We all want to 3D print metals, but the equipment to do that is still beyond most home workshops. However, [HEN3DRIK] takes resin 3D-printed items and electroplates them. Might not be as good as printing in metal, but it sure looks metallic. As you can see in the video below, the sword looks like it was crafted from highly-polished steel.
The sword comes out in four pieces. He repeats several times that sanding is the key because you must have flat surfaces. Using sandpaper and steel wool, he worked the parts to a fine finish. The parts assemble along an M8 threaded rod to form a whole. The next step was to electroplate with copper.
The sword was big enough that it required upscaling his normal electroplating setup. Of course, the resin isn’t conductive, so an airbrush deposits a conductive lacquer before the parts go in the bath. Some copper wire also helps the process.
If you don’t like post-processing parts, this technique isn’t for you. There’s a lot of sanding before and after electroplating. The plating itself takes patience, especially the copper plating. A very dangerous nickel plating process adds a shiny coating with a thin coat of palladium. An electroplating pen adds gold accents.
The sword looks amazing, but it obviously wasn’t a quick one-hour project. If you want to do electroplating, mind the safety factors as some of the chemicals are quite nasty.
Last time we checked in on [HEN3DRIK] he was building a Star Wars prop. If you are interested in a DIY electroplating pen, it has been done, too.
Nice, but it’s no basis for a system of government.
Help! Help! I’m being repressed!
It’s only a model.
SHHHH!
Aha! Now we see the violence inherent in the system!
Yeah you’d want something with a bit more range these days
I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
Bloody peasant!
Expectations from clickbaity picture: 3D printed full-scale Uriziel.
Reality: about as long as Glock 81.
He mentions wearing a respirator while sanding his prints, as many people do. I find it much better to sand resin wet by dunking it in water. Emery paper is waterproof and comes in very fine grits. No dust in the air and the sandpaper remains unclogged as well which happens quickly when sanding resin dry. Emery paper also lasts an extremely long time this way.
In case useful… just checked the sheet I’ve been using for the last 2 years and it is: “GatorGrit 600-b Waterproof Sandpaper” made in Finland. Amazing stuff for resin.
“If you don’t like post processing parts” made me laugh. Just about any work without post processing means no shiny results.
Hola! Alguien sabe como se llama o dónde puedo encontrar el aparato blanco donde se coloca la pieza para sumergirla y que gire? Gracias