FreeCAD

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Your own 3D parametric modeler.

www.freecad.org

FreeCAD is an open-source parametric 3D modeler made primarily to design real-life objects of any size. Parametric modeling allows you to easily modify your design by going back into your model history and changing its parameters.

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Still pretty new to FreeCAD (and CAD in general), any advice on my design before I 3d print it? (www.printables.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The .stl and .fcstd files are at the link. All the test joints I printed fit together really nicely, but I'm worried the overall design might have issues that I'm too much of an amateur to identify. It'll need a LOT of filament... Good wooden marudai cost hundreds of dollars, whereas 1500g of my preferred filament is only like $45, but I'd still hate to waste that much of it. The printing itself I'm not too concerned about, it's easy stuff. Just a little bridging and no support. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the finished/assembled object will be functional. Thanks in advance if you have any tips!

PS: This is also my first use of the spreadsheet function, I usually just rely on named constraints from prior sketches. It's really neat. FreeCAD rules!

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[–] wjrii 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

So, I admit it's laughably easy as a person who already owns one to suggest this, but would you consider a laser cutter for this project? Combined with the dowels already mentioned (and I agree they'll be much better than printed Ashi), some thin plywood (to cut 2-3 layers each for the base and the kagami), some glue, and weights to act as clamps could make fairly quick work of this. Add a cheap miterbox with hand-saw, and some sandpaper to ease the edges of the top and I think you might avoid huge 3D prints, while still using the 2D plan of the design you drafted in FreeCAD. Looking at the wiki for a marudai, the weights seem like a really good candidate for a 3D printed design, especially since you could leave an opening for BBs or other weights and then easily seal them up.

Also, now I need to find somebody local who wants one of these, because they look fairly simple to make with a table saw, drill press, and woodworking router.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

It's a shame, the makerspace I have access to used to have a laser cutter until recently. After it burst into flame and the flame sensor never activated, they decided against having one anymore. I should probably throw in a design for 3d printed bobbins/weights though, that's a good idea.