3D-Printing Discussion Tips & Tricks

[Cendrilth]

3D-Printing Discussions, Tips & Tricks

Hey everyone

Since many of us seem to have 3D printers and are using them for Propmaking and Costume building
we had the idea of starting a discussion & help thread on the forums as not to clog up the other communication channels
with 3D-Printing blabbering.

Feel free to ask questions or post any tips, tricks, projects where you need help figuring out whats wrong and so on.
We also had the idea to share print profiles for different machines & materials that work out great etc.
I'll be updating the main Post here with any profiles and important advice so that you can see the most important stuff right ahead
Also if you have good filament suppliers in Europe please post them here with a little description why you like their filament in particular,
all of us will appreciate it

Recommended Filament brands/sellers



Printer Profiles

 

[Cendrilth]

I'll make the start because I already have a question in mind:

I've printed this wonderful 3D model for the Halo:Reach Shotgun from thingiverse and it's sliced in
many parts that had to be assembled. I glued all the parts together with 2 part Epoxy-Glue and over the
course of assembly and 3 Cons the prop broke in half after every event (4 times in total)...
I tried superglue, 2-Part-Epoxy and special plastic glue but I think PLA is just not the right material
for me or that length of a prop. I've also tried sanding the areas where I applied the glue beforehand
but that also didnt help. Do you have any ideas how I can glue this thing so it will last more than one Con
without snapping in half? It's printed in standard Janbex black PLA, but I get the feeling for the nex big project
I really want to upgrade my printer with an enclosure so it can print ABS.

 

[NotTheArbiter]

I'll make the start because I already have a question in mind:

I've printed this wonderful 3D model for the Halo:Reach Shotgun from thingiverse and it's sliced in
many parts that had to be assembled. I glued all the parts together with 2 part Epoxy-Glue and over the
course of assembly and 3 Cons the prop broke in half after every event (4 times in total)...
I tried superglue, 2-Part-Epoxy and special plastic glue but I think PLA is just not the right material
for me or that length of a prop. I've also tried sanding the areas where I applied the glue beforehand
but that also didnt help. Do you have any ideas how I can glue this thing so it will last more than one Con
without snapping in half? It's printed in standard Janbex black PLA, but I get the feeling for the nex big project
I really want to upgrade my printer with an enclosure so it can print ABS.

View attachment 287283 View attachment 287284 View attachment 287285

It's not the material itself. ABS will also "like" to break, maybe a bit later, but still not be that rigid as you'd like. The best idea would be to use Meshmixer and include guides for the next print or even better, place holes in it with Meshmixer, so you can put metal, wood or plastic rods or even small chunks in it when gluing it together. This will significantly strengthen the part and take lots of stress from the glued contact areas.
I also have a knife from Alice Madness Returns and have to redo it with a wooden inlay to connect blade with handle, as it always breaks way too easy.

 

[Haydenator]

When putting prints together, theres never enough adhesive of any type

 

[Masky]

I'll make the start because I already have a question in mind:

I've printed this wonderful 3D model for the Halo:Reach Shotgun from thingiverse and it's sliced in
many parts that had to be assembled. I glued all the parts together with 2 part Epoxy-Glue and over the
course of assembly and 3 Cons the prop broke in half after every event (4 times in total)...
I tried superglue, 2-Part-Epoxy and special plastic glue but I think PLA is just not the right material
for me or that length of a prop. I've also tried sanding the areas where I applied the glue beforehand
but that also didnt help. Do you have any ideas how I can glue this thing so it will last more than one Con
without snapping in half? It's printed in standard Janbex black PLA, but I get the feeling for the nex big project
I really want to upgrade my printer with an enclosure so it can print ABS.

View attachment 287283 View attachment 287284 View attachment 287285

I recently noticed older prints developing cracks between the layers due to temp stress so its not the best material for cosmetic parts. I still use it for structural parts like a sat dish holder but nothing that has to look pretty. PETG has a lot of the pros abs has but apparently its less likely to crack.

 

[SpartanII]

When putting prints together, theres never enough adhesive of any type

Depending on the filament have you tried 3D gloop

 

[Gixk2]

I'll make the start because I already have a question in mind:

I've printed this wonderful 3D model for the Halo:Reach Shotgun from thingiverse and it's sliced in
many parts that had to be assembled. I glued all the parts together with 2 part Epoxy-Glue and over the
course of assembly and 3 Cons the prop broke in half after every event (4 times in total)...
I tried superglue, 2-Part-Epoxy and special plastic glue but I think PLA is just not the right material
for me or that length of a prop. I've also tried sanding the areas where I applied the glue beforehand
but that also didnt help. Do you have any ideas how I can glue this thing so it will last more than one Con
without snapping in half? It's printed in standard Janbex black PLA, but I get the feeling for the nex big project
I really want to upgrade my printer with an enclosure so it can print ABS.

View attachment 287283 View attachment 287284 View attachment 287285

I use superglue initially, then I create a groove along join with V shaped attachment on woodburner, then 'solder' the v shaped join with a 3d pen, and then use flat end on a wood burner to level off any excess PLA. Then I sand it as flat as possible, apply filler if needed, etc etc. For longer, bigger props, I put holes in and run a dowel or rod through first.