For anyone interested, attached are details of how I prep my McLaren bodies for racing with 3D printed and other reinforcements. The .STL files of the 3D printed parts are also attached.
The best glue I've found for attaching the 3D printed parts is Welder glue (https://www.homaxproducts.com/patch-...dhesive-2-pack), it's like a better version of Goop and remains somewhat flexible so won't break in crashes.
The reinforcements won't make the body unbreakable, but for the most part protect the main failure points I've experienced. The front splitter reinforcement is by far the most important piece as that area is generally the first to crack.
Art what 3D printer do you use? I have been looking at them for a long time but I have not decided on which one to get.
I have a Flashforge Creator Pro, which is now several years old but still working fine. I chose it primarily as it has dual extruders (for printing two materials, mainly using one for support) as well a heated enclosure (for printing ABS).
I think there are now several capable lower cost machines now that would be fine, especially if they are small Mini-Z parts. I used to print mainly in ABS, but now mainly in PLA+ as the newer PLA+ filaments are strong enough and much easier to print without warping.
I need a similar nose reinforcement for the Audi R8. Ideally something that would peg over the nose clip box and extend flat to the back profile of the splitter. All of mine seem to crack right at the perimeter of the front grille area. That level of modeling is beyond my skill set however.
I need a similar nose reinforcement for the Audi R8. Ideally something that would peg over the nose clip box and extend flat to the back profile of the splitter. All of mine seem to crack right at the perimeter of the front grille area. That level of modeling is beyond my skill set however.
Which R8, 2015 or the older one? I think I saw a front reinforcement on Shapeways or Thingiverse for the older one. It was just for the profile of the splitter though.
The old one. I looked at Thingaverse but did not check shapeways. I don’t shop Shapeways, far to expensive for what your getting. Half a decade prior, when services were not so common place or accessible, it was amazing. Now that device pricing has come down, it’s so much cheaper than what Shapeways charges you, plus shipping... printed bodies for example are near Autoscale pricing making it more of a must have vs. want experience.
The old one. I looked at Thingaverse but did not check shapeways. I don’t shop Shapeways, far to expensive for what your getting. Half a decade prior, when services were not so common place or accessible, it was amazing. Now that device pricing has come down, it’s so much cheaper than what Shapeways charges you, plus shipping... printed bodies for example are near Autoscale pricing making it more of a must have vs. want experience.
I agree for some things Shapeways makes no sense. Replacement side body clips are $54 for a set of 8 or so! However, if the part is small, it can be inexpensive. There is also a huge discrepancy in quality on what I can do on my printer vs. what their industrial printers can do. Although I'm not sure the reinforcement is what you are looking for, but it only costs $5.
The old one. I looked at Thingaverse but did not check shapeways. I don’t shop Shapeways, far to expensive for what your getting. Half a decade prior, when services were not so common place or accessible, it was amazing. Now that device pricing has come down, it’s so much cheaper than what Shapeways charges you, plus shipping... printed bodies for example are near Autoscale pricing making it more of a must have vs. want experience.
PM me your address. I bought a set of 4 from Shapeways a year or so ago, I think I have one left, doubt I'll get another Audi body.
Domestic printers have some astounding resolution compared to just 5 years ago. It's not up there yet for bodies as too much stepping is visible but that is true of Shapeways as well. I bought the Challenger body on shapeways and stepping is clearly visible, even with the powder material they offer.
Now, if only anyone made reproductions of Reflex Racing lexan wings...
[03/22/17] MZR was on vacation, didn't... : All kidding aside, the host experienced a bit of a server meltdown last week and efforts to restore the site to a new server took longer than anticipated.
The current server is temporary until - more»
[11/25/15] Did You Hear? Our Black... : Hey Racers,
We're getting started a bit early with our Black Friday sale this year. Generally we're not supporters of retailers opening early on Thanksgiving, but in our case, we're - more»
[06/30/15] shop.tinyrc.com: Have You... : Hey All!
Just a quick reminder to everyone that we post all of our shop.tinyrc.com Newletters here on the MZR Forum. If for some reason you miss them in your email inbox, you can always see the - more»