Something a little different... build in progress

[Flatline]

I haven't been playing much for the last several months. Life gets in the way and and guitar often takes a back seat, but always finds a way to cycle back in.

A few months ago I picked up an inexpensive 3D printer and have been tinkering with it and printing odds and ends. My wife works at one of the local elementary schools so I have printed all sorts of things things for her to take in for the kids. Recently it was bookmarks for the entire 4th grade class. Up to this point the only guitar related thing I've printed was some picks. They were quite awful for playing guitar. Definitely not something I'd really ever use.

This past week I wanted to start something a little bigger.

Here is how it has started:

This is where I'm currently at:

Here is what is in progress:

Each section takes about 10-12 hours to print. The full body is 6 sections.

Currently, I'm looking to use the neck and hardware from a Squier Classic Vibe 70's strat and I have a loaded SSS pickguard from a Fender American Performer that I'll pull the electronics from. The pickguard will be printed. I'm on the fence about printing the knobs and pickup covers, but will likely also print them as well.

More to come later...

[toomanycats]

That's very interesting. Kudos for taking the effort to print an entire body. Yet it seems to me the parts it would be most helpful to be able print would be the plastics . . . things like knobs, pickguards (both Strat and LP type), pickup covers, pickup rings, truss rod covers, etc.

Looking forward to seeing how the finished guitar turns out.

[tonebender]

This is very interesting.

[tlarson58]

I. Love. This.

Keep us posted.

[Flatline]

The latest piece finished in the middle of the night.

I will get the next one started later today if I have time.

[tobijohn]

How much do you figure the completed body will weigh?

[sabasgr68]

@Flatline Wow! I SO love this, and I love 3D printers - what you can do with them, I mean -!

Looking forward to your progress!

Be sure that the neck is stable, though...

[Partscaster]

But....but, but...ahh..... Wow! Cool idea.

[Flatline]

How much do you figure the completed body will weigh?

I'm estimating about 5lbs. So it'll be a little on the heavy side.

@Flatline Wow! I SO love this, and I love 3D printers - what you can do with them, I mean -!

Looking forward to your progress!

Be sure that the neck is stable, though...

I printed the two pieces where the neck connect with more infill density to ensure stability. The rest are/will be printed a bit less dense to help with the weight.

[sabasgr68]

Be sure that the neck is stable, though...

I printed the two pieces where the neck connect with more infill density to ensure stability. The rest are/will be printed a bit less dense to help with the weight.
[/quote]

Good. I guess it´ll be good.

(Although I was just joking using Kurt´s statement on almost every B stocks: "Neck is stable". )

Keep us updated!

[mozz]

How much filament costs do you figure?

[Flatline]

How much filament costs do you figure?

Each piece of the body is roughly 400g of filament. So 2400g-ish total. So that's about 2.5 rolls. I'm using Inland PLA+ from Microcenter that I've gotten on sale for about $15/roll. So once I'm done, I'll have about $50 in filament after I print the pickguard, knobs, etc.

[mozz]

Not too bad. Wondering how smooth it is or did you sand it for the pictures?

[Flatline]

Not too bad. Wondering how smooth it is or did you sand it for the pictures?

I haven't done any clean up or post processing after the prints finished other than pulling any supports off of each part. They're pretty smooth overall. There are some rough parts where supports attached to the price that I'll need to clean up. I plan to leave it alone and do as little clean up as possible. I want to keep the 3D printed aesthetic.


Here's a quick video of the last section being printed:


It should be done in about 11 hours from now.

Current progress:

[Flatline]

Final body piece finished overnight. A quick test fit this morning.

Next steps... sand where each piece meets, glue, clamp, print pickguard and other plastics, etc...

[mickey]

Can you print a clear pickguard? that deserves a clear pickguard!

[Flatline]

Can you print a clear pickguard? that deserves a clear pickguard!

That is a great suggestion. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

I was going to start with printing this in black.

I'll probably order a clear one and print one and then compare which looks best.

[glasshand]

I was going to ask how you were going to join the different sections of the body. Glue, it sounds like?

[Flatline]

I was going to ask how you were going to join the different sections of the body. Glue, it sounds like?

I plan to use some epoxy and clamps after sanding each seam for flatness. I've seen/read where others used superglue. I'm not nearly that brave.