3D Printing - Toys for my Son and Building Together

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As a dad to my son, hmmmm no.... more likely, a total geek nerd who wants to print something cool and show it off to his son.... is what I would like to share for this blog.

I remember watching an ad for a 3D printer made from Anker on the Kickstarter launch event. This video was about a dad using that printer to make something cool for his child... as cheesy as it sounds it is kinda true as a parent if you own one its one of the first things you want to share and show off to. Because... it does look pretty cool in action for kids and both adults alike. :)

Below is the Kickstarter Promo video Anker launched and to be honest I think there is a small bit of truth to a parent with kids want to do for them. But reality at most times results in completely opposite outcomes as well. hahahaha.

As for my kid, since we are playing the game Diablo Immortal together these days I asked if he would like to have some cool cosplay wearables that actually has mechanical features. He liked the idea so we started to do some research online together.

As much as there is vast endless information on the internet... for kids it also takes a vast endless amount of time to make up their own mind and choose. This I think parents we need to teach them how not to fall into the rabbit hole... and we all been there. :)

The place I usually go for printable files is
https://www.thingiverse.com/

However, with a small price I can get printable files that are more refined and improved from
https://cults3d.com/en

Today I choose cults3d to find the file ready to print.
This site has a lot of cool gadgets and toy collections.
Many of them are free and some are paid to support the designer.

Note to parents who are going to cults3d site... there is a section tab called "NAUGHTIES" and this is where you dont want to click the mouse and enter when your child right next to you. Feathering silence from both of you will soon be coming if you do... So don't!

After some searching we came to a perfect item called "Bone Finger" by a creator called LITTLETUP.

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/gadget/bone-finger

Even I thought it was pretty cool. There is a giff showing how the joints actually work with the fingers making it look pretty amazing. This was the one... So I downloaded the files and got it ready for prepping and brought it into the program software in 3D Printing terms called the "Slicer".

The Slicer also gives you a general idea how each layer is going to be printed on a preview after its been calculated. and it helps a lot when you need to check on questionable surfaces or support structures.

My Slicer Software is called "Ultimaker CURA".
https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura

I use this for all of my FDM Printers, and I recommend this to anyone who is starting. Its free from Cura website and its always being improved... amazing developers and great support.

As you see above, THIS is what happens if things go WRONG... you need to do it all over again back to ground zero. Not every time is perfect and failing is perfectly normal... each print has its own unique print problems.

Again the picture above, THIS is what it looks like when things go RIGHT. :)

So from the Cults website when you download the 3D file its most likely going to be an STL file. This is the files you bring in the Cura Slicer and make configurations to set down, modify, calculate time and material, and begin the print.

Once I initiate the print both the bed (printer foundation flat foundation) and the heater nozzle will heat up, then XYZ axis will be calibrated, and once all temps are on target the print begins.

The very first layer is the MOST IMPORTANT stage of the entire process! Without a good adhesion of the first layer it will eventually fall off and fail. The better the foundation the cleaner the prints and less waste of time.

Once the prints were finished and cooled down it was time to pry off the prints from the bed. I use a metal paint scraper and it doesn't need a lot of force. You just need to open up a corner and it will peel off easily. Don't force it... it can injure you and damage the print. Take it easy~~

The next part people do not see is that you need to do post-processing the printed parts... this includes taking off support material, smoothing out the edges with a blade, separate the whole printed pie into individual parts. This part is important because this will bring out the craftmanship and detail of the finish and functionality.

Post processing takes time... don't rush it.
This is what I try to teach my son on all projects we do together. Especially if it involves tools... not rushing it will save yourself from injury.

The fun stage is when all parts are printed well, cleaned off smoothly, then its time to assemble the parts to life!!

I have my son do the assembly and I watch him as we put together parts. A lot of times he is not having an easy time assembling because 3D printing dont come out being like Legos....

Sometimes a print can come right off the bed assembled, but many times this is the more normal process which so many 3D printing manufactures dont show.

And so many people think 3D printing is so easy.... like just pushing a button and it will come out perfectly every time like an actual inkjet printer or something. NO!~~ not this year. I am pretty sure that is the goal but for sure not this year. We have a long long way to go on that. Till then.... lots of messed up prints, frustration in tuning the machine, blood, sweat, and tears.

When all parts are assembled well and working perfectly much better than expected then that day is a good wholesome day.

At the end of the day, its the process from an idea to creation as a family is what matters most... not the results. OR.... results matter more. LOLZ!!!

This model was well designed and I love the bone like detail the creator put into it. I highly recommend anyone who has a 3D printer to give this model a try. This is a design where form and function was executed very well.

My son loves it and wants to use bring it to school for show and tell. A sense of pride that he chose the model and get to create and build it.... deserves a good show off to the crowd.

A Giff animation to show how it works~~~
Need more printed fingers!!!!

There will be more stories flowing in~
Stay Tuned and thanks for viewing my post.

Set Da Tone!!!



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24 comments
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¡Que genial! Me ha pasado que mi padre compre cosas para mi y termine Sanddollars mas el que yo. Es un gran trabajo y se nota que tu hijo esta súper concentrado yc contento de lo que esta haciendo. Estas herramientas van a ayudar a que tenga muchísimas más oportunidades a futuro, es una gran oportunidad para ambos primero para pasar tiempo y segundo para aprender.

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Muchas gracias por el amable comentario. Usando herramientas junto con mi hijo, trato de darle los mejores consejos de seguridad, pero termino hablando demasiado. jajajaja Me siento bien cuando veo que el proyecto está terminado en equipo... y él juega con nuestra creación.

I translated though google. :)
Thanks!!!

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I was interested in a 3d printer for a while. I was almost going to buy one, but there was a big inflation at that time and where did the prices go up 2-3 times. So I gave up. The fingers you made look really perfect. I'm sure your child feels like Wolverine 😂.

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Yes, the feeling of being like wolverine ~~ I can relate to that. hahahaha.
What I suggest if you want to hop on board you can start with the cheaper and smaller versions first... and get your hand dirty.
These machines are known to fail often and you will be hands on in repairing them half the time. When you understand how to fix the cheaper on... later when the price starts to go down and when you get it...... your are MASTER LEVEL 9999 from the start!!! :)

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Hahahaha thanks for the advice but I don't want to start with the worst. The others are quite expensive. I'll skip this for now and just read your posts 😂.

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Yes your right, its either concerningly cheap or its extremely expensive. Since you will wait then I will try to provide you with some good information knowledgebase on 3D printing at the same time entertain you by printing some projects that might want you to get into it. :) This is what Hive is for right? :) Thanks!~

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Yes, that's exactly what the hive is for. I will continue to follow your adventures with the 3d printer 😂.

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It's hard to believe we are in the age of desk top manufacturing. What a time to be alive.

I continue to wonder if a market could be built on Hive like thingaverse or whatever where people could get free or premium files to use.

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Now this is what I am talking about~~ :)

Yes its definitely a crazy thing to think that it is possible to print a prototype without using a mold. and the best part is... you can do it from your own home. I never thought it would progress this fast.... and this is why I had to jump in the band wagon. If you like to build stuff, then 3D printing brings a whole lot of different ammunition to the table. :)

As for market, I do think a Hive platform can encourage creators to get incentivized for their ideas. And just like our Hive platform, let the market judge if its a good quality file or not.. just like how we vote good content and down vote the bad. The market can be the judge.... right? Thingiverse is all free.... and when things are too free, then there will be times we get some sketchy build quality files. I like where this is heading. :)

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I have no words to express this cool work in my words. Just speechless.

It's a digital world and how much you are attached to it I got to know by reading this article of yours.
The fingers you made I remember i used to make them out of paper when I was a child😅. But today you turned it into real (marvellous) And I am delighted with the friendly bonding between you and your son. A father should promote his child in this way.

How hardworking you are.... Just amazing.💕

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Wow... thanks!! 😆

There is some passion in the work yes... I mean its better to work on something with some positive energy right?
Even though it might not progress as smoothly or in the end something did work out... it is still better than starting anything up with a negative attitude.

For children I do think its even more important because through out the year during covid, its the young kids who needs social interaction the most.
If it aint gonna happen then I will make it happen. Simple.... just act pretty silly or dumb. hahahahah.

I still have a long long way to go... and to be honest I am no different than another father with a son.
Maybe it looks better cause my blogs includes my kid. 😂😂😂

Thanks for your comment its very encouraging.

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Indeed, if work is done with passion, it is more fun to do.

Right!! Due to covid, children have really suffered a lot, they were left in a kind of prison. Outdoor activities were completely missed but we should not leave the children alone at all, we should continue to teach them something or the other.

Haha yeah of course because of your blogs, your bonding with your son is visible @whangster79

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(Edited)

Wow! You both are amazing!It feels good when father and son work together to make wolverine's finger.
And the printer is awesome, I have seen how it works in last video ; solominers' name plate.👌👌

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Yes it definitely does feels good when its finished. However not every time is happy happy joy joy. 😂😂😂
With kids tables can turn 180 degrees very very quickly when they cross the line... ahahahaha.
But I do try to make the most out of it~

Yea... when I first saw it in action... Even I felt like a kid again... just keep looking at it. hehehehe

Thanks!!!

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Yeah Inside a man there always be a kid🤠

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This is a real father and son moment, it is great how to are bringing him to learn and know a lot about the things you do. Many might think he is young but the knowledge is acquiring at this age would give him an edge over his peers.

I know printing is not easy but you are doing a great job with it.

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Father and son moment sometimes yes... most of the time its just trying to get it done.
Because one thing about kids is that you consistently have to train them to try and finish off what you started.
This my friend... sometimes become a REAL Father and Son Moment of me staring into his eyes.. hahahahaha!!!

But I realize its both training... being a dad there is one thing I learn to train... PATIENCE.
and I am not a guy who has that at all... but my son trains me on that part. :)

Thanks!!!

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he is really focusing👍 the fingers look amusing😄

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Yea~~ its funny when sometimes I look at him when he focusing too much... it looks like he is in a different world or something. lolz

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Ayeee! That gif at the end🔥🔥. This looks like a lot of fun, good idea man…

!Bbh

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hahaha~ yea! I know how you feel. Its the same feeling I got when I tried it on.
"It works!!! It's Alive!!!!!" 😆

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That’s ingenious. Your kid must adore you 🤩🥂🌿

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Thanks~ They love it~ for 15 mins and does he adore me? Hmmmmm I need to check. Lolz :) I can never fully understand them~ but thats the fun. :)

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