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Vacu-formed vs 3D printer


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Hey guys. I have some questions that i hope you can help me with. I know most people buy the Vacu-Formed plastic armor parts then trim, paint and assemble for their set. I also know that some people use 3D printers to make the armor parts and assemble from there. My questions are as followed.
 
1. With out bringing up cost, can 3D printed parts make a quality set equal to traditional molded plastic for approval?
 
2. I’m 6’3 and built like a dump truck so 3D printed parts that are scaled to my size appeal to me, are there larger molded plastic kits aside from “standard”?
 
3. Who are some reputable vendors for molded kits?
 
4. Who are reputable vendors for 3D files to download or buy from?
 
5. Are molded kits more durable than 3D? Or Vice versa?

6. Once sanded and painted properly, does a 3D printed plastic look good? I’ve seen some that look more like painted “foam” vs a painted plastic.
 
Thank you for any feedback. I intend to buy a 3D printer either way for small parts and weapons but I see the appeal for just printing my entire set.
 
Thanks.
 
Mike.
 
 
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Hey Mike!

Here's some quick answers for you

1.   Yes absolutely.  We have plenty of Shoretroopers with 3D printed kits.  Here's a good example of one:

2.  Shoretrooper armor can be shimmed as necessary to expand it for bigger folks, but I'd say you may want to skip KW Designs as that kit is fairly slim.  

3.  We have a list of vendors here:

4.  Sean Fields is probably the most popular.  Joel Carter and Nico Henderson are also popular makers of 3D files.  

5.  By all accounts, vacuum formed plastic does hold up better to the rigors of trooping but it is completely possible to build a sturdy suit from 3D prints.  Several Shoretroopers are doing it already.

6.  Absolutely, please check out the example I posted above.  Many more 3D builds can be found here:

http://forum.501stpathfinders.com/index.php?/forum/129-shoretrooper-wip/

Hope this helps get your started.  Please check out our Shoretrooper Armory for more details:

http://forum.501stpathfinders.com/index.php?/forum/119-the-shoretrooper-armory/

 

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I'm building a 3D printed helmet. I reinforced the inside with some fiberglass. You don't need to rely on the strength of the 3D print itself to get you through some troops.

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I'm building a 3D printed helmet. I reinforced the inside with some fiberglass. You don't need to rely on the strength of the 3D print itself to get you through some troops.


I’ve watched several videos where people use fiberglass resin to help smooth out the ridges and even out the surface. Is this what you’re taking about? Or something else?




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I’ve watched several videos where people use fiberglass resin to help smooth out the ridges and even out the surface. Is this what you’re taking about? Or something else?




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No. Like full on using fiberglass (cut in strips) with epoxy resin and building up a few layers inside the bucket. Once that's done, I brush or spray plastidip over it.

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4.  Sean Fields is probably the most popular.  Joel Carter and Nico Henderson are also popular makers of 3D files.  

 


Where can I find the files these guys made? Are they listed on a website? Etsy or Facebook?


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Thanks!

I just bought my printer and can’t wait to start on my Trooper!


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What printer did you get?

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What printer did you get?

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I bought the Creality Ender 3 Pro. Supposedly the best 3D printer under $300. I’ll upgrade to a larger one in a couple years but for $250 it’s a great entry model.


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On 5/11/2019 at 9:20 AM, Revan0085 said:

 


I bought the Creality Ender 3 Pro. Supposedly the best 3D printer under $300. I’ll upgrade to a larger one in a couple years but for $250 it’s a great entry model.


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I’ve got the Creality Ender 3 base model with a SeeMeCNC EZstruder extruder assembly and the quality that comes of of it puts my Robo R1+ To shame and I’ve had to do less fiddling with the Ender than the Robo. Great little machine. Just wish it was the size of its big brother the CR-10s 

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14 minutes ago, Arminius said:

What do you think of a custom printer but made to work as a Prusa i3? I'm planning to print a shoretrooper too but I don't know if my friend's printer will hold?

That’d really depend on the machine to be honest. I’ve owned five different printers over the years and technically if it’s a desktop fdm printer it’s a Prusa clone of some sort unless it’s a delta. How well does his machine put out product or is it new to the both of you?

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3 hours ago, Arminius said:

It's pretty much a clone of a Prusa and I'd say that it handles pretty well,he's been working on a Starkiller helmet and it looks pretty well

 

Should be perfectly fine then as long as the pieces fit the print area you should be golden! 

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  • 3 weeks later...

I 3D printed 80 percent of my armor using Sean’s files and Nico’s helmet files. No fiberglass used on any of the parts. 3D printed on a Formbot T-Rex 3.0 large format printer. I used Simplify 3D software and 20 percent infill with all walls upper, lower and sides at 4. My armor and all parts are heavier but sturdy in PLA. I was skeptical about 3D printing armor but was proven wrong. I love what I am able to do with my 3D Printer.

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