About me

I've had a MakerBot Replicator 1 Dual for over 2-1/2 years and after doing all the mods I have this machine dialed in very well. I print in ABS on that machine.

I also have a fully modded Replicator 2 that prints PLA very well. I'm also doing well with Nylon 618, 645B, 910, bronze, and simulated wood. Still stumbling with rubber

I've been a cad user since 83 and have a good grasp on the mechanical side of prototyping small parts. I'm not to good at organic flowing designs like monster figurines but I have little trouble printing them provided you have a good binary stl file and the poly count isn't in the multi-millions. Feel free to be creative and make that something that fits you and your needs perfectly from adult to digit prosthetics . (i.e. Robohands)

I charge by the job for files ready to go. 35¢ a gram for the material and $8/hour to run the printer with a $15 minimum.

For design work (napkin plans, or tolerance adjustment to plans) I ask $20/hr. plus material and run time. Most cad time is measured in just minutes for me btw.

I work in Sketchup and Blender because it's open source. I've worked in Acad and Solidworks but moved to a more public friendly environment when I started doing hobby grade CNC projects. I can still take Solidworks files

My maximum build volume is 8.9''x5.9''x5.9 inches in ABS and 6x6x11 in PLA and the other materials. Layer thickness is fine at .20mm but I can do .1mm if needed. Acetone vapor smoothing is available.

I do prototypes, not production runs. 3-5 items is my limit, size dependent.

I have expanded into the Lithophane arena and those start at $15 for a 4''x4''. Stands that hold a tea light are available. Those can be printed in Bronze and ready for polishing. Personalization is available.

Colors: (constantly changing but normally) white, red, yellow, black, silver-grey, light blue(it glows in the dark a little), regular glow in the dark, brown, copper, tan, more blues, translucent clear(my fav). Others are just a few days wait away.

I've done many little around the house items like knobs, drawer pulls, custom enclosures, brackets, cookie cutters, spatula handles, ornaments, etc. etc.. I've also done more complicated project that incorporate other parts like electronics or magnets.
Mainly I make enclosures for electronics.

Thingiverse.com is a good place to find printable files. I've got items there myself. You find one you need, contact me. If you've got a cool idea that you need to see if it will work, contact me.

The pictures: A twist grip throttle for a child's electric trike, a solar power LED switched indicator for setting the depth on an old radial arm saw, and a 3'' tall figurine. Some figurines, a EP DLG fuselage, large gear. lithophanes

John