Do you use your 3d printer to fix stuff around the house? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Beamin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 04:48:50 pm
content: Many times I had to replace things because a little plastic part breaks. You can't order parts anymore and things are made to break. But I hate being wasteful especially ewaste which just goes to africa where its burned into the air and water which goes into someones lungs and they have no idea that they are cutting their life in half. That's where a CRT goes when you recycle it. It doesn't really get recycled just made more toxic.But numerous times I have things like little plastic gears break or other things I can't make. Does 3d printing solve this? Is the filament durable enough to do this? Gears would be hard to make I would think.I was most pissed when a $400 carpet cleaner broke. I was able to fix the gaskets and many other parts with automotive stuff but this little plastic clip on the bottom broke that keeps the seal on the dirty water. The machine is useless without the suction. 400 bucks wasted by a little one inch plastic part. Its not a duct tape/glue solution because you need to be able to remove it frequently.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 04:53:28 pm
content: I do, like a drive belt for an old 8mm projector I made by printing a new one with Filaflex

author: CaptCrash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 05:04:17 pm
content: Yes quite a bit, I make tools and parts that I use for breeding marine fish and shrimp.One of the best parts I printed over the years was an odd shaped washer that fits into a hot water tap. It sits between the shaft and the handle and transfers the torque of the handle onto the shaft of the tap.The original broke in the middle of the night, I had a new one modelled and printed in an hour and hot water working again. The ABS printed replacement has been going for about 4-5 years now.The taps are no longer made, the part that broke is a hex shape with a domed cap that has a cut out along one side of the dome and the hex. So its quite an odd piece.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 07:46:35 pm
content: Generally what can be fixed with a 3D print could also have been done with sugru, epoxy, etc. for much less investment (time and money). Although it would not look as good.3D printing is more of a hobby, which is great if you're into that. But if youneeda one off plastic part, and want the overall cheapest solution, order it from an online 3d printing service.Do they not sell replacement parts for the carpet cleaner?

author: CM800
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 09:09:32 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on November 08, 2017, 07:46:35 pmDisagree,I used mine to print a wide diameter, thin washer for a shower valve.My printer cost £120A replacement shower valve for the model would have cost £180~ as it was an old model and the only part source was on ebay.

author: nes999
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 10:06:02 pm
content: I would love one, however I can't justify the costs for my needs.Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

author: jolshefsky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 10:16:05 pm
content: Quote from: nes999 on November 08, 2017, 10:06:02 pmIn the same vein as high-quality color printers, or computer-aided manufacturing, 3D printers fall into a category which fails my cost-benefit muster. Basically, the time it takes to learn all the ins-and-outs of the machine and ensure it is in working order mostly all the time is far more than I would like to invest for the occasional use. If I want a digital image printed huge at high resolution, I can go to my local print shop (the ones who know what they're doing) and their equipment is super expensive, regularly maintained, and they know how to use it. Likewise, if I want a 3D printed part, I'm pretty happy with Shapeways ... much happier thanI would be trying to figure out how to level the table and get the temperature right on the platen and keep room airflow away ...As it stands now, my FeCl tank sits basically unused since I always get prototype boards instead: they're incredibly high quality—the only advantage to doing it at home is time and I can afford to wait.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2017, 10:19:31 pm
content: Quote from: CM800 on November 08, 2017, 09:09:32 pmNice work. Do you have a photo of the washer?Is there any special features that would prevent you from cutting it from a flat sheet of rubber for example.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2017, 12:45:13 am
content: I purchased my printer primarily to learn a new skill - the design software.Having a finished real object is just the satisfaction at the end of the learning curve.My printer is in shipping and has not arrived yet, so the learning has not yet begun.I figured that once I had learned to use it I could probably make slightly more professional looking enclosures for my EE hobby projects.The idea of making replacement, hard to obtain, parts is interesting.I will have to do a lot more research on the materials that are best suited to certain applications.

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2017, 12:59:34 am
content: As long as you don't fall into the trap of only thinking in 3d printer terms, forgetting that other methods of reproducing something may turn out a superior part, you can do some fairly nice things with them.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2017, 01:01:53 am
content: I have a small milling machine and a lathe for stuff that needs steel/alloy parts...

author: Mr. Scram
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2017, 01:10:59 am
content: Quote from: Mr.B on November 09, 2017, 01:01:53 amIt was more of a general remark than aimed specifically at you, but I think 3d modelling at least some parts beforehand could help you with machining too. It can be a very useful intermediate to see whether your plan will actually work.

author: Mr.B
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 09, 2017, 01:16:15 am
content: Quote from: Mr. Scram on November 09, 2017, 01:10:59 amAgreed.Most of us do a schematic, test, lay out a board, etc. before we start soldering parts to copper...