3D printing

[popper]

I worked at a couple companies that had MEs with 3D cad doing prototypes. Fast and close enough dimensional. Used professional machines. Time and filament cost plus strength were only drawbacks. If it works for you, for what you want, fine.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Maybe a special section like the printable target section we have here

Would work. Since there isn't a lot if stuff in this section, if we appended anything something like "3D Printable yadayada" as a title- would make it obvious that is it specifically 3D stuff. Thoughts?

 

[Brad]

I can easily enough create a section. Just need to get around to doing it.

 

[Snakeoil]

I have to say that I'm impressed with the brass hopper and auto-trickler. The auto-trickler truly has my attention. I assume that the sensor under the balance arm of the scale is some kind of proximity sensor and that, thru the control module, shuts the trickler off when the desired weight is achieved. You have built a mechanical version of a $1000.00 precision rifle accessory. Of course the 3D printed pieces are only half the puzzle.

Taking your time out of the equation, do you have a sense for what it cost you to build that auto-trickler? I would think that there is a market if for nothing else than the plans to build one of these.

Regarding digital scales, they are used in the pharmaceutical industry. The scale that is used with the Auto-Trickler costs about $300 if I remember correctly. And it has inputs and outputs so that you could control your auto-trickler with it. I've used an Auto-Trickler and it is truly amazing if you need to load large quantities of precision ammo for a 2-day match. It uses a standard powder measure for the major load of powder and auto-trickles the last few tenths for the finished load. It is timed perfectly. While you are seating a bullet, it is dumping the next charge and when you are ready to charge another case, the charge is waiting for you.

Given what I see here, I would think that you could set up a Uniflow or similar to work with your auto-trickler to duplicate the functionality of the commercially made unit and keep your mechanical scale.

I'm regretting not learning more about digital electronics when I had the chance. At 71 I'm not sure learning something new like this is going to stick like it would have when I was younger. Might be selling myself short. Any suggestions on where to start to get grounded in this topic? I have a rudimentary understanding of programming and commands from taking Fortran IV a million years ago. I've seen ladder diagrams and such. It's how the modern components interface and need to be connected that makes me feel like a caveman.

Nice job!! Bet the wife always knows where you are.

 

[Reloader762]

My brother got himself a Ender 3D printer about three weeks ago and is printing stuff right and left. He printed me off a couple of Lee 4 hole wall mount turret holders, which I mounted today. I'll be getting about four more next week.



File https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4964969

 

[Reloader762]

Latest 3D printed project, Lee Auto Drum wall mount bracket.

 

[Bret4207]

Watched a guy on YT last night that printed out a long unavailable control switch knob for an old mill. I think he hit the nail on the head when he said something like, "It was quite difficult setting it up to create a tapered hole with ribs to match the splined/tapered shaft. Fortunately I've got 20 years of CAD drawing experience." That's the whole thing to me- experience. I've been wondering if someone could produce some out of print magazines for old rifles, like the Savage 23, but I don't know enough about the whole process to even suggest it.

 

[glassparman]

There are so many options now for 3-D printing. The filament type of 3-D printer, sometimes is not strong enough for what we want to do. There are types of filament that are stronger, PLA vs ABS, but yet some others put off noxious fumes and have to be done in a proper environment. One of my sons uses a resin printer that is super high resolution. He makes aftermarket upgrade parts for the transformers movie series of toys, and they turn out absolutely flawless without any print lines. But again there's a lot of set up required and trial and error to get your parts just right. He actually prints parts with ball joints that need to snap into place so he uses a pair of calipers on original parts to measure and even then you may have a few parts to throw away before you get them just right.

Lots of work but very rewarding!

 

[Brad]

Some are using the 3 D printers to print a model that is used for making a mould then the part is cast.

Bret, a magazine could be made but I don’t know how durable it would be. Would take a person who knew 3D modeling.

What I would like it to find a person who does small scale casting who could make replacement levers for the old round Lee hand primers. I made one but it is a bit bulky and crude.

 

[Tomme boy]

One guy I watch on utube had a cylinder printed out of aluminum for a 2 stroke he is building. He then sent it out to be hard chromed in the bore. I don't remember the cost but it was no where near out of line. It would have cost him 10x the amount to have it made out of billet and cnc milled.

 

[Reloader762]

Some are using the 3 D printers to print a model that is used for making a mould then the part is cast.

Bret, a magazine could be made but I don’t know how durable it would be. Would take a person who knew 3D modeling.

What I would like it to find a person who does small scale casting who could make replacement levers for the old round Lee hand primers. I made one but it is a bit bulky and crude.

Several different magazine file out there on the web for both pistol and rifle, basically you supply the springs and print everything else, mag, follower and floor plate, whichever applies to the mag you're printing. Average price to print out a Glock 17 Mag. plus the spring is around $2

My brother is using this brand of PLA+ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VCPK9KC/ref=twister_B0C2Y8W575?_encoding=UTF8&th=1 He's only had his printer for a couple of weeks but seem to be learning more and more every day about how to print and improve the things he's printing out. Today, he printed me out a couple of extra Lee bottle adapter shutoff valves for a couple extra bottle adapters I have for a project I'm working on. Most of the items he has printed me cost around a dollar or less.



Up next, he's printing out a batch of 3D printed tail wads that fit and are glued onto the back of the Lee 7/8 oz. slug and are used to make HOBO slugs using 1 1/8 oz. field loads shotshells, he figured out how to print out six at a time with a 50% infill that only takes a little over an hour. He's also 3D printed a cutter to remove the star crimp from the shell but leave the roll crimp intact, which holds the slug in place once it's pressed in. It's been in use for a while and has proven to be very accurate, with no issues.

3D Model


Printed tail wad glued onto slug


Six out in one printing secession.



3D printed case cutter to remove the star crimp, the dark spot on the right is the utility knife blade that is inserted from the back and stick out far enough when the case is inserted to cut the crimp out.