A Different Direction..............

[Neil Merryweather]

Had a spool of 1 kg of PLA filament delivered today - wasn't expecting this until next week. I had an email confirming that the 3D printer will be delivered tomorrow - actually quite excited about this! Shows how mundane my life is in the Autumn/Winter!
Dave

No Dave this is the FUTURE!

[langy71]

Right guys, start compiling your orders for Dave to print up...

(ooooo the possibilities are endless....) :thumb2: :thumb2: :thumb2:

[Jim R]

Shows how mundane my life is in the Autumn/Winter!

No Dave, it's the sad people who spend the day watching the mind numbing dross on daytime TV who have the mundane life. Your life has purpose and as Neil says 3D printing will work its way into the hobby more and more.

[adt70hk]

Good luck with it Dave!

[Tim Marlow]

Sounds like a real fun learning curve ahead Dave. Good luck with it….

[Dave Ward]

Initially, I will be printing some simple stuff, Thingiverse has a lot of free models, including upgrade bits for the printer - like a different shroud for the part cooling fan. This is to familiarise myself with how the printer works and what to expect by using existing files.
I'm using FreeCAD, for producing my own 3D Models. I reckon the first object I'll have a go at is a TET bottle holder ( to prevent knockover! ).
I had set myself a total initial budget of £100, and so far I'm £2.01 under that for printer & 1 spool of PLA.
PLA filament is anything from £10-£20 for 1 kg ( I got mine discounted by taking a random colour - not important in initial tests! ) - what that will make depends on how many screw-ups I make - and I'm certain that there will be quite a few.
Things like a 1/35 Individual track link jig, or an aircraft assembly holder are also in my head. As I've already said I've had years of experience in designing engineering parts, ideas aren't a problem, it's the self-printing that's new
I realise that it's going to be a slow process ( a YouTube video of a print failing after 2 days was thought provoking ), but - baby steps......................
Dave

[Neil Merryweather]

Initially, I will be printing some simple stuff, Thingiverse has a lot of free models, including upgrade bits for the printer - like a different shroud for the part cooling fan. This is to familiarise myself with how the printer works and what to expect by using existing files.
I'm using FreeCAD, for producing my own 3D Models. I reckon the first object I'll have a go at is a TET bottle holder ( to prevent knockover! ).
I had set myself a total initial budget of £100, and so far I'm £2.01 under that for printer & 1 spool of PLA.
PLA filament is anything from £10-£20 for 1 kg ( I got mine discounted by taking a random colour - not important in initial tests! ) - what that will make depends on how many screw-ups I make - and I'm certain that there will be quite a few.
Things like a 1/35 Individual track link jig, or an aircraft assembly holder are also in my head. As I've already said I've had years of experience in designing engineering parts, ideas aren't a problem, it's the self-printing that's new
I realise that it's going to be a slow process ( a YouTube video of a print failing after 2 days was thought provoking ), but - baby steps......................
Dave

That's the way to go Dave.
I've made loads of gadgets and improvements myself over the years.
looking forward to seeing what you produce

[adt70hk]

Initially, I will be printing some simple stuff, Thingiverse has a lot of free models, including upgrade bits for the printer - like a different shroud for the part cooling fan. This is to familiarise myself with how the printer works and what to expect by using existing files.
I'm using FreeCAD, for producing my own 3D Models. I reckon the first object I'll have a go at is a TET bottle holder ( to prevent knockover! ).
I had set myself a total initial budget of £100, and so far I'm £2.01 under that for printer & 1 spool of PLA.
PLA filament is anything from £10-£20 for 1 kg ( I got mine discounted by taking a random colour - not important in initial tests! ) - what that will make depends on how many screw-ups I make - and I'm certain that there will be quite a few.
Things like a 1/35 Individual track link jig, or an aircraft assembly holder are also in my head. As I've already said I've had years of experience in designing engineering parts, ideas aren't a problem, it's the self-printing that's new
I realise that it's going to be a slow process ( a YouTube video of a print failing after 2 days was thought provoking ), but - baby steps......................
Dave

Will follow this with interest Dave.

[JR]

Dave.
Great idea and sure with your background you will soon make a success of it . Defiantly going to be the future of modelling additions and none standard items.
Like Andrew I will follow .

[The Smythe Meister]

......... am i reading that correctly?!!......
..... Did you say £100 for a printer and a spool Dave?!!!:flushed:

[Dave Ward]

......... am i reading that correctly?!!......
..... Did you say £100 for a printer and a spool Dave?!!!:flushed:

No, the PLA spool cost me £8.99,The printer was £72 & delivery was £17, one of those Ebay spots - that you only find when you spend far too much time on the site!
I only spend about 3 hrs a day on the computer these days, spread over the complete day. Before I retired, I used to spend at least 6 hours, more or less consecutively a day - needless to say, we had free eye tests & prescription glasses & the monitors were always large top of the range CRT's, & the first LED screens I'd seen apart from a laptop
Dave

[Dave Ward]

A delivery from EVRI - who do actually seem to perform better than their previous identity of Hermes......

And just cracking the box for the first layer

A lot heavier than I thought!
Dave

[Dave Ward]

A quick look in the box, to check all the major parts are there - which they are. The real weight comes from the guide rods, lead screws & stepper motors. There are loads of packets of bolts, nuts, washers etc - no paper manual, it's all on a thumb drive with links to the YouTube assembly videos ( already watched twice ). It's a real DIY project, only a few things pre-assembled - included are a spanner, screw driver, side cutter, cable ties & cable tidies. One thing that is missing is a UK power lead, but I think I have a drawer full of these!
One thing that confounded me was a packet of what I thought were balloons, or small condoms!

I'm sure all will be revealed somewhere along the line!
Don't know whether to start a new thread on assembling this thing, or continue on using this one
Dave

[Jim R]

Really interested Dave. Like all the tech the price comes down steeply. My wife bought one of the first mobile phones. It was the size of a brick, only made and received calls and cost £86. That was probably 30+ years ago.
As John said with your background and your small steps approach I've no doubt you'll have success.

[Tim Marlow]

Looking in with interest Dave, if nothing else to find out what the finger packages are for…….
I’d keep the build phase in this thread as well :thumb2: