Spreader 'Boots' ... 3D printed ? Any other boat parts 3D printed ?

[Refueler]

Anybody sorted 3D printing Spreader Boots ?

I've searched online but cannot find any .... only shop jobs ..

Interested in any boat parts people have 3D printed ..

 

[tudorsailor]

I have printed lots of boaty things on my 3D printer. Making spreader boots would be possible. However its a rather labourious process and would take some/alot of trial and error. One would also need to think about the material. I have printed in ASA which UV resistant but rigid. I have printed in a flexible material that is not so UV resistant.
I tend to make things that cannot be bought. So my latest creation are covers for the bottle screw instead of self-amalgamating tape


Tudorsailor

 

[Refueler]

I've now found Sail Wheels ... which actually will suit me better - faster print and a lot less filament.

For years I used the plastic Training Tennis balls .. the ones with all the holes in ... cut slot - pass over and zip-tie to fix. They last 2 - 3 years before they harden up in UV and then fall off !! Reckon my Sail Wheels in PLA will last about a month !!

 

[tudorsailor]

Do you mean these that are in Thingiverse Sail protection wheel by whatsacc
Can you not print in ASA??? Would last a long time

TS

 

[Refueler]

I don't have other filament at present ... everything I buy has to be imported ... there is a shop in Riga ... but they only do PLA or ABS

 

[tudorsailor]

Why not buy from3DJake. They deliver to Latvia for £3
ApolloX™ Light Grey 1.75 mm / 750 g

However ASA is not as easy to print as PLA. Needs a higher temp and then slower print speed with no cooling

TS

 

[chris-s]

You can always paint the PLA parts to protect them from UV.

 

[wiggy]

I've now found Sail Wheels ... which actually will suit me better - faster print and a lot less filament.

For years I used the plastic Training Tennis balls .. the ones with all the holes in ... cut slot - pass over and zip-tie to fix. They last 2 - 3 years before they harden up in UV and then fall off !! Reckon my Sail Wheels in PLA will last about a month !!

PLA is not very environmentally stable, ABS, would be a better bet, just a bit trickier to get temperatures right when printing.

 

[Refueler]

PLA is not very environmentally stable, ABS, would be a better bet, just a bit trickier to get temperatures right when printing.

Agree .... but PLA is all I have at present !!

Now I have my A-Frame for mast - I can not worry so much about life of items like this ... later I will get some ABS or PETG for better versions.

 

[tudorsailor]

PLA is not very environmentally stable, ABS, would be a better bet, just a bit trickier to get temperatures right when printing.

ASA is about as difficult/easy to print as ABS, but UV stable. I found the main problem was delamination. I found that the solution was to slow the print speed down and turn off the cooling fans. Now it prints quite reliably.
TS