Paint Smarter - Rotary Miniatures Paint Handle
Paint Smarter - Rotary Miniatures Paint Handle
3D
Published 2023-09-13T11:49:06+00:00
What's it for?
If like me you are shite at painting or just beginning to paint miniatures/models then a painting handle will help you a lot, it raised my game instantly as it eliminates hand shake as you can hold the model, paint brush into your two-handed grip for those final details, having used one I can't believe I lived without one.
Having tried a 'handful' of other painting handles (including a bought one from Amazon) I found them either too skinny and/or too loose as with the 608 bearing ones, I accidentally came across the solution by using a cheapo potentiometer as the spindle.
Advantages of this rotary painting handle over others?
- Easy print without rafts or supports (ensure all 'flat' faces are sat directly onto build plate)
- Torque (resistance) adds to stability
Larger diameter adds to comfort - Ergonomic - Recessed design makes it more grippy
- Versatile - Multiple top cap options for smaller or larger models
- Looks like a Milk Bottle :p
The potentiometer makes all the difference, off the shelf these have a click action, but you can also modify them to be smooth or higher torque by adding a tiny o-ring inside.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09SG3HF9N
You can probably find cheaper but these ones were suitable as they had the click option and could be modified easily, but they work out around a pound a piece if you are making multiple handle.
Instructions:
1/ Print the main body orientated upright with the top disc area flat to the bed, NO supports or Raft required (Resin printer - ensure Z-Lift in the slicer is disabled, if prompted to add supports/rafts when slicing choose NO).
2/
Print at least one top cap, on my smaller Photon Mono 2 I could only fit one with the other parts nested, if you have spare room then the more the merrier, I have a dozen tops to swap around. - *Again ensure the flat area is flat onto the bed.
3/ Print the base plate if required, you don't need it as such but it adds a bit more comfort, I also designed a hole in it for a future 'Handle Rack'.
4/ Clean up and do a dry fit to ensure the parts go together without gaps, I deliberately made the location pegs sloppy to allow some wiggle room when gluing together.
5/ Loose fit the Potentiometer - It is important you do this now as once the handle is glued together it is very tricky to thread it through afterwards, just pop the potentiometer into one side of the handle, place the washer and nut on top and slightly screw the nut down, place the other side of the handle into place (loosen the nut if required), once you're happy with the fit then remove one side, super-glue one edge and pop it back together, quickly line it up and allow it to set.
5/ Tighten the potentiometer nut, finger tight is fine as it is only holding it in place, push a top-cap onto it and test it's rotation.
6/ OPTIONAL Glue the base cap into the recess at the bottom.
7/ Crack on and use it.
8/ At least click the 'LIKE' button if you found it useful, I worked hard to refine this and printed more than I needed.
If it proves popular I can make some new top-caps and a stand or two, comments/remixes/suggestions welcome. If you choose to criticise then at least make it constructive (such as "I think it's utter shit! - But I do like the colour")
Let me know if I've forgotten anything but it should be intuitive.
COMING SOON - A Compact Wet Palette with Compartments, I'm sick of my oversized one and sick of colours bleeding into each other so I'm determined to design my own.
| Date published | 13/09/2023 |
| Support Free | YES |