[quote=loquinho]As part of putting my Nacraa 5.2 forest cat back together, I've been looking at sources for new end caps, since the boat only had one remaining. I found them online for $30 each, which is too rich for my blood. I then ran across the turned PVC plumbing cap solution so I bought a set, only for them to sit for a couple years because I don't know anyone that does lathe work.
Then earlier this week it hit me that I have an architecture firm with CAD software and a 3D printer. So I took my one remaining end cap and a set of calipers and drafted up a replica in the computer. The one change I made is I took the center hole for the righting line and increased the radius so it won't wear on the shock cord.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/yoNEXpO.jpg[/img]
I sent it to print, and I think it came out pretty good. Eyeballing it, it looked like just about the right size.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/9ibUzYc.jpg?1[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/xhNX7lQ.jpg?1[/img]
I took it home to put on the beam, AND...
[img]https://i.imgur.com/bmH9jne.jpg[/img]
About 1-2mm too large. Oh well, I resized it and have a new one printing now.
With the 3D printing technology, I can really make these things look like whatever I want, whic his pretty neat. We'll see how it goes...[/quote]
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