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A suggestion to FSM about a 3D printing forum ( a positive)

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  • Member since
    September 2012
A suggestion to FSM about a 3D printing forum ( a positive)
Posted by GMorrison on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 10:07 AM

FSM,

There has been such a surge in 3D printing in modeling that it seems to be useful in ways not previously available to modelers.

I would think that a dedicated forum for 3D printing would have a lot of interest and be very popular.

Members here purchase from online sources, often able to order at custom scales. Many are also uploading designs as online authors and starting "cloud garage" industries.

 

Bill

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by JoeSMG on Sunday, March 21, 2021 2:25 PM

I'll add my agreement to this thread. I scanned this forum specifically to see if a request to create a 3D model design and printing forum already existed and if not, to create one. Having found such a thread, I'm a bit surprised to see I'm only the second person to post to it, considering how many references I've seen in other threads to 3D printers being used to augment kits and dioramas.

- Joe the SMG

  • Member since
    March 2020
Posted by Faux fisherman on Sunday, March 21, 2021 2:31 PM

You can add me to the list I have been printing parts for a few years now.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Sunday, March 21, 2021 2:35 PM

I would like that as well.  I got an SLA printer from a friend and would love to be able to get tips from experienced users.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    January 2021
Posted by JoeSMG on Sunday, March 21, 2021 4:36 PM

I guess we could always use this thread? :)

- Joe the SMG

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Sunday, March 21, 2021 6:11 PM

Hello!

I personally have a few threads on finescale.com that are 3D-Printing (and 3D modelling for that matter) related.

I'm not a big fan of "1000 forums watch where you post newbe" approach, but that idea (3D-forum) might have something in it!

Good luck with your modelling projects and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Thursday, March 25, 2021 11:23 AM

On the one hand, it makes sense to add a section for 3D printing, under Tools, for example.  3D printing is becoming quite popular and common among modelers.

On the other hand, it'd be just one more forum that people would ignore, as they post their questions about 3D printing in the Welcome, General Modeling, and Ready Room forums.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, March 25, 2021 12:20 PM

I don't know anything about it (I know how they work). I have been intrested in looking into one but am hesitant due to possable cost. I don't know what it would take but am intrested to find out. I mean once you have the printer, how much is the resin, software ETC?

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Bethlehem PA
Posted by the Baron on Friday, March 26, 2021 8:29 AM

For those interested in 3D printing (and drafting/sculpting), you might want to see if you have a FabLab in your area.

It's a digital fabrication facility (I think the name came from a British TV show), open to the public, that lets people learn and experiment with digital technology at its intersection with manufacturing or production technologies.  We have on here in Bethlehem, for example; it's affiliated with our local community college. 

Among other features, it has facilities for 3D drafting and printing.  You can take classes through the college, or just sign up to use the facility on your own.  I think there's a modest annual subscription that offers full use of the facility, including instruction, but you can just go in and talk free of charge.

Local businesses also provide support and sponsorship to ours.  For example, Martin Guitars operates a luthiery, a workshop for making stringed instruments.  They send their new employees there as apprentices to work, before integrating them into their workshop.  But if you want to make yourself an acoustic guitar, you could sign up and do it there.  And see how digital technology is part of the process.

They also have a metal shop and a wood shop, and a sound studio.

The 3D printing facility is sponsored and supported by a local manufacturer of artificial limbs for people who have been injured or who have a congenital deformity.  I got to talk to the owner about his product and his own facility.  For children who need an artificial limb, especially, the traditional method of fitting and crafting the limb isn't as efficient as using 3D drafting and printing to do it.  It's faster and less expensive.  And that's how he started out.  His own facility fits in a large 3-bay pole barn.

Another sponsor of ours is SmoothOn.  They're located here in the Lehigh Valley, and they provide demonstrations and instruction on mold-making and casting.

Here's a link to a list of such facilities in the US.  If you live somewhere else, just follow the link and then filter it for your own country.

https://www.fablabs.io/labs?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q%5Bcountry_code_eq%5D=US&q%5Bactivity_status_eq%5D=active&per=25&commit=Filter

On a tangential note, our local club lost its meeting place, an AC Moore store, when they went out of business. I looked into holding our meetings at the FabLab.  The director was glad to have us, we would have had access to the facility, and we could show off the kinds of things you could do.  But the guys voted it down.  Still, I keep it as an option for the future, because it's an incredible opportunity for a bunch of scale modelers, to have access to 3D drafting and printing facilities, and mold-making and resin casting, all free of charge.

The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen.

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Friday, March 26, 2021 9:03 AM

Thanks Baron,

Looking at your map it looks like the closest one to Boise is in Montana. Idaho is growing fast though someone may start one near me soon.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

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