JusticeOfToren Posted January 2, 2017 Share Posted January 2, 2017 Has anyone used a 3D printer to produce grip panels (plastic ones)? I am planning to purchase one but not entirely sure how hard these plastics are, and how durable they are, compared to typical casting resins (polyurethanes). I have used mold and cast multiple pairs of Tanfoglio grips but they are too inprecise. I would like to be able to produce grips with much higher adherence to specs. Thus I am looking into 3D printing of plastics. Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joerenew Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 Great idea but I haven't seen anyone do that yet although I do know there are different strengths of polymers you can get Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyglidewell Posted January 3, 2017 Share Posted January 3, 2017 I don't see why it wouldn't work. I might give it a try myself. I'd probably go with something like this for material. http://www.3dxtech.com/carbonx-carbon-fiber-petg-3d-printing-filament/Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmiller Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I think if you used a pet filament, it would be fine. I have run into very weak pla, and switched to pet. I am printing mag extensions with pet and they are holding up well. I posted a video of me dropping them installed on a mag on concrete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicoR Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 A guy in Argentina makes 3D-printed grips for Tanfo and CZ. He uses 3M sandpaper and they are great! Cheap, too... what kind of tips are you looking for? Maybe I can ask him on your behalf! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyglidewell Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I would think 3d printed grips would be perfectly fine especially if you finish it with something like xtc-3d.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3WWN Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Something like these on my 1911?Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIIID Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Has anyone checked the weight difference between G10 vs 3d print plastic? If there is a big difference it can help for Single Stack Div. weight requirement. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyglidewell Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Has anyone checked the weight difference between G10 vs 3d print plastic? If there is a big difference it can help for Single Stack Div. weight requirement. RichI don't know about density off the top of my head but you can play with the infill and make it quite a bit less dense. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3WWN Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 10 hours ago, andyglidewell said: I don't know about density off the top of my head but you can play with the infill and make it quite a bit less dense. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk I printed a solid base that goes against the frame and then only a honeycomb to build up the rest of the grip on my 1911 as shown above. Mine are very light compared to the G10 panels that came with the gun, but I haven't weighed them. There's a small amount of flex in mine (I used PLA) and the holes for the grip screws are a tad too shallow, so I've already modified the model to have a slightly thicker base layer, which takes care of both of those issues... just haven't printed them yet. My primary reason for wanting to 3D print grips for my 1911 is that the factory G10 grips didn't quite fit my hands, they had a few sharp points that caused pain in my support hand and the magwell I wanted to use required shorter grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless13 Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Ultimately, a hobby 3d printer would work ok, but the filament is going to be a bit weak. You'd probably be better suited to using one of the strong and flexible plastics off of a site like Shapeways.com. I do a lot of modeling and design through Shapeways and the strong and flexible plastic has a good resolution and is very durable for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusticeOfToren Posted January 8, 2017 Author Share Posted January 8, 2017 What printers do you guys use? What filament specifically? N3WWN - great work! Exactly what I am looking to make, but for Tanfos. I am also looking for a good tool to design the model. What software/site would you recommend? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless13 Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I've used most of the 3D modeling programs and right now Autodesk Fusion 360 is my favorite. It's free and also really powerful. I used Solidworks at work for almost 10 years and I much prefer A360. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyglidewell Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I use the monoprice mini select for a printer. It's cheap but does a decent job. I mostly use solidworks for modeling software but also use catia and unigraphics. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3WWN Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 What printers do you guys use? What filament specifically? N3WWN - great work! Exactly what I am looking to make, but for Tanfos. I am also looking for a good tool to design the model. What software/site would you recommend? Thanks.Thanks! I answered in detail via PM, but in short, found a DXF of the grip outline+screw holes and extruded and manipulated it in OpenSCAD. If you're a programmer, OpenSCAD is awesome. If you're a point and click guy, not so much Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyglidewell Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 Y'all should check out the Facebook group diy 3 gun gear. There's a decent amount of 3d printing stuff on there and some pretty knowledgeable people in regards to 3d printing. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joerenew Posted January 2, 2020 Share Posted January 2, 2020 I would be interested in trying a set of you make them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted January 8, 2020 Share Posted January 8, 2020 On 1/5/2017 at 6:33 PM, RIIID said: Has anyone checked the weight difference between G10 vs 3d print plastic? If there is a big difference it can help for Single Stack Div. weight requirement. Rich We make 'Superlight' 3d printed 1911 grips in carbon-fiber-filled Nylon. They weigh about half what a similar G10 1911 grip weighs, so about 1oz for the set versus 2. 3D printer filaments vary in density and you can play with infill and perimeters possibly at the risk of maybe more injury if a case blows.. They're grippy, but not real pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueTactical Posted January 12, 2020 Share Posted January 12, 2020 I’ve 3D printed numerous 1911 grip panels - they come out great with the right equipment. Also, I’ve printed 2011 grips - those barely hold up at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam_b Posted January 14, 2020 Share Posted January 14, 2020 Anyone ever printed their own 2011 followers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueTactical Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 yes, they work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNI-905 Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Hi. Has anybody printed grips for a CZ 75 compact or Tanfoglio Witness Compact? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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