Adventures with a 3D printer

[Neil Merryweather]

Jim, I think the real delay in uptake in military and aircraft modelling is due to the demographic of our hobby. The fantasy world is full of stuff to download and print for yourself and many youngsters already have their own printers.
I guess also with fantasy there's no research required, (except maybe for Star Wars rivet counters), so it's easy to create whatever you want.
I believe that if more young people were in our hobby we would see alot more progress

[Gary MacKenzie]

Neil , I also think that a lot of the military modelling stuff isn't advertised the same way that the ''Warhammer'' stuff is.

Here's one prolific 3d modeller @ https://es.3dexport.com/artejaol
and another https://cults3d.com/en/users/HomeBrewParts/creations

some stuff free , others at reasonable prices.

[Jim R]

One thing that is immediately clear from those links, Gary, is just how unusual many of the items are. Where else can you get children playing leapfrog.

[David Lovell]

Tec side is way over my head but what you've done so far is brilliant please keep us all up to speed with your endeavours I for one am more than happy to just stare in wonder . Dave

[Valeron]

I remember about 5 years ago, a mate of mine who always buys the latest gadgets spend ages in the pub one night trying to explain 3D printers to a group of us. We all enjoyed his conversation but thought he was a bit nuts and it wouldn't come to anything.

And my whole career was in IT so and I thought I was up with technology and the future. I obviously wasn't.

[Tim Marlow]

I remember about 5 years ago, a mate of mine who always buys the latest gadgets spend ages in the pub one night trying to explain 3D printers to a group of us. We all enjoyed his conversation but thought he was a bit nuts and it wouldn't come to anything.

And my whole career was in IT so and I thought I was up with technology and the future. I obviously wasn't.

Had a similar conversation years ago with a mate who was a professional photographer. He was convinced that digital photography would never go beyond mass point and push cameras because the resolution would never match wet film. Within five years wet film had gone the way of the dinosaur and digital was all conquering. I think 3D printing is at that point now. In a couple of years improvements in ease of use and reductions in costs will make them all conquering, just like inkjet printers.

[Mini Me]

And yet, we still listen to vinyl records on vacuum tube stereophonic record players............go figure.

[Tim Marlow]

And yet, we still listen to vinyl records on vacuum tube stereophonic record players............go figure.

Well I do anyway Rick. North side of 1500 vinyl disks and about 600 CDs here, all genres. Got a great all British components based system that has taken a lot of time and money to acquire over the years. Never had tube kit though, even though it can sound better, it’s too expensive and unreliable for me. Quite like the idea of a wind up gramophone, but don’t have the room. I expect there are those that still listen to Edison wax cylinders out there somewhere…….but we are all very much in the minority :tongue-out3:
Trouble is, despite us throwbacks and hair shirters, the vast majority of the population stream their music through smart speakers because they like the simplicity and ease of use, and are not really concerned about sound fidelity. The same will be true of 3D printing, convenience will trump fidelity and hand building every time for the mass market.

[Mini Me]

Exactly...better? In some cases certainly...over all?.... Not necessarily.

[Neil Merryweather]

I remember about 5 years ago, a mate of mine who always buys the latest gadgets spend ages in the pub one night trying to explain 3D printers to a group of us. We all enjoyed his conversation but thought he was a bit nuts and it wouldn't come to anything.

And my whole career was in IT so and I thought I was up with technology and the future. I obviously wasn't.

I was using the technology for work in the early noughties, but it was crazily expensive in those days. I must admit I am surprised at how cheap and accessible the good stuff is now

[Neil Merryweather]

Exactly...better? In some cases certainly...over all?.... Not necessarily.

As far as my world, figure modelling, is concerned the free stuff is not really up to snuff for me. Although there are undoubtedly some talented digital sculptors around, they are charging proper money for their work, and most do not sell the digital files anyway. But for accessories etc , I love it.

[Tim Marlow]

Exactly...better? In some cases certainly...over all?.... Not necessarily.

For HiFi you can’t beat Naim Rick. It‘s not the most accurate, but it really boogies.
My guitar amp is all tube though Rick…..even though the best modelling software now matches them you can’t beat the visceral power you get from a well set up tube power amp..

[Mini Me]

Know what you mean Tim, my radios all have tubes and powered speakers....produce wonderful sounds.

[Tim Marlow]

Know what you mean Tim, my radios all have tubes and powered speakers....produce wonderful sounds.

Can’t beat tubes for voice reproduction :thumb2:

[Gary MacKenzie]

As far as my world, figure modelling, is concerned the free stuff is not really up to snuff for me. Although there are undoubtedly some talented digital sculptors around, they are charging proper money for their work, and most do not sell the digital files anyway. But for accessories etc , I love it.

Not sure what scales you normally work in , but i am impressed with this figure ( it was a free one )

https://www.treatstock.co.uk/3d-printable-models/7386299-wasp-wwii-pilot

I got it free a while ago , its a 188meg stl file.