Thought some of you might like to see what the 3-D printed Wild Heerbrugg T-3 theodolite looks like after painting it. Norm Larson gets the credit for creating these in a 3-D model and making them available to be purchased (unpainted) on Shapeways.com . Pictured are the 1/4 and 1/6 sizes in Laser-Sintered White Nylon Plastic.
The level of detail in these laser-sintered models is very good- I'm waiting to try painting the even more-detailed model in Fine-Ultra Detail, also available from Shapeways.
Painting them was relatively easy; a suggestion for anyone wishing to do the same is to first dip them in an acrylic-based floor sealer (Pledge with Future-Shine Floor shine cleaner is what I used). This seals the sintered plastic and keeps the paint from being absorbed/soaking into and through the plastic.
For those of you who may have missed it, the links to the previous threads showing the available 3-D printed models are at:
[msg=221207]Norm Larson 3D printed theodolites [/msg]
[msg=241503]3D printed Wild T-3 with tripod[/msg]
[msg=227217]3-D printed surveying models[/msg]
Also, I'll suggest to Norm that he make a GST-20 tripod (with collapsible/adjustable legs) and a matching Wild T-2 model to accompany these!
Great job!
WOW!! They look soooo much better painted, great job!
I am embarrassed of my unpainted avatar now ...
Did the 1/4th scale arrive with the sight broken?
Your paint colors look really close if not identical to the original...Care to share what brand/colors you used?
Norm,
I'm very pleased with how they turned out- and yes, the larger 1/4 scale T-3 arrived with the 1 sight-vane broken off, and missing from the shipment... I will see about replacing it with small piece of wire, just didn't get to that before painting them.
The products I used were as follows:
I dipped each model twice in Pledge-brand Acrylic Floor Finish with Future Shine (this used to be called just "Future" floor polish until the company SC Johnson bought the product line and merged it with Pledge.) I let each model dry for about an hour before dipping it again.
This is available from Walmart in a 27oz bottle for $6.18
Pledge Future floor shine at Walmart for $6.18
I then used Testors Model Master Acryl brand model acrylic paints to paint the instruments. - usually these are found at a hobby shop, but they can also be found at Hobby Lobby, Michaels Craft Stores, online at Amazon, etc.
I will find out the exact colors and post for reference- they were mostly from the 9-paint set for military aircraft (Olive Drab, Silver, Black, Navy Blue)
Testors 9-paint military paint set
An exact color match to the Wild/Leica colors may be available in the Revell/Testors Model-Master enamel paints, which have more FS-specific paints- I'll check and post as well- (FS = Federal-Standard paints, which are spec'd to exact color chips used for the military)
Glad you liked them!
-Nathan
I recognized the olive drab immediately. Lord knows how much of that color I've used over my younger, former years of model building. I figured you were using model paints.
Tamiya also makes some stuff that could be used as a primer in either flat white or black. I imagine that would work as well.
Do you sell the .STL file? I have access to a 3d printer.
Thad
Matching Paint Color
Your local Sherwin-Williams (and probably Home Depot or Lowe's) can match color and finish to a sample you provide. I have a quart of same I use for touching up my personal instruments as well as LSU instruments. Once dry, you can't tell where the touch-up has been done.
Thad, I am actually the one with the digital file. I make a couple of bucks off of every model Shapeways prints, it is more to keep track of how many are out there than any profit center. Until the cost of 3D printing goes down so that a lot can be sold, it will remain that way. If it is a consumer level printer it will not provide a product up to the model, regardless. I know that the high level laser sinter or deposit printers that Shapeways have will do a great job. I am also fully aware they do not set the quality of high either. So, basically, at this time, I am unwilling to release the model, sorry ...
Nathan, my mind can drift on Fridays and I have come back too this. Is there anything I could have done from a model perspective to make them easier to paint? Since the bases and the scopes are separate pieces, I have been under the assumption that would be enough, but, since you have actually painted some you are now the expert.
I guess that I could make the mirrors snap in, which also means that they could be lost. Thoughts ...
Celebrity Endorsement? - Norm's 3D printed T-3
I'm glad he likes it. Now I want a painted one like Mr. Drummond ... all I would do is color my fingers though
Nathan, I was thinking about your broken site that they sent you broken. You could have complained to them for a replacement, but, I doubt they even knew it was missing. They are a very customer first organization and probably would have replaced it. Regardless, as i was saying, it got me thinking about accidents and that they happen. I have gone back in and placed the individual pieces up for sale for the T3 and the GST-30 legs. I have revised the head on the legs to hold the T3 tight now, so, anyone with the old legs just needs a new head
