3D printed Spartan build

[Jev]

I am looking forward to seeing the final product after using the epoxy method. I can imagine with sanding it would super duper smooth.

The epoxy is nearly completely dry but it’s dried with a few channels and layers in it so I might go back over it with another layer of sanding and dabs of epoxy around the helmet. It looks clean though! I’ll post photos of it after more sanding soon

 

[Jev]

Update 14-10-23:

I LIVEEEEEEE!

Sorry for the lack of updates lads, the printer has been working overtime and so have I. I’ve gotten all of the arm pieces bar the shoulders completed, more updates soon (I promise), and scaled.

After looking back on how I did my helmet I can see I made a few procedural errors that made my life a bit harder (welded the parts together, wood filler’d the seams then coated with epoxy without sanding, THEN sanded and spray painted over it.) so now I’m just getting to properly smooth after picking up a new random orbital sander (much appreciated turbo for the tip, this thing rules). The helmet is getting pretty smooth at this point but I’m not 100% happy with it just yet, I’ll give it another go over with the sander tomorrow to see if I can’t get it ready for a (hopefully final) epoxy coat (we’re approaching 3 now due to mistakes made earlier in the build and yes, this thing is built like a brick and also has a pool of resin that will be rather convenient for mounting pads to). I’ll be getting one of the honeycomb visors from Etsy that I’ve seen before, I’ve got the voice amplifier and if anyone knows any good sets of pads I’d really appreciate if you commented with a link!

I’m currently printing the prop for this build as I’m getting a new printer soon (anycubic Kobra 2 max, I actually can’t wait). I decided on the Halo 3 carbine from moesizzlac over on thingiverse. Cutting it up to fit the old ender 3’s bed took a while but I’ve got it done now (will probably upload the cut up version to thingiverse as a remix of moes for anyone else interested in doing it themselves.

I plan on using the new printer to do the thighs, shins and chest in as little pieces as possible as opposed to the mess of parts I’m used to.

More updates to come, any tips or advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Draxes]

Smart using wood filler. I used Bondo and that stuff, while maybe better, was soooo toxic. And when you sand, the Bondo dust is also super toxic and it gets EVERYWHERE.

 

[ForwardUntoDusk]

Update 14-10-23:

I LIVEEEEEEE!

Sorry for the lack of updates lads, the printer has been working overtime and so have I. I’ve gotten all of the arm pieces bar the shoulders completed, more updates soon (I promise), and scaled.

After looking back on how I did my helmet I can see I made a few procedural errors that made my life a bit harder (welded the parts together, wood filler’d the seams then coated with epoxy without sanding, THEN sanded and spray painted over it.) so now I’m just getting to properly smooth after picking up a new random orbital sander (much appreciated turbo for the tip, this thing rules). The helmet is getting pretty smooth at this point but I’m not 100% happy with it just yet, I’ll give it another go over with the sander tomorrow to see if I can’t get it ready for a (hopefully final) epoxy coat (we’re approaching 3 now due to mistakes made earlier in the build and yes, this thing is built like a brick and also has a pool of resin that will be rather convenient for mounting pads to). I’ll be getting one of the honeycomb visors from Etsy that I’ve seen before, I’ve got the voice amplifier and if anyone knows any good sets of pads I’d really appreciate if you commented with a link!

I’m currently printing the prop for this build as I’m getting a new printer soon (anycubic Kobra 2 max, I actually can’t wait). I decided on the Halo 3 carbine from moesizzlac over on thingiverse. Cutting it up to fit the old ender 3’s bed took a while but I’ve got it done now (will probably upload the cut up version to thingiverse as a remix of moes for anyone else interested in doing it themselves.

I plan on using the new printer to do the thighs, shins and chest in as little pieces as possible as opposed to the mess of parts I’m used to.

More updates to come, any tips or advice is greatly appreciated!

Yay for new printers! Having a larger printer is definitely worth it, and saves SO much time trying to fill and smooth seams.

 

[Jev]

Smart using wood filler. I used Bondo and that stuff, while maybe better, was soooo toxic. And when you sand, the Bondo dust is also super toxic and it gets EVERYWHERE.

I'll need to order some more soon, my tub is starting to get a bit light. I do however have a big tub of body filler which I've been avoiding having to use, at least I got a respirator recently ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Jev]

Yay for new printers! Having a larger printer is definitely worth it, and saves SO much time trying to fill and smooth seams.

I feel like I've spent the majority of this build with sandpaper in my hand xD, it'll be a great to have to worry a bit less about smoothing seams!

 

[Jev]

Update 20-10-23:

Just a small status update this time,
I ran out of filament yesterday but I got most of the Carbine printed anyways so it's just a few days until the new printer arrives with 2 rolls of filament so I'll be sanding and working on the armour I have until that arrives. I might start a new build thread for the props I want to make for the armour (tacpad, some magnum variant, grenades, maybe some AI chips to give out at cons)

So on the status of the armour:

Helmet: Printed, 99% sanded, welded, wood filler'd, 3 coats of epoxy sanded down, layer of spray paint
Biceps: Printed, 80% sanded, welded, wood filler'd
Forearms: Printed, 0% sanded, welded, wood filler'd

 

[Isaac039]

Update 26-9-23:

After cleaning up the helmet with sandpaper I’ve got a final layer of epoxy down on it, mostly applied with an old paintbrush to keep it nice and thin just to seal in the smoothness.

Currently having problems with my printer not having bed adhesion so I’ll update when that’s up again

I’ve had similar problems with my printer currently. Not sure if this helps, but I’ve had success with printing with a brim, and taping the brim down with scotch 2090 tape. I had Cr-10 V2 that I would do this on when I was printing my helmet/suit

 

[ForwardUntoDusk]

I’ve had similar problems with my printer currently. Not sure if this helps, but I’ve had success with printing with a brim, and taping the brim down with scotch 2090 tape. I had Cr-10 V2 that I would do this on when I was printing my helmet/suit

Had some issues with build plate adhesion as well. I was able to fix it by making sure my z-offset was dialed in, and I upped my build plate temp a bit. Also, I wipe down my plates with 95% isopropyl alcohol before every print. Have a textured plate on my Ender, and smooth plates on my K1 and K1 Max.

Also, brims are great! Unless I’m doing a print with a lot of surface contact on the build plate, I always use a brim as well.

But I’ve also only used PLA and a little TPU. When it comes to ABS or PETG, I have no suggestions. lol.

 

[HydrationPatrol]

the prints look like they will be pretty good once you give them some sanding,

 

[Jev]

I’ve had similar problems with my printer currently. Not sure if this helps, but I’ve had success with printing with a brim, and taping the brim down with scotch 2090 tape. I had Cr-10 V2 that I would do this on when I was printing my helmet/suit

I might try that for the next few prints if I have any issues, I tried gluing the prints a while ago but it got pretty noxious so I stopped. Thanks!

 

[Isaac039]

I might try that for the next few prints if I have any issues, I tried gluing the prints a while ago but it got pretty noxious so I stopped. Thanks!

I hope it helps! Here’s a photo for reference on a leg I printed. I had to tape one of the supports to the leg since it came loose, but the tape held it down throughout the entire print. 2+ days if I recall correctly.

 

[Jev]

Update 13-11-23:

Sorry for the radio silence, but I've not had much to do with the new printer taking ages to arrive. It just arrived this morning so I'll send updates as I begin printing the next pieces after it's assembled!