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Reviews

3D Printing Part 3: First Prints, fixing things

19th July 2016 by Caroline

The CD had a test file on it, which I made a mess of the first time, as the filament was just flung around in circles. I tightened the belt, and tried again.

It worked!

I can’t describe the relif in printing something recognisable.

Chris and I both started playing on Thingiverse and found plenty of lovely things to print. The crochet hook didn’t work very well, but I think that’s because the base layer didn’t stick very well onto the bed so it couldn’t join the sections.

We did have great success printing small letters for each of the girls, and I printed a coral cuff off because hey, I’m a woman who built a 3D printer! I get new jewellery on a whim.


So, now I have a whole new avenue to explore, and what a learning curve it is!

I would like to try making my own models soon, and experimenting with different types of filament. At the moment I’m using PLA but I would like to try flexible and conductive filaments, and I would like to learn to use Sculptis to make more organic models.

Excuse me while I set go and set about printing a new loom.

Filed Under: Finished Items, Ramblings, Reviews Tagged With: 3D printing, DIY, steam, stem

3D Printing Part 2: The Build

19th July 2016 by Caroline

I build things differently to my husband, and there are big differences in our approach. He’s rather enthusiastic, and gets on with it, while I sit about trying to identify the parts and counting the screws.

It’s probably for the best that he went out, but before he left he brought me tea and toast.

The kit came with a CD containing the manual. Building the frame was pretty straightforward, although the frame was put together with t-nuts which were really tricky. Eventually I realised that it’s best to either put them in and hold them in with a screwdriver while screwing in the part, or set them off very, very loosely – they seem more inclined to turn in the frame that way.
The videos by HackaweekTV on You Tube were really helpful to refer to during the construction, and combined with the manual it was reasonably OK, although I was puzzled about the leftover parts (turned out it was a spare z-axis limit switch).

The wiring was a different kettle of fish. There was a single drawing in the manual. The video started well but didn’t show everything. The Hictop video seemed to be a different model, without the auto-levelling.

I thought it made sense to plug the auto-levelling sensor into the z-axis limit on the mainboard, but the nozzle insisted on alarmingly crashing into the bed. After a few hours, Chris spotted I had mounted the base of the bed the wrong way up – silly mistake but easily sorted.

There were still problems with the height of the nozzle, which I tried to adjust. Eventually I realised I could move the sensor down very, very slightly by moving the mount.

It was just enough and the nozzle cleared the bed when auto-homing.

Filed Under: Ramblings, Reviews Tagged With: 3D printing, DIY

3D Printing Part 1: Choosing a Printer

19th July 2016 by Caroline

You have probably noticed my love of combining technology and art.

Something that has fascinated me for a while is the potential of 3D printing, both as a means to replace or replicate parts and as a tool to help with my art, such as making practical items like crochet hooks, yarn bowls and weaving looms.

As a matter of fact it was partly due to missing my old rigid heddle loom that I ended up buying a 3D printer. I thought I could print one, like other people have.

After lots of research, and consulting with my partner in crime, I settled on this kit – the Prusa i3 DTP-11-ATL which I bought from Amazon.

I decided to buy a kit because I enjoy practical things, like Ikea drawers, and I hoped that building it myself would give me a greater understanding of the processes and set up. Most – if not all – 3D printers require calibration and maintenance to work at their best, so a DIY kit was ideal for learning the ins and outs of the machine.

The kit I chose came with auto-levelling, which would be handy if I wanted to take it out to visit places for projects (although it’s not very easy to transport). It also accepts a wide range of materials, including wood effect and flexible filaments. I’m not sure about chocolate, I’ll look into it.

A few days later this arrived. Yay!


The following Saturday, when I new I had a full weekend, I cleared the dining room table, unboxed, and began to build.

Filed Under: Ramblings, Reviews Tagged With: DIY, steam, stem, £d printing

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I'm Caroline and I'm a multi-passionate artist in the North-West.

Being creative makes me really happy and I hope I can pass along my enthusiasm to you. Read More…

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connecting through creativity

Caroline at Happy Makes
I was wondering what my slowcooker would say if it I was wondering what my slowcooker would say if it could speak to other pans.
Fun with colour and printing. Fun with colour and printing.
Despite a murky day I managed to get out in the ga Despite a murky day I managed to get out in the garden. Last year I watched the garden but didn't plant much, beyond working in the veg garden. I wondered if there were any bulbs or plants hidden, waiting for the right time  but nothing appeared.

It looks like I've been boring and lazy but I prefer to think of it as patient and considering.

I planted bulbs last Autumn, and they are started to pop up in places now, as are the roses I struggled to put in. I'm not sure they will take and maybe they would be better in pots, but I'll give it a go. Hopefully I'll be rewarded at some point.
I love making scarves like this with lots of colo I love making scarves like this  with lots of colour and texture. I weave intuitively and combine yarns as the mood takes me, so its always a surprise when I take it off the loom! 

I use different types of yarn in my weaving, including hand-dyed, naturally dyed, commercial and handspun on my Ashford traditional spinning wheel, and I choose yarn from small flocks where I know the sheep are well cared for.

There are a huge range of variations and I'm always happy to chat about alternatives, including sourcing vegan fibres. If you don't see the scarf of your dreams, please ask me and I can make something special just for you. (Prices for commissioned pieces from £90).
Found more potatoes in the garden. They have kept Found more potatoes in the garden. They have kept very well in the ground.
A crispy walk with the dog this morning. :) A crispy walk with the dog this morning. :)
Shiny new book of prints i made last year... Shiny new book of prints i made last year...
It feels odd to wish you a happy new year. As if t It feels odd to wish you a happy new year. As if the change in date will magically return things to how they were,  like Cindrella's pumpkin coach.

Happy new year, anyway. :) 

I've been binding some of my prints from last year into a book so I can see my progress and tidy my heap of papers. With that done, it's time to start building a new pile!
Thank you for your beautiful print Fi @thewoodland Thank you for your beautiful print Fi @thewoodlandgarden and thank you for organising the swap Ruby @dottydelightful 
I love it!
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