3D printed pickup rings

[uOpt]

Looks like some models exist, but there is devil in details:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:813146
https://www.google.com/search?q=3d+...ceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q="humbucker+ring"+yeggi

Out of the top of my head we would need a library that has variants around the following parameters:

• flat or curved bottom
• high bridge (LP) or low bridge (strat)
• wide or narrow screw spacing (some Asian guitar makes have wider spacing)
• how high does the bridge need to be? If you have a short legged pickup in a real LP you need to go a lot higher than normal Gibson bridge LP ring
• "Fuglybucker dents" or not

And obviously they would need to be painted. Even if you get the right color you can't get the molded-plastic look out of 3D printing. Maybe by polishing a lot?

 

[uOpt]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

This one says the author left in parameter to adapt to "anything".
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:423693

Obviously you cannot print rings with curved bottom right side up. If you print them upside down you cannot print the bevel for the screws but I suppose that is easy enough to add later.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

Are these files universal? What is the typical material, are they like SLA or SLS?

My experience with these two makes me question the durability of any component that isn't big and blocky.

 

[uOpt]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

I think you can use these files on most printers, including some that make very solid stuff.

However, it will usually be hard and brittle, not flexible. Knocking about probably isn't an option.

 

[devastone]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

There are some very durable SLA and SLS materials out there now. What kind of pickup ring do you need that isn't already molded? 3D printing isn't exactly cheap.

 

[devastone]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

Oh yeah, stl files are what you want. I use Solidworks, so I can modify them if there is something you need.

 

[EDX]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

Well, if you can print in more than one color, you could come and 3D print a dimebucker style pickup ring with withe 3D skulls like those creepy pewter rings tall enough and with the holes to fit a duncan triple shots system in there, and you could make it quite solid if you wish

sent from my crappy junk-phone

 

[Adam SE]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

I've laser cut mine with great results using black or white acrylic sheets. The file is really easy to make in Illustrator because it's a simple 2D vector for the laser cutting path. The finish comes out perfect since acrylic is cut with a film and when peeled reveals a perfectly glossy finish.

 

[uOpt]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

There are some very durable SLA and SLS materials out there now. What kind of pickup ring do you need that isn't already molded? 3D printing isn't exactly cheap.

My first post has all the parameters that would need to be modeled.

In this particular week, I think a cool variant to print would be a set of rings to mount the fuglybuckers in a Les Paul, which means:
- curved bottom
- "flugy dent"
- bridge ring very high
- US humbucker ring screw spacing

 

[devastone]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

Guess I'm not educated on the fuglybucker...

I'm swamped right now, if you need something specific I could whip it out pretty quick, but can't really think about making a library right now.

That said, without looking into the fb dent of course, couldn't you just buy a standard LP pickup ring and use a jeweler's file to create the notch? Probably be nicer than a printed, painted ring. Paint has a bad habit of wearing off of plastic quickly. (pardon me if I don't know what I'm talking about, it is a definitely possibility).

 

[Adam SE]

Re: 3D printed pickup rings

If you print with ABS you can use a vapour bath to get a pretty decent finish without paint. However it won't work for PLA and the vapour bath will take away some fine details. Unless you need complex geometry, which pickup rings generally don't, I still think laser cutting is a better option for a nicer looking ring.