What is the best material for......
Hello,
I have an older backhoe that I would like to put new control lever hand grips on. I am thinking about printing them possibly out of TPU but I am not sure. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for this that can withstand the outdoor climates and the abuse of a backhoe. I would like them rubbery to the touch for grip but tough. I could print them thick walled to help add toughness to them and thought a bike handle grip might take a bit of abuse. Anyone ever print bike grips before?
Is TPU a good solution for this or should I be looking at something else? Obviously PLA and like material is just to hard for grips??
TPU should be OK, I've printed marine parts that have taken 4 years or more of abuse.
If you are careful with your fill percentages and perimeters, perhaps not as many as you imagine, you should be able to get some useful vibration protection too. Light/white filament will stand up to UV light better than dark - but while it may discolour it should remain structurally sound for a few years.
Cheerio,