3d Printers to make unobtainable plastic parts??

[Big Shrek]

ok...after having bought a pistol that has a broken front sight,
then finding out that it's un-obtanium...
I'm thinking it's time to either buy or rent a 3d printer.

Also thought it would be nice to take a college course in 'em...
but seeing as how courses are now online, that ain't gonna work for this.

So what do you guys know about 3d printers,
and how hard would it be to make that little doohickey?

 

[kidsoncoffee]

Get a creality ender 3 or better. If you get the 3 I think you can 3D print most of the parts to make it a better version. They're pretty much the most affordable one that will hold up and make a good print from what I've found. There's also tons of support for them online. Ivan that does all the crazy 3D printed gun stuff uses an ender 3 that's been modded.

 

[Raven]

Get a creality ender 3 or better. If you get the 3 I think you can 3D print most of the parts to make it a better version. They're pretty much the most affordable one that will hold up and make a good print from what I've found. There's also tons of support for them online. Ivan that does all the crazy 3D printed gun stuff uses an ender 3 that's been modded.

If it's only one that your making, break out the mill bastard file on a quarter inch square piece of plastic and be done in 10 minutes

 

[Raven]

Depending on the value of the firearm, of course, I'd be tempted to just use JB weld and a BB.

 

[Big Shrek]

If it's only one that your making, break out the mill bastard file on a quarter inch square piece of plastic and be done in 10 minutes

I was thinking it'd also be pretty handy for making some of the fiddly bits
for my Motorcycles and Guitars/Bass Guitars...like custom pick guards & whatnot.

 

[Daezee]

My son in law has made internal magazine parts for my S&W magazines for me via 3d printing.

 

[RackinRay]

Before retiring I worked with a guy that was big into 3D printers.

If you did not have an original part, you had to have a pattern from the web, ofrmake a very very detailed set of measurements to make a part. May have come a long way since, I do not know. For a one-off, file for sure for me.

 

[kidsoncoffee]

Here's a good place to start. Here's Ivan's file drop website. Ivan has 3D printed a full gun and used parts from any hardware store. He even shows you how to rifle a barrel using electrolysis. You can literally print just about everything in the gun with an added short trip to the hardware store. All materials available online as well as other countries for those that need to circumvent any governmental overreach.

 

[kidsoncoffee]

Before retiring I worked with a guy that was big into 3D printers.

If you did not have an original part, you had to have a pattern from the web, ofrmake a very very detailed set of measurements to make a part. May have come a long way since, I do not know. For a one-off, file for sure for me.

Honestly with the CAD software available these days, it's pretty easy. OP would need a set of micrometers to measure the cutout for the sight, but it's all easy math after that.

 

[wildrider666]

1. Modify a oversize stock part or work from scratch with a material of your choice.
2. You can "sand cast" parts pretty easily with aluminium.
3. Clay mold-over of original and alter to correct damage, from the Clay make wax model, make ceramic vented over-mold of the wax model, fire and melt out wax, cast new part in ceramic mold, after cooldown crack away mold finish and drill s needed.

i wouldn't persue the expense of 3D printing nor programming skills without along term plan of use that would make it economical. Maybe a fun factor for you, follow you desires.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Glock 7!!! Yeah!

 

[Big Shrek]

Fortunately there's this neat tool also available that has a camera on a swivel that
circles the item to be copied, making a file for you...all you then do is upload it
and it'll print the item.

I like old stuff, usually that which is no longer made, and usually hard to find parts for.
My Peavey Bass Guitar collection kinda references that point...lol
Heck, practically my entire selection of guns are antiques, excepting three.

Then there's the Kids aspect...twin 9 yr olds means lots of toys to make
instead of buying...custom work made easy

 

[kidsoncoffee]

Fortunately there's this neat tool also available that has a camera on a swivel that
circles the item to be copied, making a file for you...all you then do is upload it
and it'll print the item.

I like old stuff, usually that which is no longer made, and usually hard to find parts for.
My Peavey Bass Guitar collection kinda references that point...lol
Heck, practically my entire selection of guns are antiques, excepting three.

Then there's the Kids aspect...twin 9 yr olds means lots of toys to make
instead of buying...custom work made easy

They're honestly pretty awesome machines once you learn them. I'm waiting until I can buy the creality CR10. My brother has one and is cranking out some pretty cool shit. He's already got a lot of time using CAD though so it's probably much easier for him to crank out parts.

 

[Big Shrek]

They're honestly pretty awesome machines once you learn them. I'm waiting until I can buy the creality CR10. My brother has one and is cranking out some pretty cool shit. He's already got a lot of time using CAD though so it's probably much easier for him to crank out parts.

I've settled on the Labists 3D with auto leveling...nice size for items less than 220mm square.
Should give me the freedom to make quite a bit of stuff.
It'll also help me make all sorts of custom game pieces for my kids

 

[Big Shrek]

.

 

[Raven]

Alphabet boys are seizing 3D printers now