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So I recently stumbled onto some files for a custom Heirodule. Not the crappy Heirodule FW makes that doesn't really have the right kind of face to sync up with the rest of a tyranid force. But a REALLY good one that looks like a cross between a overgrown hormagaunt and a carnifex with it's own unique head options.





I want this thing.

Anyone have suggestions for how to get something 3d printed if you don't own your own 3d printer?

I am happy to pay someone to print up the pieces and ship them my way. But I want to make sure it's going to be a quality print. I realize it could be time intensive to print. I am willing to pay for that too.

Any help in pointing me in a direction or working with me to get it printed up would be much appreciated.

I believe Shapeways do a custom print thing but I am not sure about the cost...

I am pretty sure shapeways would be prohibitively expensive. Like, hundreds of dollars expensive. Unless the STLs could be combined into a single print there is a significant mark up per print by shapeways. I would probably be looking at 15-30.00 per piece.

Any of the Resin printers could do a good job and one just came out with an 11" print bed, the Phrozen transform. Find someone with one and send them resin, otherwise on something like my Photon it would be in many pieces!

Well the files do break it down into pieces. There is 1 head. 1 head/jaw. Torso Main. Torso top(shell). Each arm. Each leg. And a tail.

Preferably I also get the a set of gun arms and the torso/shell bit for the gun version which I can magnetize to swap it back and forth between the 2.

Get an Ender 3 (under $180) and get going in the wonderful world of 3D printing!!

I know, it is an area you probably might not want to go just for the learning curve, but for an enormous model you will probably pay almost as much as having your own printer. At a high res on my Ender 3 it would probably take upwards of hundreds of hours and I would charge a minimum of just about what a printer would cost.

I've printed the guns shrunk down for my sons "almost carnifex" that also came from thingiverse.

If this thing is like that model, best thing would be to split the body down the centerline and print in halves then glue together.

Pretty sure I have all the files, just no sure I have the time. I can take a look though if you want.

MDSW snuck in before I posted, but what he said. Mine is an Ender 3. And at the cost of the machine, the absolute best option is to pick up the machine yourself.

Shotgun wrote:
I've printed the guns shrunk down for my sons "almost carnifex" that also came from thingiverse.

If this thing is like that model, best thing would be to split the body down the centerline and print in halves then glue together.

Pretty sure I have all the files, just no sure I have the time. I can take a look though if you want.

MDSW snuck in before I posted, but what he said. Mine is an Ender 3. And at the cost of the machine, the absolute best option is to pick up the machine yourself.

I broke myself in with an A8 clone kit, then jumped to an Ender 3 pro a couple of months ago. Gawd, I love this Ender 3!!!!! It has been working just about 24/7 since I got it.

Shotgun, i will pm you the links to the files tonight when i get out of work.


Lets say i dive in and grab a ender 3. What upgrades are must haves?

Get the TL Smoothers (about $8), the aluminum extruder assembly (not the hot end, the feed end - about $10) and some good PFTE tubing (capricorn or the like) and extra tube fittings (about $10) - the rest you can print, like filament guides, extruder knobs, display back panel cover, etc.

So many good forums and upgrade/assembly videos out there. Have fun!!

...Also, highly recommend Hatchbox filament. There is a lot of crap you might find a bit cheaper, but it is hit or miss and bad filament will make you want to chuck it all out the window.

Okay, well, I ordered a Ender 3 Pro (after reading up on the 3 versions I wanted the more stable frame) and the glass print bed with just a few hours to go on their sale.

I need to go track down these other upgrades now.

Try out the magnetic bed before you swap out to the glass, though. You might find the mag bed works great - I love mine and it takes a lot less maintenance than a glass bed that needs sticky stuff and then cleaned, re-applied, etc.

When I had an aluminum bed on my A8 I used the wide painter's tape, which worked great. Maybe try that before you resort to hairspray, gluesticks, etc.

Have fun and research the set-up videos and tweaking forums out there - they help a lot!

I read that the glass bed does not require any of the hairspray/tape/glue sticks/ whatever. But ive got a week for shipping and then assembly anyway. So il do more research.

I have a resin-curing-based Anycubic Photon 3D printer, which has significantly better detail than most common filament-based printers.

I have very limited spare time so you would have to bribe me with some $ incentive, but I can do it for you.

Here's a picture of the detail it can do:

Okay,

So I am going to order some upgrades off the amazon today. I figure I should just install them when I initially put it together.

Here is what I am getting for sure.

https://www.amazon.com/Capricorn-Bowden-Filament-Genuine-Premium/dp/B079P92HN9/ref=pd_bxgy_328_img_2/142-4880199-8026465?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079P92HN9&pd_rd_r=85364b15-b56f-4332-bdf2-dbb788e3fde9&pd_rd_w=dUoGA&pd_rd_wg=maC7Q&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=EFFTF2VGR6VJ68C9GK0J&psc=1&refRID=EFFTF2VGR6VJ68C9GK0J



https://www.amazon.com/Zeelo-TL-Smoother-Elimination-Clipping-Controller/dp/B07QGB1Y88/ref=asc_df_B07QGB1Y88/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344008105835&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2313177833284485411&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027691&hvtargid=pla-782615709297&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=71909876129&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=344008105835&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2313177833284485411&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027691&hvtargid=pla-782615709297



I am a little confused about these... Do I need 3 (for the x/y/z motors, or 4 for the x/y/z/ and extrusion?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQN2962/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07MQN2962&pd_rd_w=ggL5A&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=VSCFy&pf_rd_r=BXRJFBVVW5A6K8QK7HXY&pd_rd_r=cb925e9d-34c1-4204-9005-cf2cdf3daebd&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQVBDVklEU1ozMjVJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODA0MTM4NzVVNUE5MDZTNjdCJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNjgyOTczMTFPMTk0TUYzVlFIJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==



It's 6 more bucks and I saw some people having trouble with some and better with others so whatever, get a bunch.

https://www.amazon.com/Zeelo-Extruder-Upgraded-Replacement-Extruders/dp/B07QHBNYD9/ref=pd_bxgy_328_img_3/142-4880199-8026465?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07QHBNYD9&pd_rd_r=85364b15-b56f-4332-bdf2-dbb788e3fde9&pd_rd_w=dUoGA&pd_rd_wg=maC7Q&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=EFFTF2VGR6VJ68C9GK0J&psc=1&refRID=EFFTF2VGR6VJ68C9GK0J




https://www.amazon.com/FYSETC-Motherboard-Accessories-Compression-Creality/dp/B07GXC1G2B/ref=pd_sbs_328_15?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07GXC1G2B&pd_rd_r=85364b15-b56f-4332-bdf2-dbb788e3fde9&pd_rd_w=Ny4u5&pd_rd_wg=maC7Q&pf_rd_p=43281256-7633-49c8-b909-7ffd7d8cb21e&pf_rd_r=EFFTF2VGR6VJ68C9GK0J&psc=1&refRID=EFFTF2VGR6VJ68C9GK0J




I am also considering getting...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GWN6V89/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07GWN6V89&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyM01OU0NTNk0xQzdZJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODM5NTU4MVdDVlZVNUI4SVM2OCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTQ0MDgyMlpGU082VUFSNTFMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


https://www.amazon.com/Sunhokey-Aluminum-Timing-Pulley-Printer/dp/B07JJLZTLV/ref=pd_sim_328_61?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JJLZTLV&pd_rd_r=24a00f79-9eb4-4cf8-9434-68274bb40e0b&pd_rd_w=F5fXj&pd_rd_wg=42A2o&pf_rd_p=5c130f77-a5ef-4ffd-9db1-c29a354f52f9&pf_rd_r=P0ZQYNGFM4207TK4S1WB&psc=1&refRID=P0ZQYNGFM4207TK4S1WB

These are apparently needed with the dampeners to tighten the belts again.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HCGWKDY/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07HCGWKDY&pd_rd_w=WXudg&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=0RlGB&pf_rd_r=KQAST1VP64K2QE0WYM47&pd_rd_r=5f93908a-a996-42e6-9a10-903ae81fe1f1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE0VzkxTVE1MkJTTVYmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4MjUwMTUzTlJCVzBPTFRQMFdZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA3NTc5MjJWQlFTNjZCTjVRUFUmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Extra tips and cleaners is obviously good. Are the various sizes worth it for minis? I think the smaller sizes could be but maybe I just don't know enough about this.

I have also seen a lot of people say the upgrades silent Mainboard is almost a must have. Both for how much quieter the machine gets but also because it makes upgrading the firmware easier. But I am kind of at a total loss on the mainboards atm. I have seen several of them suggested and I have no idea what if anything I would want to invest in.

On the Ender 3 Pro, the motor dampers are not needed. Also, put 3 washers on each bed spring screw and you are golden - no need for the stiffer after market bed springs. I probably have close to 1,000 hours on mine and have only had to level the bed 3 times, maybe.

So, the first four upgrades for sure and the only other one you might consider if you really want to get serious are the smaller nozzles. Another new upgrade I did that I love is the micro SD to SD card adapter. You can hide the wiring strip in a housing that holds the SD card end. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3537808 - I love this as it is much easier to insert the larger cards instead of the tiny micro slot.

The TL smoothers for sure on your X & Y. The Z is not so important (that is the height), as tiny fluctuations in voltage for the motor when going up is not really an issue

Some of the upgrades were for the original ender 3, but the Pro is better in some respects regarding the main board, structure, etc. The upgrades I printed were the back cover for the panel, small drawer beside it, filament guide, extruder wheel, cable clip (needed if you add the aluminum extruder, as you lose the cable clip that is on the plastic original) - you can hit Thingiverse for all of these and select the one that best suits your fancy.

Munster wrote:
Any of the Resin printers could do a good job and one just came out with an 11" print bed, the Phrozen transform. Find someone with one and send them resin, otherwise on something like my Photon it would be in many pieces!

The key is always knowing how to cut something up. I can print an entire land raider on a 6x6 work surface, mostly because the vertical is enough for things to be stood on end if need be.

You could look for a "Maker Space" or "Hacker Space" or a "Maker Lab" or possibly even a "Startup Accelerator" in your local community. Most large cities have at least one if not more of these facilities. Beyond 3d printers, they have all sorts of cool stuff you can use for a membership fee.

 meatybtz wrote:

Munster wrote:
Any of the Resin printers could do a good job and one just came out with an 11" print bed, the Phrozen transform. Find someone with one and send them resin, otherwise on something like my Photon it would be in many pieces!

The key is always knowing how to cut something up. I can print an entire land raider on a 6x6 work surface, mostly because the vertical is enough for things to be stood on end if need be.

You got that right... it is a challenge on just about every file to pick the best orientation, whether to split into parts to fit or to avoid excessive supports, what kind of supports, where they go, (touching build plate or everywhere), support blockers (I love this feature in Cura!!!) build plate adhesion, etc. I used Cura 3.6 for quite a while and have tried to use the new Cura 4.2.1, but the layers are different and I just have not bothered to do a side-by-side print from each slicer version. I have a 30mm High Elf sliced and ready in each version and I will get to it at some point! There are Ender forums that have great advice along with start and end g codes, but the standard Creality Ender 3 profile in Cura does not steer you wrong - just minor tweak for preferences after that.

Well it arrived along with most of my upgrades. It's all built except for plugging in the wires. It came with the silent 1.1.15 mainboard so thats a plus.

By this weekend I am gong to be running some upgrade/modification prints as my first prints. Then It's time to start trying some minis.

Not sure what color you got for filament, but I printed all of my upgrades in black. then when i had another upgrade and was too lazy to swap out the filament, I just painted it black! If you are using Cura, you can certainly get away with the .2 layer and most of the stock Ender 3 profile settings.

I threw up a new thread with some pics of my tiny minis: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/779665.page

I am very anxious to see yours!

So, any work to show?

I am trying to finish a huge Victorian Birdhouse for my wife (it will hang on the back porch, so not in direct sunlight and will be totally sealed) and in trying to hide it while printing I moved my printer to the work shed - what a mistake... Too hot and humid and it wreaked havoc on everything and prints kept failing and nozzle would clog. So moved it back into my office and after 3 failed attempts at the main body (it is a 36 hour print!), once failing after 20 hours of print time, I tracked it all down to a small blob that worked its way between the hot end tube and nozzle. I had already taken it apart and replaced the tube and nozzle twice, but still kept getting under extrusion. The clog was only seen when I removed the nozzle and shoved the tube down so it came out the nozzle port. Now I am back up and printing perfectly.

Nothing yet. I ordered the wrong size filament ::head smack::

I got blue black and grey. This weekend will be a series of test prints and calibrations before i give it a real go and try to print things i want.