Making a mold: @Wolffman

[Wolffman]

I spent some time drawing up a mold for my own use. This is for a 50 ring cigar but could easily be sized up or down. I have a pretty good 3D printer and this model is on the machine now. It’s being printed in ASA which is much like ABS but has UV resistance. It’s some really tough stuff.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum.

Bob

 

[HillDweller]

I'm more of a pipe guy and haven't gotten around to rolling cigars but this is very interesting, and looks very well executed.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

Welcome

 

[Wolffman]

The 3D print turned out good. I need to make one small adjustment and it will be finished. I guess I need to make a few of them for use next year.

 

[Knucklehead]

Very nice work.

 

[Homegrowngoodnes]

Wish i were advanced enough for 3d printing! Then again i kinda prefer wood molds...not advaned enough for that either! Ha!

 

[stdly]

The 3D print turned out good. I need to make one small adjustment and it will be finished. I guess I need to make a few of them for use next year.

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Nice work!
I wonder what software is used to design the model.
I use solidworks and can export most formats what format is the file?

 

[marshall9779]

How much would one of those cost if you were to sell them and any plans to make molds for multiple bunches?

 

[Wolffman]

Nice work!
I wonder what software is used to design the model.
I use solidworks and can export most formats what format is the file?

I use Autodesk Fusion 360 for everything I do. Solidworks will work just fine too. Export your solid model as an .STL and then import into the 3D printing software.

 

[stdly]

I use Autodesk Fusion 360 for everything I do. Solidworks will work just fine too. Export your solid model as an .STL and then import into the 3D printing software.

Thanks a lot, better than learning a new software.

 

[Wolffman]

How much would one of those cost if you were to sell them and any plans to make molds for multiple bunches?

I'm not sure how much the cost would be, but it would be hard to compete with the machined plastic molds already available from certain stores. I believe they go for about $110. Yes, i can easily do a multi slot mold.

 

[Wolffman]

Making a 3 slot mold today.

 

[BrotherJ]

@Wolffman Hey, I'd like to ask a hypothetical question without making any requests. If that plastic is plenty durable, how costly do you think it would be to print a set of cigar ring gauges, from 30 to 60 in increments of 2 (16 rings overall)?

 

[tullius]

The 3D print turned out good. I need to make one small adjustment and it will be finished. I guess I need to make a few of them for use next year.

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Sweet work. Out of curiosity, what was the small adjustment? Think I know what it was, but thought I'd ask.

Just a suggestion, when doing multiples, suggest doing an even number of cavities: that way you're using both sides of the wrapper leaves without any leftovers..

Very cool project

 

[Wolffman]

@Wolffman Hey, I'd like to ask a hypothetical question without making any requests. If that plastic is plenty durable, how costly do you think it would be to print a set of cigar ring gauges, from 30 to 60 in increments of 2 (16 rings overall)?

The 3D plastic is plenty durable. Actually, these molds I’m making are tough as hell. For a ring gauge, I’d prefer to do this on the CNC mill from scrap plastics I have. I can build this for you if you pay shipping.

 

[Wolffman]

Sweet work. Out of curiosity, what was the small adjustment? Think I know what it was, but thought I'd ask.

Just a suggestion, when doing multiples, suggest doing an even number of cavities: that way you're using both sides of the wrapper leaves without any leftovers..

Very cool project

Oh heck, I didn’t think about the wrapper issue. Good info. I added in a key to the molds for alignment as well as adjusting the interference fit by .001”. The fit is perfect now and I’m betting the seam will barely be visible. I can just barely feel it with my pinky finger.

 

[tullius]

Nice. I like your elegant key solution to replace the 3 separate pins the commercial molds use: not that the three I have don't work great, but your setup is simpler, and sometimes less parts is better

 

[Wolffman]

Nice. I like your elegant key solution to replace the 3 separate pins the commercial molds use: not that the three I have don't work great, but your setup is simpler, and sometimes less parts is better

Yes, I stole that feature from the ammunition machines I build.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/Y4WZVZH4j00?feature=share

 

[Wolffman]

Or how about anodized aluminum for a ring gauge? I think it would make a nice piece. Picture for general reference of stuff I do re anodized aluminum parts.