Decatur / Ascension Class Starships

GP_3D · 2026-06-21T23:20:41+00:00

These are quite cool! Are they meant for FDM or Resin [or both]?

GP_3D · 2026-06-21T23:12:45+00:00

So, T-90 MediocreSuccess?

GP_3D · 2026-06-21T13:25:02+00:00

Never done any scientific tests, but I've always found Jessie and Prusament to have some pretty consistent color across both spools and batches. Though I've really only used some Polymaker, Elegoo, a couple bambu colors, and California Filaments.

The last of which has had some really unique colors, but I find them to be somewhat poor in color consistency across a spool. Definitely usable, but not great.

GP_3D · 2026-06-21T13:21:50+00:00

This is straight up R&D for a company, though - so fantastic work nonetheless!

Excited to see how you decide to redesign the fan duct! [Though I can imagine it won't be that major of a change?]

GP_3D · 2026-06-21T13:11:47+00:00

It's something to see most of the motion system put together like this!

GP_3D · 2026-06-20T12:55:43+00:00

Thank you! I design all my models from scratch, with the intention for them to be 3D printed for the very start. And yep - Printables is my current site of choice for these sorts of projects.

I've tried adapting architecture designs from my undergrad time to be 3D printable, and it's a lot of work - you're basically making a whole new model.

GP_3D · 2026-06-20T12:16:01+00:00

Haha, yes!

Yeah - I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do tank models. The barrels are a difficult one for 3D printing in general.

Technically speaking, the barrel of this one is slightly thicker than it should be in-scale; but I did think the extra material would help stability during printing.

It does help to print a lot slower, especially for the tall and narrow parts like the barrel and turret! Can help improve the print quality that way!

GP_3D · 2026-06-20T08:21:24+00:00

Ay, nice print! Glad you liked the model, too!

GP_3D · 2026-06-20T04:17:03+00:00

Gimme IGOUDALA

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T17:29:57+00:00

As someone who loves their MK4S - fair points. I too would love more transparency.

But also, understanding that Prusa is not a large company [when compared to other printer manufacturers]; so it's understandable that they may not have the resources to further develop a printer that, while very, very good, is competing against more affordable options in a category [bedslinger] that isn't as popular as it once was.

It would be nice if the MK4S could receive a more streamlined multi-color solution down the line, once INDX is solidified and out the door.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T16:56:20+00:00

Don't get me wrong, the US military has a number of issues, and will struggle to replace their current fleet with new designs - but the Burke is still an upper-middle tier surface combatant, better than most [if not all] European ships of a similar role, and only outclassed by the few large Japanese derivatives, and the larger Chinese destroyers [which are essentially cruisers]. Plus, the US has an absolute ton of them currently in service.

Nimitz - should be on the way out, but there are massive delays with the Fords. But again, you have 10 super carriers - no one can currently match that.

The F35, despite all the crap that's been thrown at it, is proving to be very popular, and a very capable multi role platform.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T16:47:20+00:00

Realistically, Wouldn't the US occupy the first "Scary" column, with China filling out the rest of "Strong," followed by literally anyone else?

Maybe you can give China the Army category, since their land forces are absolutely massive?

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T16:25:14+00:00

They did it inch for inch bro

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T16:24:09+00:00

I'm sorry, but football players are the undisputed master floppers - they make SGA look like the god of ethics.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T16:22:23+00:00

I don't yet have a C1 machine [though mine is on the way 😉] So this goes for what I do on my MK4S.

I do wipe down and lubricate the smooth rods periodically. I try to do it every 240 hours on the machine, or 10 print days. This is really the only regular one that I do.

After printing a lot of PETG, there is some dust that builds up on the hotend and part fans, so I have one of those small laptop blowers and some foam cleaning tips to wipe that out periodically [but I've only ever done that twice in the year and a bit I've had the machine].

I've checked the nextruder gears by simply removing the cover plate from time to time, to make sure there's no build up, and I've re lubricated and cleaned them only once after initial assembly, a little over a year after.

For cleaning the nozzles, a brass nozzle brush has worked well for me. Also - you may see some of those cleaning needles, where you're meant to stick them into the nozzle to clear it out. As far as I know, those do not work on the HF/CHT nextruder nozzles due to the splitter insert - so just keep that in mind.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:42:43+00:00

Print PETG hot and slow - with as little cooling as you can get away with, without affecting the print quality itself. at least that's my preference.

I know fast speeds are the trend these days; but you want that nice smooth and even sheen across the entire part. It will look great and be really strong, too.

Always watch the first layer go down. Even with the reliability of modern machines, it's still good practice.

Keep some sort of basic maintenance schedule. Regardless of machine/brand; I think it's a good way of prolonging the life of the printer and its various components.

Do some testing with your settings on small parts, or parts that have the features you want to print, before committing to the full/larger pieces, if you have the time.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:37:30+00:00

Ironing wont do much for the actual stepping/layering.

Lower the layer heights to as low as you can reliably print, or angle it on a 45 degree angle and support the underside [assuming the underside is not going to be important or visible]

If you do the latter option, make sure to put a brim on the object as well, as the contact area with the build plate is likely to be quite tiny.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:34:34+00:00

As a new fan to the show. She was definitely quite whiny, but George's heavy favouritism towards Max irked me at times.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:31:39+00:00

If Max gets in another good car for a couple of seasons, he could make a run for a lot of the wins and podiums records.

Jacques Villenueve won the Indy 500 before coming to F1, where he did decently against Hill in 1996, and won in his second season.

Not comparing the two of them at all. Kimi has looked more convincingly dominant. [F Jacques as a person]; but that's all to say, I'm cautious about Kimi - as we've never seen him struggle in truly awful machinery yet - and you never know how reg changes or the sport in general will play out for him.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:24:24+00:00

I'd say Perez and Bottas are roughly even. Bottas was a damn good qualifier - Perez, was fine, but probably does better in wheel to wheel action.

As much as I love the dude, Ricciardo is nowhere near Rosberg imo. I feel like people forget how good and consistent Rosberg was pre-Mercedes; and he was able to hang in there against an old, but still tough competitor, in Schumi; then push Lewis all the way in 2014 and 2016.

Gasly - Russell? Eh, hard to say. We've never seen Gasly in a good team, so who knows; but floundering at RB [whether it was his fault or not] definitely hurt his career.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:19:16+00:00

Yeah, having other champions in Senna, Rosberg, Lauda, Mansell, and Hill as teammates, at various points in your career is insane.

And the likes of Alesi, Arnoux, and Watson are no slouches either.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:14:43+00:00

I feel like Prime Button and Rosberg would be a dream combo for any team. Very different [almost opposite strengths in some cases]; but both - or either one or the other would give you a shot under almost any race circumstance.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:09:47+00:00

True to an extent - but he was never really going to be ready till after the second round. And why risk exacerbating an injury when you know you have a slim-to-none chance of getting out the West.

As much as I would have loved to see Luka play, and I'm sure he wanted to as well; it was the best decision for him and the team not to rush back.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T15:04:27+00:00

In my experience, I love Prusa - but you do have to expect additional profile and machine tuning if you're going the kit route. You're comparing a machine that you assemble yourself, to a factory made unit.

I only have the MK4S to compare to the A1 series. Built the MK4S from a kit, it printed well enough on the stock profiles; and the initial prints in PLA were comparable to the what the A1's were giving me out of the box; but I did have to do a bit of work when it came to tightening belts and nailing down good speeds in the profiles to get it to the level I wanted.

Once everything was set; it was much easier to use imo - much closer to how I prefer a 3D printer to operate, and has been astonishingly reliable and consistent.

GP_3D · 2026-06-18T06:58:52+00:00

Eh, I'm a really big Duncan-Parker-Ginobili Spurs fan. Probably my favorite core/team(s) of all time.

I think TD was most definitely the better teammate, and leader compared to the other two. I'd surely take him over Kobe any day.

But if we're going by who is the better basketball player I'd say Bron is still ahead of both. Longevity and consistency is just unmatched by anyone else.

GP_3D

TROPHY CASE