Predators 3D printed Savage Bobber

[Predator]

With the last couple of weeks (and still going) of wild, wet & windy weather preventing any flying, or any other outside activities for that matter, I decided to try 3D printing a plane with normal PLA rather than LW-PLA & to do it with the Bambu X1 Carbon 3D printer rather than my old faithful Artillery Sidewinder.

Kind of like the rugged look of the Savage Bobber so started the hunt for some design files. Managed to find a free set on Thingiverse however it was only when I started the print & the build I realised the files (whilst looking OK on the screen) were sadly lacking in all the detailed parts that were needed for a successful print.

With plenty of time to spare (due to the weather) I printed out what I could, then made the alterations required, and re printed again.

I have just about got the Bobber ready to fly but it is probably twice as heavy as it needs to be but at least the project has worked well for me to get an understanding of the new Bambu printer & modifying STL and 3MF printer files.

Just working on yet another mod to the landing gear to make it work as it should & then its time to install the servos & connect it up ready to test fly (or not)

From this

To this

Anyway, back to work !!

[Kermit]

What do we do when it rains  Predator makes 3D aircraft   I polish the witchy poo’ s broom handle an UNCLE Gs  cleaning his house ..I rang him to have a stir but I got his maid who said  MY  G  CANT TALK HE cleaning house go way   bit rude I thought but I’m not gunna stir his maid  crikey…. Wonder what other’s are doing ………………………………………just sayn

[Kermit]

Quite a nice putt putt you have made pred ol cobber  it might stir others to have a go  BUT not UNCLE G   he’s got to much cleaning work to do in his house  …………………………………………………………………………………………just sayn

[Sinker]

According to Kermit, I must have the cleanest house in Droughty Point?………………………………..Just sayn

[Kermit]

well your maid refuses to do it  when I rang you…………………………….just saynN

[Predator]

Thanks Mr Kermit, it may never fly (being too heavy) but it’s kept me amused.

I’m just about finished so if you need a hand sorting out some of your planes this may be the right time. don’t think the weather is improving any time soon !!.

I’m expecting a call from the old Sheep Shagger as soon as his bits turn up, to sort out his FPV plane.

[Sinker]

It will fly, just put a bigger motor in it

[Kermit]

WELL WELL OL SINKER is about musta finished his house duties

[Predator]

Finally finished the 3D printed Savage Bobber, all electronics installed & the radio is programmed ready for her maiden flight (once the damn weather improves).

[Sinker]

Looks good Mike!

[Predator]

I fitted a 2200kv motor and 40A esc so hopefully it’s got enough grunt to overcome the weight

[Predator]

Just as long as it doesn’t melt the firewall

[Sinker]

Could be the making for a good video………………..Just sayn

[Kermit]

then I guess I’m gunna have to be the one to do it ………………………………………………………..just sayn

[Predator]

Well the rainy weather looks like its back again for a little while so its a perfect time to rebuild my 3D printed Savage Bobber RC plane.

As most of you know the previous version (whilst looking great) was just too heavy to fly successfully but at least it was a good test to work out how to modify the various print files (a lot of which were either incomplete (or just wrong) to easily print with my Bambu X1 Carbon printer.

Still using regular PLA again this time rather than the LW PLA (just because). So far I have only reprinted the main wing but at this stage its looking to be at least 10% lighter than the original.

After much experimenting I have finally developed a print profile that provides a 0.72mm wall thickness that is a good compromise of lightness without compromising physical strength (and it can still print at around 200mm/s on outer walls & 300mm/s on inner walls.

I can get the wall thickness down to 0.3mm using “Vase Mode” but for the life of me I can’t work out how to retain all the internal wing structures in Vase Mode so I now have 0.3mm internal & external wall with 0.12mm infill @ 15% (total 0.72mm).

The majority of the weight loss is expected in the fuselage as this was the first bit I originally printed pretty much just from supplied files just to see how heavy it actually was.

More>>>>>

[Predator]

Oh by the way if anyone would like the original model (minus all electrics) as a static model to hang in a Man Cave or workshop then let me know as it will soon be surplus to requirements.

[Kermit]

first in  yep

[Predator]

Ok Mr Kermit, it’s yours.

 

[Kermit]

I shall hang it in the caravan along with  starship enterprise……………………………………just sayn

[Predator]

Well then, the Version 2 Savage Bobber (Lite) is finally completed & ready to Maiden.

I tend to think I may have gone too light this time and the whole thing may collapse with the stress of flying, oh well.

This time its around 1/2 the weight , all up flying weight is now 1080gm (inc 1300mAh 3S LiPo), it has a more powerful motor and now spins a 2 blade 8 x 4 prop rather than the original 3 blade 6 x 3 prop.

I’ve also beefed up the undercarriage & fitted fatter black TPU tyres in place of the skinny red ones.

The original, which would probably have flown well with this new motor/prop setup, is now hanging in Kermit’s museum dedicated to things that did & things that didn’t.

[Sinker]

Looks good Mike, it will be interesting to see how it flys

[Predator]

Oh well. just have to wait & see.

4 planes to maiden now, 3 wings converted to ELRS & the Bobber.

 

[Author]

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