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3d printing at the farm

 
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Hello

My wife and I recently dove into a 3d printer to assist us in the whole homeschooling of our little one.
but i looked at it as a tool for the farm to make all them little things that usually break around the place like clips .. or hooks ..

wondering if there is anyone out there using their 3d printer to make money at the farmers market.

what are you guys printing for sale?
 
pollinator
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My husband uses a 3D printer to print miniature figures which he molds and casts for slotcar hobbyists.  Most of his customers are in Europe.

http://immenseminiatures.com

 
pollinator
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What do you print in?

For me, the plastic stuff is little more than proof of concept, but it does that really well. Also, as mentioned, I like that a mouldable model can be printed for casting out of some more durable material.

I love the idea of printing out of metal. That will be truly useful.

-CK
 
pollinator
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I just learned my local library has a 3D printing lab - not sure what costs are associated with it(if any).

I don't know if i can think of any products to make for homestead use or sale, but I definitely would use it to craft custom Christmas ornaments,or design toys for my kids - so it's a savings from having to pay someone else to do it(in certain cases).
 
gardener
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Regoberto,

A thought for for you is that you might be able to do a brisk business doing custom 3D printing for specialty parts.  Do you have a 3D scanner?  I am looking to make a custom grip handle for the loader of my tractor.  I have thought about using modeling clay to shape to my specifications, and then have that scanned and printed off in a durable material.  This could be a nice side-income for you .

Just a thought,

Eric
 
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Most of my efforts right now for 3D print is for repair items around the home. For Example:

* Picked up a meat slicer for $4 @ garage sale. He sold it because the washer that holds the blade tight to the shaft was missing and it wobbled. Made model, printed, mounted and now I buy my lunch meats in bulk and save $$.
* I have made spare keys by printing them. (Moral, never let anyone take a picture of your keys.)
* Made a new gasket for the neighbor down the way 3D printed.
* Right now I am printing out net cups and end walls for a nft unit I am constructing.
* A random hook to hang tools in the shop.
 
john mcginnis
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Dustin Rhodes wrote:I just learned my local library has a 3D printing lab - not sure what costs are associated with it(if any).

I don't know if i can think of any products to make for homestead use or sale, but I definitely would use it to craft custom Christmas ornaments,or design toys for my kids - so it's a savings from having to pay someone else to do it(in certain cases).



A roll of filament (generic PLA) is about $20-25 per kg. Some of the fancier stuff costs a bit more. My Cura slicer will tell me how many grams of filament is required so I can estimate the cost pretty closely. I usually estimate at 3c/g.
 
pollinator
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Chris Kott wrote:What do you print in?

For me, the plastic stuff is little more than proof of concept, but it does that really well. Also, as mentioned, I like that a mouldable model can be printed for casting out of some more durable material.

I love the idea of printing out of metal. That will be truly useful.

-CK



Perhaps not quite printing out of metal... but my dad took up making medals lately and a few of them he has made using 3D printer digital designs. All he has to do is print in a special kind of resin that will dissipate in a burn out oven for his plaster mold. Once that mold is made you pour the metal inside.

He also makes medal replicas from antiques but the ones from the 3D printer definitely have way better detail to them!
 
pollinator
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I've done some 3D work in the video game industry and if you are good at sculping characters and have a good resin printer that can preserve details then you can sell to folks that play those tabletop games with the miniatures. Takes a lot of time & expensive software to get good at sculpting though.


If you have a large enough printer maybe print some patterns for making concrete or metal casting molds?
 
john mcginnis
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T Simpson wrote:
If you have a large enough printer maybe print some patterns for making concrete or metal casting molds?



I have given some thought to making brick molds as  interlocking pieces. Have just not modeled it up yet.
 
pollinator
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I want someone to print me hemp buckets (5-gallon ones for the garden) to replace plastic.  And the little cylinder that goes over the handle so it doesn't dig into your fingers.  I can reuse the metal handles.  Please and thanks!
 
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