1 Attachment(s)
first rationalization achieved!
Before I bought the Makerfarm kit, I made myself make a list of the things I would use the printer for, above and beyond printing printer parts or weird vases.
I can check off the first item on the list!
I hated the attachments that came with my current Panasonic vacuum cleaner.
The old Hoover attachments are a buh-zillion times better.
Thus, the Panasonic-Hoover vacuum attachment adapter was born.
This was a worthwhile little project for a couple of reasons:
It made me think a bit regarding the limitations of the material and FDM. There was a compromise between simplicity and having the thing I thought I really wanted. I really wanted a locking tab over the peg on the attachment, but that required a material flex in a fashion that it's usage basically didn't permit. I could have done it with two parts..., but I wanted a one part solution.
So..., I learned a bit more about FreeCAD. It still is a kind of buggy proposition, but it is definitely useful for certain things. Anyways, employing a taper (hence, using lofting) on the Hoover end solved the problem.
This was my first successful use of cold acetone vapor smoothing. For "utility" purposes, I'm quite happy.
I was sorta bemused when I checked out thingiverse for vacuum cleaner stuff. Jeez..., it's a whole sub-cult! The Pana-Hoov adapter will be my first contrib to thingiverse.
Finally..., while something like this is unbelievably mundane, I really feel that little things like this can serve two purposes regarding the notion of 3d printing for the masses: first, simple engagement with and appreciation of the things you use every day. second, it's a small step towards personal resiliency and ability.
It's the little things.