Having something 3d printed?

[IndyGunworks]

Doesn't have to be 3d printed but I figured that would be my best option. So while I am asking advice on getting something printed in the third dimension, I am also open to other alternatives.

I am going to be putting in a 30 foot flag pole in front of my house. I also have a rubber m4 training rifle I am going to paint black, and a Kevlar helmet that someone has donated to me. Next to my flag pole I want to put in a permanent battlefield cross memorial. So I have the rifle, and the helmet, both will be painted in a way to protect them from UV exposure. What I don't have are the boots. I have a pair of boots, but plain boots wont last a year outside.

Bronzing a pair is expensive, and wont fair much better outside.
I cant find just concrete combat boots.
So 3d printing seems to be an option for me.

What is the process of 3d printing and how much can I expect it to cost? I have a friend that can print these up to 9 inch's, which is a tad small, but will work, but he would need a file, which I cant find. So that means I will probably have to go to a place that has the ability to scan existing boots and print them.

Thoughts and advice?

 

[chezuki]

Coat the boots you have in epoxy resin.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Coat the boots you have in epoxy resin.

Can you expand on that thought?

Like a two part deal? Put it on with a paint brush? You think that will actually hold up? How would it end up looking?

 

[IndyGunworks]

Just had a thought, but don't know where I would turn to get it done, but what about a clay? Once baked and turned into ceramic its pretty indestructible right?

 

[chezuki]

Can you expand on that thought?

Like a two part deal? Put it on with a paint brush? You think that will actually hold up? How would it end up looking?

Multiple light coats with a brush. You could paint the finished product with the same UV resistant paint as the other stuff.

Disclaimer: I’ve not done this, but seen it done with baby shoes, baseball gloves, etc for display purposes.

 

[chezuki]

Just had a thought, but don't know where I would turn to get it done, but what about a clay? Once baked and turned into ceramic its pretty indestructible right?

And expensive. You’d be paying an artist to sculpt them.

 

[HoughMade]

Just had a thought, but don't know where I would turn to get it done, but what about a clay? Once baked and turned into ceramic its pretty indestructible right?

That's what I was going to suggest. As for expense, a pair of combat boots is something a hobbyist could easily do.

 

[IndyGunworks]

And expensive. You’d be paying an artist to sculpt them.

what would make it expensive?

 

[K_W]

Put some drain holes in the boots or you'll have a perfect mosquito ecosystem in the warmer months.

 

[IndianaSoloMcfly]

Thought, perhaps you stake the boots to the ground and cover them in "neverwet" a hydrophobic solution for shoes. Then they should last much longer. Maybe plasti dip them first?

 

[K_W]

Fill them with clay, then cast negative mold in craft molding rubber, final cast in plaster, cement, or resin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEVi0mEaJJQ

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Use them to create a plaster mold then pour cement into said mold.

 

[actaeon277]

Fill them with clay, then cast negative mold in craft molding rubber, final cast in plaster, cement, or resin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEVi0mEaJJQ

Use them to create a plaster mold then pour cement into said mold.

I think these are good options.

 

[PGRChaplain]

Fill the boots With Expanding Foam. When Cured sand the foam to shed Water. Coat them with Spray On Bedliner, 4-5 light coats. Thanks for the Flag Pole & Military Recognition!!!!!!!!!!

 

[actaeon277]

If you have a jigsaw, you can do something like this..

 

[russc2542]

Maybe talk to some of the guys who post in this thread: https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/break-room/371119-almost-official-3d-printer-thread.html

The problem with 3d printing is you need a model to print and that's the hard part.

Fill them with clay, then cast negative mold in craft molding rubber, final cast in plaster, cement, or resin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEVi0mEaJJQ

^This^ is probably your best bet.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

These kinda fit the bill

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1600793

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:181775

 

[actaeon277]

While I was looking for suggestions for this, I found this 2015 article.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/04/15/fallen-soldier-memorial-park/25828753/
Fallen soldier memorial called inappropriate for park.

Note: this is about a Veteran's Memorial park.

 

[RobbyMaQ]

3d print in wood or abs and is least likely to have uv break it down
pla won't last long outdoors

 

[fullmetaljesus]

3d print in wood or abs and is least likely to have uv break it down
pla won't last long outdoors

Or how about that cool glow in the dark stuff?!

Oh wait that's also PLA