Springed Catcher - miniature painting handle

Springed Catcher - miniature painting handle

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Print Profile(4)

All
A1 mini
P1S
P1P
X1
X1 Carbon
X1E
A1

SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm layer, 4walls, 15%infill
SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm layer, 4walls, 15%infill
Designer
2.7 h
1 plate
4.9(46)

ALL elements + variants 0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill
ALL elements + variants 0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill
Designer
7.7 h
10 plates
4.7(3)

[OPTIONAL] Arm Rests - 0.2mm layer, 6 walls, 15% infill
[OPTIONAL] Arm Rests - 0.2mm layer, 6 walls, 15% infill
Designer
1.9 h
5 plates

Material Sorted 0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill
Material Sorted 0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill
2.6 h
2 plates
5.0(1)

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Released

Description

Fully printable, springed and auto closing, miniature holder.

 

It can hold wide variety of bases - spanning from 20mm to 40mm (and more with a proper arms variant!)

 

This is part of larger collection of compatible (though less mechanical) parts - handles, elastic arms, bases which can be helpfull in miniatures painting hobby.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/692491

 

>> ALL elements and variants are included in the "ALL elements + variants" printing profile and COLLECTION file.

>> Set of elements required to build a complete handle is the "SpringedCatcher - SET" printing profile and DEFAULT SET file.

 

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Updates:

  • Added optional Arm Rests with mountable bases.
  • Updated and smoothed Gourd Handles geometry

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  • Added STLs files for the default set and variants 
    • sorry, I've not realised some slicer can't open 3MF files :/ I gotta try more slicers, other than bambu/orca and all too similar forks.
    • sadly the modifers (fuzzy skin, varied walls loops and infill) can't be configured in STLs. 
      • I'd still advice adding extra walls on the gourd handle on the whole model or more optimal: top part. Too thin 3d printed threads like to snap unexpectedly; also I had the thin neck of  the gourd brake in one prototype, as this part is prone to stress as we hold and manipulate the handle it'll benefit from extra filament.

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  • Improved Arms geometry - they should be less prone to print failures or even printed without brims (which are “on” by default, and need to disabled manually in the slicer).
    • Some initial layers were contracting and causing corners to raise up, which extruder could caught on and rip them from the bed. Now it prints much more evenly.
  • Added Filler element, similar to Expander but thinner, which can be used to secure 4 cuts on the shaft from braking during assembly.
  • Added a micro geometry on the shaft to trick slicer into applying outer brim only. 
  • New  assembly guide revision.

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  • Added a new Rotating base and revised assembly guide (see new COLLECTION file).
    • See after printing tips on how to “brake” to rotate it.

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  • Tweaked the Shaft, Fixed Base and Expandert to minimize the jiggle effect
    • Items needed for the upgrade (you'll find them in default set as well as collection):
      • Shaft (with 4 cuts on both ends)
      • Fixed Base (taller and with cuts for expanders)
      • 2x Expanders (new ones are slightly wider)
    • This time having thin pliers or something alike to push the expanders through is a good idea.

       

    • Now the connection should be more robust. Though the total build will be slightly taller - had to add extra thickness to the base; also now it requires expanders to lock it in place.
    • The expanders are slightly wider and will need more force to ge them through - at the same time it puts the 4 cuts on the other end of the shaft at risk. Be careful while assembly so they won't brake off. Having something soft (like a mouse pad) to cushion them while mounting cross rail helps.
  • New assembly revision added

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  • added slightly revised assembly guide and single cut shaft variant

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Some of modular extensions:

  • Handles included in this set are Gourd and Wide Gourd - with hollowed handle, so it can be easily weighted down.
  • Or instead it can be used together with wide base from the https://makerworld.com/en/models/692491
  • Springed Catcher doesn’t have to be fixed to the handle, instead via ThreadedHub it can be combined with Rotatable Hub (33mm thread) from the https://makerworld.com/en/models/692491
  • Need to fit large base into the handle? Try Long Arms variant - included in this project.
    • this effectively increases the range up to around 72mm base
      • with some effort in the slicer, it can be extended for even wider bases :P

 

The spring is modelled to be quite bulky and it provides a good grip:

62mm base on a Springed Catcher equipped with Long Arms

 

The above example might be an overkill (over 50g of resin printed mini), our usual 28mm/32mm are held quite robustly:

 

 

 

Modularity is the key. Is the handle too light? No problem, just weight it down. Is the mini too large it's close to falling anyway? Just thread in a wide base.

 

 

Compared to Citadel MK2 it is slightly larger:

 

 

But if you're used to this particular model and size, then good news, you can print an adapter and connect the Springed Catcher to MK2:

 

Gourd handle has two basic variants - regular and wide. Both have hollow space with a threaded cap, which can be filled with something to weight down the handle (making it harder to knock over).

The volume is roughly 1 gretchin (wide variant)

 

Extensibility

This model is part of larger collection, which all modules are made to work together.

Main connection method is threads and screws - 33mm for large hubs, and 8mm for smaller elements.

 

So if you want to add an adapter or new element it's fairly easy to create new models :)

 

Note:

All outside facing threads (screws) should have face offset applied (this helps with dimension inaccuracies). While inner can be left with their default settings.

  • -0.5mm (on thread most extruded, vertical face)
  • -0.3mm (all other faces, both slopes and one vertical closes to the thread cylinder))

 

What's great you can use the elements to prototype different kinds of holders or whatever might be useful at the moment, or maybe an idea that came to you in a dream. Like “The Tentacle” holder below:

“The Tentacle” (composed of: Wide Gourd Base, Fixed Hub, Rectangle Bases, Double Sided Screws, Regular joints, Double Socket Joint, Rotatable Hub and Springed Catcher)

 

Printing:

  • designed with 0.20mm layer height
  • print with PLA
  • and PETG for the spring
    • although PLA will work too (see below)
  • some small elements tend to be ripped off by the extruder - mainly arms and shaft

    • like always: clean the build plate with soap :P
    • but also try applying outer brim
    • and maybe bump the bed temperature by 5-10 degrees
    • (the included 3mf profiles are already confired to use brim)

     

 

All models were developed and tested on 0.20mm layer height with both PLA and PETG - as it’s fast and produces fairly smooth and clean prints. Printing in lower heights shouldn’t cause any issues.

 

PLA is fine for almost all elements except the spring. It will work, but compared to PETG it will be less flexible, require more force to wind, and can start giving in if kept in tensed position for too long (good old PLA creep).

 

I’ve tested the spring durability by leaving the arms in open position for few hours. PLA spring will lose it’s strength after around 4h-6h (up to over 20h which doesn’t seem to make a difference). PETG on the other hand, kept it shape, spring still managed to pull the arms to close position and held miniatures in its grip.

 

BUT if you only have PLA it will still work. Just don’t leave your minis in the handle overnight. And even if, the spring can be rejuvenated with a bit of heat (see Repairing PLA springs paragraph in the assembly doc).

 

Rotating base - after print


Still the bearing has to be “broken” free after printing. Easiest way is to mount it on a handle (keep it loose rather than too tight), and start wiggling or doing “braking” (like a stick) motion while holding the base and the outside chasis of the base. It should give in with few short snaps/cracks.

(Turning it tightly by the chasis could also work, but then it’s hard to get it
off the handle)


Then rotate it few dosen of times untill the material smooths itself and as a result the base should rotate efortlessly.

 

 

Items to print:

  1. 4x Arms (come in different shapes)
  2. 2x Clips
  3. 1x Shaft
  4. 1x Filler (optional, secures 4 cuts on shaft from braking)
  5. 1x Expander
  6. 1x Cross Rail
  7. 1x Spring (best to use PETG)
  8. 1x Spiral Chasis

Either of:

  1. 1x Fixed Threaded base
  2. 1x Citadel adapter
  3. 1x Rotating base

Optional:

  1. 1x Gourd Handle
  2. 1x Gourd cap

 

Assembly instructions - see the attached pdf.

 

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Miniatures showcased on the pictures:

  • Socratis Knights (dismembered) and Raticus Clanker by Station Forge
  • Chaplain (well a “Patriarcha”) from the damn purple site…
  • Gretchin - finally, an official GW model :)

Documentation (2)

Assembly Guide (2)
Springed_Catcher_Handle_-_Instructions_rev5.pdf
Arm_Rest_mount_instructions_rev1.pdf

Comment & Rating (93)

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Boosted
Print Profile
[OLD v1.0.0] SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm lay, 4 wall, 15% infl
Overall very interesting design. I applaud the engineering skills required to design something like this. However, like the Grumpher has said, there is a lot of play between the handle and the mechanism. This makes the whole assembly a bit jiggly, qnd noy solid. (Also a thing to note for others: the print prifile prints the mirrored version. (right = loose.) So it differs from the assembly guide)
The designer has replied
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Thanks :) Looks like your cross rail is raising above the spiral chasis when it shouldn't do that. It might happen when the shaft is too low (was pushed in with the expander) or expander didn't go all the way down. Then it should be quite stable - as on the picture, the shaft is on the same level as cross rail surface and the expander is way in. It's probably something I started to overlook after assembling and disassembling so many of those, but I had similar issues and this element likes show some resistance at the beginning. There should be some usual jiggle between the spiral chasis and the base, as it's needed for rotation. Though the clips should keep the elements from slipping too much.
(Edited)
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Replying to @go_morko :
im having the same issue. even when i hammer the shaft down. the mechanism becomes really tight. but still the holder has a lot of wiggle. also hammered in the spreader but its not really satisfying how lose the chasis is to the base. maybe design it with a bearing ?
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Boosted
Edit 12/10/2024: updated version with the extra expander on the shaft works very well. its a gift for my mini painting freind, printed in PLA and will update here if i the spring degrades over time, if there's no update its still working! very interesting design, mine has assembled fine but there's a lot of play between the handle and the mechanism, looks like it's mostly in the shaft and the key that attach the threaded adapter. approx 3mm of distance between the key and the adapter causes a fair bit of movement
(Edited)
The designer has replied
3
Reply
So the threaded base is slipping around the shaft when you rotate it? It might be caused be the base bottom getting between the extrusion spacers. Base has to be pushed downards untill it touches clip over the spring. This can require extra force to get into the right position. I've updated the profiles to include another shaft without the second spacer. It's bit easier to use but at the same time without the second clip it likes to raise up and slip out if we push the rotating spiral upwards. It is something I want to address in updates.
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Boosted
don't think I fully understand your comment, I added some pictures to hopefully help. the first clip goes on the spring, then the threaded adapter on top, then the 2nd clip, the threaded adapter ends up only sitting on the first clip, and the distance between the 2 clips seems too far apart allowing the threaded adapter space to wobble
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Replying to @Grumpher :
Oh I understand now. Yes this was intentional. It was easy to me to have it super tight, but I couldn't be certain if someones printer or filament won't has worse dimensional accuracy and the clip wouldn't fit at all. Either way it wasn't even the clip itself but the whole design that's wobbly - the base bottom is just to thin to keep the shaft straight. The current/updated version tries to solve this :)
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Print Profile
SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm layer, 4walls, 15%infill
the fit was tough and it broke almost immediately, probably my fault so i kept the 5 start rating, i was excited about it until then.
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good engineering, tho I skipped the expander on the connector because it fits already too tight
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Boosted
Print Profile
Material Sorted 0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 15% infill
awesome. works great w inland PETG+
0
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Print Profile
SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm layer, 4walls, 15%infill
great
0
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Print Profile
SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm layer, 4walls, 15%infill
printing perfectly
0
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Print Profile
SpringedCatcher SET 0.2mm layer, 4walls, 15%infill
Prints easily, assembly went smoothly, and they work very well. I haven’t noticed any wobbling issues that others have mentioned and I printed four in different types of PLA. 10/10 would recommend.
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I really like the model. I didn’t find it wobbly or loose like others said. It works fine for me. It was a bit tricky to assemble, I broke the shaft a couple of times and had to reprint it, lol. But overall, this handle is really nice—definitely the best one I’ve printed.
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I broke the middle shaft a couple times trying to get a good amount of spring tension. The "G" and the square that shows in the print file was nearly invisible, and then I realized long after trying and trying to get it to work that the images it shows in the pdf file are backwards anyway. Knowing this from the beginning would have saved me a good bit of headache. After all is said and done, it's pretty awesome.
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