My kid asked why we still use the old core boxes

Was showing my daughter around the shop on Saturday and she pointed at our worn out wooden core boxes. She just said, 'Dad, that looks like a lot of extra work.' I've been using the same ones from the previous owner for 15 years without a second thought. Now I'm looking at 3D printed options and the setup time we could save. Anyone made that switch and had it actually hold up to the heat?

4 comments

4 Comments

abbyhall7d ago

Honestly it's wild how we get used to old ways of doing things. My dad still uses the same rusty garden tools from the 80s because they 'still work'. But watching my niece set up her 3D printer for school stuff made me realize we often stick with the familiar even when better options exist. It's not just about the tools, it's about being open to change. So did the switch actually save you time in the long run, or was it more trouble than it was worth?

dylancarr1mo ago

The high temp resins are the real game changer. We switched to a printed box that locks onto the core with a snap fit, no more fiddling with screws. It survived a full season of production runs without any warping. Just have to make sure your printer settings are dialed in for layer adhesion.

amy7541mo ago

Snap fits can be a real pain though. They get brittle over time and fail when you least expect it. Screws might be fiddly but they don't just snap on you.

valcampbell1mo ago

Actually depends a lot on the material choice. I mean, if you're using basic PLA for a snap fit in a hot car, yeah it's gonna get brittle and fail. But some of the newer ASA or PETG blends hold up way better. Idk, maybe it's just me but I've had printed snap fits last for years without issues. The trick is matching the plastic to the environment it lives in. Screws can still strip or back out over time too, it's not like they're perfect either.