1/7th F-14D Scratch build thread *building started*
09-02-2018, 08:04 AM
#1576
Thomas,
Perhaps I'm uneducated in this, but I see these 3D printed parts which is very cool technology, but it seems to me most of the 3D printed stuff I see has a very "textured" surface for lack of a better term. You can see all the layers. If you are printing surface detail such as rivets and panel lines, do you not defeat the point of printing that detail when you have to still sand the surface smooth? The armament you have printed looks really cool, but there are so many facets, or layers, do those all need to get sanded smooth and in doing so you still have to go back to recreate all of the detail then do you not?
Jeremy
Perhaps I'm uneducated in this, but I see these 3D printed parts which is very cool technology, but it seems to me most of the 3D printed stuff I see has a very "textured" surface for lack of a better term. You can see all the layers. If you are printing surface detail such as rivets and panel lines, do you not defeat the point of printing that detail when you have to still sand the surface smooth? The armament you have printed looks really cool, but there are so many facets, or layers, do those all need to get sanded smooth and in doing so you still have to go back to recreate all of the detail then do you not?
Jeremy
09-02-2018, 10:39 AM
#1577
Being able to 3D print the entire plug definitely sounds more attractive than my current method of ply bulkheads, blue foam, sanding, filler, more sanding before laying down a glass layer prior to final filling/ sanding/ priming.........
I'm using a more traditionally sized 3d printer (Prusa) for quite a few parts though - much easier to get the compound curves etc. Don't want to detract from Thomas's F-14 thread though.
Jeremy - I'm not attempting to capture any surface detail from the 3d print - just the overall shape. Adding the surface detail later once the surface has been filled, primed and surface coated. Others may have a different approach.
Paul
I'm using a more traditionally sized 3d printer (Prusa) for quite a few parts though - much easier to get the compound curves etc. Don't want to detract from Thomas's F-14 thread though.
Jeremy - I'm not attempting to capture any surface detail from the 3d print - just the overall shape. Adding the surface detail later once the surface has been filled, primed and surface coated. Others may have a different approach.
Paul
Last edited by JSF-TC; 09-02-2018 at 10:45 AM.
09-02-2018, 05:04 PM
#1578
Thomas,
Perhaps I'm uneducated in this, but I see these 3D printed parts which is very cool technology, but it seems to me most of the 3D printed stuff I see has a very "textured" surface for lack of a better term. You can see all the layers. If you are printing surface detail such as rivets and panel lines, do you not defeat the point of printing that detail when you have to still sand the surface smooth? The armament you have printed looks really cool, but there are so many facets, or layers, do those all need to get sanded smooth and in doing so you still have to go back to recreate all of the detail then do you not?
Jeremy
Perhaps I'm uneducated in this, but I see these 3D printed parts which is very cool technology, but it seems to me most of the 3D printed stuff I see has a very "textured" surface for lack of a better term. You can see all the layers. If you are printing surface detail such as rivets and panel lines, do you not defeat the point of printing that detail when you have to still sand the surface smooth? The armament you have printed looks really cool, but there are so many facets, or layers, do those all need to get sanded smooth and in doing so you still have to go back to recreate all of the detail then do you not?
Jeremy
Jeremy,
in most instances yes. For most of the F14 detail plugs, im printing them at a pretty low layer height so the layers actually look worse than they feel. You can basically brush on a automotive filler primer and it’ll fill in the striationa left from the printer.
Things like rivet/screw details will still be put on the old fashioned way.
09-03-2018, 06:51 PM
#1579
Thomas, I have been following this thread in the background for a long time. I admit I was heartbroken when you posted that you wanted to sell the entire project and move on. Obviously I am glad to see some progress and renewed interest in it. As always keep up the good work. By the way, Shawn and I are still willing to help you on your Pond Racer project when it gets back on the table.
Scott
Scott
09-08-2018, 03:35 AM
#1580
Thomas, I have been following this thread in the background for a long time. I admit I was heartbroken when you posted that you wanted to sell the entire project and move on. Obviously I am glad to see some progress and renewed interest in it. As always keep up the good work. By the way, Shawn and I are still willing to help you on your Pond Racer project when it gets back on the table.
Scott
Scott
Scott,
posting it for sale was kind of a “if someone wants it, here ya go” but i was 99.99% sure no one was crazy enough to take on a project like this.
The PondRacer is on an indefinite hold for now (most of the Cad model is done though, barring any “new” info coming forth) until a few of these commissioned and personal projects are done.
09-08-2018, 09:30 AM
#1582
The Prowler is on the short list (its actually right after the F14 as many of the small components will be interchangeable). The biggest hurdle with that is $$$$$. Its a big project and one that myself and one other friend want to do, but not completely out of pocket.
08-26-2020, 09:59 AM
#1592
08-26-2020, 11:34 AM
#1594
1. its a prototype
2. Its a prototype
3. its a prototype
4. im cheap
5. same reason it has fixed gear. Refer to #’s 1,2,3,4
6. Refer to any of the above, if you still have questions, refer to #5.
LoL
the centrally engine mounted engine is at the same thrust line when viewed from the side. So there’s no difference in how the airplane will react regardless of if its a set of twins or a single turbine with thrust changes.
i didnt invest in twin turbines for this the same reason i didnt invest in retractable landing gear. The financial risk isn’t worth the benefit to “look cool”, especially when this airframe is Extremly overbuilt, heavy and of poor quality with the layups. The past 7 years i have learned a TON about what is “just right” to make up an extremely strong and light composite airframe... and this one isnt it, but it will suffice to “proof” the design before investing in it further.
08-26-2020, 01:34 PM
#1595
Can't agree more to #6!!!
Seriously, I understand perfectly what you mean about the prototype phase and what you have learned in those latest years, thank you for your explanation.
Can we then expect an even more beautiful Tomcat in the future, if everything will be ok?
08-27-2020, 09:51 AM
#1598
Keep up the good work!!!
08-31-2020, 07:05 AM
#1600
Invertmast
I am writing this to say I envy your abilities and resources, I too have a f-14 in the works but have to approach it from a different angle. with the many technical aspects of this model i cannot afford to build at your level of scale so I build (initially) to solve the technical problems first. once I have a viable flying model I will then add the size, scale and details Intended for it.
you have accomplished fantastic results and your post #1594 says to me you are now taking a slightly different approach. which prompted this response. I believe you are on the right path, Please stay the course. you are almost there.
I am writing this to say I envy your abilities and resources, I too have a f-14 in the works but have to approach it from a different angle. with the many technical aspects of this model i cannot afford to build at your level of scale so I build (initially) to solve the technical problems first. once I have a viable flying model I will then add the size, scale and details Intended for it.
you have accomplished fantastic results and your post #1594 says to me you are now taking a slightly different approach. which prompted this response. I believe you are on the right path, Please stay the course. you are almost there.