What can I make from my 3D equipment?

[Screwdriver]

There are people out there with money to burn. Especially for a unique model.

This is true. I have acquired another large printer (a Voron no less!) with the aim of actually doing something with all these things....

 

[My Old Landy]

If you do not tell anyone about your service and do not show pictures of what you have made, how will people find out about what you can offer?

As a marketing platform, Etsy and the like can get you a lot of views for very little cost. Look on eBay at the number of £0.99 auctions offering maching services that say 'send details of what you want and I will quote. If you buy this for 99p, you get a business card'.

If you are not interested in the tat end, emphasise the design end. Call it a bespoke 3D design service: "Come to me when you cannot find what you want on Thingiverse"; "Seen something on Etsy that is almost what you want? Speak to me and I can make you _exactly_ what you want".

For a person with average skills, maybe you can offer one or two prototypes as part of the service. You can send them a rough or unusable part so they can try it for fit, refine or improve the dodgy measurements they gave you initially and then do a final 'best quality' item as a result of the back-and-forth. It would be like when you go for a fitted suit instead of off the peg.

There are not many of the commercial services offer this: you send them your model, pay your money and receive your print. Doesn't fit? Your problem.

For the scalpels, the OEM is unlikely to be interested. Look at the hobby/craft shops (diaorama and railway scenic modelling) who distribute the items and sell them retail. They are more likely to be receptive to listing your item as an upsell to the standard product. I do not know if craft fairs are still a thing, but someone who had a stall there might display and sell them for you.

I think you have missed my point, I don't want to make stuff for anyone else. I don't need a presence as I don't want a business!
Oh and my skills are a bit more than average lol

 

[My Old Landy]

This is perhaps my finest creation. 40th scale model of the JWST.

Apart from looking at it (looks better irl), not done anything with it. I guess I could sell the model but to make one for sale with the mirror section and sunscreen(s) I would have to charge an eyewatering amount.

It's things like this that I am interested in. Lots of time spent on the shear enjoyment of creating a one off.

 

[Misterg]

Several other designs doing the rounds, or you could invent one of your own

 

[My Old Landy]

Several other designs doing the rounds, or you could invent one of your own

I like the idea of designing a clock. It's not something I have done before. Thanks for the suggestion, it is at the top of the list so far

 

[redlig]

I wanted something but haven't a clue what it was!

Fork lift ?

 

[Agroshield]

Oh and my skills are a bit more than average

Please read it well. That comment was relating to the people providing the dimensions from which you would make the model, not to you.

 

[My Old Landy]

Please read it well. That comment was relating to the people providing the dimensions from which you would make the model, not to you.

The full quote has a lol at the end

 

[My Old Landy]

Anyway, I am really grateful for the suggestions, keep them coming.
I hope to be retired for a long time!!

 

[Beanwood]

I really ought to have an online catalogue of the stuff I have made

Brilliant idea- another source for identifying things that I need, but didn’t know I did.

 

[ukracer]

Lots of copyright free bone scans from various museums. Skulls are tricky to print but I should expect eminently saleable.

I really ought to have an online catalogue of the stuff I have made. Lots of camera mounts, iPad/iPhone stands. They should sell. Did a load of bike logos for a local bike shop but you can’t really sell them online (copyright).

I guess you find a niche that floats your boat and design/print stuff you enjoy.

Radius gauges, right angle widgets, paint pyramids, random tool storage. I have made a ton of those sorts of things but I suspect the market is vanishingly small. I mostly use mine for one off custom stuff and repair items.

Have a good look around Etsy and some of the 3D model/print sales sites like Cult3d etc. That should give you some inspiration.

Camera mounts and ipad holders sound good. When you have a list it would be nice to take a look.. please.

 

[Screwdriver]

It's things like this that I am interested in. Lots of time spent on the shear enjoyment of creating a one off.

In all honestly, I did enjoy creating the model more than I do having the completed version. Though I am very happy with all of the articulating features.

I will share what I told a good friend of mine interested in 3d printing. Just get a known good printer that simply sits there and works. Fetling around with printers is of course a hobby in and of itself but not one I particularly care to develop (the Voron might object to that ambition!).

Then get up to speed with a 3d design package. Obviously Fusion 360 is the "best" free option but I find the interface horrific for someone who needs a design tool remembering, I do not know what I want to make when I sit down at the computer. I use the program as the design tool not as the method for translating an existing design into reality.

FWIW I still use my ancient (2017) version of Sketchup which has it's own issues. I am happy to put up with the problems of using ancient software which is deliberately (and increasingly) crippled by its new owners. I have tried everything else out there and nothing comes close to Sketchup for speed of creating an object from scratch or crucially, from photos or videos (as with the JWST albeit with hundreds more images to go off). I made this mechanical grab from watching a YouTue video via screenshots and photo matching.

 

[My Old Landy]

In all honestly, I did enjoy creating the model more than I do having the completed version. Though I am very happy with all of the articulating features.

I will share what I told a good friend of mine interested in 3d printing. Just get a known good printer that simply sits there and works. Fetling around with printers is of course a hobby in and of itself but not one I particularly care to develop (the Voron might object to that ambition!).

Then get up to speed with a 3d design package. Obviously Fusion 360 is the "best" free option but I find the interface horrific for someone who needs a design tool remembering, I do not know what I want to make when I sit down at the computer. I use the program as the design tool not as the method for translating an existing design into reality.

FWIW I still use my ancient (2017) version of Sketchup which has it's own issues. I am happy to put up with the problems of using ancient software which is deliberately (and increasingly) crippled by its new owners. I have tried everything else out there and nothing comes close to Sketchup for speed of creating an object from scratch or crucially, from photos or videos (as with the JWST albeit with hundreds more images to go off). I made this mechanical grab from watching a YouTue video via screenshots and photo matching.

That is really good!
I have a Bambu P1S which just works. I also have an Ender 3 which now works well although slow. The laser and resin printer are new bits of kit but all run on gcode so happy enough with them. The router is only tiny and will get replaced in October.
I use F 360 at home but Solidworks at the office. I have been using cad for over 20 years and it's a skill I want to retain, hence the questions here.
I am similar in not really knowing what I want so I used to sketch everything on paper. This is more difficult now as my grip is failing. I will just have to up my game and design in cad from the start. I really like your projects, they have given me inspiration, thanks!

 

[Screwdriver]

Oh well this just popped up in my feed.

I have no doubt this idea has legs and you could make money from it, maybe some pocket money for the kids/mates/friend in need. But it also points the way torwards similar sorts of ventures. Not the street selling aspect of course but just the notion of mad pots. He's actually giving away some prints so if that floats your boat, knock yourself out...

 

[My Old Landy]

Oh well this just popped up in my feed.

I have no doubt this idea has legs and you could make money from it, maybe some pocket money for the kids/mates/friend in need. But it also points the way torwards similar sorts of ventures. Not the street selling aspect of course but just the notion of mad pots. He's actually giving away some prints so if that floats your boat, knock yourself out...

I did see that and it made me doubly sure I don't want to make stuff for money

 

[Screwdriver]

LOL, I'm with you on that.

But he's actually done some pretty impressive other stuff on his channel which I am surfing right now...