Boating and 3D Printing

[Bigplumbs]

Currently I need to create 6 bonnets as described here: A cure for leaky chainplates - Practical Boat Owner
I don't have access to mill, in theory I could use column drill but recently I thought about 3d printing. Either entire element (need to think about UV degradation here) either mould to do it out of reinforced resin. Looking for other projects to justify spending 150 quid on 3d printer. I am also considering ordering such element.
For other projects, I also thought about designing printed element to make it possible to reinforce it with some resin and fiberglass.

3D Printed Objects that you can print on say and Ender 3 Pro are not particularly strong and do suffer UV degradation. For printing Plugs or moulds for fiberglass work they would be very good in my opinion

 

[snowbird30ds]

How big can you print lengthwise? I've been hunting for some light surrounds for old labcraft trilite fittings as I have 3 that are starting to fall apart, just got me thinking....
Would be about 400mm long 100mm wide and 5ish mm thick.

 

[Bigplumbs]

How big can you print lengthwise? I've been hunting for some light surrounds for old labcraft trilite fittings as I have 3 that are starting to fall apart, just got me thinking....
Would be about 400mm long 100mm wide and 5ish mm thick.

the bed size of an ender 3 pro can print about 220 x 220 x 220 mm so print in 2 parts and join together

 

[slawosz]

3D Printed Objects that you can print on say and Ender 3 Pro are not particularly strong and do suffer UV degradation. For printing Plugs or moulds for fiberglass work they would be very good in my opinion

I am thinking about using ASA for the covers, which id UV resistant. And I believe it will be strong enough for the purpose of keeping a butyl mastic in place.
Apparently, Ender 3, after little tuning can print a variety of materials - have you tried something more advanced, like nylon, etc?

 

[Bigplumbs]

I am thinking about using ASA for the covers, which id UV resistant. And I believe it will be strong enough for the purpose of keeping a butyl mastic in place.
Apparently, Ender 3, after little tuning can print a variety of materials - have you tried something more advanced, like nylon, etc?

I have only used PLA and close variants of PLA

 

[slawosz]

I have only used PLA and close variants of PLA

I think I will also will give PET-G a try: PETG UV Resistance: How long can you leave it in the sun? Technology outlet sells it for 14 quid/KG.
Now I just need to decided if I really need 3d printer and if so, to choose from Ender 3 V2, Ender 3 Pro and Ender 3 Max....

 

[slawosz]

I have my Ender 3 Max for few weeks now, used 1 KG of PLA and learned basics of Fusion 360. Its an excellent technology and I did few tools already. I am wondering if I can build new shelfs on my yacht using 3D printed elements. I also tested wood filament, and it looks like this (before and after sanding):

 

[slawosz]

I already printed several bits for my boat. Handbearing compass holder that allows compass to be mouted unter traveller beam:

And VESA adapter for chartplotter:

 

[CliveF]

I have done a few bits for my boat, some PETG most PLA. They are
Kill cord clip for Suzuki DF6.
Kill cord clip for Honda BF6A.
Dust cover for the Honda fuel connector on the 22 lt remote tank.
Special spacer pieces that sit inside the rear lift rings of my Honwave so that my removable rod holders can be screwed into place on said rings.
Spacer washer for my tiller extension thumbscrew. It came without and the retailer gave a good discount for the defective item.
Had it sorted with a new bolt ,wing nut and spacer in half an hour.
Test piece standoff spacers for my removable beachmaster transom wheels. Allowed me to perfect the design / spacing cheaply and quickly before a made the real things ( 8 of ) out of 316 stainless bar.

As has already been said you need to be very aware of the slicing / print direction to make sure you get a reasonable strength.
They will never be as good as injection moulded but for cheap, custom made, easily replaceable parts it is convenient if you have one.
Other hobbies like RC modeling help justify the expense if you need to, I didn't, I openly said nuts I want to have a play with one of those.
It has done quite a few things for my wife's sewing as well. It does tend to just sit there now, particularly over summer, but how many £150 + power tools do you have sitting around doing nothing most of the time.

Regards Clive

 

[Assassin]

I use a couple of professional units for the moulds or plugs for casting other materials such as metals or resins and as for the plastic usage, negliagable as you can use the plug many times to make anything from sand boxes to plaster casts.