turner3d
Active Member
I think it would be easier and better to adapt this design to the metal parts. If you know your way around 3d modeling software a little, STEP files are included in the kit which let you edit all of the parts to your heart's content before printing.
It wouldn't take a lot, though - mainly reducing the size of the hole for the antenna axle so it'd fit a 1/8" brass rod. There are even stop-pin cavities already built in. I would be willing to bet that the eBay metal midplates would work just fine too, since this model was built from the blueprints that everyone uses for reference, made from laser scans of Alpha & Zeta.
It would take a little more modification to use metal T-Jets, but I think that 3d-printed plastic knobs and gem mounts painted with a Molotow "Liquid Chrome" pen or similar are closer to being set-accurate, since the original T-jets were chrome-plated plastic. The visible T-Jet parts in this kit are highly accurate, but all bets are off when you get below the surface; it was optimized for easy printing and assembly. I did include an accurate 3d model of a full T-Jet just to play with.
