1 Topic by aaron1234

  • aaron1234
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Topic: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

Hi guys,

I was wondering if a Filastruder can be used to create your own plastic to sell online?

To be honest I haven't completely done my research, I just wanted to know if it's an absurd idea or not and then take it from there. I've been building and designing printers for a couple of years now so I think I'm decent on the technical side of things, but I know nothing about the different types of plastics and standards in place to make it.

I'm from Australia, I'm not completely sure how many companies here make filament, but I couldn't find a huge amount.

So... yeah, is it a stupid idea? If these machines take 12h to make 1 Kilo I don't see that being too bad... If you had more than one unit. smile

Thanks

2 Reply by kszwab

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

There is a higher performance motor option that gives better throughput.

I would not see it as a viable option for me here in the States to sell filament when we can get rolls of 1Kg for about $15, but it depends on local prices and demand.

I make my own filament to recycle failed prints/supports/old computer cases (Dell) more for the satisfaction factor.

3 Reply by Kronikabuse

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

i think you could make some money off of it if you came up with color choices you cant find any where else.

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4 Reply by Tin Falcon (edited by Tin Falcon 2016-08-18 20:05:25)

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

IMHO thefilastruderis a bit too slow for any commercial purposes.

the original filabot that retails  for $950 will put out about .5 lbs an hour the filabot ex2 will do a 1 kilo roll in about an  hour

do the math to have a business you need to produce and sell , packge , ship something around 40  50 rolls a day. for one person doing the work.
Tin

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5 Reply by Weekend Avenger

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

Kronikabuse wrote:

i think you could make some money off of it if you came up with color choices you cant find any where else.

I agree with Kronikabuse. If you can use a Filastruder to make filament that is in some manner unique enough to charge a premium price (color, glow in the dark, metallic, et cetera) you could easily generate enough rolls per day with a small number of Filastruders.

The machine won't be very profitable if your selling stock ABS for $15 a roll, but if your selling some mythical premium support material that absolutely evaporates when it comes into contact with isopropal alcohol and yet PLA and ABS both stick to it like glue, you'd find a lot of buyers at $60 a roll.

I'll even give a real life example. Notice what E3D sells some of it's experimental PEEK filament for. My math is always suspect, but in the .25 Kg sample amount it is being sold for almost 28 times what they offer ABS for.

6 Reply by richh001

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

The same question has been asked several times before.
But, I might be possible say if you had 10 or 20 Filastruder and winders going at once, keep in mind that all that plastic would need to be pre-dried, and you would have top vacuum-pack, box and ship it.

A lot of work, but, if you had kids, it would be good experience for them.

7 Reply by bec3779

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

Hi Aaron,

I am from Australia (sydney) and I am using Tim's extruder. I really love it. I have since bought the winder and am now in the process of looking to buy a 3d printer.

I originally bought the extruder to try and make filament out of recycled plastic (still in the process)

But I dont think your idea is absurd as it was kind of what i was hoping for but to go from a home tinkering project to having something that can go to the market is a huge leap (i think anyway)

Drop me a line if you want to have a chat or catch up if your in the Sydney area.

Bec

8 Reply by tealvince

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Re: Can I use a Filastruder to start a business?

I had the same idea when I first got my Filastruder--use it to create custom color filament and perhaps sell it in small quantities to make a little money.

The price of filament has dropped by more than half since those days, however, and I never got mine to mix colors very consistently (using masterbatch) without making multiple passes.  I suspect I could get better results using powered pigment, but these days I only use it to make black or natural filament for personal use.