I'm in the process of replacing all my single-color christmas lights with addressable RGB LEDs, but the 12mm "bullet" form factor of them is different from the traditional incandescent mini lights, the 5mm wide angle LEDs, etc.:
You'd think they'd make C6/7/9 bulb covers that attach to them, but I have yet to find any for sale, anywhere. As such, I want to 3D print some, along with 12mm bullet pixel-sized replacements for my snowflake lights:
What's some good filament I can get that will be reasonably clear and stay that way (without yellowing or getting too brittle) for several years' worth of Christmas seasons, despite UV/rain/cold exposure?
(Bonus question: anybody know a good way to model the facets in those "strawberry" lights? The C7 bulbs on Thingiverse, such as this one, are all smooth, LOL.)
Edit: by the way, to be clear (pun intended): I don't need optical clarity like the lens guy; scattering the light is fine. (In fact, doing that on purpose is kind of the point of modeling a faceted C7 bulb instead of a smooth one.) I just want to make sure that whatever part of the filament that doesn't manage to be transparent is white, not tinted some dingy color.
I do happen to have some Inland "natural" PLA laying around and did a test print in that. It's not too bad -- only a little bit yellow at the wall thickness I'm using -- but I fear for how it will hold up over time.
Hmmm, I would usually go for ASA for anything outside, but searching around for transparent ASA comes up empty... I guess maybe transparent ASA isn't a thing? Too bad, since you could smooth it with acetone to make it even lower opacity. You could also look at Polycarbonate and PETG, which I know can be made transparent, but those might yellow a bit after a few years.
I'm interested in other people's thoughts. Definitely a good question!
Agree, Asa ideal, but I've never seen it in transparent varieties. I'd actually try PVB - probably some of the nicest transparency. Might not hold up well outdoors, but I'd give it a shot and then go to PETG if it falls apart.
PVB filament is giving me sticker shock ($36 for 750g), as is polycarbonate ($30 for 1kg).
I think PETG is probably the way to go. Anybody have strong opinions between
?
I've tried Overture, Creality, and Inland (all black though, not transparent) and Overture printed the best for me (at least for functional parts where I cared about print quality and tolerances). Inland's PETG+ and High Speed PETG was even better though.
Inland is my go-to since Microcenter contracts with good manufacturers. Their ASA is made by Polymaker, the PLA+ is eSun (I use a lot of it), but I’m not sure who makes their PETG. I’m sure it’s good though.