is playing up at the moment and not feeding properly, so I've been forced to concentrate on the resin printer (Elegoo Mars 3), where there seem many more 'variables' to solve to get a clean print. However, the output from the resin machine is far sharper than on the filament one and is definitely what I will be concentrating on in the future.

I've attached some pics of the samurai that I'm in the process of printing. The second pic shows the sort failure that can happen if you try to print without first hollowing out model parts. I've also experienced problems with a model leaking liquid resin when I've forgotten to include drainage holes top and bottom. Knowing where to place supports so that they don't show after they have been removed can also be an issue with resin, but I think the finished results make it worthwhile persevering.

Steve

[Jim R]

Amazing how quickly things move on. A few years ago 3D printing was hardly heard of, the domain of specialists. Now "ordinary people" - no offence to people like Dave and Steve - are getting to grips with it and getting great results.

[Dave Ward]

Steve,
I was lucky to bag an unopened box of the Anet A6 kit for a brilliant price off Ebay. After getting this up and running, I spotted a Monoprice Select Mini for spares/repair on Ebay & took a gamble on it. Took quite a time to sort out, including a new extruder & unblocking a really choked nozzle, but that now turns out smaller parts, whilst the Anet turns out the big bits!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Beautiful work Steve. You are really showcasing the potential of resin printing here. The texture on that samurai is quite impressive.

[Scratchbuilder]

Welcome back Steve, amazing Scimitar and workshop.
Perhaps the mods could set up a 3D area, where thost like myself could learn the basics of not only the printing but how to use CAD etc - yes I am a neanderthal and despite the books and 'tutorials' bought/available the writers/producers seem to imagine that everyone can start fram D to Z instead of A. The same with the figure painting/assembly books, a lot of info there but nothing for the complete novice.
Untill then it is scratchbuilding for me.
Again superb work from you.

[bowman]

Welcome back Steve, amazing Scimitar and workshop.
Perhaps the mods could set up a 3D area, where thost like myself could learn the basics of not only the printing but how to use CAD etc - yes I am a neanderthal and despite the books and 'tutorials' bought/available the writers/producers seem to imagine that everyone can start fram D to Z instead of A. The same with the figure painting/assembly books, a lot of info there but nothing for the complete novice.
Untill then it is scratchbuilding for me.
Again superb work from you.

Hi Michael,
Like you, I struggled in the beginning with 3D CAD, as the packages that I tried were anything but intuitive. I finally settled on Autodesk Fusion 360, mainly because there is a free version which does most things that I think I need and its no more complicated that the other packages. It takes a lot of perseverance and trial and error, but I can now produce relatively simple components like track links and Scimitar road wheels, neither of which would I want to try scratchbuilding just because of the tedium.

I've also found that the Internet is a huge resource of CAD designs that can either be purchased or are absolutely free, and that don't really require any knowledge of 3D CAD. Websites like STL Finder give access to many thousands of designs.

[Dave Ward]

I've also found that the Internet is a huge resource of CAD designs that can either be purchased or are absolutely free, and that don't really require any knowledge of 3D CAD. Websites like STL Finder give access to many thousands of designs.

Steve,
Thingiverse & Cults are my first stop & Prusa's Printables.com has a few nice models. You have to wade through all the Fantasy & Space Wargaming stuff, as the titling of models isn't the best...........
Dave

[bowman]

Steve,
Thingiverse & Cults are my first stop & Prusa's Printables.com has a few nice models. You have to wade through all the Fantasy & Space Wargaming stuff, as the titling of models isn't the best...........
Dave

Dave,
I find Thingiverse very good, but not so much with Cults. The thing I like about STL Finder is the huge number of designs available in one place.
Steve

[Scratchbuilder]

Hi Michael,
Like you, I struggled in the beginning with 3D CAD, as the packages that I tried were anything but intuitive. I finally settled on Autodesk Fusion 360, mainly because there is a free version which does most things that I think I need and its no more complicated that the other packages. It takes a lot of perseverance and trial and error, but I can now produce relatively simple components like track links and Scimitar road wheels, neither of which would I want to try scratchbuilding just because of the tedium.

I've also found that the Internet is a huge resource of CAD designs that can either be purchased or are absolutely free, and that don't really require any knowledge of 3D CAD. Websites like STL Finder give access to many thousands of designs.

Sorry for the late reply Steve,
Many thanks for that info I will give it a go and see where it leads.
Cheers
Mike.