3D Printed Mast Cap

[tomradams]

I just got finished assembling my new Mast Cap for my . I needed a way to mount my new VHF antenna, wind indicator and anchor light. I purchased the Stainless mast cap from Blue Water Yachts but it was too small. So I decided I would design and print one up. It's made from PETG that's pretty strong and UV resistance. I over sized it to make it strong as possible. Everything is screwed together with #10 machine screws. To mount it, I'll just need to drill three hole on the sides of the mast. While trailer I can remove the antenna and wind indicator. The VHF RG-213 coax cable will come out from the top and loop around to connect to the antenna. The bottom has a strain relief that I'll loop the wires around.

I'll add this to the mod section when I get a chance.













Printable 3D Model at Thingiverse
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5341382

Here are the components.

Davis Windex Windvane Kits Universal Masthead Mount


Davis Instruments - 3150 Windex 15


Shakespeare 5215


Stern Light

[imjustinbraun]

Dude if you print off more of those I will buy one for sure!

[tomradams]

I still need to make sure it fits, but maybe I will sell some. If anyone is interested in printing your own, I posted the STL files on Thingiverse.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5341382

[Jimmyt]

Nice job! That came out great!

[PrairieMoon]

I made similar additions to my 26S mast. Had to drill out original rivets, and the new hardware made remounting a little awkward. I got it done but didn't feel great about my craftsmanship. But yours — wow! I'm impressed.

[imjustinbraun]

I really wish I'd seen this 2 weeks ago when I put my wind transducer on my mast. I ended up just using an aluminum L stock and drilling holes in the mast to bolt it up.

[Russ]

Really nice mod. Please post in the mods section along with the link to thingverse.

As noted, I bet there is a market to sell these for those without 3d printers.

[kmclemore]

As someone who used to teach CAD, industrial design and 3D printing, I say "Well Done!" Very nicely made. And very nice to have you post it on Thingiverse - I also have things posted there, and I love that folks share their designs.

I haven't made anything for my Mac on my Prusa 3D printer (yet!), but for my Tahoe I made some nifty cup holder covers (to prevent rain water from entering the boat):




I will likely post this to Thingiverse as well.

[krum]

Count me in too if you are printing several more. Here in Kansas City every place I contacted either has a minimum order or will only infill about 30%.

[Piddle and Futz]

Very nicely done, Tom!

You might also consider posting to Printables.com (Prusa's shared design site) as Thingiverse.com is ailing from neglect from owner Makerbot.

Shapeways.com also has a pretty good setup. You can share your design there and they will print on demand for whoever wants it. Choice of materials (in case anyone wants an aluminum or stainless steel version) and you can even set it up so that you get paid a small commission every time it is printed. (As an example, here's a 26M gadget from MastGates on Shapeways: https://www.shapeways.com/product/MSA6Y ... =105656218 )

I've used Shapeways extensively. We even had them print our wedding rings in gold, years ago.

[imjustinbraun]

Bumping this - Any chance we can get a group buy of these?

[tomradams]

I'll look into doing a group buy. I have worked with some companies that can print 3D models or maybe I'll put my printer to work.

Here is the finish product installed. I added a HD TV antenna, it works great. Getting over 60 channels in my home town, with out the mast raised.

Only one thing, don't forget to remove the wind indicator before trailering like I did. I was lucky that a West Marine was nearby my destination, in Solomons Island.

[Russ]

As someone who used to teach CAD, industrial design and 3D printing, I say "Well Done!" Very nicely made. And very nice to have you post it on Thingiverse - I also have things posted there, and I love that folks share their designs.

Hey Kevin, is there a good 3D "starter" printer for someone wanting to get into the hobby?

This has inspired me to see many great uses for a 3D printer.

[kmclemore]

Hey Kevin, is there a good 3D "starter" printer for someone wanting to get into the hobby?

This has inspired me to see many great uses for a 3D printer.

Well, Russ, I don't really recommend a 'starter' printer. Frankly, the starter-type printers are so mediocre in print quality that the new user can get discouraged really quickly... they require fiddling, tweaking and adjusting - something about which a new user is not nearly capable, let alone a moderately experienced one. It's kind of like saying "I've got this novice car driver here... let's give him a kit car to build because he's not ready for a real car yet."

Also, once you get good at printing, a starter printer won't give you the quality and performance you crave, and you'll just end up unloading it to get a better one... and probably within a year or two.

So... yeah, get a really good printer right from the start. Like with buying tools, you never regret paying extra to get really good quality tools, but you nearly always end up regretting buying cheap tools. And in the end, it will very likely be the cheaper alternative.

I'd buy a Prusa Mini+... yeah, it's pricey ($479 properly configured, plus shipping), but it works right out of the box and is capable of more than you'll likely ever need. And it won't need endless tweaking or accessorizing like a cheaper one will.

Buying a really good printer lets you spend time learning to print... instead of wasting time fiddling and trying to get the printer to work.

[Justpics]

I would be interested in one, right now am trying to make one from 3/4 in starboard. mine is a Mac 25
what is the tablet looking thing on your mast?

Garry