SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-04-02T13:03:22Z

Antron007 wrote:

One other thing, while the tackiness of the PLA does sound very appealing and I will try it, I was wondering if any of you have tried using ABS for picks?

I have not tried ABS for picks as of yet. I typically play Dunlop JazzIII. So when I started playing with the printed pick (which I whipped up in Sketchup in like 2 minutes), it was different for sure. With a smaller size for ease of hitting harmonics and at a fraction of the Jazz III's weight, it took about 5 minutes to get used to it. After 45 minutes of playing, I fell in love with it.
I put the printed pick down and picked up my Dunlop....it felt like playing with a brick in comparison. I also then noticed how the Dunlop actually has a more tinny sound to it. The printed pick sounded a little more natural. As an example, compare the sound of a blues solo with a smooth jazz lick. My printed pick may not have the same punch, but it is perfect for ambient spots or solos where you want the note and not the pick in the sound.

Also, my pick seems lopsided. This is for better grip whilst playing to compensate for its smaller size. Let me know what you think.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-04-02T04:15:54Z

That's cool to know about the guitar picks. I've always preferred the Dunlop Sharp picks, the black and purple ones, 1mm and 1+? (I can't remember, I know one of them is 1mm) I'll have to try to whip one up. My modeling skills are still beginner at best but I think I can handle that simple shape. Thanks for the great idea guys. I just may never buy picks again. One other thing, while the tackiness of the PLA does sound very appealing and I will try it, I was wondering if any of you have tried using ABS for picks?

Congratulations on the job SykoDJ.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-04-02T02:13:20Z

AZERATE wrote:

Ramon wrote:
When I get one, I'm going to re-invent the guitar pick!
I printed a few Jazz picks using JustPLA filament (cheap on Amazon).
Something about that specific filament actually gives the pick a tacky feeling whilst playing. I play prog and tech/death, so gripping is very important. It kept up with the friction very well, and took like two minutes to print.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:181456
Also, a very bright user on here designed a printable V body.
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/4773/guitar-body/

thank you bud for the shout out just offically paid for mine after a week of work at the new job using 3d printers because of working with solidoodle

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-04-01T20:23:45Z

Ramon wrote:

When I get one, I'm going to re-invent the guitar pick!

I printed a few Jazz picks using JustPLA filament (cheap on Amazon).
Something about that specific filament actually gives the pick a tacky feeling whilst playing. I play prog and tech/death, so gripping is very important. It kept up with the friction very well, and took like two minutes to print.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:181456

Also, a very bright user on here designed a printable V body.
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/4773/guitar-body/

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-04-01T18:15:30Z

When I get one, I'm going to re-invent the guitar pick!

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-26T16:07:40Z

I've printed a new jigsaw so that saved me $15 plus shipping I've also printed about $300 worth of ez-robot ez-bits and modified my pre-order and saved another $50. so i'm about halfway to recouping the costs. I'm really loving the printer.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-26T14:56:46Z

I have made no money on it, but have had lots of fun. Though I am also printing out some custom items as party favors for my wedding. My Solidoodle 2 Pro has been churning out stuff for weeks straight(well nights and weekends), I have to say I’m impressed that it's holding up so well.

Though in ways it's an expensive toy for me, I have printed some practical things such as a bookshelf peg and a drain cover for my sink. Also has given me techie stuff to talk to my techie friends about.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-20T14:09:00Z

Serin / auslander68 - I totally agree with the idea of parents allowing their kids to explore the possibilities of current (and future) tech.

I myself a child of the 80's got an Acorn Electon... Little did I know it but it was to launch my career and interest in computers years down the line.

Now, my daughter is 2 (maybe I will wait a little longer haha) and I cannot wait to show her there is a world of possibilities out there... including 3D printing

Thanks for the share

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-10T15:02:14Z

Mine paid for itself just over last weekend! I have a room in the basement where there used to be tiled floor and a drain right where I have a dresser that holds an HDTV and a PS3. I noticed it started sinking to the left.
Instead of getting contractors to tear up the carpet and fix the leaning, I printed risers...now it sits at a modest 1% slope

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-01T16:00:25Z

@cervantja- Glad to hear it. Again, great story. Thanks for sharing.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-01T11:16:41Z

I've saved money and made about half the cost back so far best investment ive made

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-03-01T00:59:51Z

Antron 007. yes my daughter is fine and playing soccer again.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-02-27T06:03:58Z

auslander68 wrote:

In the 80's my dad got a commodore computer and made me learn to type on it. I didn't realize at the time how far ahead of the curve he was or how much of a leg up that exposure would be worth down the road. Now I've got a 14 and 11 year old. Seeing their interest in my printer and that they are getting their heads wrapped around the possibilities has been worth every penny by itself. The enjoyment I get out of it is just a bonus.

That's our future as a race! Right there!
Man.. I wish more parents thought like that...

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-02-27T05:10:23Z

In the 80's my dad got a commodore computer and made me learn to type on it. I didn't realize at the time how far ahead of the curve he was or how much of a leg up that exposure would be worth down the road. Now I've got a 14 and 11 year old. Seeing their interest in my printer and that they are getting their heads wrapped around the possibilities has been worth every penny by itself. The enjoyment I get out of it is just a bonus.

Re: Household 3D printers can pay for themselves in a year

2014-02-26T23:10:27Z

Mine has paid for itself by being used to fix and create various things. I've printed the parts necessary for several commissions to build UAV aircraft that I would not have been able to build without the parts, and it also printed the parts to fix a laser cutter.