"I wrote a guide to 3D printing for wargaming" Topic

I recently pulled the trigger on a resin 3D printer and in the process of getting it set up and printing figures I've learned a ton that I thought I would share:

link

Some of my printed figures:

Thanks for sharing. Does this printer allow one to print a miniature in a different size. Like a 15mm in to a 28mm figure?

Old Contemptible: Yes! This is actually the easiest thing in the world and just involves re-scaling the model in the software before printing.

I've upscaled 32mm Star Wars legion models to 54mm, for example. Here are two of them next to some 54mm Star Wars Command figures:

Thanks

Very nice. Thanks!

Very kind of you to put this up Joe.
A whole new area for wargamers.
Thanks

martin

Great article. A couple of things to add. When a print is finished, leave it to drip for some time, this will make clean-up easier and save some resin. The Original Mars came with a little bracket to hold the plate at an angle to help this. I printed a version that I could leave attached to the plate. The paid version of Lychee is very cheap and well worth it at less than $3 USD US/month. It adds very nice auto supports and an island detector that I find worth the money alone. A wash and cure stations is a luxury, but the amount of time it has saved me is also worth it.

This is something that I am looking into as well.

Thanks for sharing that wonderfully written article. You have probably helped more folks than you know!

Thanks everyone!

And thanks for the additions RAF! Agree on all of them, and will have to check out Lychee since I spend sometimes 15-30 minutes on support alone right now with Chitubox.

I agree with RAF – let a long print go overnight is a good way to drip off the excess. Also a W&C station is worth it. I got a used version 1.0 Anycubic W&C off ebay for $80. USD Just printed a mod to hold the updated platform and good to go.

Slicers can be personal taste and dependent on which printer you own. I don't like Lychee. I use Chitu to place support and then scale and slice in the Anycubic software. I have an Anycubic Mono.

I had a printer and sold it. The amount of failed prints, flash clean up and maintenance I decided was not worth it. I would rather buy finished product.

I do believe this technology is the future. However I could not finish watching the excellent presentation as it was just to techy and involved and I can just call on the phone to dozens of companies and get what I want--- without all the hassle and bother??
I really do not have a dog in the fight even though I am in the industry, but I am 70 years old and have had my glory days?
It just seem that the printing is now almost a hobby unto itself with way to much involvement.
My honest take.
Russ Dunaway

You have to somewhat careful about rescaling. The process itself is very easy, as noted above. There are significant consequences if, for example, you resize a figure from 28mm to 6mm. In general, items like small arms, spears, mudguards and even the likes of legs and arms can become too thin to print effectively.

Robert

I've got an anycubic photon mono coming for Xmas. will be reading your guide

I just took the plunge and bought an Elegoo Mars 2. Was on sale, had a reasonable print size, and good reviews. And then I went back and read your article and that is the printer you bought! How fun!

Mars 2 was on sale yesterday for $192. USD Today it is up to $225. USD And I could not justify the increased cost for the Mars 2 Pro. The filter is useless, and the slight increase in height not really a factor.

I also got the Mercury Plus Wash & Cure from Elegoo on sale, via ebay. It was the new version 2.0, for $95. USD I am all about less muss and fuss, and think it will be money well spent.

I then went back and re-read your article, ,so see what else I may need to get ready to prep my own workstation. It's learn as you go time coming up shortly. Really looking forward to trying resin. I had FDM and it was fine for some terrain, but just not good enough for miniatures, and that is where it's now at for me.

So again, Mr Duck …. thanks for your wonderful article!

@Olfd Glory … I hea

^I picked up an Anycubic Photon Mono and the Anycubic Wash/Cure machine. Basically equivalent to what you've got.

Like you've I've got a decent amount of FDM printing experience, but I found that none of that really transferred. It's a whole new experience.

However…it's been really, really, easy. Setup was a breeze. I've got it in a well ventilated spot by a window, the resin doesn't stink much at all, and the prints are coming out fantastic.

I can churn out 4 Battalions (32 Figures each, 4 to a strip) of 12mm Napoleonic infantry in 2.5 hours.

swammeyjoe,

PICS ??

Not the greatest pic, but here's a comparison with Warlord Epic Battles. These are upscaled 6mm miniatures which explains why some of the proportions look odd, but with the naked eye they look fine, even close up. And they look awesome on the table en masse.

imgur.com/a/TTt482K

I can see how they would look really good in mass, which is what I always liked anyway.
I think they look better then the Epic.
I noticed they had becomes, Prussian, Spanish?

Russ Dunaway

@SeattleGamer Awesome! Glad you were able to pick it up on sale, and glad the article has been helpful. Excited to see any results from your prints.

@SeattleGamer

I'm assuming you live in the Seattle area? :)

If you would print for others, mind dropping me an email? I to live in the area and while thought about buying one, it's not something I want to tackle now.

I can't send/receive PM's so here is my email

zasgard@hotmail.com

Thanks

@Aducknamedjoe

Great article, I ordered up the printer and some other bits went ahead and used your links to thank you.

Chris

@greenknight4 Thank you! Sorry just saw your reply. If you're looking for something to print I just collaborated with some Ukrainian designers to create STLs of Ukrainian soldiers with donations going to support the Ukrainian military: link

I just purchased the above STL file to support Ukraine.

I have posted an offer on my website to print and mail one for free to people who donate but do not have a 3D printer.

link

I don't know. I am just skimming, but it looks like the Ukrainian product above may fund arms/foreign warfare directly.

I know there were complaints that, I think it was call of duty computer game, was paying money to weapons companies.

I feel there should be a line between real ongoing war and entertainment.

Although, without researching more, the above may be used for more post combat purposes, like health care.

On top of that, depending on how things go, the other side may end up with the money?? There is that risk.

I know a lot of countries are aiding Ukrainian forces, but that is through their governments. I also believe there may be some laws about individuals funding foreign wars.

Something to think about/research yourself.

Err that link goes to a massage web page.

@Royal Air Force

Can you share a link for that holder. I downloaded one but it was not designed correctly.

I don't understand Elegoo. Both my Mars 2Pr printers came with these holders but my Mars 3Pro's don't???

Thanks

chri

I found some to try. if I find one that works I will post it here :)