Topic: Anyone here using a 3D printer to create accessories?

[DSatz]

Please forgive me if this is already covered, but I didn't find anything via Search. I'm strongly tempted to get an inexpensive 3D printer so that I can experiment with various mike mounting accessories.

Is anyone here already doing this? If so, any advice for newbies, such as materials or printers to prefer or avoid?

--best regards

[2manyrocks]

I briefly looked at 3d printers and read several reviews that suggested that the inexpensive ones are problematic/time consuming to set up, and keep operating. 

Another option is to design the parts and have them made by a service like shapeways.com.  That leaves you free to concentrate on the design and avoids the expensive and aggravation of dealing with a cheap 3d printer.

SRSrecordings already has several mic mounts available on the shapeways site.  There's a thread here on his ORTF mount in the retail section.  He has designed some custom mounts on request.  Could be a resource to have something made or discuss the process of having shapeways actually print an item. 

[DSatz]

Thanks, I've seen the references to Shapeways in the threads referred to. But is there no one here in the forum who uses one so far?

[johnfitz]

Plenty of positive reviews in this thread: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=170480.0

[John Willett]

Thanks, I've seen the references to Shapeways in the threads referred to. But is there no one here in the forum who uses one so far?

I have bought the Shapeways ORTF mounts for the Gefell M300 and the Sennheiser MKH 8040.

[Gutbucket]

A Highschool science teacher friend has one and is getting more and more well versed at using it.  He's up at a additive-manufacturing conference currently and will be teaching a class for local teachers on using it this summer.  I'll be getting some hands on time in the off-hours but haven't yet seen it or played around with it yet.

[H₂O]

i am planning on drawing up vintage CMMT parts this summer in CAD and having the brass parts milled/plastic printed in the near future


I will definitely post on progress, etc

[DSatz]

John W., thanks, but when I asked, "is there no one here in the forum who uses one so far?" I really meant: Does anyone one here own and/or use a 3D printer, or not?

It's looking increasingly like "not."

--best regards

[DigiGal]

DSatz have you looked at ExOne?  www.exone.com

I see a big future in 3D printing but equate owning a cheap printer the same as photo printers. Not worth it in the long run, better to farm out the printing to be done on a good printer.  If you are planning to do a lot of printing then it could be worthwhile to buy a better printer.