Quote:
Originally Posted by drboyd
3-D printing, anyone?
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3D printing for the bases is an interesting idea. The amount of post-print work that would have to be done would be substantial. An ABS base made on a cheap 3D printer would be inexpensive to make but would be low resolution so you'd need to sand it down substantially and then do wiring....and paint it to protect from the UV.
Mid-price print jobs are higher resolution but would not hold up in service.
High-end print jobs would work but not really be very affordable. Send me a pic of the base and I can advise best path.
As for the 575 lenses...not sure how the optical quality printing is priced, but I know building the model would be expensive.
Your best bet for both these parts is hand casting or machining the bases. Frank provided an original lens so we could make the lenses. If someone can lend a base, we can do the same for that.
The 575 is tougher. I tried to hand cast that one and I failed due to the wall heights. Made me sad because I like the quilted look on some of them.