Time for an update
This 3D modeling and printing stuff can sometimes be a little bit of a trial and error process - as proof I give you my current "graveyard" - prints that tried but failed !
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May they rest in peace !
Although I have been doing a fair bit of online reading and watching Youtube tutorials about finishing models and making molds and casts - I am still not ready yet.
I decided I wanted to completely finish the 3D printed masters before I got to that stage of molding and casting.
I turned my attention to how I was going to attach the holster to my belt. Fortunately greater minds than mine have already solved this problem - I give you coofunkcurly's solution from the BOTB forum.
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They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery - so here's my attempt
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We have 2 blocks of plastic which are screwed into each other clamping the belt in between. On the outward facing block we have a mushroom shaped knob over which the U shaped receiver slides allowing the holster to swing freely (making a fancy clip arrangement like coofunkcurly is beyond my mechanical engineering skills - I am simply relying on gravity and the shape and size of the receiver) . The receiver is then glued and screwed into the upper part of the holster. The whole thing sticks out from the belt slightly more than the cylindrical utility pouch so the holster doesn't rub against it.
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The good thing about not have cast anything yet is that I can revise some pieces - I already reprinted the main strut as the original was warped ( It always surprises me how the tiniest of tweaks on your printer settings can produce dramatic improvements) and I need to make a recess for the mushroom knob on the belt plate and also make a recess for the U receiver on the upper holster piece. This will make the whole thing a lot stronger and look a lot sleeker .
Chris