My first leather inlay

[sbrownn]

Just finished my first 3D printed inlay for my guitar strap.  The inlays are set into a debossed pattern on the guitar strap.

The inlays are based on the New Mexico Zia and the design of the torch from the Preston Thompson guitars. 

[PastorBob]

Wow!  That looks super clean.  Very eye catching!

[sbrownn]

Thanks. 

For anyone interested the parts were printed with a 0.2mm nozzle and are 0.02" thick.  The clearance between the inlays and the outer parts is 0.017". 

I wish there were some other materials in a wide array of colors that could be 3D printed besides plastic but for now I'm just experimenting with the technique.

[fredk]

You can 3D print with metals. I've seen aluminium and brass

[sbrownn]

1 minute ago, fredk said:

You can 3D print with metals. I've seen aluminium and brass

Yes, I've done some printing with copper.  The problem for me is that there are some additional tools and work needed to make it actually look like metal.  Most of the metal filaments are about 60% plastic and 40% metal so you have to burn out the plastic in a furnace and then you have to sand and polish the remaining metal otherwise it doesn't look much different from plastic.  I tried finishing some copper pieces without burning out the plastic but found the work necessary to bring them to a shine was really time consuming and maybe not even possible with so much plastic still there.  I didn't try an orbital sander but that might be a possibility.

[Gezzer]

Very nice !!!   I admire anyone who does the 3D printing , I only wish I knew how ................. I would be DANGEROUS

[sbrownn]

14 minutes ago, Gezzer said:

Very nice !!!   I admire anyone who does the 3D printing , I only wish I knew how ................. I would be DANGEROUS

Well actually the 3D printing itself is pretty simple as the machine is easy to operate once you have made the file for it to read.  Making the file is a little more complicated but nothing you couldn't learn in a few days.  I think Fusion 360 is a free program and although I use SolidWorks I think they are pretty similar.  I taught CAD design in a University engineering program so I did have a leg up in that aspect.

[Gezzer]

2 hours ago, sbrownn said:

but nothing you couldn't learn in a few days.  

You Sir are an optimist  , I am computer illiterate for the most part .  I will look at the Fusion program as the son-in-law is versed in computer speak and might be willing to take on the task of " teaching " me . 

Thanks

[dikman]

Very impressive! Regarding removing the plastic from around the copper, what about soaking it in acetone to dissolve the plastic?

[fredk]

The chap I was talking to who showed me the metal parts soaked the parts in cellulose thinners. He did not explain why though. But that might have been to dissolve the plastic