My 3D printer kit arrived yesterday. Since I had already downloaded the instructions I already knew what it would look like. Most of the structure is good grade plywood. I am contemplating whether to paint the plywood pieces. Would certainly help the appearance, and might protect the plywood from moisture, though my walkout basement is fairly dry. I got a revised model, with larger stepper motors- I guess I was lucky. Now to build it. I can take my time- I am just getting started learning 3D CAD!
Wow, Don! You are going all high tech on us now. Here’s to your success. [t$t]
Wow! Don, you have to post pics of all this! You’re on the cutting edge my friend! Teach us oh wise one!
Eagle90
Yes, please post pix, Don! I have never seen one, and I think they work by black magic!
Google Printrbot Simple (watch spelling). I am waiting for a reply to their tech support on whether it would be okay to paint plywood parts before I start.
Congrats,looking forward to see what it can do
[:P]
You should FUTURE it, of course! [;)]
Consider Sketchup, It’s free, 3D-oriented, has a huge library (online) of 3D models already available, & you can get free add-ons to output .STL files ready for errr 3D printing!
Thanks, I’ll look into Sketchup. I am trying Open Source CAD now, but am thinking of trying various others to find one I like best.
Hey don, keep in mind the week point in plywood vs moisture are the edges. Don’t know how the kit arrived,but you’ll want to seal them if raw. Then there are other options like iron on edge banding or a vinyl T molding
Future it. That’s funny. 
Hope you keep us filled in as you move along, Don. I’m quite interested in the technology. Can’t see myself actually doing it, but one never knows.
Wait, maybe I could assign projects to the CAD guys at work. Hmmmm. [^o)]
Viva the Next Industrial Revolution!
The good news: The home of the future has arrived.
The bad news: It’s a flat-pack.
You are the man Don! Hope you will give as much insight as you do with your airbrush evaluations.
I have decided to paint it, even if just for appearance. It looks like the plywood is either marine or aircraft grade, so it may not be water sensitive anyway. And the char on the edges might produce further waterproofing. But the pieces sure look nice painted Hey, what modeler would leave a kit unpainted, huh?
One has to be careful downloading latest instructions. All the instructions, software, etc. are downloaded from their web site, and they apparently do upgrades frequently. Mine has bigger motors and a cooling fan compared to original. Construction is underway, but stopped till I go out this morning to buy a set of metric allen wrenches!
Don’t forget to get the PE set for that, and the Eduard painting masks.
Looking forward to seeing this thing in action. What’cha ‘printing’ first?
Well, I was considering the conversion of the Revell 1:32 Super Cub to a J-3. I thought changes were all firewall-forward. That would require scratchbuilding a Continental A-65 engine. But folks in another forum (civil aircraft) have told me the Super had a lot of other differences from J-3 in fuselage and wings. So I think I probably will not do that project. Other idea I had was a Stinson model A. Wing is complex, double taper. I hate carving airfoils. So printing a wing would be a way out. Wing is longer than working space of printer, so I’ll need to print it in four pieces rather than the two I would use in a carved wing.
Don,
I went online to look at the various “YouTube” videos on the PrintrBot-seems amazingly simple, clever, and reasonably priced. As you know, for some extra money($100?) they will put it together for some people who are challenged this way. I do wonder how study the wooden gears will be in the long run, but I’m sure they tested that already. I’ve been watching the prices on these machines plummet over the last 2 yrs. so I’ll be interested in how it works for you-seems like a modeler’s dream to fabricate difficult to find parts.
Hey Don, can you do clear parts? I need a 1/32 F-16 canopy!? [;)]
Eagle90
That’s awesome Don, yes Sketchup like what was mentioned earlier may be worth looking at for any CNC machine.
The Makerbot looks interesting too for 3D printed parts. I’m waiting for the price of them to come down a bit, it would be nice if I can make my own 3D parts if possible.
Don, I’m also thinking about getting a 3D printer. The possibilities are increasing exponentialy, with alll the new materials that continue to appear. It’s an exciting time.
Hey Don,
When do we get to see one of these from the new 3D shop you’re setting up? Imagining the possibilities …