Posted: 7/15/2026 10:59:02 AM EDT
|
Let me start by saying I am new to 3d printers and just went in balls deep. Just picked up and H2c and have been happy with it. Already printed -obsessed- cereal box spool holders and they came out great and work awesome. I bought the printer mainly to make blue guns for folding or molding props, I make holster on the side, mainly leather but have been getting more and more requests for kydex. Problem is, a split mold usually runs about $225 with a trim jig and then another $70 for a folding prop. It gets pricey fast. So I dove down the rabbit hole and found that 3d printed molds are now becoming really popular. So here I am. My question is, most makers, from what I see are using PET-G , but the molds do not stand up mainly to the kydex heat and usually seem to start losing the sharp edges after about 15-20 pulls on a mold. My question is, why is everyone using PET-G when there seem to be better options available? or am I missing something? I would think ABS or ASA would be a better choice with a higher heat deflection. The cost difference for the print seems to be minimal, especially if I can get more pulls off a mold, it would pay for increase in filament cost, especially if I can get more use out of it. I seek your guidance and wisdom please. |
A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything You Want, is Strong Enough to Take Everything You Have.
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
|
Yeah for higher volume runs I would definitely use something with more heat resistance. They're probably using PETG because it prints much more easily than ABS and it holds up well enough if they're only making a few molds. You shouldn't have too many problems printing ABS on your printer with the right settings and a well designed model. |
| I appreciate the info. The dry box filament holders I printed yesterday (in abs) came out great. My first real print on a printer besides benchy. I am super impressed with the machine so far. |
A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything You Want, is Strong Enough to Take Everything You Have.
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
|
Have you found a good source for the prop files? I've been half-assed looking for a bit and haven't found many. Id prefer a prepped blue gun type prop instead of a split mold, if i could find some. |
"Freedom is a messy business." - LaRue_Tactical
I am a sack of blood, held together by un-tanned leather. . .
I am a sack of blood, held together by un-tanned leather. . .
| T.rex arms has an open source section for a ton of scans for making blue guns or even using them for split mold design. For the one on the printer now, I just bought a file off of 3dcult. I have a buddy in a little of a rush for a 509 compact and didn't want to delay for learning how to use fusion. |
A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything You Want, is Strong Enough to Take Everything You Have.
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
|
Made one out of abs and it came out beautifully and worked flawless. Absolutely no degradation of the mold after vacuum forming. Attached File Attached File |
A Government Big Enough to Give You Everything You Want, is Strong Enough to Take Everything You Have.
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia
-Thomas Jefferson-
Pround member of Ranstad's Malitia