I have become interested in freehand 3D printing, i.e. using 3D pens for serious fabrication and repair of one-off small plastic items. It appears that few if any 3D pen manufacturers are aware that their products might be used as a tool instead of a toy. Therefore they do not build in tool use ruggedness and quality. It may be that the only way to get the 3D pen tool that I want would be to build it. Is there any interest here on the forum in discussing design and construction of such a tool? If not, could anyone suggest other fora or communities which might be more appropriate? Thank you, Jeff https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735559#msg-735559 Sun, 09 Aug 2026 03:39:16 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,736647#msg-736647 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,736647#msg-736647 Will be an interesting little project

Lykle]]> Lykle General Sun, 08 Jan 2017 07:18:46 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,736053#msg-736053 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,736053#msg-736053 epicepee General Thu, 05 Jan 2017 22:19:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735711#msg-735711 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735711#msg-735711 MechaBits General Wed, 04 Jan 2017 21:39:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735646#msg-735646 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735646#msg-735646 orbi-tech.com] ) is using some bigger types of "hot glue guns" as tool since some ten years now - no known "plastic Micelangelos" until now, but small injection-moulds ( [www.orbi-tech.de] ) can be handy too ;)]]> VDX General Wed, 04 Jan 2017 15:17:41 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735626#msg-735626 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735626#msg-735626
Using the pen as intended for free hand doodling is quite amusing too :)]]> JamesK General Wed, 04 Jan 2017 14:24:28 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735616#msg-735616 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735616#msg-735616
They are hot glue guns

Your hand can precisely position and lay up plastic in thin air?
Right?

Build a extruder / hotend with a handle

Find a way to cool hot filament in air quickly.

perhaps an art sculpture project.

You could become Michaelangelo of PLA is 20 30 years!

:S]]> cozmicray General Wed, 04 Jan 2017 14:03:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735571#msg-735571 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735571#msg-735571 I may be wrong, but I also do not see another use for 3D pens other than fun.]]> ECJ General Wed, 04 Jan 2017 11:19:22 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735559#msg-735559 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,735559,735559#msg-735559 It appears that few if any 3D pen manufacturers are aware that their products might be used as a tool instead of a toy. Therefore they do not build in tool use ruggedness and quality. It may be that the only way to get the 3D pen tool that I want would be to build it.
Is there any interest here on the forum in discussing design and construction of such a tool? If not, could anyone suggest other fora or communities which might be more appropriate?
Thank you,
Jeff]]> jeffm General Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:32:00 -0500