The two types of players
Edit: Here have a funny youtube video I reminded myself of https://youtu.be/CJpsL3XbD-M
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The two types of players
Edit: Here have a funny youtube video I reminded myself of https://youtu.be/CJpsL3XbD-M
Still cheaper than getting a 3D printer and filament and stuff. And CAD/CAM software.
It's true that you should not expect to save money in the short or long run with 3d printing as a hobby, but if it's your thing then it's nice to have a hobby that's occasionally useful. Also, autodesk fusion is free for consumer use.
I wouldn't say I've made back my investment on 3D printing in the past half a decade I've done it. But in terms of "prints for friends" like this one above I may be close. Plus there's just something nice about going "I need a measuring cup for dog food" and printing one to the exact serving size.
If you do not have a 3D printer and CAD software, you are 100% right.
If you already have those things like OP, then why not just design / print one? I am also a 3D printer / CAD person, and I love designing replacement parts that are wither too expensive, or often impossible to find. Mostly though, I design and print things that make my and my families lives easier / nicer / more convenient. And they are customized to the exact item and function, something that you would most likely never be able to get in a store or online.
Stove Knob guards. https://www.printables.com/model/278668-stove-knob-guard
Salt / Pepper Grinder Holder. https://www.printables.com/model/155219-salt-and-pepper-grinder-caddy
Spice Jar Organizer. https://www.printables.com/model/151171-spice-jar-spacer-organizer
Just to name a few things.
Software is free if you aren't using it for commercial use. Fusion 360, onshape, etc. are all free for personal use. And that's assuming someone didn't make it already and share it free.
Filament costs $17 for 1kg of perfectly fine plastic. You'd probably use 100g at most for this, so $1.70.
A Bambu A1 mini is $200, and is a modern, high quality printer that would be fine for this project.
So you only need like a half dozen of these projects to come out ahead.
On software SIDE, kinda criminal not to mention FreeCAD, it's FOSS and runs on Linux, unlike the non-free freemium and paid alternatives
But it's got a long way to go before it's at usable as the others. Definitely not a good place to start learning cad.
No, it doesn't.
The recent 1.0 release is actually very good. It is probably better at this point than some of the entry level commercial options and most importantly compared to those is not intentionally hobbled in any way.
The time for everyone to stop parroting how "everyone knows" that FreeCAD is unusable is... now. You can go ahead and delete that one; it's time to learn a new soundbyte.
One doesn't buy a 3D printer to make a knob. One is suddenly presented with a need for a knob (or a thingy, or a flangle, or a twizzlet...) and suddenly remembers, "hey - I have a 3D printer." Followed by "I wonder if there are any matching designs in one of the several massive free databases of models."
Followed by getting out the calipers and opening OpenSCAD
I wish I had pockets big enough to replace the flimsy Bosch drawers in my fridge that start to shatter as soon as you pull just a tiny bit harder than normal.
There are 3d models for some fridge drawers. I have a Frigidaire with similarly flimsy drawers and found a model for them.
Thats going to be a squidgy mess after a long cooking session. Hope he doesn't get plastic burns.
Little sanding and silver Rub 'n Buff on that print will make it look a lot better and closer match to the rest.
But what the hell happened to the other knob? I've done a lot of stupid shit around the stove but I can't imagine what could happen to it.
Pro tip as a 3D printer owner/user though:
Oftentimes for small elements like this you can just contact the company and they'll send you a knob or whatever. (Probably won't be that lucky on repair parts though)
But I also enjoy the pride of seeing things I've repaired and longevitized with my own equipment. :)
I just grab the serial number from a recently sold one and file a warranty claim on it.