So I need a few shop vac hose adapter making and getting them 3D printed seems the perfect solution.
Any recommendations on UK based 3D printing services?
Any recommendations on UK based 3D printing services?
Getting things 3D printed in the UK
- Thread starter Britman
- Start date
Help Support UKworkshop.co.uk:
I was looking for the 3D printing in the workshop thread and spotted yours. Did you get your adaptors made?
I made one this morning to connect a Dyson dog hair head to my Shop Vac to clean the car out.
You can also see in the second image the repair tube i had to make for the hose as I managed to tread on it and crack it...
I made one this morning to connect a Dyson dog hair head to my Shop Vac to clean the car out.
You can also see in the second image the repair tube i had to make for the hose as I managed to tread on it and crack it...
No, I couldn't seem to find anywhere that would print at a reasonable price even though what I want is, I believe, very simple.
John Brown
Freeloading Social media influenza
Maybe the forum members could all chip in and buy a printer. Entrust it to the care of someone who understands such things.
I have had a few bits printed by sellers on eBay and found prices to be very reasonable.
I most recently used ‘milescobu’ on eBay and he was very cheap but doesn’t appear to be advertising the service any more
Either way I think eBay is a great place for finding a supplier
I most recently used ‘milescobu’ on eBay and he was very cheap but doesn’t appear to be advertising the service any more
Either way I think eBay is a great place for finding a supplier
Doug71
Established Member
Have you seen @Myfordman solution for hose adapters, I used it recently, very clever
http://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5523
http://www.thewoodhaven2.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=5523
Myfordman
AKA 9Fingers
Pleased to hear it worked for you Doug
skeetstar
Established Member
skeetstar
Established Member
Dan goodier
There used to be a place in Aberdeen called Hackspace, which was a sort of communal workshop space with 3d printers and other similar kit, used by knowledgeable people who were keen to show off their skills and impart them to newcomers. Apparently there were similar places scattered around the UK, using similar titles. The one in Aberdeen has gone, but it might be worth checking around your area.
No I haven't, going to take a look see
AES
Established Member
The place that in Aberdeen that dickm refers to above sounds a lot like the Men's Sheds that seem to be popping up all over the place in UK (though originally an Australian idea I think). None here unfortunately, but they do have a general website (you'll have to Google, sorry) showing the various UK locations. From what I've read at least some of those places have 3D printers. You may be lucky and find one nearby, worth a try I guess.
But while I wouldn't in any way decry a "need" for a 3D printer (the results I see posted on here often do look really good) there ARE plenty of other ways of simply and cheaply making hose connector adaptors:
1. Myford Man's method as linked above (I hadn't seen that one before, so thanks to whoever posted it first);
2. If the diameter differences aren't too great, then various off cuts of "plastic" waste pipe, kitchen overflows, etc, etc, plus a hot air gun have worked well for me in the past (not my own idea, there are numerous YouTube "how-tos" out there);
3. If a big diameter difference, I've had great success with odd off cuts of thick ply (if necessary, 2 or more bits glued together), plus hole saw/s, spade bit/s, Forstner bit/s, plus ideally a scroll saw, or if not then a band saw with a narrow blade (or if neither, then a simple hand-held jigsaw/fret saw/coping saw).
Easy peasy, even if (sometimes) a little time-consuming, AND I'd guess both quicker and cheaper than getting a 3D print. And MUCH better than just sticky tape and/or Jubilee clips!
HTH
But while I wouldn't in any way decry a "need" for a 3D printer (the results I see posted on here often do look really good) there ARE plenty of other ways of simply and cheaply making hose connector adaptors:
1. Myford Man's method as linked above (I hadn't seen that one before, so thanks to whoever posted it first);
2. If the diameter differences aren't too great, then various off cuts of "plastic" waste pipe, kitchen overflows, etc, etc, plus a hot air gun have worked well for me in the past (not my own idea, there are numerous YouTube "how-tos" out there);
3. If a big diameter difference, I've had great success with odd off cuts of thick ply (if necessary, 2 or more bits glued together), plus hole saw/s, spade bit/s, Forstner bit/s, plus ideally a scroll saw, or if not then a band saw with a narrow blade (or if neither, then a simple hand-held jigsaw/fret saw/coping saw).
Easy peasy, even if (sometimes) a little time-consuming, AND I'd guess both quicker and cheaper than getting a 3D print. And MUCH better than just sticky tape and/or Jubilee clips!
HTH
I always used to make up adaptors and things with what I had sitting around. Since I’ve had the printer I’ve found it’s often much easier to print something. A simple size changing adaptor for a vacuum is a minutes work in the CAD package and then another minute to set the printer going. I then just leave it to do it’s thing and an hour or two later I’ve got my part.
I quite often make parts that simply wouldn’t be straight forward without a printer. I did some work on my landrover last week and needed some covers for the grab handle screws and a replacement trim piece for the seat belt. I drew Both in CAD and printed the parts. The drawing was about 30 minutes in total. The printing took some time as I printed in fine detail and use a 0.2mm novel for the very thin grab handle covers.
Hi Britman, my printer went t*ts up in 2020 and I just haven't had the time to sort it in the last many many months.
I needed 25 parts and used 3dhubs last month - I think their business model is they outsource to whoever can print - not sure if they are UK based either?
You can get quotes online - do you have an stl or similar? Upload it and it quotes. Maybe worth a look if you haven't already.
Can't say if they are the cheapest due to surcharge or viable for small quantities, but my parts were delivered on time which was crucial - I provided the stl & got them - to me that worked
Cheers,
Nick
Yup, need to get my printer going again as I had fun making other things too
I needed 25 parts and used 3dhubs last month - I think their business model is they outsource to whoever can print - not sure if they are UK based either?
You can get quotes online - do you have an stl or similar? Upload it and it quotes. Maybe worth a look if you haven't already.
Can't say if they are the cheapest due to surcharge or viable for small quantities, but my parts were delivered on time which was crucial - I provided the stl & got them - to me that worked
Cheers,
Nick
Yup, need to get my printer going again as I had fun making other things too
Last edited:
I did try 3dhub and was quoted one £100
Which made me think that maybe my STL was wrong.
shed9
establiSHED member
As mentioned up there, look for a local maker space or go through something like FabLab, they have a map of the assigned UK labs on here.
The more organised ones (i.e. FabLab) generally have access to fairly high end printers from filament to stereolithography and they will make it out of the right plastic / resin relevant to your needs. Regardless of who you use to print your part/s you need to specify what material you want your item printed in as this dictates price and durability, i.e. PLA will almost certainly snap at the layer point when used like something as a vac adapter (especially if it is moved as much as the hose itself).
Alternatively, grab a cheap printer and have a go. Bit of a learning curve and possibly not something you want to invest time in but it is an option. SLA printers are dirt cheap these days and the cost of resin has plummeted.
The more organised ones (i.e. FabLab) generally have access to fairly high end printers from filament to stereolithography and they will make it out of the right plastic / resin relevant to your needs. Regardless of who you use to print your part/s you need to specify what material you want your item printed in as this dictates price and durability, i.e. PLA will almost certainly snap at the layer point when used like something as a vac adapter (especially if it is moved as much as the hose itself).
Alternatively, grab a cheap printer and have a go. Bit of a learning curve and possibly not something you want to invest time in but it is an option. SLA printers are dirt cheap these days and the cost of resin has plummeted.
Last edited:
AES
Established Member
Paul, I'm sorry if my post wasn't clear. As I said though, I'm NOT suggesting that 3D printing is "a bad idea". On the contrary, as I also said above, I've seen some fine examples of 3D prints posted here, of which your results (above) are clearly good examples.
What I was trying to say was that at least to me, unless one wants to, there is no absolute necessity to invest in the equipment and software (+ learning curve) if you "only" want to produce "simple" stuff such as hose adaptors - there are plenty of other ways to do that.
Those alternatives make well take longer (in my ignorance of 3D printing I didn't realise one can produce the necessary files as quickly as you say - and BTW, I bet that as one of this Forum's resident software klutzes I'm pretty sure I couldn't be as quick as you are!
BUT such methods as I listed are also much cheaper than the initial investment in 3D.
So I was NOT saying "don't do it, waste of time/money". By all means do that if the idea makes sense for you. I was simply saying there are other ways of producing perfectly acceptable hose adaptors if you don't want/can't afford/can't easily find a vendor of 3D printing.
My apologies if I wasn't so clear in my original post, I hope I've now clarified that to everyone's satisfaction.
pgrbff
Established Member
Kenpez printed a bandsaw featherboard for me. It came out extremely well.
Dan made me 5 adaptors at £5 each with free postage.
Yup- practically every town here in Oz has a 'Men's shed' (although many have women members too lol)- a great idea thats taken off hugely here with the aging 'baby boomers' who often downsize their properties to a smaller place- but find their 'shed' collection is simply too big for the new place...
Basically its a 'club' where they find and rent (some get it for free even) a largish shed- then the 'shed' buys all the toys they always wanted- but couldn't justify for cost/lack of use- as they are 'community owned' the price per member can be extraordinarily cheap, and each member pays the running repair/consumables costs etc as decided on beforehand...
It has been a source of friction at times- where some bought a 'out there' bit of kit and expected everyone to pay for the upkeep- making the rules up in advance minimises this- for those really 'only one person ever uses it' situations- most come to a 'the shed will buy it, but you pay for the consumables' type arrangement- which in the end pretty much works for everything for everyone (unless Joe Blow wants to shell out a couple of million on a 'ACME trenching and brain surgery' machine- in which case the shed will normally vote on a purchase- yay or nay....)
Many businesses here in Oz will donate time, money, equipment or services, until I moved out to my 'retirement block' in the bush, I regularly drove a truck that was donated when not in use to the shed (as I had a appropriate licence, a quick chat with the owner that I knew what I was doing and we had use of it)- great for picking up those longer beams or sheets or machines or whatever- and the business owner even got a good deal out of it, as several members were retired mechanics- so he would provide parts, oils etc, and the shed would do maintenance on them for 'free'- win/win for all concerned...
A great idea when properly run, and most 'sheds' often turn a profit from older members who literally use it as a social club- but often churn out an amazing amount of salable goods in the process- find a niche market and start selling them- and a shed can often make enough that it is embarrassing on finding ways of disposing of the cash LOL- many go on to become major charity sponsors etc (most learn quickly that 'making a profit' as a sheds purpose all too often leads to fights and disagreements- so most sheds here are strictly 'nonprofit'- all funds raised go back into the shed or go to charity or the like... saves a lot of 'well us lot do all the work, and him over there does nothing and gets a grand- hardly fair' arguments
