I'm Ahand59,
I've been a lurker for a couple years. I have been involved with 3D printing for a few years. I have used 3D printing to build lots of things including Drone frames and airplanes. I can definitely say they DO work and are not a gimmick or hoax. That said, unless you are a very skilled pilot (or very lucky), you will crash them. When you do, you will likely have to reprint multiple parts then remove and replace the broken bits. Yes, this also happens with wood and foam models. So to the questions...
1. What is your experience with RC airplanes? (My experience is they work pretty well, but are not impact resistant. Hard landings can break the entire model. Bring a BIG tube of CA glue and accelerator when you go flying... LOL!)
2. What are your preferred filaments for 3D printed models? (I use PLA, as it is very stiff, but tends to be brittle. Colorfabb LW-PLA is pretty interesting pla based filament that foams up to about double its volume while printing. This makes for a much lighter, more flexible material than PLA. It tends to be more durable, in my experience).
3. For 3D printed DRONES, I have had good experience with the PEON (Peon230 - Quadcopter by Tech2C - Thingiverse ) model printed in PETG or CF Nylons. The peon also has arms that are designed to be modded by adding pieces of carbon fiber, which stiffens the arms. Any other DRONE models that people enjoy using?
4. For 3D printed Airplanes, I have printed several of the Eclipson models the T, A and "Blackwing" have been interesting, with the Blackwing being my favorite so far. Any others that people like?
I've been a lurker for a couple years. I have been involved with 3D printing for a few years. I have used 3D printing to build lots of things including Drone frames and airplanes. I can definitely say they DO work and are not a gimmick or hoax. That said, unless you are a very skilled pilot (or very lucky), you will crash them. When you do, you will likely have to reprint multiple parts then remove and replace the broken bits. Yes, this also happens with wood and foam models. So to the questions...
1. What is your experience with RC airplanes? (My experience is they work pretty well, but are not impact resistant. Hard landings can break the entire model. Bring a BIG tube of CA glue and accelerator when you go flying... LOL!)
2. What are your preferred filaments for 3D printed models? (I use PLA, as it is very stiff, but tends to be brittle. Colorfabb LW-PLA is pretty interesting pla based filament that foams up to about double its volume while printing. This makes for a much lighter, more flexible material than PLA. It tends to be more durable, in my experience).
3. For 3D printed DRONES, I have had good experience with the PEON (Peon230 - Quadcopter by Tech2C - Thingiverse ) model printed in PETG or CF Nylons. The peon also has arms that are designed to be modded by adding pieces of carbon fiber, which stiffens the arms. Any other DRONE models that people enjoy using?
4. For 3D printed Airplanes, I have printed several of the Eclipson models the T, A and "Blackwing" have been interesting, with the Blackwing being my favorite so far. Any others that people like?