First crack at 3d printed Mule Scales

[Gtscotty]

I tried the textured scales with both filled in and hollow hexagons, and different feature prominences, and I think I like the filled in better. The hollow hex texture has more nozzle lifts and so more chances for stringing and errors on the small features. Quality will depend on your printer and settings of course, but I'm no expert and I think they printed decently on my machine.





A little post processing helps with the textured scales. Run over the surface of the scales VERY lightly and quickly with a torch to melt strings and sharp points. Scuff the textured surface lightly with sandpaper (I used 400 grit) to take any remaining retraction points off then another very light pass with the torch to get rid of the white scuff marks and you're done.

I'll put both types of texturing up so folks can choose.

[Paraguy]

Awesome! Thanks for doing this!

[JRinFL]

Thank for posting this and making the code available! These look great.

[Fireman]

Impressive!

[Kloeshuman]

I tried the textured scales with both filled in and hollow hexagons, and different feature prominences, and I think I like the filled in better. The hollow hex texture has more nozzle lifts and so more chances for stringing and errors on the small features. Quality will depend on your printer and settings of course, but I'm no expert and I think they printed decently on my machine.





A little post processing helps with the textured scales. Run over the surface of the scales VERY lightly and quickly with a torch to melt strings and sharp points. Scuff the textured surface lightly with sandpaper (I used 400 grit) to take any remaining retraction points off then another very light pass with the torch to get rid of the white scuff marks and you're done.

I'll put both types of texturing up so folks can choose.

I love those! Great job

[Rwstubbz]

Those look awesome. I can't wait to get a 3d printer at some point and mess around with it. Well done, I'm impressed and inspired.

[Fireman]

Look at me now!!!
The hidden lanyard hole works like a charm and unobtrusive.
The hidden lanyard with a tight lanyard will be ideal for removing from a deep leather sheath.

[Bolster]

I tried the textured scales...

Phenomenal! Very impressed with your work, man.

I can imagine your hexes being the perfect balance of grippy and comfortable.

[Gtscotty]

Look at me now!!!
The hidden lanyard hole works like a charm and unobtrusive.
The hidden lanyard with a tight lanyard will be ideal for removing from a deep leather sheath.

Looking good! I need to re-do my lanyard so that is tighter to the handle like that.

[attila]

Look at me now!!!
The hidden lanyard hole works like a charm and unobtrusive.
The hidden lanyard with a tight lanyard will be ideal for removing from a deep leather sheath.

Did you just carve out the scale to create the hidden lanyard recess, or is there a printable version available?

Since I have no CAD skills, I was waiting on the hidden lanyard hole stl, ideally one with a surface pattern, so that a buddy can print it for me.

Thanks!

[Fireman]

Gtscotty printed those. I am not sure if he posted those patterns

[Gtscotty]

Gtscotty printed those. I am not sure if he posted those patterns

Not yet, I've been remiss, I'll put up a Thingiverse link soon with the lanyard cutout and smooth and textured surface options.

[Gtscotty]

I uploaded the files to Thingiverse for the lanyard hole scales in three textures: smooth, solid hex and outline hex.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4902549

[Ilocano73]

Thanks Gtscotty for the scales designs. I don't have the proper hardware yet but too excited not to put a handle on my 1st mule. Since I did not have the proper nut, used the through hole by printing a mirror of the other plate.

[Gtscotty]

Thanks Gtscotty for the scales designs. I don't have the proper hardware yet but too excited not to put a handle on my 1st mule. Since I did not have the proper nut, used the through hole by printing a mirror of the other plate.

Looks good, I really like that dark blue. What filament did you use?

[Ilocano73]

I used a Hatchbox PLA. Do not remember if there was a special name for that blue.

[FullScaler]

Ok, what a rabbit hole this has been. Not only have I successfully printed a half dozen sets of scales I have also printed a couple vases and jewelry stands for my wife, numerous toys for my daughter as well as designed and printed my own modular gpu mining system and a full size one piece Mandalorian helmet!

I have tried a couple different versions of the scales out of a few different materials but they all seem to show a fairly prominent stripe down the center from the last few layers. This happens on all the designs with all the different filaments but is most noticeable on the recent silk gold pla set I just did.

Any tips to avoid or reduce this center "skunk" stripe seen here?

[Gtscotty]

Nice! You've been seduced by the ability to make anything you can think up a physical reality! (in plastic anyway).

I'm not sure if it's the same on your scales or not (looks like it in the pictures), but that stripe on mine follows the apex of the swept curve along it's path. It's the lowest sloped portion of the curve, so the layer steps are wider and look a little different. You might be able to reduce the visual effect by printing lower layer heights if it bothers you.

Have you uploaded those scales to Thingiverse? I like the patterns, especially the 3d cube pattern and it would be neat to give them a try.

Also, do you have any pics of the modular mining setup and helmet? Those sound pretty cool.

[Josh Crutchley]

Nice! You've been seduced by the ability to make anything you can think up a physical reality! (in plastic anyway).

I'm not sure if it's the same on your scales or not (looks like it in the pictures), but that stripe on mine follows the apex of the swept curve along it's path. It's the lowest sloped portion of the curve, so the layer steps are wider and look a little different. You might be able to reduce the visual effect by printing lower layer heights if it bothers you.

Have you uploaded those scales to Thingiverse? I like the patterns, especially the 3d cube pattern and it would be neat to give them a try.

Also, do you have any pics of the modular mining setup and helmet? Those sound pretty cool.

Those look like my scales here https://www.thingiverse.com/hidethecookies/designs. Looks like we need one thread for 3d printed scales .

[FullScaler]

Those look like my scales here https://www.thingiverse.com/hidethecookies/designs. Looks like we need one thread for 3d printed scales .

Yupp. Those are your Scale designs. I'm just learning printing and basic design so it is great to have those stl files to help learn with!