Down the rabbit hole

[bent]

My boss at work bought a nice 3d printer for me as a 20 yr. thank-you gift.  It's a MakerGear M2...which apparently is struggling to stay in business.  But the kit is pretty nice (glad it wasn't my money), and once I got up the initial learning curve, it's pretty interesting.  I'm using the open source Slic3r program for slicing, and the "demo" print controller that came with the printer.  Trying to figure out how to use the open source pronterface code that is suggested as a print controller, but not having much luck with it.

Printed the "Benchy" test print, but chose one off Thingiverse called "We're Gonna Need a Bigger Benchy" because it just fits my sense of humor. (pic below)

The first useful item printed was a part I knocked out in about 5 minutes - a leather stamp with #3 son's initials. (pics of the stamp and test impression on some oak-tanned leather below)

Like with other things, this appears to be a nice time suck for when I'm retired...

[crueby]

Love the new version of Benchy!

[Kim]

Looks like a lot of fun!
I'm going to have to get one of these myself someday...

When I need yet another time sink! 
Kim

[ddmckee54]

Beware of the 3D printing rabbit hole....  It NEVER releases its' victims.  DAMHIK

Don

[bent]

LOL.  I'll carry my rabbit rifle with me...

I have in mind some ideas for tooling using the 3d printer, up to and including some casting of stuff.  Probably just start with pewter in a PLA->silicone mold->pewter casting chain. 

But there are also a lot of sheet metal bending dies and jigs I could put together using PLA parts, and some measurement tools, a few spare cutting squares, maybe a leather stitching pony...I'd better retire soon, the list keeps growing!
 

[ddmckee54]

I'd better retire soon, the list keeps growing!

Bent I hear you, I'm going to retire in a couple of years.  The way I figure it my list of projects that I want to do when I retire should keep me busy... until I'm about 120.

Don

[bent]

LOL, too true, Don.

Funny thing - yesterday I finished up a quicky build of a manual hydraulic pump for a customer, who asked for one through our sales team.  Asked the boss if it was good to go, and we commiserated that Sales would probably want their input, and we'd have to paint it candy apple red and put flames on it.  The boss then mentioned a hood ornament.

They really need to learn that  you shouldn't say things like that to an engineer with access to a 3d printer....

Printed out a small 2" high model of the Rolls Royce flying lady and brought it in today...got a few laughs.

[crueby]

Perfect!   

[cnr6400]

bent - what, no 3D printed stencil for the flame paintjob?   

Nice going on the printed hood ornament idea!