L-Tech Section, 3D Printed Body

February 20, 2018

I've just purchased a 3D printer. For my first project, I wanted to print a body for my Levenger L-Tech section. You see, I like the knurled grip, but I don't like the weight and balance of the body. The results were... passable I suppose:

I consider this a prototype more than a finished product. I couldn't seem to print threads that worked with the section properly, but I was able to brute-force it in the end. Hopefully I'll figure it out someday. The body/cap threads were much easier; they are actually four-start threads. It takes one and a quarter turns to cap and uncap. The cap cannot be posted, which is something I think I shall try to fix in my next attempt. I'd also like to try to print a cap with a clip next time.

February 20, 2018

Pretty neat! Can you create a clip, either integrated or slip-on?

February 21, 2018

Pretty neat! Can you create a clip, either integrated or slip-on?

I intend to try! I have a couple of ideas for how, though my immediate goal is to improve print quality as it's not where I'd like yet.

February 21, 2018

What are you making this with? I will print one of my own if I can adapt it to my needs. Been looking for one. Might add O-rings and stuff.

For threads that tiny compromise may be needed, rather than full threads, half or quarter threads with gaps maybe?

February 21, 2018

What are you making this with? I will print one of my own if I can adapt it to my needs. Been looking for one. Might add O-rings and stuff.

For threads that tiny compromise may be needed, rather than full threads, half or quarter threads with gaps maybe?

My printer is a Robo R2. I'm just using the basic PLA that came with it.

I modeled it in Blender (it's basically just tubes and screws) and used the Robo's built-in slicer. The Robo is supposed to be capable of 0.02mm layer height, but I might be running on old firmware or something because the highest resolution option (which I used for this) was 0.06mm.

I think the problem with the threads might be partly due to the slicer, resolution, or possibly overhang because of how I'm modelling the threads. I'm going to keep experimenting for now.