3D printing

[ridinframe]

Ive been building a replica of a 1:1 scale truck. It has custom wheels that are like the stock ones just larger. I have the stock scale ones, I wanna see about using them to make a bigger diameter wheel that I can 3D print. Would anyone here know anything about 3D printing, maybe could help me or even point me in the right direction?? 

[Ace-Garageguy]

A LOT of information has been posted on the forum about 3D printing, and several people are becoming proficient with it.

This is the thread with the most info, but there are others that deal with specific issues.

FIRST thing you need to do is to learn how to do a 3D rendering of your part that can be converted into printable file format.

Google SketchUp is a FREE 3D modeling program that you can learn on your own to do the basic design work.

http://www.sketchup.com/

You can efficiently search the forum by following the instructions posted here:

 

Edited January 21, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[robertburns]

Ive been building a replica of a 1:1 scale truck. It has custom wheels that are like the stock ones just larger. I have the stock scale ones, I wanna see about using them to make a bigger diameter wheel that I can 3D print. Would anyone here know anything about 3D printing, maybe could help me or even point me in the right direction?? 

Is it scaled up equally or is the center the same as the one you have with a larger rim?

[ridinframe]

Is it scaled up equally or is the center the same as the one you have with a larger rim?

I'm not sure to be honest. I know the stock 1:1 scale wheel is a 15 inch wheel and they built a 22 inch replica of that same wheel. It looks like the center "cup" with the Chevy logo is the same size on both wheels and everything else is just scaled up to a 22 inch... 

Edited January 27, 2017 by ridinframe

[astroracer]

If you have the kit wheel covers you can just set them in a bigger wheel and get the "look". There are a lot of  bigger rims out there or you could have some custom rims turned out of aluminum to fit the stock hubcap.

Mark

[The Creative Explorer]

A LOT of information has been posted on the forum about 3D printing, and several people are becoming proficient with it.

This is the thread with the most info, but there are others that deal with specific issues.

FIRST thing you need to do is to learn how to do a 3D rendering of your part that can be converted into printable file format.

Google SketchUp is a FREE 3D modeling program that you can learn on your own to do the basic design work.

http://www.sketchup.com/

You can efficiently search the forum by following the instructions posted here:

 

From a different topic I tried Sketchup, after watching the intro video's, I decided to download and start using sketchup. Even before installation I discovered that the free program doesn't really give you much. Yes, you can draw something, but after that, you can't do anything with it. Let alone print it.

[ridinframe]

I have a set of Pegasus aluminum wheel blanks there suppose to be 22 or 23 inches but the stock wheel I have are too small..

[Edsel-Dan]

You might try asking this question in a Paper Modeling group/fortum

Or in a 3D forum/group

 

You need the file to be in a format that 3D printers use like .obj or 3ds

Check your local Library, they may now have a 3D printer

for use by patrons. Mine does,but is not open to patrons yet due to

Their (Librarians) still learning to work it

 

Check other Printers/printing places like Fed-Ex/Kinkos etc

Staples might be able to help too

 

You can also check on-line services like Shapeways as well

But scaling up the rim/hubcap may be on you

[astroracer]

Right, that doesn't look that great, huh?

Like Daniel was saying above you will need to have the hubcap modeled in 3D before it can be printed. I can model it for you AND have it printed. Any of the small desk top printers out there are not going to have the resolution needed to print that hubcap with any detail or smoothness. I send all of my stuff to Shapeways. they have the equipment to do a nice job with your part. if you want to pursue this PM me.

Mark

Edited January 27, 2017 by astroracer

[Ace-Garageguy]

From a different topic I tried Sketchup, after watching the intro video's, I decided to download and start using sketchup. Even before installation I discovered that the free program doesn't really give you much. Yes, you can draw something, but after that, you can't do anything with it. Let alone print it.

Well, if you have no clue as to how to go about 3D modeling, it's a great place to start.

Gotta start somewhere...and when you're first learning to drive around the block, it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy a Ferrari.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnYV4881tHc

And there's an extension for SketchUp to convert renderings to STL.

Edited January 28, 2017 by Ace-Garageguy

[Bugatti Fan]

3D printers are getting less expensive. However, it depends also on the 3D software design program that is used. Some of these are quite expensive, and the learning curve can take quite some time to master. After all we would be looking to make accurate engineered parts as opposed to freehand organic shapes. Once mastered though, accuracy and repeatability are achievable, but this would have to be balanced against cost viability.

[Daddyfink]

Thought this might be interesting in this thread. Ran across this on another board. 

San Francisco couple and their two cats found dead after they were poisoned by carbon monoxide from 3D printer in their home

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4167150/San-Francisco-couple-died-leaking-3-D-printer.html#ixzz4X5bwcDGq

[Spex84]

WTF. I don't think that a regular 3D printer could have done those poor folks in...sounds like a laser sintering machine or something.

Back on the wheel topic: modeling with Sketchup is pretty easy. I would highly recommend it.

And I just made a set of reasonably acceptable large-diameter "retro-stock" wheels for a '48 Ford without any 3D printing by simply taking a set of chrome wheels on low profile tires and reversing them so the insides faced out, then sunk a moon disc from another kit into each wheel. That gives me a deep chrome rim offset with a slightly domed wheel surface in the middle. Center-drilled the moon discs and mounted the stock small hubcaps to them. The result is much like a "smoothie" wheel from Wheel Vintiques or the like.

If you're looking for a dished shape to do something similar to the above, but don't have any moon discs, I'd recomment a paint pallette fro the dollar store: they're typically a plastic or metal dish with a bunch of circular depressions that can be cut out and re-purposed as wheel centers.