Using a 3D printing pen as a print rework tool?

[sprior]

I've been wondering how well the 3D printing pens that are coming out would work as 3D print rework pens. Maybe you could use one to sign a printed piece, fill in a crack, weld two pieces together, or maybe fill in details with a different color. There are some that can use the same filament as the printer.

Before I take the plunge has anyone actually tried this? If so how did it work out?

[jsc]

I would tend to think that it would work just fine, but I don't have one.

It occurs to me you could test it out by using the hot end on your printer. Raise the (cool) bed to an appropriate height, have someone push the extrude button for you, and move the work piece under the nozzle. Like sort of a reverse bandsaw. Don't touch the nozzle.

[sprior]

When I first heard about 3D printing pens I only thought about it like they were showing it and it sounded like a gimmick that I'd get frustrated with quickly. It seemed even less interesting once I got the M2 printer. But once I got the idea of using it as a rework/embellishment pen for 3D prints it sounded like a potential must have item.

[Dale Reed]

I'm considering making a homebrew calculator. I have a collection of old HP RPN scientific calculators. (My baby, received on my 18th birthday, and which I still have and which still works, is an HP-25.) The old HPs used a "double-shot injection molding" process to make the keys --- the key legends are molded all the way through with a second color of plastic, so they can (for all practical purposes) never wear off. I'm thinking I could use this kind of technique on my project, printing the keys with the legends "empty" (just gaps in the top), and then fill in with the other color with one of these pens. Hmmmmmmm..... Wonder how fine you can get?

Dale

[sprior]

If you print the key body with a recess for the printing and then just glob in the other color with the pen, you can then sand it smooth and even polish it, so I'd think it's doable as long as you don't hit a void - which you could then fill in again.

I'm really hoping someone has one and will confirm this works so I can place an order.

[greggbone]

Just so everyone knows what people are talking about:

http://www.hammacher.com/Product/86006? ... rintingPen

has a cute video of someone "drawing" with a pen.