- Joined
- Jan 2, 2014
- Messages
- 8,852
I had a couple thoughts based on the title:
1) (as already mentioned above) people with dual-head 3D-printers are already using PVA as printed support material that can then be later removed by soaking in water. If the filament itself is not big enough get someone to print a simple rod shape.
2) How about making your own plaster rods? maybe inside a cardboard tube that you can peel off when the plaster sets.
3) In the "Build Your Own Machine Shop" series by Dave Gingery he makes his own cores for inserting into aluminum casting molds using sand mixed with common kitchen ingredients (maybe flour and sugar or molasses) and baking them. Those should be water soluble.
I think we need a little more information to provide any more useful answers.
Does the rod need to be machinable and held in a vise or chuck?
Does it need to support any extra weight, or just itself?
Could it be some other plastic that is soluble in some other liquid? (ABS and acetone, maybe or styrofoam?)
-brino
1) (as already mentioned above) people with dual-head 3D-printers are already using PVA as printed support material that can then be later removed by soaking in water. If the filament itself is not big enough get someone to print a simple rod shape.
2) How about making your own plaster rods? maybe inside a cardboard tube that you can peel off when the plaster sets.
3) In the "Build Your Own Machine Shop" series by Dave Gingery he makes his own cores for inserting into aluminum casting molds using sand mixed with common kitchen ingredients (maybe flour and sugar or molasses) and baking them. Those should be water soluble.
I think we need a little more information to provide any more useful answers.
Does the rod need to be machinable and held in a vise or chuck?
Does it need to support any extra weight, or just itself?
Could it be some other plastic that is soluble in some other liquid? (ABS and acetone, maybe or styrofoam?)
-brino