Hi Charles, afaik, it will be bronze filled plastic filament, it may look OK when polished, but it will be as mechanically weak as the base pla plastic filament. If the original is bronze (unlikely), then braze up the crack, if cast anodized aluminium, learn 'back yard foundry', and cast your own. I would be worried that a plastic replacement could fail, and the blade could damage something else. Perhaps you have a tame machine-shop nearby, who could mill you a replacement? Best wishes, Ray On 09/11/2020 16:28, charles meyer wrote: > Hi All, > > I hope you're all well. > > I'm trying to find a ceiling blade fan holder .STL file but found > nothing in Thingiverse and Tinkercad. > > I have an old ceiling fan which works great except for this one fan > blade holder (made of some kind of metal - looks bronze-like) > which cracked. > > I've visited a plethora of Home Depots, Lowe's, Ace Hardware stores, > fan and ceiling light  stores but can't find the correct ceiling fan > blade holder (bracket?) to fit the holes distances in the fan motor. > > The fan manufacturer no longer makes that model so they have no parts > for it. > > We got a new dual Tool Head for the Lulzbot TAZ 6 (able to > print metal) at the library so we wanted to see if we could print a > metal fan blade holder with the 3D printer. > > Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions. > > Best, > > Charles. > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the application. But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself. I think bronze filled PLA will actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted by metal particles. You would be better off choosing a plastic like nylon or some other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA. Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to a service like Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum). I think that's their strongest material. Or maybe the bronze filled stainless steel. You'll find this option is rather expensive, though. (Might cost as much as a new ceiling fan.) mondo wrote > Hi Charles, > > afaik, it will be bronze filled plastic filament, it may look OK when > polished, but it will be as mechanically weak as the base pla plastic > filament. If the original is bronze (unlikely), then braze up the crack, > if cast anodized aluminium, learn 'back yard foundry', and cast your > own. I would be worried that a plastic replacement could fail, and the > blade could damage something else. Perhaps you have a tame machine-shop > nearby, who could mill you a replacement? > > Best wishes, > > Ray > > > On 09/11/2020 16:28, charles meyer wrote: >> Hi All, >> >> I hope you're all well. >> >> I'm trying to find a ceiling blade fan holder .STL file but found >> nothing in Thingiverse and Tinkercad. >> >> I have an old ceiling fan which works great except for this one fan >> blade holder (made of some kind of metal - looks bronze-like) >> which cracked. >> >> I've visited a plethora of Home Depots, Lowe's, Ace Hardware stores, >> fan and ceiling light  stores but can't find the correct ceiling fan >> blade holder (bracket?) to fit the holes distances in the fan motor. >> >> The fan manufacturer no longer makes that model so they have no parts >> for it. >> >> We got a new dual Tool Head for the Lulzbot TAZ 6 (able to >> print metal) at the library so we wanted to see if we could print a >> metal fan blade holder with the 3D printer. >> >> Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions. >> >> Best, >> >> Charles. >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> > Discuss@.openscad >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@.openscad > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org -- Sent from: http://forum.openscad.org/

Printed nylon or polycarbonate might be strong enough. On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 at 21:35, adrianv <avm4@cornell.edu> wrote: > Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the application. > But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself. I think bronze filled PLA will > actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted by metal > particles. You would be better off choosing a plastic like nylon or some > other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA. > > Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to a service > like > Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum). I think that's > their strongest material. Or maybe the bronze filled stainless steel. > You'll find this option is rather expensive, though. (Might cost as much > as a new ceiling fan.) > > > mondo wrote > > Hi Charles, > > > > afaik, it will be bronze filled plastic filament, it may look OK when > > polished, but it will be as mechanically weak as the base pla plastic > > filament. If the original is bronze (unlikely), then braze up the crack, > > if cast anodized aluminium, learn 'back yard foundry', and cast your > > own. I would be worried that a plastic replacement could fail, and the > > blade could damage something else. Perhaps you have a tame machine-shop > > nearby, who could mill you a replacement? > > > > Best wishes, > > > > Ray > > > > > > On 09/11/2020 16:28, charles meyer wrote: > >> Hi All, > >> > >> I hope you're all well. > >> > >> I'm trying to find a ceiling blade fan holder .STL file but found > >> nothing in Thingiverse and Tinkercad. > >> > >> I have an old ceiling fan which works great except for this one fan > >> blade holder (made of some kind of metal - looks bronze-like) > >> which cracked. > >> > >> I've visited a plethora of Home Depots, Lowe's, Ace Hardware stores, > >> fan and ceiling light stores but can't find the correct ceiling fan > >> blade holder (bracket?) to fit the holes distances in the fan motor. > >> > >> The fan manufacturer no longer makes that model so they have no parts > >> for it. > >> > >> We got a new dual Tool Head for the Lulzbot TAZ 6 (able to > >> print metal) at the library so we wanted to see if we could print a > >> metal fan blade holder with the 3D printer. > >> > >> Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions. > >> > >> Best, > >> > >> Charles. > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> OpenSCAD mailing list > >> > > > Discuss@.openscad > > >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > > > _______________________________________________ > > OpenSCAD mailing list > > > Discuss@.openscad > > > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > > > > > -- > Sent from: http://forum.openscad.org/ > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >

On Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 4:39 PM nop head <nop.head@gmail.com> wrote: > Printed nylon or polycarbonate might be strong enough. > Second that. Carbon Fiber reinforced Nylon is probably your best bet. I would replace all of them and maybe give them some spray paint for the looks. Had good results spray painting plastic parts with Rust-Oleum, all the way to the side panels of my BMW C650GT (after laying her down at zero speed in the most clumsy way possible). Good luck, Jan > > On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 at 21:35, adrianv <avm4@cornell.edu> wrote: > >> Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the >> application. >> But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself. I think bronze filled PLA will >> actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted by metal >> particles. You would be better off choosing a plastic like nylon or some >> other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA. >> >> Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to a service >> like >> Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum). I think that's >> their strongest material. Or maybe the bronze filled stainless steel. >> You'll find this option is rather expensive, though. (Might cost as much >> as a new ceiling fan.) >> >> >> mondo wrote >> > Hi Charles, >> > >> > afaik, it will be bronze filled plastic filament, it may look OK when >> > polished, but it will be as mechanically weak as the base pla plastic >> > filament. If the original is bronze (unlikely), then braze up the >> crack, >> > if cast anodized aluminium, learn 'back yard foundry', and cast your >> > own. I would be worried that a plastic replacement could fail, and the >> > blade could damage something else. Perhaps you have a tame machine-shop >> > nearby, who could mill you a replacement? >> > >> > Best wishes, >> > >> > Ray >> > >> > >> > On 09/11/2020 16:28, charles meyer wrote: >> >> Hi All, >> >> >> >> I hope you're all well. >> >> >> >> I'm trying to find a ceiling blade fan holder .STL file but found >> >> nothing in Thingiverse and Tinkercad. >> >> >> >> I have an old ceiling fan which works great except for this one fan >> >> blade holder (made of some kind of metal - looks bronze-like) >> >> which cracked. >> >> >> >> I've visited a plethora of Home Depots, Lowe's, Ace Hardware stores, >> >> fan and ceiling light stores but can't find the correct ceiling fan >> >> blade holder (bracket?) to fit the holes distances in the fan motor. >> >> >> >> The fan manufacturer no longer makes that model so they have no parts >> >> for it. >> >> >> >> We got a new dual Tool Head for the Lulzbot TAZ 6 (able to >> >> print metal) at the library so we wanted to see if we could print a >> >> metal fan blade holder with the 3D printer. >> >> >> >> Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions. >> >> >> >> Best, >> >> >> >> Charles. >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> >> >> >> > Discuss@.openscad >> >> >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > OpenSCAD mailing list >> >> > Discuss@.openscad >> >> > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Sent from: http://forum.openscad.org/ >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > -- Jan Wieck Principal Database Engineer

No, no, NO! Not spray paint! Use 'Mirror - the world's mirroriest mirror Chrome paint' from Culture Hustle. Trygve Den 9. november 2020 kl. 23.16.13 +01.00 skrev Jan Wieck <jan@wi3ck.info>: > > > > On Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 4:39 PM nop head <<nop.head@gmail.com>> wrote: > > > Printed nylon or polycarbonate might be strong enough. > > > > Second that. Carbon Fiber reinforced Nylon is probably your best bet. I would replace all of them and maybe give them some spray paint for the looks. Had good results spray painting plastic parts with Rust-Oleum, all the way to the side panels of my BMW C650GT (after laying her down at zero speed in the most clumsy way possible). > > Good luck, Jan > > > > > > > > > > > On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 at 21:35, adrianv <<avm4@cornell.edu>> wrote: > > > > > Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the application. > > > But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself. I think bronze filled PLA will > > > actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted by metal > > > particles. You would be better off choosing a plastic like nylon or some > > > other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA. > > > > > > > > > Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to a service like > > > Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum). I think that's > > > their strongest material. Or maybe the bronze filled stainless steel. > > > You'll find this option is rather expensive, though. (Might cost as much > > > as a new ceiling fan.) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > mondo wrote > > > > Hi Charles, > > > > > > > > afaik, it will be bronze filled plastic filament, it may look OK when > > > > polished, but it will be as mechanically weak as the base pla plastic > > > > filament. If the original is bronze (unlikely), then braze up the crack, > > > > if cast anodized aluminium, learn 'back yard foundry', and cast your > > > > own. I would be worried that a plastic replacement could fail, and the > > > > blade could damage something else. Perhaps you have a tame machine-shop > > > > nearby, who could mill you a replacement? > > > > > > > > Best wishes, > > > > > > > > Ray > > > > > > > > > > > > On 09/11/2020 16:28, charles meyer wrote: > > > >> Hi All, > > > >> > > > >> I hope you're all well. > > > >> > > > >> I'm trying to find a ceiling blade fan holder .STL file but found > > > >> nothing in Thingiverse and Tinkercad. > > > >> > > > >> I have an old ceiling fan which works great except for this one fan > > > >> blade holder (made of some kind of metal - looks bronze-like) > > > >> which cracked. > > > >> > > > >> I've visited a plethora of Home Depots, Lowe's, Ace Hardware stores, > > > >> fan and ceiling light stores but can't find the correct ceiling fan > > > >> blade holder (bracket?) to fit the holes distances in the fan motor. > > > >> > > > >> The fan manufacturer no longer makes that model so they have no parts > > > >> for it. > > > >> > > > >> We got a new dual Tool Head for the Lulzbot TAZ 6 (able to > > > >> print metal) at the library so we wanted to see if we could print a > > > >> metal fan blade holder with the 3D printer. > > > >> > > > >> Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions. > > > >> > > > >> Best, > > > >> > > > >> Charles. > > > >> > > > >> _______________________________________________ > > > >> OpenSCAD mailing list > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > Discuss@.openscad > > > > > > > > > >> <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > > OpenSCAD mailing list > > > > > > > > > > Discuss@.openscad > > > > > > > > > > <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Sent from: <http://forum.openscad.org/> > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > OpenSCAD mailing list > > > <Discuss@lists.openscad.org> > > > > > > <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> > > > _______________________________________________ > > OpenSCAD mailing list > > <Discuss@lists.openscad.org> > > > > <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> > > > > -- > > Jan Wieck > Principal Database Engineer > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> >

 Printed nylon or polycarbonate might be strong enough.

 On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 at 21:35, adrianv <avm4@cornell.edu
 <mailto:avm4@cornell.edu>> wrote:

     Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the
     application.
     But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself.  I think bronze
     filled PLA will
     actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted
     by metal
     particles.  You would be better off choosing a plastic like
     nylon or some
     other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA.

     Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to
     a service like
     Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum).  I
     think that's
     their strongest material.  Or maybe the bronze filled
     stainless steel.
     You'll find this option is rather expensive, though.   (Might
     cost as much
     as a new ceiling fan.)


     mondo wrote

     look OK when

     pla plastic

     up the crack,

     cast your

     fail, and the

     machine-shop

     but found

     this one fan

     Hardware stores,

     correct ceiling fan

     fan motor.

     have no parts

     could print a

     http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org
     <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org>

     http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org
     <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org>





     --
     Sent from: http://forum.openscad.org/
     <http://forum.openscad.org/>

     _______________________________________________
     OpenSCAD mailing list
     Discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:Discuss@lists.openscad.org>
     http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org
     <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org>

 _______________________________________________
 OpenSCAD mailing list
 Discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:Discuss@lists.openscad.org>
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 <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org>

I have been printing parts using TPU, specifically NinjaTek's Cheetah, and it it an amazing material.  It is a bit rubbery, but it does not give much when printed in large pieces.  The main point is that it is indestructible.  If you print a sheet that is 2 layers thick, you cannot tear the sheet apart with your hands. I would trust Cheetah for a job like this. Jon On 11/10/2020 8:25 AM, trygve@totallytrygve.com wrote: > No, no, NO! > > Not spray paint! > > Use 'Mirror - the world's mirroriest mirror Chrome paint' from Culture > Hustle. > > Trygve > > > Den 9. november 2020 kl. 23.16.13 +01.00 skrev Jan Wieck <jan@wi3ck.info>: >> >> >> On Mon, Nov 9, 2020 at 4:39 PM nop head <nop.head@gmail.com >> <mailto:nop.head@gmail.com>> wrote: >> >> Printed nylon or polycarbonate might be strong enough. >> >> >> Second that. Carbon Fiber reinforced Nylon is probably your best bet. >> I would replace all of them and maybe give them some spray paint for >> the looks. Had good results spray painting plastic parts with >> Rust-Oleum, all the way to the side panels of my BMW C650GT (after >> laying her down at zero speed in the most clumsy way possible). >> >> Good luck, Jan >> >> >> >> >> On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 at 21:35, adrianv <avm4@cornell.edu >> <mailto:avm4@cornell.edu>> wrote: >> >> Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the >> application. >> But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself.  I think bronze >> filled PLA will >> actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted >> by metal >> particles.  You would be better off choosing a plastic like >> nylon or some >> other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA. >> >> Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to >> a service like >> Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum).  I >> think that's >> their strongest material.  Or maybe the bronze filled >> stainless steel. >> You'll find this option is rather expensive, though.   (Might >> cost as much >> as a new ceiling fan.) >> >> >> mondo wrote >> > Hi Charles, >> > >> > afaik, it will be bronze filled plastic filament, it may >> look OK when >> > polished, but it will be as mechanically weak as the base >> pla plastic >> > filament. If the original is bronze (unlikely), then braze >> up the crack, >> > if cast anodized aluminium, learn 'back yard foundry', and >> cast your >> > own. I would be worried that a plastic replacement could >> fail, and the >> > blade could damage something else. Perhaps you have a tame >> machine-shop >> > nearby, who could mill you a replacement? >> > >> > Best wishes, >> > >> > Ray >> > >> > >> > On 09/11/2020 16:28, charles meyer wrote: >> >> Hi All, >> >> >> >> I hope you're all well. >> >> >> >> I'm trying to find a ceiling blade fan holder .STL file >> but found >> >> nothing in Thingiverse and Tinkercad. >> >> >> >> I have an old ceiling fan which works great except for >> this one fan >> >> blade holder (made of some kind of metal - looks bronze-like) >> >> which cracked. >> >> >> >> I've visited a plethora of Home Depots, Lowe's, Ace >> Hardware stores, >> >> fan and ceiling light  stores but can't find the >> correct ceiling fan >> >> blade holder (bracket?) to fit the holes distances in the >> fan motor. >> >> >> >> The fan manufacturer no longer makes that model so they >> have no parts >> >> for it. >> >> >> >> We got a new dual Tool Head for the Lulzbot TAZ 6 (able to >> >> print metal) at the library so we wanted to see if we >> could print a >> >> metal fan blade holder with the 3D printer. >> >> >> >> Thank you for your thoughts/suggestions. >> >> >> >> Best, >> >> >> >> Charles. >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> >> >> >> > Discuss@.openscad >> >> >> >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > OpenSCAD mailing list >> >> > Discuss@.openscad >> >> > >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Sent from: http://forum.openscad.org/ >> <http://forum.openscad.org/> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:Discuss@lists.openscad.org> >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:Discuss@lists.openscad.org> >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> >> >> >> >> -- >> Jan Wieck >> Principal Database Engineer >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> <http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org> > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

Better and cheaper would be to have the part cast in aluminum, using a lost wax technique (actually lost PLA in this case). On 9 Nov 2020 at 14:34, adrianv wrote: > Plastic can be quite strong and may be strong enough for the application. > But I probably wouldn't bet on it myself. I think bronze filled PLA will > actually be weaker, since the plastic matrix is interrupted by metal > particles. You would be better off choosing a plastic like nylon or some > other printable plastic that is stronger than PLA. > > Lastly you can prototype your part in PLA and then send it to a service like > Shapeways and have it printed in actual metal (aluminum). I think that's > their strongest material. Or maybe the bronze filled stainless steel. > You'll find this option is rather expensive, though. (Might cost as much > as a new ceiling fan.)