What filament can be used for "printing" Bakelite?
My aunt heard about my 3D hobby and she asked me if I could print replacement plastic knobs and dials for various radios and household goods my great grandfather owned in the 1920's and 30's.
Immediately realizing that the plastic in question is Bakelite I started thinking about the closest approximation with standard 3D filament. Obviously Bakelite itself can't be printed since it's a thermosetting resin and not a thermoplastic. Just brainstorming on the possibilities. Was reading that Bakelite was often adulterated with wood powder as a filler to enhance mechanical properties plus it had this rigid/glossy/smooth finish.
What comes to mind would be a wood filled ABA or ASA that could then be acetone smoothed to give it a similar look and feel to Bakelite. So far Google has not been my friend in turning up such kind of filament but I'll keep looking. Open to ideas since this sounds like a cool project.
RE: What filament can be used for "printing" Bakelite?
Have a feeling a question like this belongs to Reddit. I'll post it over there as well.
Vapour smoothing doesn't really work with filled filaments, the surface becomes smooth-ish but with tiny smooth bumps ...
Bakelite is usually brown 'though it doesn't have to be ... just print with PLA, ABS or ASA of a suitable colour and post process by sanding and polishing until the surface takes on a similar shine. If you have one and can wait a week or so, a stone polishing 'tumbler' creates a surface very like aged bakelite.
Cheerio,
RE: What filament can be used for "printing" Bakelite?
Vapour smoothing doesn't really work with filled filaments, the surface becomes smooth-ish but with tiny smooth bumps ...
Bakelite is usually brown 'though it doesn't have to be ... just print with PLA, ABS or ASA of a suitable colour and post process by sanding and polishing until the surface takes on a similar shine. If you have one and can wait a week or so, a stone polishing 'tumbler' creates a surface very like aged bakelite.
Cheerio,
The rock tumbler... I happen to have one of those. Brown filament is something I don't have. Will give it a try. Thanks!