-
Now that we had a chance to try the basic scenario of Star Wars: X-Wing, I have been eager to expand the collection. However, I am making a point of only acquiring 2nd edition kits, mainly so I don’t have to deal with the conversion sets. There are very few currently available, which helps the cost, but I did manage to pick up a set of Saw’s Renegades, one of the two last sets for 1st edition which are also compatible (out of the box) with 2nd edition. The full release isn’t until mid-September, when the squad builder app becomes…
-
We did plan on having our Pathfinder session this last weekend, to resolve the mystery of the fate of the group following the cliffhanger of the prior session. Unfortunately, my son’s football game got rained out on Saturday, and rescheduled for Sunday, right in the middle of our usual schedule (and several of our players had similar challenges). As a result, we had to cancel the game, and postpone until this coming weekend. As a result, we will be gaming on this Sunday, and then the immediate following week, before going back to the bi-weekly schedule. If you are paying…
-
Finally managed a successful casting in resin, though I am strongly debating whether it is a practical option or not. Between the cost of molding and the resin itself, and then the cleanup after, it isn’t a very practical solution for this type of item. In truth, that is no doubt why CNC wood cutting machines are more commonly used, it lends itself to a carving solution much better. My intermediate solution is still printing, but even that is fairly slow and troublesome. Will continue to experiment though, since I already have the materials and one half of the mold…
-
As I continue to experiment and attempt resin molding, and fiddle and tune the 3d printer, I managed to finish a single full usable dice box, in my preferred copper PLA filament. Its not the ideal design (I have a version with a Runelord’s Sihedron Rune in the top), but the lid and base are functional. Note the small magnets that hold the case closed – they work, though may need a bit of padding to make them a bit stronger. Basically, the holes are just a little bit too deep, leaving the magnets a bit too separated. The copper…
-
Apparently, I made a mistake with the resin. After a bit of math, I had estimated fairly closely the amount of resin mix required to fill the mold – right at 1 cup total. Mix the material, add coloring, stir for several minutes, slowly pour into the mold. After several minutes of slow pouring, I reached the end of the resin, and honestly expected it to have reached the top, and start pooling at the feed hole. Unfortunately it was then I noticed the large growing pool of resin at the bottom of the tray – the resin was actively…
-
We finished the second half of the first attempt at a mold on Tuesday, and managed to de-mold the forms that evening. New lesson learned – if you don’t spray a sealant, the new silicon bonds with the old. Thus I had to cut a new seam in the mold, to remove the original. Fortunately, the silicon had no interest at all in sticking to the PLA, so that removed very easily. However, with the structure and slots of the front, the silicon resisted being removed from the part itself. I was perhaps overly cautious, but it took several minutes…
-
Over the last week, I have been having new challenges with the 3d Printer, as I have been trying to print rather large parts. Initially, I could not get the filament to adhere, or it would be splotchy and rough at different sections. As usual, a lot of this was a matter of constantly tuning the finicky machine. Adherence was due to mainly leveling the bed (again), and in my case turning down the temperature of the nozzle. With the basic Hatchbox Grey I typically use, 205 degrees was working well. But with my new roll of Gizmodorks Copper PLA,…
-
Expanding my efforts with 3d printing, by branching out into silicon molds and epoxy replication. First attempt is a rather large project to attempt to duplicate a set of rpg dice cases I am working on, instead of having to print each set. So far, this is just the first of two parts, and the first of two pours, to make the matched set of molds. Fingers crossed that it worked out as good as hoped, but better than feared. However, I am discovering that silicon molding is rather expensive – the sample pack ran about $25, and is only…
Halfling13 Hobbies
Something about nothing – a collection of miscellaneous hobbies
14,228 visitors