This past week was relaxing. Didn’t get too many JDs and pretty much just got to do what I wanted. I did get a spot in the garden tilled before the rains came and now we are waiting for it to dry out so I can plant the garlic. Also, we had lunch with some out of town friends.
I did have a few things printed for Judy to see when she arrived home and it seems she was pretty happy with what I achieved. If you wonder why everything is yellow, it because the material used for printing (called filament) comes in big rolls, which takes a long time to use. If left out in the ambient air, the material absorbs moisture and that impacts print quality. I have other unopened colors of filament, but i don’t want to use them until I have a better way to control moisture. So for right now, its yellow or orange.
I saw where someone online had printed a nameplate and I thought that would be a good thing to try. There were instructions provided but they were hard to follow, mostly because I was not familiar with the design software being used. I tried to learn the software as I went, but it was too complicated. Not being one who gives up easily, I decided to try my hand a designing a name plate with another program (Tinkercad) which is much easier to use. I thought Addie could use a name plate and I wanted to make it in the shape of an L. Her first name is on the vertical part of the L and her last name on the horizontal part. After I had the design completed, I had to put it through another program (called a slicer) which makes the design understandable to the specific printer I am using. The sliced design was then loaded into the printer and I started printing right before going to bed. The name plate took over 5 hours to print. In the morning, I took a look and it worked well except for the E in Addie. The filament is hot and soft when it comes out of the printer, so when printing on the horizontal parts of the E, there was no support, causing issues with the filament. I should have known better but it was a good first hand learning experience. I went back to my design and added some supports that could be removed after the print was completed. Also, the slicer program can automatically add support, so I used that too. I restarted the print and 5 hours later, it was done. Bingo, it worked! Now I had too much support that all had to be removed, but better safe than sorry. A before and after picture shows you the difference in the Es. (The good one is on the bottom.)
Now I have the printing bug pretty bad. There is a lot to learn so it will keep me busy for a long time. It even gives me something to do in the evenings when Judy is knitting and it might even keep the TV “off” for awhile!
Mushrooms are on the agenda for this week and more outside work if things dry up a bit.
One more important thing. Cat needs a warm place to sleep for the winter. We bought her one of those heated houses last year, but she wouldn’t go in it. This year I am going to work with an elevated platform and a heated mat. More to come.
Valerie Zagami says
The printer is just amazing and what wonderful items you made. Good for you. The ideas and projects are going to be life changers in the future. Seems like you had a good time while the other half was away.
Carolyn says
When I retired everyone told me how bored I would be. It hasn’t happened yet. I’m proud you have found something to keep you busy. Yes, I know Judy has a long list to keep you active.
pat says
very nice. Can you reuse the filament again.
Vince says
Hello Pat. I understand it can be reused so I am saving my waste.
Diane Russell says
Looks like you are having fun, and keeping busy at the same time. Love what you have shown. I do wonder how long it will take you to make things that can be used like in your mushrooms and your hunting, something like a stock rest for the rifle. Tablet and phone rests would be great and useful. I will enjoy watching what you make and use.
pandrpeele says
It’s good to find new things that keep the brain cells lubricated. I still don’t understand 3D printing but it has so many applications. I am an amputee and was excited to see the arm prosthetic that the young boy made for the girl in England. Good luck with the mushrooms. Mushroom Mountain and Tradd and Olga Cotter are such an exciting and educationable place to visit.
dezertsuz says
That looks great. I’m not sure what all the printed things are, but they look good, anyway! Addie should be happy with her name plate. I’ve had things that were 3D printed, but I’m enjoying seeing what the process is. Good luck with your mushroom planting this week!
Susan Torrens says
Good job on your printing! My son has finally found time to “play” with his, and there is certainly a learning curve. He has built a “dry box” for his filament, and finds that it helps a lot. He’s been playing with programming, and has made some accessories for his 4 year old son. His latest was a spider cookie cutter so they could bake spider cookies for Hallowe’en, tinted black of course!
It certainly is a good hobby, and you can make some very interesting items!
Priscilla says
Cat might feel trapped in the house with it on the ground and only one way in and out. Maybe elevating it on a table would let her feel safer in it. With all the varmints out there she has to be careful to have an escape route.
Judy Laquidara says
It actually isn’t on the ground but up on a platform where she sleeps often . . just not in the house. Also, you can go into the little house from either the back or the front, though I’m not sure she knows that.
Penny Holliday says
I had no idea what you could do/make with a 3-D printer ~ rather amazing! Are you limited by the size of computer as to maximum size of anything you make or can you make pieces then somehow bond them strongly together? I do hope you will share the process of growing mushrooms, also!
Vince says
Hello Penny There are limitations based on the printer, but with good designs, many things can be pieced together.
Nelle Coursey says
This is great! Wonder if you can paint it using acrylic paints?? You could then spray it with the clear sealant. You could do Addie’s in rainbow colors, since she is into Unicorns! Cat is one lucky cat to have you two as its masters! Oh, I forgot, cats can’t be mastered!
Bon says
You sure have been having a great time with your new toy. Could you use the Food Saver to make a sealed package for the filament?
Vince says
Bon there are a few different things I am looking into. If all else fails, I will have Judy freeze dry it! 🙂