3D Printing Question

[theGinsue]

The printers are very user friendly these days and prices aren't bad, check out the bambu

I've been looking at printers for several years now but I'm looking for one that can do larger prints - fewer pieces for the things I want to do. Those cost a lot more than my retired butt can afford without saving for months (plus, I've gotta answer to the bride).

Maybe be able to find someone on Etsy to print it for you.

Etsy is one of the sites I avoid like the plague (Etsy, Temu, and eBay are typically no-go's for me).

If you find an existing print file of exactly what you want then the process is pretty inexpensive and a someone with a printer may charge a set rate per hour of printing time. If the file needs to be modified to meet your vision or started from scratch then charging for the 3d modeling work in a CAD program would push the cost up.
A good place to start searching through forums or subreddits for other people that have printed something close to what you want and see if they have an .stl (the file the printer uses) or a cad drawing/rendering.

I actually have the .stl files for one that is close enough to what I want to satisfy me. I probably should have said that up front.


(stock image from the .stl file creator)

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/vari...ht-swords-pack

That looks pretty good, but $48.07 for the files. Nope. (I'm hella cheap)



As to the comment about time & energy of finishing the sword vice just buying a metal sword. I'd considered that, but now that I'm retired I have much more time than money.

Because I've been looking to get myself a 3D printer for several years, I've been collecting .stl files for projects and reading and watching tons of videos on things to do and not to do, etc. I'm aware that there'll still be a big learning curve once I finally bite the bullet, but I should at least be able to start on my feet versus crawling.

This whole thing was just a thought exercise into a potential project combining the sword with some wood working objects and LED lighting. I'll keep thinking about things for a bit and see if it's something I really want to start.

Thank you everyone for your input. It has been helpful.