Any 3D Printer dabblers out here?

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 4:15 pm

I searched and couldn't find a topic on it, but anyway...

I'm contemplating taking the plunge on getting a 3D printer. I'm getting into Fallout Wasteland Warfare in a big way, and there are lots of printable models out there, and the official company is out of stock on almost all of their stuff. So I'm getting itchy.

So I'm looking for a decent, $300-400 model 3D printer and wanted to reach out and see if anyone has any practical experience in this field or any recommendations. I know they are finicky and most are DIY type deals where you assemble the base device and print out the rest of your parts.

Anyone?

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:45 pm

I wish! There is so much amazing board game and RPG stuff out there that it is something I would kill to delve into.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:55 pm

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Tue Apr 09, 2019 5:45 pm I wish! There is so much amazing board game and RPG stuff out there that it is something I would kill to delve into.

Feel up for a trip to Bloomington?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 6:01 pm

Or perhaps Terra Haute?

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 7:09 pm

I couldn't even imagine working around a bunch of people like that, unfortunately.

hitbyambulance · Post by **hitbyambulance** » Tue Apr 09, 2019 11:21 pm

i did a lot of research last November and came up with the Creality Ender-3 as the best bang for under $200. got it for my dad, who had previously expressed an interest in getting into this hobby (but is now a self-defeating depressive who had me return it because it'll 'take up too much space' and besides, he's 'getting old' and is going to die soon and nothing much matters anymore, etc).

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 1:11 pm

I got this one when it was 163€. Did some casings for DIY (satisfied), one miniature figurine for roleplay (which was't the most successful without tinkering, but who has got the time for that?). If I'd need to print more I'd go for a 400€ machine, I believe a quality improvement would be seen with that. Cheap usually means slow in addition, you might think you have the time, but in the end you will revise your opinion. Go for a brand with a good forum / community.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:20 pm

If I did get one, the creality ender 3 is probably what I would get. But man, I just don't know. It's big, I don't have a lot of free space for it, and I'm not sure I have the patience to fiddle with it. That's why I threw this out there, to get my finger away from the "Buy now!" button.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:30 pm

One of my daughter's friends got one for her birthday.* No idea what kind but it's put out some decent toys and such. Will try to find out what kind.

*Cool story, in lieu of regular gifts she asked for $10 for her 3d printer fund and each kid got an card where they could choose which Pokemon they wanted once the printer was purchased and running. She had the Pokemon figures out a few months after he birthday.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:31 pm

I don't know that I'd use it for many miniatures, save for the occasional obscure thing that isn't available anywhere else. What I'd love to be printing is terrain and special features for a session, plus accessories for board games.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:32 pm

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:31 pm I don't know that I'd use it for many miniatures, save for the occasional obscure thing that isn't available anywhere else. What I'd love to be printing is terrain and special features for a session, plus accessories for board games.

Terrain is absolutely my primary goal. Fallout to start with, but also Gaslands and Gangs of Rome. I think I have enough Wild West stuff.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:33 pm

A reminder: 3D printers do bad things to air quality.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 5:13 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:33 pm A reminder: 3D printers do bad things to air quality.

I was watching a video this morning from Fat Dragon games...they used to make paper craft terrain and are now moving to 3D printed terrain. For this very reason they were recommending PLA filament over ABS, because it is plant based, has a lower melt point, and no toxic fumes.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 5:37 pm

Filament additives—included to add shine, electrical conductivity, color, or other properties—can change emissions dramatically. For example, PLA that includes trace substances to make it impact resistant generates more particles than standard ABS, Weber says.

Anonymous Bosch · Post by **Anonymous Bosch** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:54 pm

Unless you plan to use a 3D printer on a fairly frequent basis and factor in the maintenance costs, it may be simpler and cheaper to rely on 3D printing services instead (e.g. Craftcloud, Shapeways, Ponoko, Sculpteo etc.)

Sculpteo provides a useful cost analysis tool that can help you figure out if it's worth buying a 3D printer vs. using a 3D printing service.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:09 pm

I've bought things off of Shapeways before. I may have to look into that.

Montag · Post by **Montag** » Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:10 am

Creality Ender 3 Pro here. Pleased with it. Have friend who got one to and used it way more than me. These style printers can be a pain for figurines with long thin features like legs, arms, weapons. I think resin printers would be better for those.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Thu Apr 11, 2019 11:10 am

Well, Modiphius finally got their item restocks for a lot of their terrain pieces, so I bought a terrain bundle from them. The urgency to get a printer has dropped considerably.

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:34 pm

Montag wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:10 am Creality Ender 3 Pro here. Pleased with it. Have friend who got one to and used it way more than me. These style printers can be a pain for figurines with long thin features like legs, arms, weapons. I think resin printers would be better for those.

That is were my figurine try failed, arms and sword. The rest wasn't worse than those tin figurines with cast-residue. I might have to fiddle with support structures, but again, who has got the time? Those 3D-printing services could be a way to go, especially if you don't have to be exact to the millimeter (as the cases I printed had to be), who cares if a miniature is 5% smaller that it should be?

Anonymous Bosch · Post by **Anonymous Bosch** » Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:48 pm

Zitterbacke wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:34 pm
Montag wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 9:10 am Creality Ender 3 Pro here. Pleased with it. Have friend who got one to and used it way more than me. These style printers can be a pain for figurines with long thin features like legs, arms, weapons. I think resin printers would be better for those.
That is were my figurine try failed, arms and sword. The rest wasn't worse than those tin figurines with cast-residue. I might have to fiddle with support structures, but again, who has got the time? Those 3D-printing services could be a way to go, especially if you don't have to be exact to the millimeter (as the cases I printed had to be), who cares if a miniature is 5% smaller that it should be?

Actually, if you want accuracy down to the millimeter, 3D printing services may well be the best way to go (e.g. I used Shapeways to print an SSD mounting bracket for an Asus gaming laptop, and it was a perfect fit).

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:36 pm

Zitterbacke wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:34 pm who cares if a miniature is 5% smaller that it should be?

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:38 pm

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:36 pm
Zitterbacke wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:34 pm who cares if a miniature is 5% smaller that it should be?

Did that ninja spot my typo?

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:43 pm

Zitterbacke wrote: ↑Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:38 pm
Blackhawk wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 4:36 pm
Zitterbacke wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2019 1:34 pm who cares if a miniature is 5% smaller that it should be?

Did that ninja spot my typo?

Nah. Some (lots) of us really care about scale and making sure it matches.

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 5:06 am

Help me out here, how much less is 5% of an Inch. I'm old, I fear I could see the difference.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:42 am

Sitting isolated? It's irrelevant. Standing next to a bunch of other on-scale figures? Significant enough to stand out like a sore thumb.

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:47 am

I can see your point when making a clone army, but a Hobbit and Gandalf, they are different size, not to mention no one knows their supposed size anyway. But as I said, I need perfect size for cases for electronics, so I'm with you there, just not on that point.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:23 am

It’s a case of scale. Proportions look off.

A while ago, I made a decision to use 28mm figures for my townsfolk for Zenda, and use “heroic 32mm” figs for the active, player figures, so they would stand out more. Plus the 28mm figs are faster to paint. In hindsight, it was a mistake because it bugs me every time i see them on the table.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Sun Apr 14, 2019 2:49 pm

Yeah, at that scale it can make a difference. I have lots of old Ral Partha 25mm figures (the standard before the mid-90s.) I had to put them in 'retirement' because a human knight standing next to a modern, 28mm figure looks like a dwarf. Granted, that's closer to a 10% difference, but it shows how much of an impact it can have at that scale.

Montag · Post by **Montag** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:52 am

Zitterbacke wrote: ↑Sun Apr 14, 2019 5:06 am Help me out here, how much less is 5% of an Inch. I'm old, I fear I could see the difference.

Use one dime thickness per inch to visualize.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 2:45 pm

As an example of why I'd love to have one, I'm trying to figure out a good solution for card storage for Torg: Eternity. I look at card holders and find two options other than commercial products that aren't a good fit: 3d printed and laser cut.

Montag · Post by **Montag** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:43 pm

If standard playing card size, then note card holders work great.

https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... IpEALw_wcB

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:20 pm

I was looking for more of a single container that will let me sort a dozen or more decks of differing sizes. I'll likely have to make something out of foamcore, although I don't have good foamcore cutter.

Anonymous Bosch · Post by **Anonymous Bosch** » Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:29 pm

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:20 pm I was looking for more of a single container that will let me sort a dozen or more decks of differing sizes. I'll likely have to make something out of foamcore, although I don't have good foamcore cutter.

Dunno how many cards you're talking about here, but if they're all standard-sized, here's a very simple idea that doesn't cost much:

I used a two-piece 800-count cardboard deck box from BCW supplies (SKU: 1-BX-802) to accomodate the vast majority of standard-sized cards that were included with the Duel of Ages II: Collector's Bundle (basically the Basic and Master sets), which is around 700 or more cards if memory serves. To keep everything properly organised and easily accessible, I labelled around ten of these horizontal trading card dividers to separate the multiple different card types, which divides 'em up nicely and everything fits perfectly neatly within the deck box.

Of course, if an 800 count deck box is insufficient, you could always go with additional or even larger deck boxes if required.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:50 am

I have a sudden, very unexpected windfall after completing my taxes. Suddenly this is looking more likely...

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue Apr 16, 2019 10:25 am

Anonymous Bosch wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:29 pm
Blackhawk wrote: ↑Mon Apr 15, 2019 11:20 pm I was looking for more of a single container that will let me sort a dozen or more decks of differing sizes. I'll likely have to make something out of foamcore, although I don't have good foamcore cutter.
Dunno how many cards you're talking about here, but if they're all standard-sized, here's a very simple idea that doesn't cost much:

I used a two-piece 800-count cardboard deck box from BCW supplies (SKU: 1-BX-802) to accomodate the vast majority of standard-sized cards that were included with the Duel of Ages II: Collector's Bundle (basically the Basic and Master sets), which is around 700 or more cards if memory serves. To keep everything properly organised and easily accessible, I labelled around ten of these horizontal trading card dividers to separate the multiple different card types, which divides 'em up nicely and everything fits perfectly neatly within the deck box.

Of course, if an 800 count deck box is insufficient, you could always go with additional or even larger deck boxes if required.

Thanks, I'll take a look. There are lots of solutions out there that I can make work. My original point (which I didn't make clear) was that with a 3d printer, and ideal solution would be a few clicks away, as opposed to something that can be 'made to work.' IE - having a 3d printer would be really, really handy. Maybe not practical, maybe not cost effective, but great to have around.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 12:47 pm

I've been watching the YouTube video series from Fat Dragon Games about how to print 3D terrain and miniatures. It intrigues me and scares me in equal parts...

Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 1:58 pm

Just in time a Humble Bundle appears. You can find a lot of free stuff around the net, but maybe this appeals to some of you.

hentzau · Post by **hentzau** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:00 pm

Oy. Another push. I hadn’t really thought about dungeon terrain...I’m reaching the end of the D&D game I’ve been running, and I’m not sure I’ll run another one any time soon. But...tempting. So tempting.

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Zitterbacke · Post by **Zitterbacke** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:06 pm

Also build your own Char, download and print it.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:18 pm

hentzau wrote: ↑Thu Apr 18, 2019 2:00 pm Oy. Another push. I hadn’t really thought about dungeon terrain...I’m reaching the end of the D&D game I’ve been running, and I’m not sure I’ll run another one any time soon. But...tempting. So tempting.

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