Got a 3D printer now, it's fun!

[Gin Kii]

Spacers for mounting speakers in car doors, don't want to use MDF...

I printed the ones I needed for my Mazda after the MDF ones the installer used turned to mush from water ingress.

Much better way of making them.

[Mini]

I have an idea to make a business out of 3d printing and need to know if anyone has sources of wholesale supply for the consumables preferably in Oz. The small volume suppliers for hobby use won't suit the volume I don't think but being a total newb to this stuff am I barking up the wrong tree? I am involved in an industry where the product assembly is a nightmare due to no standard sizes and I can fix that with a few 3d printers.

[snavy]

If I knew cad was so frecken hard I would have not blown 5k on 3D printing gear.

[Benonymous]

Mini, you can go direct to any number of filament mfrs in China, I imported shitloads of filament from a company called Esun who are now a pretty big player. If you want ABS for your printing I have around 600 x 1Kg rolls that I will sell you dirt cheap.

Snavy, CAD is like learning a new language, it doesn't come easy. Get a copy of Fusion 360 and use the online tutorials. If you want a fast-track this is probably the best way ATM

[snavy]

Ive been using fusion 360 from the start, less than 5 hours of use, can make basic shapes but I tend to get frustrated very often. What gets me is I have to watch 20 youtube videos just to make a basic object.

[Gin Kii]

Ive been using fusion 360 from the start, less than 5 hours of use, can make basic shapes but I tend to get frustrated very often. What gets me is I have to watch 20 youtube videos just to make a basic object.

Try solidworks... follow the fucking tutorials and it ends in an error not allowing you to go to the next step..

Go back and slowly follow the tutorial word for word button click for button click with the same result... numerous times.

These are the solidworks tutorials within the program not some youtube wank.

Highly frustrating.

[Shonky]

Ive been using fusion 360 from the start, less than 5 hours of use, can make basic shapes but I tend to get frustrated very often. What gets me is I have to watch 20 youtube videos just to make a basic object.

Depends what you're trying to do but I find Fusion 360 quite easy to do what I want. It's not a question of just drawing what you think you want. You need to consider how to draw it in the first place. If done properly the parametric stuff can be very powerful for adjusting sizes etc too.

What simple objects can't you make?

You should also design with consideration of how it will be printed (use units of nozzle width and layer heights for example)

[Jack Nicholson]

Spacers for mounting speakers in car doors, don't want to use MDF...

I printed the ones I needed for my Mazda after the MDF ones the installer used turned to mush from water ingress.

Much better way of making them.

So these turned out pretty good!

[BigMuz]

Nice work mate

[Weightz]

Well done.
How long does it take to make them?

[Gin Kii]

They look great Mr Nicholson.

[Dark Orange]

Want SolidWorks for free?

Go here: http://www.solidworks.com/edu-maker-download

Say you don't have a serial number and use "918MAKER" as the trial code.

You're welcome...

[dsm2002]

Thanks!

[tim510]

thanks!

[Mini]

Mini, you can go direct to any number of filament mfrs in China, I imported shitloads of filament from a company called Esun who are now a pretty big player. If you want ABS for your printing I have around 600 x 1Kg rolls that I will sell you dirt cheap.

Snavy, CAD is like learning a new language, it doesn't come easy. Get a copy of Fusion 360 and use the online tutorials. If you want a fast-track this is probably the best way ATM

I'd forgotten about this, thanks for the offer. Printer is still on the way and the ideas multiply while waiting.