3D printed nut... Crazy? Or, so crazy that it just might work?

amadden · #1 11-23-2012, 02:12 AM

This just came to me in a dream...

I've been ever so slowly converting a 4 string p-bass to a 5 string p-bass as a "just for fun" project. And the only thing that's been holding me back so far is the nut. I would never be able to figure that out, I'd probably wreck so many nuts trying to make a good one that it wouldn't even be funny.

But, what if I just 3D printed one? I know a thing or two about 3d modelling. And with things like Shapeways, it wouldn't be more than a couple bucks anyway.

Hand making a nut from scratch, impossible... But having one printed, and later making any necessary adjustments, that I can do! What do you guys think?

lowfreq33 · #2 11-23-2012, 02:28 AM

Like killing a spider with a bazooka.

mongo2 · #3 11-23-2012, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Like killing a spider with a bazooka.

I was thinking more like an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator...except for the earth shattering ka-boom.

Cutting a nut isn't all that hard, but ruining one is easier, even in the adjustment phase.

()smoke() · #4 11-23-2012, 06:08 AM

sure, not crazy at all and actually a great experiment. if you do it let me know how it goes...I'd probably print several blanks to have a lot to work with as I practiced the slot filing and cleanup detailing

amadden · #5 11-23-2012, 07:37 AM

I don't think it's as ridiculous as half of you are making it out to be... I've seen people use CNC mills to make their nuts before, and this is pretty much the same thing as that. And thanks to the wonders of CNC, they should end up being pretty darn close to what you want them to be.

Plus, I think it would be cheaper. I figure it'll cost me maybe $3-4 per nut, which I think is pretty good. It'd be less work too.

At the very least, I think it would be something cool to try out, and I was mostly just curious if anybody else had tried it out first.

Rip Topaz · #6 11-23-2012, 07:39 AM

Is the material that the 3D printer "prints" with string enough for a nut?

CnB77 · #7 11-23-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip Topaz

Is the material that the 3D printer "prints" with string enough for a nut?

They have some strong stuff, it's more expensive but it'd probably do.
I'd be more worried about the finish on the part. Even the best 3d printers produce parts that come out pretty rough, so you'd still have some careful filing to do.

It'd probably be cheaper and quicker to just learn to carve nuts