Thanks for all the positive comments guys... very gratefully received.
In answer to some questions; Printers can cost almost any amount depending what u want. Resin printers are generally more expensive but they are becoming more affordable.
The actual cost of materials on a build like this is not massive...filament is pretty cheap but resin isn't. I have several jobs running at once so have no real idea of what I've spent so far. It is mostly dependent on how much u can do yourself...modelling, printing, fibre-glassing, welding, painting etc etc all add up if u have to outsource the work.
It can be as simple as pushing a button and getting the results u want but usually there is a fair amount of slicing, scaling and finishing to achieve the desired goal. Of course, that is assuming you have the files to print...and this is the real question I am getting; will I share the files I am modelling? I am happy to share the files of the hull and cockpit where I have just edited other makers open source files for printing AND I have no major problem sharing my own files, BUT it would take some work and time to make them fit for public consumption and right now I simply cannot spare the time to do it.
I would be interested in knowing other model builders opinion on file sharing. On one hand, there is the community that we belong to and want to contribute to; I have given many of my previous build files away, but there is also a risk of making everything so freely available that the props lose that 'special' quality because everyone has one. Some builders have spent half a lifetime making the Falcon and I feel I have earned the right to have one because of the month's of searching thru reference pics and kit scans and acquiring the necessary skills to model each and every unavailable piece.
Anyway on with the progress...
more renders; PORT WAISTBAND;
INNER JAW
And here's the Port Mandible finished and primed too...
