(Purists beware) Should I 3D print or sand Half Beam 6 or 6632 to make

[__________________________]

Hello,

I am building small model in which Technic Half Beam 3 (I want 3 circular holes rather than 1 circular + 2 axle holes, unlike 6632, http://brickset.com/parts/4223767 ) is crucial. However, this is not a Lego element.

I have access to a low-end (around $1000) 3D printer, and a pair of scissors and sander.

Would I get a higher-quality piece by:

1. Sanding 7M/6M/etc. half beam into 3M beam

2. 3D printing it (I would have to make the CAD file, .stl, I believe)

3. Sand a 3M lever (6632) so the axle holes are "opened up" to become pin holes

Regards, nonpurists, assistance wished for

[bonox]

THe factory piece will be the most accurate, however it will depend on whether you want to put an axle through it or you want the part to capture a 3/4 pin.

If the former, remake an existing piece. If the latter and you don't have a mill to create the spot face to accept the pin collar then you may be better making by printer.

I think technically the simplest is to take a 5L thin and knock two holes off it.

There are more colour choices in the 6632 though, so create, remake or manufacture from scratch will depend on what you want.

[__________________________]

THe factory piece will be the most accurate, however it will depend on whether you want to put an axle through it or you want the part to capture a 3/4 pin.

If the former, remake an existing piece. If the latter and you don't have a mill to create the spot face to accept the pin collar then you may be better making by printer.

I think technically the simplest is to take a 5L thin and knock two holes off it.

There are more colour choices in the 6632 though, so create, remake or manufacture from scratch will depend on what you want.

Thanks, I will use Exacto Knife (have friend do cutting, (;) and 5L thin.

[dr_spock]

You could round out the 2 axles holes in 3L piece with the correct sized drill bit. If you have a drill press, it is easy to get expert results.

[Saberwing40k]

NOOOO, STOP, HOW DARE YOU?!? Is the piece just a spacer, or do you need it to work with pins? If it's just a spacer, I'd say 3D print it. Much better than sawing up a precious Lego piece. But, if you need the holes to work with pins, a 3D printed piece could work, although the quality could be hit or miss. Since it's your printer, you can try things out. But, if you're in a hurry, cutting the piece would be best. If you go after a six long half beam, and do it right, you could end up with two 3L half beams, which I think would be best. My personal solution when it comes to mundane things like this is to work the model out so that I don't need any new pieces. But, ultimately, the decision is up to you.

[Vectormatic]

Id probably try to adapt the design to work with unmodified lego pieces first, but if you really do need this, id go for drilling out the 3M piece, should end up looking better then a cut-modified 6M

[darsedz]

another option - cut 7M half beam into 2 3M half beams...

[D3K]

If you are going to use it as a swivel (as in it would be locked in place if you used an axle through the axle hole), you could use a 3L or 4L "bar/lightsaber" piece ...?

It would have enough friction (unless used in a very heavy duty application) to keep two parts connected through the axle holes while still allowing them to rotate relative to each other. I've done this on some occasions, works pretty well