3D Printer

[CC Clarke]

My print area is 12 x 12 x 12", which can handle 99% of the work I do. Depending on the scale of what you want to print, YMMV. The larger the boat, the longer it takes to print.

Printer recommendations are going to be all over the place since there are so many to choose from. You get what you pay for, but it doesn't make sense to spend >$1000 if you are just getting started.

If you only want to print only PLA, (especially when first starting out) you don't need an enclosed printer, but if you want to print with ASA or ABS (increased heat tolerance if the boat is exposed to direct sun for very long) you'll need an enclosure and a heated print bed that can support those types of filaments.

Features like print resume after power interruption, and filament sensors that pause the print until new filament is loaded are very nice to have.

A low-budget printer will likely generate very visible layer lines which require a lot of filling and sanding to remove. Poorly-designed models yield equally poor results; the printer only does what it's commanded; it cannot compensate for a bad model.

Unless you want to be totally dependent on other people to create the objects you print, the ability to create (or modify) 3D files is a valuable skill. It takes years to get good enough to start from scratch, but you get true freedom to create. Simple mods like extending a flange or building WTC supports do not require as much proficiency and can be learned quickly.

Outside of that, master the slicer software. Start small - like printing lots of test cubes and other test objects before tackling something like an RC boat to understand and work with the limitations of your printer.

A set of digital calipers will get a lot of use.

CCC

[tifosi12]

Here is the link:
https://www.stlfinder.com/model/i-40...PRqQ2/1745357/

Actually a 401, not 400. Not that I would know the difference. The model apparently has some flaws in the details and the creator promised to come up with a new version. Quite frankly it looks good enough to me. That said it does need some work: He made the tail section with rudder and dive planes as one piece, so you need to take this apart with some CAD program. Also the interior is a bit rough, I would have added the support for the WDC in there. And he designed it for bajonett, which I'm not a fan of, especially not when done with plastic instead of metal parts (this is where I could start a tirade about a kit I bought from a manufacturer who is clearly out of his mind with that stupid design, but I won't name any names).

So at some point I will have to clean this up and start printing.

BTW: the 3D print files for the other two subs can be bought from the Drydocks

[george]

I got the Ender 3 Pro and it is very useful for printing subs. Doing the 1/48 XXI and a 1/32 Type II on it. Interestingly the parts just about fit onto the build platform, which leads me to believe this is no coincidence and the creators of these models deliberately chose a size that fits a very common printer.

Also found an I-400 online and it too is broken into segments just big enough to fit the platform. All you need is a lot of patience as these builds can be easily 200 hours + in total.

Can you share the link to the I-400?
Thanks

[tifosi12]

Regarding scale: 3d printing is your savior on that one. As a long time model builder scale always plagued me, especially when building dioramas etc. Often the one piece you need is in the wrong scale. 3d printers definitely can help here, but there are some caveats:

- First you need a good source. Scanning, especially of small and edgy stuff is still a bad solution. A better approach is to find an existing 3D model online, download and make it print ready, which often is not that hard to do.
- Printing tiny stuff is difficult too with regular printers. In those cases I rather use an online service. Pricey but great results. Just ordered that way 1/48 figures for my sub.

There isn't that much of a learning curve with 3d printing if you select one that comes ready made/assembled. Ideally one that is in an enclosure (Dremel makes one of the best, pricey but superb).

[Ken_NJ]

My problem is, so little time, so many boats I’d like to build, and I need to keep at it. Apprehensive about a long learning curve on this subject.

[trout]

For figures, I would go resin, like the Elegoo Mars Pro 2

[Ken_NJ]

I saw an Ender advertisement on my Facebook feed. Looked interesting. My first thought was printing scale figures.

[tifosi12]

I got the Ender 3 Pro and it is very useful for printing subs. Doing the 1/48 XXI and a 1/32 Type II on it. Interestingly the parts just about fit onto the build platform, which leads me to believe this is no coincidence and the creators of these models deliberately chose a size that fits a very common printer.

Also found an I-400 online and it too is broken into segments just big enough to fit the platform. All you need is a lot of patience as these builds can be easily 200 hours + in total.

[beretta]

Hi
Im a total newbie to 3d printing and don't have a printer yet but am wanting to buy one to print a sub. What size print area is suitable and recommendations for which printer is a good place to start.