3D Printing for Tabletop RPGs & Wargames

[@keithcollier4860]

I dont really comment. Today I've chased the rabbit hole on FDM and Ender 3 videos. Your videos are concise, informative, and very well put together. Out of many channels I've watched today, your channel is engineering level detailed and educational, without being opinionated or long winded. I know this is an older video, but it ages well. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thank you :)

[@xyzebruh1083]

i am so glad i bought the ender 3 as my first 3d printer, it is just so amazing on what it can produce with crazy tiny accuracy for the details, love your channel!

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thanks! :)

[@PHLewis1956ye1q9]

I came to this video because it was recommended in an email newsletter I got from Wargame Vault. I've been interested in the 3D printing process but I hadn't done much research about it. This video was very helpful to me and now I know 100% more than I did before viewing it. It's an excellent starting point. Thanks for the video. I'm subscribed.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thank you!

[@WillieEaderbush]

By far the best video for helping me decide which printer to buy! I learned more in this one video than the last year of surfing youtube! THANK YOU!!

[@johnandrewbellner]

I have been tasked with setting up and figuring out now to use an Ender 3 Pro for my Wednesday D&D group. Your videos have been fantastic. Content, production, presentation, everything. Thank you!

[@gillgamesh4465]

Great video, however the information on resin printers is a bit off. Cost of resin is more like $40 a litre so a typical 28mm model can be as low as 10c. I also don't find the post processing to be overly arduous, or dangerous if you are sensible and use gloves and glasses. I own both an Anycubic photon and an Ender 3, and I think they are both great for different things, the quality of resin is unsurpassed for miniatures, while the Ender 3 is great for terrain or larger prints. I would recommend anyone thinking of getting a printer for miniatures to research a bit into resin first to see which is going to be best for you. Or do what I did and just buy both :-)

[@johny5w]

This video was exactly what I was looking for! I've been wanting to get started 3d printing for terrain, but I really had no idea where to begin. It was a little intimidating looking at all the options out there, but now I feel like I have a good idea how to get started.

[@DJDOGMEAT17]

You are very knowledgeable and me being an older guy just getting started; it is a big help.I did hit that subscribe for you dude. Keep the tips and tricks coming.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thanks!

[@randyott2992]

Thank you for taking the time to give such detailed and well explained guide to 3D printing

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@metalmolisher666]

A thing to keep in mind about removeable surfaces, just elt yopur prints cool down, most pop off when cooled down quite easily. You may not really need it. Others features are more important. Also automatic bed leveling - its nice to have, but leveling by hand is done in under 5 minutes and even on the cheapest and worst build AnetA8 it takes about a week of conmtinious printing untill you have to do it again. For me the most important feature is an easy to archive filament change, since my AnetA8 needs quite some fiddeling holding aknob down with quite some forse adn then fiddeling in the filament blind. I ahve recently seen a few of the creality printers, they all seem to be exactly what a newbee needs with a wide variety of models for every budged.

[@doomstadt2371]

I can speak to the ease of use for the Ender 3 Pro, I am not a tech genius by any measure and I have been able to maintain and repair any issues (mostly caused by me) that have occurred. It's a great printer, and as a complete nobody, I highly recommend it lol

[@jamesvandiver7193]

Subscribed. I'm just starting into 3d printing and your videos have been most informative.

[@jenniferslotnick1280]

Your videos are excellent. The explanations are very clear and easy to follow.

[@tp6498]

I can't tell you how thoroughly informative and enjoyable this video was to watch. You stated facts, then gave your opinions and then explained in an extremely easy to understand, easy going manor, why you had those opinions. Your obviously knowledgeable on this subject matter and more importantly you didn't make me feel stupid for not being. Great job, you just gained a subscriber. Keep up the great work.

[@corpgiroro333]

Just a tip for viewers: if you run out of filament you do not need to toss your 'failed' print, you can take your gcode and edit it (cut out the already printed lines of gcode including start gcode and add a new start gcode to preheat and home XY only) to continue the print at the same point.

[@DanteNava]

First 🤯 Next how do you know what point you're at when it fails? Mine automatically pauses when filament runs out (or breaks as has been the case recently) then it let's me add new filament.

[@llewinidas]

This! ^^^^

[@fhuber7507]

Or: Cut off and print the missing part. Sand and glue. this stuff glues together pretty well. People are printing RC airplanes, gluing the wings together from several pieces and then flying. Those airplanes survive very high stress.

[@mrtendollarman6157]

This guy's videos are beyond comparison. Very nice.

[@rodrigodiaz3765]

What an amazing video. It helps me a lot and it had 1 year and a half. Cheers from Argentina

[@christinley5213]

Verry good info here thank you!! Carful with moving them stepper motors.. your screen lit up when you did.. they generate power when moved… dont know if it could damage things

[@whyjerrywhy]

This has way more information then anything else I've found. Very good for beginners. Shame your videos don't pop up at the top when searching for 3d printing info. Deff subscribed

[@jamesedwards6985]

Another benefit is that store bought tiles are typically 1" per square. With some of the new minis or as I prefer lego minifigures that's a bit tight. So, zoom a stl file to 125% scale and it takes a bit longer and uses a bit more filament, but you can also have a nice set of 1-1/4" per square tiles if you want.

[@SubScale]

Very happy to see this series. I've loved your paper terrain and I just got a 3d printer and look forward to printing your great stuff.

[@craigjones7343]

I’m considering jumping into the hobby and have really been enjoying your videos. 👍

[@repairmanbruce7318]

Awesome introduction, which decreased my level of confusion massively. Very informative and logically presented. Well done, sir!

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thanks!

[@mclyker]

Fantastic information. Just starting on this journey.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Welcome to the hobby! :)

[@johnpotter4750]

So glad I stopped to view this video (the title put me off at first, all my war gaming is done with a B.P. 20G 5' Matchlock, clubbing!! around the country) yet another Treasure House useful hints and directions in the use of my yet to arrive Ender 3. Thank you again for this insight...

[@jimjones8892]

Thanks for you're time and effort in producing a first class informative video for a noob like myself....you got another sub.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Thank you! :)

[@BrainSlugs83]

Good information, wish you were around when I was getting started. Just wanted to offer a correction (hope it's not pedantic), but there are other types of FDM 3D printers besides Delta and Cartesian, for example core-xy (not Cartesian by definition), those weird spinning table bots (not delta, the bed literally spins and slides back and forth), and some folks have just strapped hot ends onto SCARA platforms (which require inverse kinematics to control). -- There are probably a ton more types, but those are just off the top of my head. /FYI

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

I know, but I had to try and condense things down for such a brief overview of the hobby, otherwise the video would have been six hours long. If I got into Core X-Y, then I would have to discuss H-Bots and the differences between the two of those, then get into Printrbelt/Blackbelt designs, etc. This isn't meant to be an encyclopedic video of every 3D printer mechanical design out there, just a brief introduction for someone new to the hobby and the machines they will likely choose from for a first printer. :)

[@coreysipes7503]

Wow you are so clear and to the point. Thanks for the excellent information!!

[@AGreen-dg5jb]

I would love to hear your thoughts on adding supports to models, what settings to use, how to apply it correctly in Cura and Prusa Slicer.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

None of our models require supports :)

[@KevinsHope]

This is a VERY comprehensive video for its length. Well done. Where can I get those 3D walls?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

www.fatdragongames.com :)

[@deanm375]

Thank you Tom for making this video. I'm here in January 2020 looking to get started with 3d printing and this type of video is extremely helpful. I already own three of your dragonlock kickstarters and it's time to actually start printing. 8)

[@TheHelium999]

Amazing video! Great info and nicely represented! Thank you very much! Got a new subscriber!

[@SFLHobby]

That tower is awesome looking with the Tomb of Horrors mouth. Is there a link for that?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

www.fatdragongames.com/fdgfiles/?p=4708

[@helperfunction4981]

Very efficient and succint video of all the info a beginner would need

[@JosephKeenanisme]

Print times do tend to suck but at the same time if you're working with PVA glue and some other materials there is a wait/down time to those methods as well. Getting through the learning curve on a 3d printer can be frustrating but is worth it.

[@40minutekebab]

Awesome video mate. Super informative and useful for a beginner. Much appreciated.

[@LakeVermilionDreams]

All that current generated by the stepper motors when you move the extruder or bed. Doesn't that risk shorting out the control board?

[@Matonky07]

Fantastic video! Could you share the setting for printing titles? Thanks in advance, Regards from Argentina

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

All of my custom profiles can be found on my website under the Resources menu. :)

[@SylvainsShipyard]

Excellent and very educative videos! Thanks for making them!

[@MrPoporucha]

I have most of my prints terrains models in sketchup, and it saves eons of work and its an awesome way to virtualy build your terrains.

[@marinaatkin1581]

That's actually a great idea, I might try that!

[@GreyWolfTowers]

Just a note, the information on cost of resin and many of the negatives of resin printers are no longer an issue. Resin printers can now be less expensive than that ender 3, resins now have water washable versions (no isopropyl alcohol wash station needed) and low odor versions. Plus resin can be found in water washable low odor versions for less than $40 per liter (1kg)

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Resin is still toxic and prolonged exposure can cause adverse health issues.

[@GreyWolfTowers]

@@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors I didn't argue that, however they also have made advancements in making it less toxic using a more plant based formula (soy bean based).

[@Hero1117a]

Really enjoyed this

[@tubeisace]

You seem to be an advert for Ender 3. I am looking at 2 printers. This and the Anycubic i3. The Anycubic seems to be the better choice looking at other youtube users, but I thought I'd ask you opinion!

[@mythodude]

This morning I found my print half completed and that it had run out of filament. Since it was a clean level surface on top I was able to use the axis control to find the Z height where filament stopped feeding, then go into the gcode and delete everything before that Z height. Manually set the hot end to that height or higher and start the new gcode running. I did end up with a bit of a line on the model where it was interrupted but was able to finish the print and the filament didn't go to waste.

[@DreadKnight666]

Really awesome video, thanks for making this! :3

[@FabiansLab]

Not a big fan of moving those steppers without them being disconnected. Dunno how it's internals are but the fact the screen is lighting up makes me think it's damaging to do that, considering you can get upwards of 20v ac on a stepper like those by moving it.

[@tylerpendergast7899]

I just bought my first 3d printer, an anycubic mega s . I bought it to start printing 6-10mm models for war gaming. Any tips for this?

[@alphaeusknowles1386]

Would you say that this information is still up to date even now in 2023? I'm looking to start printing miniatures and dungeon tiles for my games.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Most of it, my current recommended printer is the Ender 3 V2, and all of my Cura settings are continually updated for new versions of Cura.

[@Zeros_Hobbies]

This wass extremely informative thank you sir!

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Glad it helped! :)

[@Explore531]

just one more thing were did you download that link for that castle tower showing the table? and thanks again

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

That's just one of many terrain sets we offer on our website www.fatdragongames.com (there's also another episode where we show how to paint it.) :)

[@miklosbodnar1946]

Simply: Thanks a lot!

[@rolandborst114]

So I'm thinking about getting into this hobby. Already an avid gamer. I have a question regarding the ender 3 and 3d printing in general. Can multiple mini's be printed simultaneously (especially if they are the same mini). What are the pros and cons of doing so. Thank you for the vids. Very informative.

[@daver18qc]

You can fit as many as your bed size allows, although this is less than desirable. Reasons would be; If one of the print fails, you lose everything. The added time it takes for the printer to come back to one particular piece allows the piece to cool too much and layer adhesion will suffer. If you have many pieces to print (doesn't matter if they are the same or not, the printer can handle it) then i would suggest printing 3-4 at a time, it's a good compromise.

[@jamit2576]

Which printer is better ,Creality Ender 3 or Ender 3 pro for beginner ?? I am planning to buy a 3d printer. Please guide me !!After seeing your videos , I think you did Doctorate in this ( 3d Printing) subject

[@MrJeepinZeke]

Thank you!

[@majstealth]

i wonder how long that tower took to print.. a day? 2 days?

[@panagiotiselsisi7752]

I cover mine with an old bed sheet cut in size to keep dust away.

[@jimeronimo]

This has probably already been asked but if you prepare the model and export it to an SD card is it safe to say you dont have to prepare and export that piece again. You can simply just start by using the SD card to print the piece again at a later time. ?

[@OminousGlowGames]

Great overview Tom!

[@dustynmonica]

Is the Qudi Tech IMate a good FDM printer for your tiles?

[@franckrichard4092]

Hello, sorry for my language,but I'm french, is your créality upgradable..?

[@Prometheus72521]

First, thank you for all of your work and recourses! They have been very helpful. In the dropbox, you have two miniature profiles-3mm/4mm. What are the differences and intended use for these profiles?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

They are designed for if you are using a .3mm or a .4mm nozzle.

[@Prometheus72521]

Ah, with the file name it was unclear as the decimal is lost in the periods. Thank you!@@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors

[@steffengr.5556]

Hi, i just bought two of your sets and wanted to see if this could be a hobby for me and my family. Any links where to find rules on how to play? Thanx in advance!

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

You can get a free copy of the Dungeons & Dragons basic rules here: dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/basicrules

[@steffengr.5556]

@@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors Thank you!

[@vogless]

You mentioned you could fit 9 models in the plate. Does this work well?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

If your plate is leveled. I usually stick with 4 models in case one breaks loose.

[@codylake7425]

In October 2020 is the Ender 3 still the best go to for the hobby. Or would you recommend the Ender 3 pro or another?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

The Ender 3 V2 is my top pick.

[@igordekiparis]

Thank you! It really helped!

[@KruellNationGaming]

Ouch, geeze my earbud ears. This video is crazy loud compared to the average. That intro bro.

[@ExecutiveSocialLion]

Ender 3 question: Can you give me the recommended Settings for Printing Minis? My estimated Print time for a mini is 4 hours, not 1 hour so I'd love to have the recommended print settings. First time printer owner here so I'm excited but clueless.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Yes, check out our video on Printing Minis Part 1, it tells you everything you need to know. :)

[@kennyH20]

Looking to purchase a starter set. How come you have duplicates of some pieces if you can print as much as you want once you purchase?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

They aren't duplicates, there are stone pattern variations so you don't get a repeating pattern when multiple walls are placed together.

[@kennyH20]

@@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors Thank you!!! Already started printing :)

[@tennesseemusicfactory5522]

CAN YOU DO A STEP BY STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO USE THE PRINTER DIALS THE y, THE z, AND THE x, AND THE MEANING OF THEM

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Printer dials?

[@crawler1965]

Good video but why talk about the Ender 3 then show the wall being printed on a Prusa I3 ????

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

That is stock footage from a Kickstarter we ran over a year ago and just reused it, plus we do link the Prusa in the video description above. :)

[@crawler1965]

Cheers

[@SteinerSE]

Just switching to eSun PLA+ (got a bunch of colors), is that what you use and if so what temps do you use?

[@usimionato]

Great videos! When print finishes, how long to wait before touching and removing the model?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Wait until the bed cools down (usually 2-3 minutes). :)

[@llewinidas]

Thanks for the video. I'll be buying my first printer soon and plan to use it to print out custom minis for the players in paid games I'll be running so i would like them to be as high quality as I can get without having to invest in a resin printer. Honestly, can i expect noticeably better quality in the MK3 vs a CR-10 or Ender3? I'm considering a CR-10S4 as I would am also interested in printing cosplay props for sale as well.

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

I have Prusa Mk2s, Mk3, and several Enders. The Ender 3 produces the best miniatures of any printer I have ever owned. Also check out the Creality CR-10S *PRO* (just released). Seeing wonderful things about that.

[@rgrmike1977]

Hey Tom, on my corner pieces of your dungeon starter set, the back side of my pieces has poor definition. I have a ender 3 pro printer and added the upgrades you recommended. Any ideas?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Could you send a pic(s) to the support e-mail address on the front page of the FDG website? I really need to see what is happening before I can troubleshoot anything. :)

[@darkwyndigo]

This printer print 1:64 scale wheels?

[@aaroneslinger7968]

I just purchased some Dragonlock sets. My print on your Ender Profile comes in at 3 hours for a wall section. Do you recommend using that profile for dungeon tiles or do you use something else? Thank you -Aaron

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

That is just a baseline profile, follow the setting suggestions in each set, that should reduce print time (many models like dungeon walls can print without any infill.) :)

[@landoncarriere6156]

Tomb of 3D Printed Horrors what support settings do you recommend for your dungeon tiles?

[@Explore531]

god this just big help from watching this video, I was wondering if there any way too turn down the led light on the screen because mine is in my room and every time I doing 3d printing and going too bed that light is so bright on the led, thanks

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

I don't know of any way to turn down the brightness, but this cover will help: www.thingiverse.com/thing:2873402

[@Explore531]

thanks for the link, it helped big time

[@mylanthony]

Where can I get decent .stl files to print to get started?

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

www.fatdragongames.com are all supportless and ready to print. :)

[@minecraftinalabama]

The profile download has infill, is this intentional

[@Tombof3DPrintedHorrors]

Yes, why?

[@WickedCrispy]

Instead of plastic reels can I feed it with spaghetti?

[@makewithmegma]

👌👍

[@seanc8054]

i bought a monoprice mini delta 3d printer for my first printer, and it was such a terrible learning curve and process and i hated it so much i put it on the shelf and never even thought about printing anything again, it literally made me stop table top gaming, thats how stupid and irritated and just frustrated that printer made me, i could not figure out how to make it print anything but the test file it came with, i couldnt figure out anything, it literally never printed anything but that stupid cat, for two years i didnt attempt or try again. a few days ago randomly i just up and bought an elegoo mars resin printer, it was as if angels opened the heaven and shown light down and there was singing and happiness, because it just works, theres no ridiculous G codes and numbers and axiseses, i just find a file i want, down load, put it thru chitubox add supports and the damn thing prints me a perfect mini, if i could afford a resin printer back then i woulda had it , resin has dropped in price hugely in just a single year, as have the cost of resin printers, my elegoo mars was 279$ on sale (insanity! i know) a liter of resin is now around 38-40 bucks, it's not as smelly or skin burn-y either (any cubic i think has soy oil based bio resin thats doesnt smell at all) i'm still looking at ender 3's though because all the amazingness of the mars printer...it still has that one issue of a tiny little build space, so i want to get an ender 3 for larger figures, and scenery and making practical things like a handle you can fit onto a monster energy can

[@Jonj57]

I'm over here taking 9 hours for warhammer marines :(

[@AllThingsGundam]

CR10 can do it too bro

[@stephyweedy]

You're a good teacher , unfortunately for me ,in france , professors are just incompetent : An exemple ; When I was a child , i juste stared my first year of school , the teachers asked to us to write our name , I had never had a pen in my hands , I didn't even know how to take it in my hands .For this reason , this primary school teacher has traumatized and punished me .And today I realize that may be my school failure and suddenly my insignificant life which is a big mistake that is useless for nobody in my eyes may be comes from these very bad actions ??? Today I pay a big price for the mistakes made by a bitch who takes advantage of an undeserved retirement for the horrors and damages committed in the name of an unjust education.