3-D printed dust covers?

IMARC4

IMARC4

New Member
Anybody having any luck/experience with 3-D printed dust covers out there? The cost of the printers are coming down and becoming close to justify a group purchase if we can think of something to do with them aside from making custom shaped 45 record adapters :) A custom made dust cover for my Empire 398 would be beyond tricky to send to a third party unless they also do hinges or I cheat and just get a clear acrylic box that covers the whole thing like a serving tray. I really want something to protect the whole plinth, not just the platter. This is unit is new (to me), and this gold finish supposedly flakes like crazy.

2.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
I think a professional plastic fabricator would disagree that the best method to make a dustcover would be 3d printing. Forming acrylic to a specific shape is way faster and cheaper to do on ordinary processes.

Just google search plastic fabricator and you'll see numerous merchants offering their services. You can also search for people getting their own made and may find contact info for whomever did the work
 
I second the plastic fabricator, but be sure you see the quality of his work before you put down any money. Just know it will cost at least $100 to make a nice one. Just as a general note. 3D printing is like fairy dust, the output quality is poor and large items are not practical. Just to load a CAD program to make it would be expensive.
 
First off, thanks for the insight, and nice 298! You know, I saw a cover like yours on another empire somewhere, it was listed I think as a "universal" cover, and I had questions about it/that design. It looks good, would keep dust off the platter, and protects the tonearm some from things accidentally falling on it when not in use. I though am really worried about protecting flaking on my unit (more prone on gold empires than silver), and so keeping dust off the plinthe would be key. How does your cover work for you in that regard? I was also thinking if I went all the way custom I would try for full enclosure, or maybe a nock-out in back to even use it while playing. That is why I was thinking 3D where I was more in control. The one fabricator I reached out to I think felt my idea was either too complex (or would be too expensive). How did you go about making your lexan cover / what did you use?
 
I imagine optical clarity would be a REAL problem with 3d printing ...

"Gluing" acrylic is a fascinating process if you want to try it yourself ... I'd allow for plenty of misteaks ... ;-}

 
Last edited:
Hi,

The process for making the above cover in post #3 is rather simple.
You just need the right equipment, which is a heated insulated box
with an open long slot. You place the sheet over it for each bend.

rgds, sreten.
 
sKiZo said:
I imagine optical clarity would be a REAL problem with 3d printing ...

"Gluing" acrylic is a fascinating process if you want to try it yourself ... I'd allow for plenty of misteaks ... ;-}

Click to expand...
Seems the general consensus is 3D printing would be a mistake - well, I guess that saves us some $$$ but I'll have to live with a less complex scheme or go to a pro. I'll check out your video post, thanks for all the comments
 
The Michell cover might work. I bought two. One for my Rek-o-Kut and one for my Thorens TD-111. Work great for that application and looks like it would fit the bill here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom