3D Plasticaster Build

[andybanks]

It's looking pretty good to me. :-)

I would be surprised if it would be possible to get a perfect finish from the printer, and since there are so many internal and hard to get at surfaces, it would take a massive effort to clean it all up to make it look nice. There might have been an opportunity to use plastic welding to fill some of the bigger gaps before the filler, but it is pretty tricky to not burn through the thin shell of the printed parts and screw it all up. I have probably about a 50% hit rate on that sort of thing.

If you look back at the original picture you posted of your inspiration, you'll notice the finish is also not perfect - in fact I think they may have wrapped it in vinyl, but they have definitely hidden the imperfections by using a matte finish. Reflective surfaces (especially dark colours like black) always show up the imperfections, so it will be harder to get a super clean look with the gloss black. If you can live with it, it is still pretty cool... Just stand back and squint a bit. :-)

I am still really keen to see how this works mechanically and how it responds to string tension. Will it stay in tune? will it resonate somehow unexpectedly? Pretty keen to see how it functions. :-)

p.s. I think you are on the right track with the clear, let it go off for a day or two, and then have another crack at it. Apparently the weather is only going to be almost nice in Ballarat tomorrow..

[lunaticds]

It's looking pretty good to me. :-)

I would be surprised if it would be possible to get a perfect finish from the printer, and since there are so many internal and hard to get at surfaces, it would take a massive effort to clean it all up to make it look nice. There might have been an opportunity to use plastic welding to fill some of the bigger gaps before the filler, but it is pretty tricky to not burn through the thin shell of the printed parts and screw it all up. I have probably about a 50% hit rate on that sort of thing.

If you look back at the original picture you posted of your inspiration, you'll notice the finish is also not perfect - in fact I think they may have wrapped it in vinyl, but they have definitely hidden the imperfections by using a matte finish. Reflective surfaces (especially dark colours like black) always show up the imperfections, so it will be harder to get a super clean look with the gloss black. If you can live with it, it is still pretty cool... Just stand back and squint a bit. :-)

I am still really keen to see how this works mechanically and how it responds to string tension. Will it stay in tune? will it resonate somehow unexpectedly? Pretty keen to see how it functions. :-)

p.s. I think you are on the right track with the clear, let it go off for a day or two, and then have another crack at it. Apparently the weather is only going to be almost nice in Ballarat tomorrow..

Cool cheers. The paint is satin, but it seems particularly glossy, and does absolutely show everything. I'm just resigning myself to the fact that the imperfections are cool.

Weather, nice, Ballarat? You mean we're gonna have one of those 3 days a year tomorrow? Awesome. Saves me checking the weather. :P