$12,000 saved with 3D Printing!

3D printing has so many applications but perhaps the use that is most satisfying is one that serves a practical purpose. Our neighborhood entry signs were wearing poorly with age, showing signs of wear on the finish and even breaking apart. Enter 3D printing which we used to save the neighborhood thousands of dollars in replacement letters—all for the price of a single spool of Hatchbox Bronze PETG.

I have no connection to the manufacturer and have purchased any filaments shown. All comments and opinions are mine and mine alone.

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#3dprinting #timelapse #prusa #shorts

[fookingsog]

PET-G is pretty darn durable!!! 3D Printed a PET-G flange to attach to a 5 gallon bucket lid so in the wintertime when it's dry, I could run my dryer exhaust into the 5 gallon bucket with water in the bottom to catch lint but the lid had the flange, pop-riveted on, holes drilled to let out the hot moist air into the house. Worked as a humidifier!!! Worked for quite some time but then the PET-G started to warp and buckle. Temperature alot higher than just being out in the sun!!! BTW, I believe there is a particular PLA that you can get for casting...lower temperature, I think. The process is similar to the "Lost Wax Casting" method!!! In this instance, it is "Lost PLA Casting" method!!!😁👍🏻

[critter]

@filamentstories So how are the letters holding up almost a year and a half later?

[thisismyyoutubealias]

You’re going to convince me to buy a 3D printer!

[literallycanadian]

BEFORE GETTING PETG, make sure you are running an all metal hotend. Many PETG prints best at 260c+ anything over 250c will wreck a PTFE tube in a non all-metal extruder

[SLUMOVIES]

They won't last long. Asa is better for outdoor use. It's more UV resistance. It would be better to print it off with higher infill and more wall layers for extra durability. Other than this cool idea. You can also print them out and use it to form a casting 😉

[SimplifiedDPrints]

Why not buy some cheap PLA molding plastic that you can then cast with? You can even use those old letters to melt down and remold! You’ll be worrying about that sign for the rest of its existence in the weather. PETG also takes a considerable amount of adjustments that disable some features that make your prints easier to complete. There’s some other great advice in here but should really watch a video on PETG before buying. Got Hatchbox right though!! Nice!! Looks great!!

[benargee]

I would have used the 3D printer to make the shape for a metal mold.

[REDxFROG]

PETG is not uv resistant and thus the wrong material for this case.

[edwinmercer]

Didn't understand a thing you said.

[exogator]

If people broke metal sign letters I think they'll easily smash a letter that's hollow and made of plastic.