I’ve been planning to do this for a while, and finally did it. I purchased a 3D printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I spent hours agonizing over what to get. I didn’t want to spend too much, not knowing how useful it would be, but didn’t want to get low quality either. I finally landed on a Creality Ender 3. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a couple hours to assemble, but now I’m printing stuff. I still have some bugs to iron out, a few adjustments to make and things to print to make the printer work even better (things like belt tensioners and the like). But it’s already turning out some usable stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few days ago I printed a cap for one of my DSI cameras. This was a design I found online, and it fit just fine. I’m somewhat amazed by the ability to PRINT the threads, especially fairly fine ones. But it’s working just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last night, before bed, I started the print on my first self-designed usable astronomy tool. I have a 50mm finder that came with my 8″ SCT, but really has never been useful. The diagonal on the finder was cracked and never stayed on right. But I always thought it would be a good guide scope, if only I could adapt it for a camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I’ve designed an adapter that screws on the back and offers a simple helical-style focuser for focus adjustment. At 100 microns detail resolution (to get the threads just right) it calculated out to a 12 hour print. It was over halfway there when I woke up this morning, and looking good. By the time I get home tonight it should be entirely complete… then I can assemble and test. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I also want to print a DSLR lens adapter for my CCD’s to allow wide-field imaging. That should be my next design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After that? The sky’s the limit!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I’ve been planning to do this for a while, and finally did it. I purchased a 3D printer. I spent hours agonizing over what to get. I didn’t want to spend too much, not knowing how useful it would be, but didn’t want to get low quality either. I finally landed on a Creality Ender … <\/p>\n