It's a simple thing, but I've been meaning to make some new handles for my files for ages. Finally got around to it and put some TPE to good use. These feel great! [attachment 87987 IMG_9302.JPG] [attachment 87988 IMG_9303.JPG] [attachment 87989 IMG_9311.JPG] The red one is PETG, the blue PLA. Printing TPE over PLA is easier than PETG, but the PETG is easier to fit on the file. I put the STLs on thingiverse if anyone is interested: [www.thingiverse.com] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,733977#msg-733977 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 01:37:57 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734798#msg-734798 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734798#msg-734798 It was difficult to load and unload, but fast. My current setup is a classic direct extruder design with some extra support for the filament close to the gear and idler, just as you proposed.
I haven't tried soft PLA yet, maybe once i'm bored with TPU ;)]]> Srek Look what I made! Mon, 02 Jan 2017 02:18:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734737#msg-734737 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734737#msg-734737
Thanks for the tip on FPE. I recently tried soft PLA (https://filaments.ca/collections/2-85mm-3d-filaments/products/soft-pla-white-3-00mm?variant=1269775560) and found it very easy to print and quite compatible with other plastics. It even glues nicely to acrylic/plexiglass using plumbers plastic glues, so I'm planning on using it to make hinged windows on my next build.]]> JamesK Look what I made! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 15:19:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734704#msg-734704 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734704#msg-734704 Don't bother to try with FPE [www.plastic2print.com]
It has the rigidity i was looking for, but it sticks to nothing. I had to design mechanical interlock into parts to get any use out of it.]]> Srek Look what I made! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 13:47:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734690#msg-734690 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734690#msg-734690 JamesK Look what I made! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 12:56:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734673#msg-734673 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734673#msg-734673 Srek Look what I made! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 11:46:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734669#msg-734669 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734669#msg-734669 Tpu is much nicer to print with than tpe, and is fantastically strong as well, but for grips I like the softness of tpe. I had to print at 10mm/s to get the tpe to print reliably for this, which was tedious. At least the pla was going down at 60mm/s.]]> JamesK Look what I made! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 11:20:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734655#msg-734655 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,734655#msg-734655 I had some problems with TPE where it ´sis not want to stick to any othe rmaterial. TPU on the other hand seems to connect rather nicely.
I am currently giving the file heft a try using ABS and TPU with a bit different setup then you, i print the 2 perimeters with TPU and the infill with ABS
[youtu.be]]]> Srek Look what I made! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 10:33:41 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,733997#msg-733997 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,733997#msg-733997 o_lampe Look what I made! Fri, 30 Dec 2016 02:51:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,733977#msg-733977 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?166,733977,733977#msg-733977
[attachment 87987 IMG_9302.JPG]
[attachment 87988 IMG_9303.JPG]
[attachment 87989 IMG_9311.JPG]

The red one is PETG, the blue PLA. Printing TPE over PLA is easier than PETG, but the PETG is easier to fit on the file.

I put the STLs on thingiverse if anyone is interested: [www.thingiverse.com]]]> JamesK Look what I made! Thu, 29 Dec 2016 21:27:19 -0500