I meant to ask how long does the initial fascination with 3D printing last?
A little over a week ago I ordered a 3D printer to tinker with and make some of my projects a little more appealing to the eye. After putting it together I sat mesmerized for about three hours watching a few test objects print.
Finally after a week of figuring out FreeCAD, setting up Wine so I can install and run the slicer on Linux, and about three hours researching and tweaking settings I have finally made something. First thing was a flat 1mm thick square with different sized holes to measure and get an idea of tolerances along with finding what diameter I will need for some screws. Next came a 1mm thick template for a TFT bezel for a finishing touch on a project. It only took four tries at three hours each to get the first template right. I found a trick yesterday which cut it down to an hour. Now as I write this I am rolling back and forth between the computer and the printer just watching it work on the final draft.
I think over the last four days I've spent probably 12 - 14 hours just watching the printer move along stacking tiny lines into a finished object. Luckily my need to take care of basic household things is starting to kick in and so I have managed to pull myself away and get a few other things accomplished. I figured after a little experience with CNC mills at one time and several years of turning raw plastic pellets into bottles that this little gadget wouldn't hold my attention like it does.
So how long does the fascination last? Did I set myself on a path to addiction of printing things? Was it a bad idea to order four rolls of filament also?
A little over a week ago I ordered a 3D printer to tinker with and make some of my projects a little more appealing to the eye. After putting it together I sat mesmerized for about three hours watching a few test objects print.
Finally after a week of figuring out FreeCAD, setting up Wine so I can install and run the slicer on Linux, and about three hours researching and tweaking settings I have finally made something. First thing was a flat 1mm thick square with different sized holes to measure and get an idea of tolerances along with finding what diameter I will need for some screws. Next came a 1mm thick template for a TFT bezel for a finishing touch on a project. It only took four tries at three hours each to get the first template right. I found a trick yesterday which cut it down to an hour. Now as I write this I am rolling back and forth between the computer and the printer just watching it work on the final draft.
I think over the last four days I've spent probably 12 - 14 hours just watching the printer move along stacking tiny lines into a finished object. Luckily my need to take care of basic household things is starting to kick in and so I have managed to pull myself away and get a few other things accomplished. I figured after a little experience with CNC mills at one time and several years of turning raw plastic pellets into bottles that this little gadget wouldn't hold my attention like it does.
So how long does the fascination last? Did I set myself on a path to addiction of printing things? Was it a bad idea to order four rolls of filament also?