this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2024
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Advice wanted for a newbie on project (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/3dprinting
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So to start, I know pretty little about 3d printing, which is why I came here. I have seen the machines work, know that you need a file, there's different materials, not much else. I'm not really looking to get into this as a hobby as I don't really have the time, and certainly don't have the money (maybe later if things change). I just have this one thing (at the moment anyway) that I would like printed, but I have a couple of questions to see if I even want to proceed or not. I just plan on getting some local company to make it for me.

So here is what I'd like to make: https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/elegant-lightsaber-hilt-19b183269b5d4577a44f3152b15df9a5

It comes in an obj file which unless I'm mistaken should be enough for me to have. If not, I know about online file converters to make it slt.

This is intended to be a hand-held prop, not just a display model. So my first question is, is that even feasible? I don't know how strong things like this are. I'm not going to be hitting anything with it, but a little bit of waving around I think would be in order.

Assuming that's ok, what material should I use? Not entirely sure I even get a choice but I think so?

Another question I have is about painting. I've seen painting guides online, but one question I have I didn't find an answer to is again, about it being hand-held. I don't want to use a paint that will come off or smudge with sweaty palms. Are any kinds better for that than others? Are any?

And how close could I likely make it look like in the link? It doesn't have to be exact, but there's metallic parts, glassy parts, kinda gives a glowy impression... or is this going to be too hard for someone with no experience? (I've painted a couple of model kits when I was a kid.)

I realize that this may not all be feasible, but I thought I'd ask here first before asking people who will want my money. :p

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I'm not a pro at 3D printing or painting, but I think I know enough to answer your questions.

Ok, so first thing out of the way- that model you linked is not made for 3D printing. To get a decent result you're gonna have to edit it a bit.

This is intended to be a hand-held prop, not just a display model. So my first question is, is that even feasible? I don’t know how strong things like this are. I’m not going to be hitting anything with it, but a little bit of waving around I think would be in order.

Definitely feasible. There's a wide range of durability with 3D printed stuff, but you'd have to go out of your way to make something that can't handle that.

Assuming that’s ok, what material should I use? Not entirely sure I even get a choice but I think so?

PLA is the default, and it would work ok, you could also switch to PETG. PLA softens at a very low temperature- roughly 60°C. It's not too big of a concern, but there's a small chance of it deforming if, for example, you left it in a very hot car, or under a window that happens to focus the sunlight on it. For a prop like that you don't have to get more fancy than that. You almost certainly get to choose- I don't use these 3D printing services but I'd actually be slightly concerned if they didn't.

Another question I have is about painting. I’ve seen painting guides online, but one question I have I didn’t find an answer to is again, about it being hand-held. I don’t want to use a paint that will come off or smudge with sweaty palms. Are any kinds better for that than others? Are any?

Even just regular craft-store acrylic should hold up decently well, but you should use a sealant/clearcoat/varnish. I don't do this so I can't help you much with that, but it should be as simple as just spraying the whole thing with it after you're done painting.

And how close could I likely make it look like in the link? It doesn’t have to be exact, but there’s metallic parts, glassy parts, kinda gives a glowy impression… or is this going to be too hard for someone with no experience? (I’ve painted a couple of model kits when I was a kid.)

Probably not very close. The metallic parts are ok, there's paints that mimic metal, they're not going to look fully convincing but it'll probably be fine. You can get glossy clearcoats too. The big issue is the glowing part. There are ways to make something look like it's glowing by using gradients and stuff (look up OSL painting) but I don't think that works very well at such a large scale, and it's difficult. For something this big I think the only way to get a good effect is to make it actually glow, which is a whole 'nother can of worms. To make that part look good, you're going to have to do a ton of work. I haven't done anything like this before, but I've got some ideas for how it could be done.

Do you want to make a lightsaber, or specifically this lightsaber? If you aren't particularly attached to this one I'd suggest looking for another model. Printables, Thingiverse, and Thangs have 3D models specifically designed for printing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Ok, so first thing out of the way- that model you linked is not made for 3D printing. To get a decent result you’re gonna have to edit it a bit.

Yeah? That sounds like it's definitely getting beyond what I can do.

The big issue is the glowing part.

I should have clarified, I'd probably be happy enough with just painting it some kind of mottled blue and white. This doesn't have to look too accurate.

Do you want to make a lightsaber, or specifically this lightsaber? If you aren’t particularly attached to this one I’d suggest looking for another model. Printables, Thingiverse, and Thangs have 3D models specifically designed for printing.

Yeah, there's reasons for this one, but it's less important that I even make it. Just a thought occurred to me while I was waking up since it was already a 3d model... what if I could print it? Preliminary research suggested I could, then I thought I should consult people who do this sort of thing. So this is all feasibility study, and you've provided much useful information in that regard. Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

The edits are really very simple, you'd just have to chop the model into a few pieces. I think windows has a built in tool that can do it. Actually I think it's possible to print it without edits, by standing it upside-down on the flat bit at the top. However since the contact area is so small, and the print is so tall, it would be more likely to fail. I wouldn't try it on my machine, but since you're going through a print farm I don't think that would be an issue, there's no way they'd send you a failed print so they'd probably just print it again. You might get charged extra if they have to redo it? I don't know how these companies work you'd have to ask them.

If you don't want the glowing then I think there aren't really any issues with printing that, as I've said some minor edits would make it easier to print, but it would definitely be sturdy enough.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

There is no issue to print this. But...

If it's handed, it's quite big. It has to be printed into multiple parts. I would make the metal things and the glowing thing separately.

The glowing thing will look like shit if 3D printed. You better should get an acrylic rod. You need a bunch of blue leds too.

There are filaments that look metallic. Or you would get better results by sanding it and painting it with special paints.

The whole project could be expensive. (~100 to $150)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Thanks. Real lights would be cool, but more effort that I'd want to do right now. I think I'd be happy enough with painting those parts some sort of mottled blue and white, if I could even pull that off. lol

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Without edditing the model, they can split it in 2 parts (or more) in slicer software (which is used anyway). That way you need to glue them together, sand and paint. How it looks will more depend on your sanding and painting skills than 3D printing quality. Printers can usually print up to 200 or 300 mm in all 3 dimmensions so you will end up with that many parts depending on how big you want your final product to be. Probably best to choose PETG or ABS filament since they are common and will not melt on the sun. Best to convert the file in STL and ask for a price. This kind of model, if split in 2 halves, shouldnt be difficult to print even without supports

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I can’t answer everything because I don’t make models myself, but don’t buy a 3D printer. Getting it set up and calibrated takes ages, as well as the learning curve. Find a service online, you send them your file and they print it and send it back. PLA is the most common material for printing and I expect it would be fine here, I haven’t really used anything else and I have no problems. You can just make the plastic thicker to make it stronger.

The painting part should be fine but you’ll probably have to use a primer. Get a few prints so you can make mistakes.

Just find an online printing service and they should be able to answer a lot of your questions.

[–] mrcleanup 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I'm not advocating he buy a printer, that's clearly the wrong choice here, but

Getting it set up and calibrated takes ages

...just isn't true anymore, depending on what you get; the bambulabs printers are basically effortless.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

I can’t speak for the new stuff because I’m using an old Prusa clone that’s years old now. I’ve heard good things about Bambu stuff.