3D Printed HMS Astute in 1/72 Scale

[eckloss]

Let the games begin.

Teaser:



erich

[robert f.]

That looks very promising! I always liked the Astute class's looks

[bob the builder]

Link to the 3D files for anyone interested in trying this on their own:

3D files at the Nautilus Drydocks: https://www.rc-submarine.com/product...-in-1-96-scale
Video of assembly and finishing of the 3D printed parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub17Zdqgk88

Erich has scale these up and is printing at a larger scale, which is the cool thing about the files and printing on your own. You could go the other way, too, for a nice, compact boat. I think scaling to 83% would allow the use of a 2.5" SubDriver. The 96th scale boat uses our 3" unit.


Bob

[ccontrol]

Oooooooo, an Astute in 1/48. Nice!

[eckloss]

I could really use everyone's option here.

The Astute is currently printing away like a happy little boat does.

I've been racking my brain on how to best sand away the striation lines and get rid of the curves that are created by various sizes of triangles and to make them smooth. They are even more apparent since I've scaled up the original files to 1/72 scale.

But part of me, a very small part, is saying "f*ck it, just leave the printed parts exactly as they are, glue them together, don't even worry about filling the seams between each section, and let the whole boat just be what it is, a printed object". I could even print it in black so there wouldn't even be any need for painting.

thoughts?

my OCD is in overdrive here lol

erich

[JWLaRue]

Erich,

If I were building that hull, my modeler's OCD would overwhelm any thoughts on leaving it 'as printed'.... I'd have to see the printed parts to know which method I'd try for finishing the surface.

-Jeff

[eckloss]

Jeff - once I get a couple more pieces printed I'll tack them together so you can see the results and surfaces.

[jure george]

Erich
Bob has a video showing how he put his together and what he did to get that section better looking. He used auto body Bondo and sanding. Have a look at his video.

What is going to be done about scribing hull detail?

[JWLaRue]

...I seem to recall that Bondo will soak up water....though at what rate I'm unclear? Perhaps a resin-based material with some filler (micro balloons) could work.

-Jeff

[jure george]

Bob also, what looks like to me, went over the entire model with West System epoxy after ALL was done to the body.

[eckloss]

George....

No scribing. I have to understand that with this new type of media, some things are gained, some things are lost. For example, dimensional accuracy, aka straight and parallel lines and correct curves are gained. A real bonus for those of us who are perfectionists. But as mentioned, some of the fine detail is lost. This is all new, so I don't expect to be able to solve all the issues I'm about to face the first, or even second time (still working on my Russian Delfin 3D printed boat as well). The Astute will no doubt command a presence in the water and look good, but standing next to it, it will show those odd little details. And I'm ok with that.

[subicman]

Jeff, you are correct, and the reason why is that most body fillers contain Talc, including Evercoat. That and the polyesters in the resin are what absorbs the water. They can be used on our models if they are sealed (not with just primer) prior to going into the water. I am not sure how resin will react with the print material, I do not know which material Erich is using, but I do know that PLA will also absorb moisture, however that is usually more of a concern with it on the reel and having moisture contaminated filament go through the print head. If i had a recommendation on what to use to fill the gaps, it would be west systems 101/102 with microballoons.

[thor]

Colloidal silica (fumed) is a more suitable filler with epoxy than microballoons IMO. It sands out much easier and smoother. However, it is more than double the price.

[rwtdiver]

Hi eckloss,

I have printed the Astute 1:96 scale STL files at 100% infill.





I sanded the model with 220 paper, filled the seams with bondo, sanded again inside and out. Used SEM High filler primer on the outside, and Red Oxide primer inside. It sits now waiting for final sanding and finish work.

Rob

[salmon]

Nice work Rob!