The Ship Model Forum

Hi folks-dusting off my scratch-built hull and looking to get the project moving again. I now have access to 3-D printing through one of my sons, and think that will really help with some aspects of the build that I was stuck on. This will be my first try with3-D printing, so have many questions. Which plastic is best? What glues do you use? Can I glue styrene or other materials and 3-D printed parts?

Any insight from your experiences would be appreciated. Plenty more questions as we get moving, I'm sure. FYI-I plan on starting with the superstructure, and plan to assemble it from the four sides printed separately. Eventually will print detail parts when we get that far.

Thanks!

Is this a resin or a filament printer? Forget filament printers, they just don't have the necessary resolution for our purpose.

The resins used for UV-curing process are acrylics and to my knowledge can be treated as such.

_________________
Eberhard

Former chairman Arbeitskreis historischer Schiffbau e.V. (German Association for Shipbuilding History)

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Thanks for the response. I will check to see what kind of printers he has access to. As you can see, I really am a novice when it comes to the 3-D printing part of this hobby. Wood and styrene have been my materials until now.

You might gain some knowledge by going to the Online Scratchbuild Projects Thread and subtopic 3D printing. Some good and basic knowledge there.

An SLA (Stereolithographic Apparatus) printer would probably be a better choice as Wefalck has mentioned. CA glue works with resins, styrene plastic glue does not. Depending on the printer you have access to - there might be a corp. website which would give you good info on how that particular printer works and settings to use with various brands of resins. This is not a ONE STOP SHOP - it is an evolving technology and learning to design printable parts isn't simply 1-2-3 and you're done. However, if you're serious about it and take the time to learn the basics, it should be fun and productive for you!

Hope this helps,

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HMS III
Mocksville, NC
BB62 vet 68-69

Builder's yard:
USS STODDARD (DD-566) 66-68 1:144, Various Lg Scale FC Directors
Finished:
USS NEW JERSEY (BB-62) 67-69 1:200
USN Sloop/Ship PEACOCK (1813) 1:48
ROYAL CAROLINE (1748) 1:47
AVS (1768) 1:48