3D Printed Mast Cap

[Russ]

Thanks Kevin,

Good advice.

I'll add it to my Santa list. Sounds like a fun winter hobby to get into. Browsing thingverse and I see some fun projects.

[tomradams]

The tablet looking thing is a HD TV antenna I got on Amazon. It worked out great since the cable it comes with is 32.8FT and it fit perfectly down the mast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0956 ... UTF8&psc=1

[tomradams]

I would definitely recommend getting a good 3D printer. I started out with Anet A8 and learned a lot, but spent more time fixing it than printing. Then I rebuilt it from the ground up with a metal frame and 3D printed parts. So I now have a AM8 like this one (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2263216).

I have designed and printed dozens of parts for my .

Cup and Horn Holder


Line Holders


Garbage Bag holders



Control Cable Hanger


Lysol wipe holder for my Airhead



Winch handle holder


Table leg mount using a cutting board for the table


Airhead fan housing


And Dozens more.

[Russ]

The tablet looking thing is a HD TV antenna I got on Amazon. It worked out great since the cable it comes with is 32.8FT and it fit perfectly down the mast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0956 ... UTF8&psc=1

$8.00 and free shipping.

Wow. I should buy one just because it's cheap and comes with a long cable.

I have an antenna someplace that surprised me how well it worked. We almost never watch broadcast TV (or TV for that matter), but this is cool and a great backup.

[Russ]

I would definitely recommend getting a good 3D printer. I started out with Anet A8 and learned a lot, but spent more time fixing it than printing. Then I rebuilt it from the ground up with a metal frame and 3D printed parts. So I now have a AM8 like this one (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2263216).

I have designed and printed dozens of parts for my .

Wow. Some very cool "things". Are they published on Thingverse?
This could be a dangerous hobby to get into. I could see lots of fun things to make.

Forgive the newbie question, but I assume there are UV-resistant materials that can be used?

[kmclemore]

The tablet looking thing is a HD TV antenna I got on Amazon. It worked out great since the cable it comes with is 32.8FT and it fit perfectly down the mast.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0956 ... UTF8&psc=1

$8.00 and free shipping.

Wow. I should buy one just because it's cheap and comes with a long cable.

I have an antenna someplace that surprised me how well it worked. We almost never watch broadcast TV (or TV for that matter), but this is cool and a great backup.

We use a similar antenna up at the lake house. It gets the major channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS) plus stuff like the MeTV channel and some others. Combined with having decent Internet that can deliver Amazon Prime, Paramount Network, etc. that’s enough for us. Here's a map and list of the channels we get over the air at our location.... you can enter your own zip code to determine what you'd likely get.

https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmit ... c40a82b839

[tomradams]

The only one published to Thingverse is the mast cap and that's the older version without the HD TV bracket (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5341382).

The material I use for the is PETG.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PD ... LO1C&psc=1

I have read that PETG is UV resistance. And so far after two years outdoors my cup holders are holding up well.

[kmclemore]

The material I use for the is PETG.

I also use PETG for exposed items. I made a phone holder for my car and it sits on the dashboard. It's been there for two years now, in sun and heat... indeed, even in Colorado summer heat and sun. It appears to be utterly unaffected.

[blue crab]

Let me reintroduce myself. I'm "Blue crab" formerly "Bluecrab". I have been off the site for quite awhile, my IP changed ownership, I forgot to update my email before the deadline and I also forgot the password. So it was easier to create a new login.

Needing to mount wind instruments I also designed and printed a new mast cap about 3 years ago. I was waiting to post, not having gained access to my account and also wanting to test it out first. I went through a few design mods, settled on one and printed it in dark blue PETG. It has held up just "OK", faded and a little brittle, so I replaced it this spring with a new one in white and coated with epoxy inside and out. I suspect it will eventually suffer the same effects but maybe last a bit longer. I have also show a drink holder and lug nut caps.

I started printing parts at work on a 40k commercial machine, even they need tweaking, maintenance and special design considerations. My first printer is an A2 plus that came as a 100 parts needing assembly and has many upgrades including firmware and enclosure. I also have an Ender 3 pro that prints pretty well with little assembly.

A few things I have posted to thingiverse https://www.thingiverse.com/walljoh/designs







The new one with some mods in white PETG.





Coating with epoxy, it may eventually yellow and I can paint it.





Drink holder and lug nut caps.

[Russ]

Love those 3d printings. I really have to ask Santa for a 3D printer.

BTW, we can reset your email and password on the other login. Easy peezy. Send an email to macgregorsailors.com @ gmail.com

[BOAT]

Based on what I see here I can say that about 90% of the parts to make a tiller autopilot could have been made with tomradams 3D printer.

[kmclemore]

Very nice work, Blue Crab!

So, I'm wondering... with a few of us involved in 3D printing and design, would it be useful to start an area for posting 3D print files? They take very little space, and perhaps it might be useful.

Thoughts? Would you use the repository? Would you contribute? Is it worth it?

[blue crab]

Very nice work, Blue Crab!

Thanks!

I'd say the last 10 years of my carrier was more fun than a person should be allowed to have at work. I must warn people though, it can be very addictive and at the same time very frustrating. The best rewards are when something breaks at home and you can model and print an new one, especially when replacement parts are unavailable or creating something completely new. I have also done this many times for friends and relatives. Exact replicas of window awning and appliance knobs, glass table mounting clips, custom refrigerator brackets etc. I typically get reimbursed in filament or apple pie . I've paid for my printers and material many times over but loose on the amount of time spent.

I think its worth having an area hear for posting what we are making, including tips and tricks. At the very least links to other locations such at thingivers.com and our personal accounts. The website geared for this have a nice structure for including design and printing details.

https://www.thingiverse.com/walljoh/designs
Wally

[kmclemore]

Very nice work, Blue Crab!

I think its worth having an area hear for posting what we are making, including tips and tricks. At the very least links to other locations such at http://thingiverse.com and our personal accounts. The website geared for this have a nice structure for including design and printing details.

https://www.thingiverse.com/walljoh/designs
Wally

My Thingiverse profile is here, Wally:

https://www.thingiverse.com/kmclemore/designs

Let's see if anyone else chimes in... perhaps we can find a way to link a host to this site, or even host them, if there's enough interest.

[Bluecrab]

Thanks Russ,

I am back as "bluecrab", no space .