A Mixed Bag

The last couple of weeks have been rather random and scattered. I've collected a small selection of mini-projects and experiences; otherwise known as reviewing my recent pics.

Cookie Cutter
Given my official reason for getting a new printer involved making cookie cutters i figured i should give cookie cutters another belt. A fews week back i tried one and the result was rubbish (in part due to print bed adhesion, and in also being in the 'tuning' phase).

So i picked a smaller model and set things running. 2 1/2 hours later in draft mode (0.2mm) I had a result, though IMO a barely presentable result.

There were lots of random suspended strings between seemingly random points, massive striation, and basically a tilt up the vertical walls...   = not useable.

Side Tangent: I have been experimenting with plate adhesion and it turns out glue stick is a clear winner here.  In my research I read that it's better to (paraphrase) "adjust software settings so you're not relying on external means," but as far as i could see things were level; or at least as level as i could make them, and it was frankly getting on my nerves. 
i'm not a gizmo hobbyist; i want to be getting results, and would rather be running a project or making models than screwing around with vernier calipers and a hex key.
Glue stick it is.

So i re-sliced the model using fine print mode (0.1mm), dialled down the print speed to 80% and made sure i didn't bump the table or even look at it too hard.   Which turned out a much better result.

It now took just over 6 hours (acceptable for 1 of jobs i guess)...

 ...and got a usable result.

Turns out i totally misread (due to lack of interest or concentration or both) what you can acetone vapour bath; and PLA doesn't work. damnit!
So it is what it is; relatively smooth and not terrible for a first vaguely serious attempt.


Box Cradles
Something about not barking when you have a dog.

After finishing off my absolutely very last Black Templar models (i have no more box space, so they MUST be the last) i went though shuffling things round to find everything's final positions.

I'd been contemplating magnetising the stormbird landing craft but - like the thunderhawks before them - the small landing assembly/feet were unsuitable.

Briefly considered building an mdf frame but then decided to model up a simple cradle so i could print it instead (woof woof).

This is a v2 cradle which extends to the rear of the model (v1 was just a 'U' under the mid-section); as well as holding it better it means i can get a larger slice of magnet under there.

seems to work ok.

Printer Setup
As well as discovering the joys of glue stick i made an observation about the printer as it was running.
My setup is a temporary one, with the intention of afixing the printer frame solidly to that panel of mdf below it (re pic)... at some stage.

i've been fairly nervous about running anything large on the printer due to the striation issues, and i have a feeling i might have found an issue that is exacerbating the problem. The printer support 'base' (9mm mdf) is heavy enough (which was the point) but it's then sitting on a flat sheet of ply and on the corner i have a fan.   I noticed that as the printer runs, the wiggle of the components was making the fan oscillate up and down, possibly adding further movement to the job. 
solution: move the fan off the board.
better solution: finish off the printer setup.

option A was easier; i'm yet to run another job but i have a feeling i should get at least marginally better results.
[Later: i think it helps a bit. doesn't entirely solve the issue (let's assume there are many contributing factors), but makes me feel the result is better. Not subjective at all...]

i'm looking to start work on the Battlefleet Gothic models so will find out soon.
[Later: I did]



Vraksians
And finally... the Vraksians got some table time on the weekend.   Just a 1500pts game where they THOROUGHLY failed to impress.   i don't feel i've emphasised 'thoroughly' enough there (but there are no more effects to apply to the font), but it was a shocker, due in large to TERRIBLE dice rolling and consistent failure to activate. Which is part of the army of course.

The list i chose was... fragile and a bit niche, as i was interested in exploring artillery and deathstrikes, but yeah, massive loads of fail.

Another downside is that my game buddy may get the impression that ground-pounder marines in rhino's aren't as uncompetitive as i've made them out to be.
I wouldn't mind giving the Vraks another run, but they just feel... incomplete;  with the massive blob formations, low activations, and support by flimsy fluff units.... though i concede that i'm probably missing something in my Vraks-noob ignorance.

I've been asked to review some of the nid models i've put on Thingiverse so i may end up looking at developing that army sooner rather than later.
[Later: I've also noticed that nids are making a come-back, at least in certain regional tournaments,  which is inspiring and should allow me to steal some useful lists.] 

until next time...