Modelling bits for 3d printing

[Malika]

For a while now I've been working on some ships, as you can see here. Apparently the lovely fellows over at Resin Addicts liked it so much that I got a few offers in to have them produce it, I also managed to get a possible 3d modelling commission out of it.

However, high quality 3d printing is expensive. Shapeways doesn't offer the quality I need for this project. This means I have to go elsewhere, which means the rates go up. In order to finance this I'm planning on making separate bits that could either be sold through Shapeways or whatever party wants to print/cast the models. I know companies such as Chapterhouse, MaxMini, Kromlech and so on are quite successful with their sales of bits which are compatible with other stuff in the market. The whole =I=munda craze has inspired me, and whilst I'm not that great a modeller/painter, I do want to offer my support in some way...

Here the first of many. It's still a WIP, more details need to be added to it. The blade is a separate part by the way.



Needs a few more details, such as an exhaust and some details on the front part and then it's good to go I think.

Next would be a few other close combat weapons/tools based on this 'hull'. The wheel removed and the round part on the front as well, and other stuff could be added, be it a drill, grabber, etc.

After these weapons will be shields and armour plates.

[Malika]

In the meantime I've been adding more details to the buzz saw:

[Malika]

Small update on the teeth:

[radu lykan]

didnt somebody make a working gun on a 3d printer? if you could make that work?............................ 
seriously, nice design, would you consider printing at larger scales i.e. 54mm?

[Malika]

Shouldn't be a problem. Making this model are 54mm scale is just a matter of resizing.

[Malika]

I quickly put this together:

[Malika]

Spinning clockwise or counter-clockwise, there will be a lot of feedback/bouncing, when the weapon hits its target. So I decided to go for two blades that spin in opposite directions, see below.



I've tried to make a double blade, and made four versions. At the moment I'm favouring C or D, thing is that it does make the weapon very wide, which will be a bit of a challenge to fix (counter weight, etc).

This is kinda where I need your feedback? Which of these four should I go for?

[Malika]

Small update:

The first wheels (3cm diameter and 1.5cm diameter) are available on Shapeways: LINK.

The entire device will be ready in the coming days.

@Radu: What are the dimensions of some of the 54mm scaled weapons?

[Malika]

Look what else is ready...

[Lex]

Depending on actual size, that really could be worked into a nice Orcisch ship.......

[Malika]

The weapon is around 21mm long.

[Lex]

The weapon is around 21mm long.

so if you take of the grip and instead create a thruster cluster you would have a nice Orcisch ramship?

[Malika]

I would say yes. Remove the grips, perhaps turn the model upside down so that the exhausts/chimneys on the side point upwards, and you've got a pretty cool basis for a Ram Ship.

[Armand]

Curse your great conversion ideas! Now if only they were available in sets of 4, or 8...

[Malika]

Well, there's no real difference at the moment of ordering 1 or 4 separate. Production costs kinda limit on what I can offer.

However, I hope that in the longer run I'll find a caster, meaning production costs can really lower and then these sets will become a possibility. Until then I'd have to prove that these models are worth it.