3D Printers, anyone?

3D printers are as practical as the person running them. You are only limited by your imagination. In addition to the models that i build, I've used my printer to create parts to repair items that are no longer manufactured and have no source for spares.
 
Other than models and other eye candy, any practical uses for this model printer?

Sorry, I thought you meant why this model over others.

There are many useful things you can print. Here are some examples of things that work that I use almost daily.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2050885
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2064269

Look at repositories like Thingiverse more some inspiration.

I also print replacement parts for broken items. I printed a badge holder for work because I disliked the one supplied by the company, etc.

How about customizing and printing small boxes, for electronic parts, etc.

Or this collection of tools you can print: http://www.thingiverse.com/explore/popular/tools
 
I'll look at the links- at home I guess because the first one bounced me out of SG on my iPhone.

I'm wondering how strong the part is, and if I had a part, say, a grinder cover, that needed replacement- how would I input the design? Just from a library?
 
A recent test print. This is a lithophane that I created of a dog we had years back. It doesn't look like much until you shine a light through it.

17757234_10207527015448312_2090093547933756404_n.jpg
17523183_10207527015288308_5331138293141048048_n.jpg
 
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I'll look at the links- at home I guess because the first one bounced me out of SG on my iPhone.

I'm wondering how strong the part is, and if I had a part, say, a grinder cover, that needed replacement- how would I input the design? Just from a library?

There are a lot of places online to download part files from, http://www.thingiverse.com is probably the biggest. If you can't find the part you need to create it in a 3D modeling program.
 
mperdue, excellent choice in projects! I guess the sulfur-yellow Discovery from "2010" doesn't look as nice in the den/Home Theater ;)

I have been tempted but not for the large format, more of a desktop unit. However, I came across a possible project I would like to try and this may accelerate matters. I have a pair of Ski mounts that use a glass-reinforced plastic clamp that goes around the crossbars on my Escape. The original clamps were designed for a 2008 Honda CRV and while they are close, they don't fully clamp down on the crossbar. Also, they could use another 10-15cm of height to allow more clearance between my bindings and the roof on my Escape.

I know I could probably use ABS for this, but I worry that this would be exposed to cold temperatures and might crack along the melt lines. I'd also like to incorporate reinforcements to help flex and strength like the original part. Is that something that could be done with the right filament?
 
mperdue, excellent choice in projects! I guess the sulfur-yellow Discovery from "2010" doesn't look as nice in the den/Home Theater ;)

I have been tempted but not for the large format, more of a desktop unit. However, I came across a possible project I would like to try and this may accelerate matters. I have a pair of Ski mounts that use a glass-reinforced plastic clamp that goes around the crossbars on my Escape. The original clamps were designed for a 2008 Honda CRV and while they are close, they don't fully clamp down on the crossbar. Also, they could use another 10-15cm of height to allow more clearance between my bindings and the roof on my Escape.

I know I could probably use ABS for this, but I worry that this would be exposed to cold temperatures and might crack along the melt lines. I'd also like to incorporate reinforcements to help flex and strength like the original part. Is that something that could be done with the right filament?
Probably. There are different filaments for all sorts of different uses. It sounds like maybe PETG or one of the nylon filaments might work well.
 
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