New vendor offering 3D printed kits

[Moxis]

Just found a new vendor offering completely 3D printed kits: https://printrcdream.com/ At present they have a very beautiful tug model, an icebreaker, a shrimper, etc.
I just placed my order for the icebreaker kit, of which it is possible to build three different models, Russian Volynets, Estonian Suur Tõll and Finnish Vainamoinen. My intention is to build the latter.

 

[Bryian]

I hope you can share some photos of the kit when it arrives.

 

[Moxis]

I hope you can share some photos of the kit when it arrives.

Gladly, I was surprised about the quality of parts. Very clean and match together accurately.

 

[seadeep]

Looks interesting. As someone who's gotten addicted to 3D printing, I'd almost rather to be able to obtain the .stl files and be able to print the model myself. But certainly for anyone without access to a printer, being able to buy the components as a kit seems like a great option. Speculation on my part, but since the kit is printed, I'm guessing the parts are also going to be thicker and more sturdy than those that might come from a traditional plastic model production process. I guess it's also a bit of a double edged sword... on the plus side, you get sturdier pieces, and as time goes on you don't have to worry about the quality of the molded parts as the dies become worn through use. Each print would be as good as the first. On the negative side, you'll have to deal with seams, as most printers have limitations that keep the parts down to around 25 or 30cm (10 to 12 inches) of size. Granted there are some monster size 3D printers starting to come on the market, but they're still pretty rare.

Thank you for sharing the images of your kit. Truly very interesting. One final question... how would you compare the price to a comparable formed plastic model kit of similar size and complexity?

 

[Moxis]

Thanks for your message seadeep! As you said, they are offering the kit both as STL files or ready printed parts. For me the only option is ready printed, because I do not own a printer of any size, not to mention a big one capable to print such big parts as the hull pieces.

One more advantage to get the kit as STL files is, that you can print the ship at any scale ( if your printer is big enough). For instance my kit is in scale 1/75 resulting to the model of ca. one meter length. I would have liked a bit bigger model, say 120 cm of length, but you cannot get everything. Otherwise I am quite happy of the quality of parts, but being just in the beginning of the build, cannot say much about the details yet.

Concerning the price of the kit, at least in my case it was negotiable, because I was helping the vendor to find old pictures of the ship. And I do not know how much the traditionally formed plastic kits of appr. same size cost, but I have a feeling that they are much more expensive.

 

[jjs1950]

Looks interesting. He also sells the STL files if you have your own printer. I have a 3D printer so I might give a try to printing it. I have been using it alot to make and replace many poorer quality parts and castings that I have gotten in commercial kits.

I have been using the free version of Fusion 360 CAD software to design the parts. Once you use the software to produce a few parts I found out that it is not as hard to use as one may first think.

Also is anyone aware of any other vendors who are producing 3D printed full kits or are selling STL files for ship model parts?