First Attempt with 3d printing to fabricate useful tools

[jhiggi83]

Im trying to learn tinkercad so I can mockup custom solutions for stuff in my shop since alot of what I find online doesn't quite fit my need. Honestly figuring at the gas software on my own was the hardest part and most of that was me psyching myself out. These are my first 2 designs, a simple dust collection hood to attach to my 4" dust hose, and a chisel holder that holds my 4 most used chisels.They wont win any competitions and I still need to test the hood that was based loosely on Rockler dust rite hood. Still need to work out mounting but im leaning towards a camera boom and using heat set threded inserts.

 

[d_bondi]

Nice work! I love designing and printing things for the shop!

I too used TinkerCAD for a while and then wanted something more powerful so I am teaching myself Fusion (used to be Fusion 360, but they dropped the 360). There is a "free" for personal use version that has all the capabilities and is only limited by the number of "active" models you can have. That is set to 10, but it isn't an issue because you can toggle them from Editable to Read-Only quite easily.

 

[jhiggi83]

Nice work! I love designing and printing things for the shop!

I too used TinkerCAD for a while and then wanted something more powerful so I am teaching myself Fusion (used to be Fusion 360, but they dropped the 360). There is a "free" for personal use version that has all the capabilities and is only limited by the number of "active" models you can have. That is set to 10, but it isn't an issue because you can toggle them from Editable to Read-Only quite easily.

Thanks, I didn't know there was a free version of fusion, I'll have to check it out. My biggest struggle with tinkercad was figuring out how you make voids and shape your piece but I found a tutorial on it. Still not very intuitive but it works

 

[KenB259]

Very nice.

 

[d_bondi]

Thanks, I didn't know there was a free version of fusion, I'll have to check it out. My biggest struggle with tinkercad was figuring out how you make voids and shape your piece but I found a tutorial on it. Still not very intuitive but it works

Fusion is so much more powerful, if you are going to put the effort into learning something, maybe it is worth it for you. I wish I had started my journey sooner.

 

[jhiggi83]

Fusion is so much more powerful, if you are going to put the effort into learning something, maybe it is worth it for you. I wish I had started my journey sooner.

Good Point, Ive only scratched the surface of tinkercad so it's totally worth it to pivot to fusion
. My only holdback was the cost but since there is a free version then that's no longer a barrier. I too wish I would have embraced my maker tendencies earlier in life instead of waiting until my 40's. Its one of the few thing in life that brings me joy

 

[SteveJ]

Nice work! My laptop isn't powerful enough to run Fusion, so I've been using Onshape, which is free, although the designs you print are technically open source (if someone an find them - which you can mask by giving them odd names!) I designed Duplo characters and train cars for my grandchildren.

The dust collector similar to what you designed is actually next on my list!

 

[NJturner]

Nice work!! So far, I am less than happy with my own embracing of the 3D printer. I've printed a fair amount of stuff where I can get the STL's, but really not put much effort into understanding more of the design side. Glad you are putting in the time - your stuff looks pretty well thought out to me!

Kevin

 

[jhiggi83]

Nice work! My laptop isn't powerful enough to run Fusion, so I've been using Onshape, which is free, although the designs you print are technically open source (if someone an find them - which you can mask by giving them odd names!) I designed Duplo characters and train cars for my grandchildren.

The dust collector similar to what you designed is actually next on my list!

I would be more than happy to share the file if it helps. It can be adapted to your needs, https://www.tinkercad.com/things/lG...e=8u0wJ_nQntdgLcvtB_d0bUnVzcg3L-k_2txfjfBBT3Y

 

[jhiggi83]

Nice work!! So far, I am less than happy with my own embracing of the 3D printer. I've printed a fair amount of stuff where I can get the STL's, but really not put much effort into understanding more of the design side. Glad you are putting in the time - your stuff looks pretty well thought out to me!

Kevin

Thanks, Ive had my x1 carbon for about 6 months but really only recently started trying to get my moneys worth. I am trying to start a Woodturning/Metalsmithing business and needed to get my shop in order. The 3d printer was originally supposed to support my pen turning but then I got in my own head with with the software.

 

[d_bondi]

Good Point, Ive only scratched the surface of tinkercad so it's totally worth it to pivot to fusion
. My only holdback was the cost but since there is a free version then that's no longer a barrier. I too wish I would have embraced my maker tendencies earlier in life instead of waiting until my 40's. Its one of the few thing in life that brings me joy

Well... you have a 20 year headstart on me. Back in the early days of my career, I learned and used AutoCAD, back when it was a non Windows program running on IBM PS2 Model 80s with a 16 button puck on a digitizer tablet. I had hoped that some of it would come back to me, but it is simply too different now. Lots of good stuff on YouTube though!!

 

[d_bondi]

Thanks, Ive had my x1 carbon for about 6 months but really only recently started trying to get my moneys worth. I am trying to start a Woodturning/Metalsmithing business and needed to get my shop in order. The 3d printer was originally supposed to support my pen turning but then I got in my own head with with the software.

Similar boat for me. I've had a Creality Ender 5 Pro for maybe 5 years. Upgraded a few things, put a Raspberry Pi on it to run OctoPi Server which has been good. But... it was as much work figuring things out as it was printing. Lots of tinkering.

So, I figured I'd get a new 3D printer and then I figured, Go Big of Go Home. I treated myself (for Christmas) and got a Bambu Lab H2S. Completely different animal. So much easier to use, so much faster, and the prints are so good! I am absolutely loving it.

Return on Investment.... likely not anytime soon, but I went into it eyes wide open on that front.

 

[jhiggi83]

Well... you have a 20 year headstart on me. Back in the early days of my career, I learned and used AutoCAD, back when it was a non Windows program running on IBM PS2 Model 80s with a 16 button puck on a digitizer tablet. I had hoped that some of it would come back to me, but it is simply too different now. Lots of good stuff on YouTube though!!

Same here, we learned auto cad in 9th grade woodshop on the old apple computers that had orange screens. I dont remember a thing from that and the software has came a long way in the last 30 years

 

[NJturner]

@jhiggi83 - thank you so very much for the share on the Tinkercad files! It is much appreciated!

I also bought my AnyCubic Cobra 3 as an add on to my pen blank making. I had hoped it would be good for creation of resin/3D hybrid blanks, but through lots of trial and error, I pretty much found that a filament printer will not do the job - so I quickly lost interest in it. But I started seeing other examples of where it could be put to use, like tool add-ons, organizational stuff, custom measuring things, etc and started to pick up some interest. The AnyCubic has been a challenge to getting this into my full shop flow - when it works, it works great, when it doesn't it is a nightmare. I think if I am going to really make a go of this, I need to do like you and @d_bondi have done and buy into a good quality printer. I'm instead looking at the potential for a good laser cutter/etcher. I've got a cheap NEJE that was given to me by a friend and it is fun to play with but is pretty limited in abilities. I don't sell my work, so all costs go to a 'hobby' so justifying the costs is something I always consider.

Kevin

 

[d_bondi]

The AnyCubic has been a challenge to getting this into my full shop flow - when it works, it works great, when it doesn't it is a nightmare. I think if I am going to really make a go of this, I need to do like you and @d_bondi have done and buy into a good quality printer.

Kevin

Kevin,

Sounds like your AnyCubic experience was similar to mine with the Creality Ender 5 Pro.

Bambu Lab has much more affordable printers, such as the P1S for $399. Who knows if my purchase of the H2S was the best choice, I just kind of figured, buy once cry once, you know?!?

 

[jhiggi83]

I pretty much found that a filament printer will not do the job - so I quickly lost interest in it.

I had similar experience back in 2018/19 when I first tried 3d printing with the original ender. I could not get a good print to save my life but the tech has come a long way and I am sold on any of Bambu's printer's. Ive printed honeycomb and helical inserts using pla metal. I bought the files from resin werks and although Zac recommends using a resin printer I have had success with filament. They will blow out though if your tools aren't sharp enough, and I finish them with gluboost. Here is an example I posted to SOYP https://www.penturners.org/threads/notus-pen-kits-made-with-my-own-blanks.184877/ .