Hello,

A few years ago I found a CAD (computer aided design) of a Steyr rifle. Saved the model for future use. I like the hand grip. I thought maybe it would be a great fit for my 308 build. I printed the hand grip as is to feel it in my hand. It felt really good so I will make a few changes to fit my design. Perhaps also make a forearm stock as well that will be 3D printed.



Tonight I got back to working on a 3D printer. Instead of wheels and bearings it will use IGUS plastic linear bearings. Much cheaper than linear ball bearings but relatively accurate.



I made spacers for the remaining timing pulleys. Hopefully can do more next few evening, days as I really want to get back to the 308 build.

Thanks for stopping by and reading.

Pedro



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2017 02:51AM by pedrog.

Pedro
That looks nice . I can even see a grain effect similar to wood . Is the plastic good enough to use for a true grip ? I know some of that media is very brittle after time . My son went to robotics camp in upper Michigan and they had 3~D printed trophies they made at the end . These had articulated parts that you could adjust . After a year or so it cracked once when I was admiring it . I super glued it back but never mentioned it !

Thanks
Kurt

Hey Kurt!

If you had the tech, you could have laser scanned that part, and printed a new one! Or ....... if you had the shareware, and a 3D printer, you could have printed a new part.

Superglue! Sounds like the pre-digital Stone Age Barnes shop! Haha.

Funny
Gary

Hi Kurt,

I used PLA plastic which will not hold up in the sun. Once I get more time will enclose the printer and try ABS plastic. Machinable and stronger. Also you can smooth it using acetone vapour.

I think a printed grip could be used, definitely strong enough. Very light. If nothing else serves as a great visual for carving from wood. Or could use on a duplicating machine.

Pedro

Pedro,

I've made a few gun parts too. I really enjoy making useful items, especially since Wal-Mart cornered the garden gnome market.

I will eventually make some parts for my printer, I want some belt wheels that can be tightened as the belts age so the they can be easily adjusted. Too many other things going on now though. Next year?

Lon

Guyz
Hopefully some day I'll get me a 3D printer . I can think of a lot of uses for sure . Even if a lot of them would be just playing around .

Thanks
Kurt

Kurt,

Get one that ooooozes paste for sinchtered metal! Yippie!!!

Gary

Kurt,

I would get comfortable with a 3D CAD program first, if you are not already. DesignSpark Mechanical is a free, easy, powerful program that will export the file to a printable format.

When you start looking around, you'll realize a 3D printer is handy for many things. I have a small electric motor fan that was delivered with broken blades. I could return it but, but since the fan blades are just 3", I'll whip one up in CAD and print it. I've also designed and printed a target trigger for my Ruger 10/22 and a 1/2 dozen custom magazine releases.

They are an amazing technology.





Lon



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/2017 03:45PM by Bigbore.

Lon,

That is a really neat application!

I know a lot more parts could potentially be made. Take the whole AR-15 crowd, printed lower receivers etc. AR-15 are considered “restricted” firearms in Canada

Thanks Lon & Pedro
I'm sure there are lots of uses I could come up with if I had one in my tool box . We used to use auto cad at work and still do sometimes. Maybe santa will get me one . I've been nice all year .

Thanks
Kurt

Do any of the machines oooze ceramic paste, to be fired into a tough unit?

Gary,
They now ooze just about anything you want them too. Daniel Defense is now making silencers for their line of AR's with a printer. I don't know the entire story but they are usually made out of the most durable stainless alloys there are. They get extremely hot (red hot) and have to last for 80-100,000 shots. I was flabbergasted when I read about it!
Later,
Jeff

Gary,

These are hobby printers for around $400. the pros have been making metal parts with various print processes for decades I believe, it was the price of the machine that made it a tiny niche. GE said they are going to start using printing technology to make production turbine engine fuel manifolds IIRC. Faster and better they claim.

Lon

It's all interesting. I suspect the manifolds are ceramic. I know some turbo impellers are.