New Technology for an age old sport 3D printing and the DIY outdoorsman

[Stay Sharp]

The brown truck dropped off a 3D printer for our archery and bowhunting related prototyping. (and for generally playing around making outdoors related items)

As well as a variety of ridged and flexible filament to proto design concepts.

First up is prototyping a broadhead for an upcoming Black bear hunt.

[video=youtube;ENFQUgQgb9g]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENFQUgQgb9g[/video]

The metal version made after the plastic prototype.

We are playing around with the 3D printer making prototypes of things we have been wanting to make or improve upon for our sporting and outdoors hobbies.

 

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We used the 3D printer to make a broadhead sharpening guide to bevel the heads and sharpen them.

[video=youtube;OmJW7zdfiR4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmJW7zdfiR4[/video]

 

[Stay Sharp]

Next up is a vision of an improved version of an existing product to replace fletching. FOB's are a good product that can be made better. We made these for personal use, education and enjoyment and to test the machine. I made the ring a bit smaller but the fins a bit bigger than existing FOBS.

Early prototypes weighed slightly less than the FOB brand

clearance from a drop away will be a bit better with this version.

After test firing them they still hit my face. We set out to improve the FOBS with

1. Improved rest clearance.
2. Reduced face contact.
3. Reduced weight. (less than existing FOB and closer to 3 Blazers/glue)
4. Increased spin rate.
5. Increase total surface area of fins.
6. Airfoil fins rather than flat.

By making the annular ring smaller and pushing it forward 3/4", the facial contact issue improves as does rest clearance. I prototyped an early version drawing board today. Now we are down to 20 grains with another version because the 3D printer allows a hunter to rapidly prototype their ideas without spending a ton on money on tooling.

like everybody else we dislike weight on the rear end of the arrow so we took out weight in no-stress areas and got the weight down to a (calculated) 20 grains (the weight of 3 blazers with glue). We won't know for certain until we make a few and throw them on the scale. Here is what they will look like now.

 

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Next up was turkey calls and strikers.

I printed the pot for the call. One in black and another in Black and red and designed in some text just for giggles.

Then made aluminum sound boards

Aluminum and cooper

and a sliding top for the striker to change the tone.

 

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Just waiting for the epoxy to cure to test them for sound.

 

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Then a A 3D printed shelf with hooks we made for hub style blinds.

Adding some hooks and shrink tube.

To quiet the shelf an old mouse pad and double sided tape was used.

 

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Perfect fit.

Plenty of room on the shelf and to hang things.

 

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A sportsman/hunter with a 3D printer is only limited by his imagination.

 

[Fink]

Shelf for a hub style blind = Brilliant!

Nice work!

 

[Rooster410]

I love the shelf idea.

 

[Fieldmouse]

3D printers are awesome. To have one at your finger tips, I would like that. I could think of a few items I would like to add to rig out my bow with some extras.

 

[Stay Sharp]

I printed the latest version. I dont know that my scale is sensitive enough to capture the weight reduction. The calculated weight should have had this thing at 20 grains.

Before any more design changes are made test shooting needs to be completed.

But................... Not today.

 

[crzy_cntryby]

Sounds like you have a seller with that shelf! Pretty cool. Thanks for sharing.

 

[TimberJunkie]

I love all these ideas. I am a firm believer in new technology, and that we should be constantly redesigning the wheel. If it ain't broke, then break it, then make it better.

Good work out there, can't wait to try out some of these in the future.

 

[Stay Sharp]

A little long distance testing of the AAF

[video=youtube;AJFB9sqp-7I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJFB9sqp-7I[/video]

 

[Stay Sharp]

We have a family friend that has a degenerative disorder that has resulted in her having to spend the bulk of her time in a motorized wheel chair. She is able to get out of it only to use the restroom. She can use the chair to get upright and then use a walker to transfer herself to the toilet. Sadly she is unable to bend over to reach the foot pads to swing them up and out of the way. She asked if we could design her an aid to allow her to reach the foot pads to lift them out of the way. Right now she must have a family member at home with her to lift the foot pads for her.

The criteria were that the aid has to have a large handle so she could grip it, it has to reach 24” but be able to be compressed into a smaller footprint to allow it to be stored in a bag attached to the chair and it had to be light weight. We began the project Friday night and completed it on Sunday morning so we were able to turn it around in less than 48 hours.

We were happy to help and to find another use for the 3D printer and to allow her to regain more independence. The final product weighed only 13 Oz.

 

[Stay Sharp]

 

[Stay Sharp]

More AAF testing of this 3D printed Fletching. This time at 80 and 90 yards. 90 yards is really a poke for our ability as we don't practice or hunt at that distance and don't have a pin for 90.

[video=youtube;BDlNQgND49A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDlNQgND49A[/video]

 

[greezly168]

bro it's looks amazing!!!keep going!!

 

[holly77]

agree with greezly! it looks really good! So, I can tell u about my experience with a 3D printer. I worked with it for about a half year but wasn't really satisfied with it. Furthermore, accidentally I dropped my usual printer and had to buy a new one in a few days. Luckily I found these guys mrdepot who offer quality office products at a smart price. They have free and fast delivery. These factors saved a lot of my money and time. So if u want, try to check out this site for more info!