On Fri, Dec 17, 2021 at 10:13 AM Paul Koning via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > Has anyone tried 3D printing these? > > Interesting idea. A while ago someone posted a picture of what looks like a > "go/no-go" gauge for DECtape reels. It is marked with the dimensions of the > two sides: 2.504-2.505 inches for the "no-go" end, 2.494-2.495 for the "go" > end. So that tells us the hole diameter is 2.500 +/- .004. Can 3D printing > deliver that sort of tolerance (with hobbyist-price machines)?
What you can do is print with extra shells (2 layers is one default, depending on your slicer), then print using ABS, which will shrink 1-2% (so you often print at 100.1% and caliper for dimensionally-critical items) _then_ since it's ABS, you can vapor-smooth with acetone and remove ridges and improve top layer bonding, *then* turn on a lathe to spec - but trying to remove less than half a filament diameter. I think that technique would work. I wouldn't just print and go unless I at least smoothed the tape path to prevent adding wrinkles. -ethan
