Hi All,

As a beginner to 3D printing and having just about got my head around the basics of the design process, I thought I`d try something a bit more complex.

I recently bought a ship modellers deadeye rigging jig made from ply (2mm thick) and wondered how well 3D printing could reproduce the same item.

Please note that this thread is just an explanation of how to change an item from being made in plywood to 3Dprinted PLA.

I have taken the measurements from the ply fret and made two of the twelve parts.

When/if I manage to make all the parts , I have a plan to improve the strength/stability of the holding frame to avoid the overtightening of the rigging causing distortion issues of the jig.

If it all works then the only extra cost to me will be a square neck bolt, washer and wingnut.

The two parts made are not 100% bang on to the fret (99.9% ), but will not affect the operation of the jig.

So two pics:

1) The two parts laid on the fret.

2) The two parts laid in front of the ply jig.

Like I say this is the first attempt at something a little more than a basic shape, so will see how it comes out.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Interesting project Del. You'll have your own manufacturing process going on soon

Thanks to those who have looked in and those who left the nice comments.

I`m not into this to make a penny profit, its just a new found interest that has peaked my interest and I`d like to share it.

So today I made the next four parts. These are fixed either side of the first two parts. Obviously the slotted parts go either side of the first slotted parts and the same with the non-slotted parts.

I will do a construction of the full jig if/when I get all the parts made, but its looking good so far that I can complete the whole thing.

Today`s progress is attached below.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Following this one Derek.

Regards

Trev

Nice work Derek.
It looks as if you are well on the way to a successful bit of kit there.
I've often though about 3d printing but never got any further than just thinking.
Keep it going.
Chris

Looks superb Derek. Looking forward to seeing it assembled.

You’ve certainly got that printer whirling away nicely.

Mark

Hi All,

Having reproduced all the parts of the jig, I have turned my attention to the spacers so you can get a bigger gap between the dead eyes.

Pic 1: Shows the original plywood jig. Two red circles show where the deadeyes would sit and three black lines show the rigging thread. My concern was that if you pulled the rigging thread too tight you could put too much pressure on the jig as shown by the direction of the yellow arrows.

So my solution was to make solid spacers to stop the possibility of bending/snapping the central parts of the jig.

I calculated that there would be a need for 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 10mm and 20mm spacers so that with a combination of various spacers you could make any distance from 10mm to 40mm between two deadeyes.

Pic 2: Shows the spacers in their usable orientation.

Pic 3: Shows the spacers with their size numbers visible.

Pics 4 and 5: Show the 5mm and 20mm spacers in use.

Any questions, then with my limited knowledge of 3D printing I`ll try to help with an answer.

This has been a fun project in my learning curve to 3D printing.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Watch it Derek, carry on like this and you'll become a Techie Geek..... ... Look good bud.....

Regards

Alan

Well here`s the final episode from me.

Pic 1: the construction begins with the three centre plates from each end glued together. (Super glue works just fine)

Pic 2: two long plates that hold the two ends together and two top side plates added.

Pic 3: Added the sliding end of the jig (not glued )

Pic 4: found an error in my measurements. A 1mm slip in the measurements for the slots, so the moving end of the jig sits 1mm higher than it should. I`ve left it as is, as I don`t think it will make a noticeable difference and it can be adjusted in the design stage if I were to ever print another one.

Pic 5: completed assembly with the 20mm spacer in situ.

Pic 6: nicely accurate. 20mm spacer and the the two 5mm vertical plates = 30mm.

Pic 7: all the included spacers.

So, apart from the small error in the slot location that`s a jig transformed from ply to PLA filament 3D printed.

The completed item is now on its way for an independent review from one of our forum ship builders, who has told me that a review will be posted.

I don`t have a ship at the rigging stage to test it, so I await the review with interest.

So that concludes my Ply to PLA test.


Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Very well done Derek... .. Always good to see a project come to a successful conclusion... Now go expand on those new found skills..... ..

Regards

Alan