Revan0085 Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikerScout007 Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 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/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOtrooper Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 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. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revan0085 Posted May 9, 2019 Author Share Posted May 9, 2019 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:[/url] 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/ Awesome! Thanks for the links and info!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revan0085 Posted May 9, 2019 Author Share Posted May 9, 2019 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?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOtrooper Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 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?Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkNo. 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.Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revan0085 Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 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? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScaryGuy Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 You can download Sean’s files, and the modifications made by Joel, here: http://shoretrooper.co.uk/ Nico Henderson’s files are not free, you can find him on facebook. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revan0085 Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 You can download Sean’s files, and the modifications made by Joel, here:http://shoretrooper.co.uk/ Nico Henderson’s files are not free, you can find him on facebook.Thanks!I just bought my printer and can’t wait to start on my Trooper!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOtrooper Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Thanks!I just bought my printer and can’t wait to start on my Trooper!Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkWhat printer did you get?Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revan0085 Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 What printer did you get?Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using TapatalkI 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowfanny Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 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. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowfanny Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowfanny Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHEEPDOG54 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 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. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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