Working Compass - LOTR Inspired

There and back again…

If you're going on an adventure, you better make sure to pack a compass.

This printable compass utilized clear/translucent PLA to allow a metal compass (purchased and installed into the print) to be seen underneath the case.

The transparent lid also features the cardinal directions (North, East, South, West), directional markers for the mid points between each (NE, SE, SW, NW), and a Lord of the Rings quote cleverly intertwined with the cardinal directions (Not all Who wander arE loSt). Meanwhile, the compass base features of minimalistic map of Middle Earth. Rivers are cut into the base while mountains are raised triangles and forests are represented by circles. The Blue Green silk gives the added impression to the map of it looking like a landmass. 

Check out this video for reference:

While you could likely use any number of needles and magnetically charged pieces of metal, I specifically purchased this Magnetic Needle with Removable Non-Magnetic Base from Amazon. Using pliers, I removed the metal needle from the base it came pre-installed in. Using a tool (like pliers or otherwise) push the needle into the hole on the top of the compass base. Do Note: This is purposefully a tight fight, and should not require glue, but will require sufficient pressure to get in place. Once the needle was slightly secured in the hole, I pressed the needle against a solid surface and pushed down from the back of the compass base to apply enough pressure for the needle to fully seat in the housing. 

Once the needle is installed in the base, the remainder of installation is simple. Place the metal compass atop the needle and gently fit the compass lid over the compass base, pressing lightly to secure it in place (this step is able to be seen in the video linked above).

I used 4 different filaments for these models.

The cardinal direction letters (N, E, S, W) are printed in Bambu Lab Latte Brown PLA Matte.

The remaining letters and top enclosure are printed in Chitu Systems Conjure Chameleon PLA Blue-Purple.

The transparent lid is printed in SUNLU Clear PLA.

The compass base if printed in Chitu Systems Conjure Silk PLA Blue Green.

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