"I've been interested in model making and miniature painting my whole life but have recently taken an interest in the additional possibilities of 3D printing to help with that hobby", said Robert.

Robert Larner is a passionate craftsman who lives in the picturesque city of Edinburgh, Scotland. He deeply ingrained in the world of model making and miniature painting since his youth, while recently he found a modern ally to enhance his craft - 3D printing. 

The Start of 3D Printing

"I started 3D Printing in mid 2020.” Like many people, Robert started this hobby as a result of the COVID pandemic. "I knew 3D printing would be a hobby that would involve a lot of work and the additional time at home gave me that opportunity.” Amidst the confinement of the COVID-19 lockdown, Robert turned to this innovative technology, transforming his lifelong interest into a technologically enriched passion.

Why Robert Trusts Flashforge Finder 3 3D printer

Robert's daily companion in this creative pursuit is the Flashforge Finder 3, a 3D printer he praises for its compactness and user-friendliness. Living in a house where space is a luxury, the printer's sleek, enclosed frame is a perfect fit. His trust in Flashforge extends beyond its physical attributes. It's the brand's dedication to user-friendly, efficient printing solutions that make it an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned 3D printing enthusiasts.

"I have a Flashforge Finder 3 and typically use it every day. I work from home so can leave it running whilst I am working.

"I love the all enclosed frame on Flashforge printers! I will in a relatively small house and space is limited so having a printer that fits into a very neat space is very useful.

I have tried a few 3D Printers and I honestly think that Flashforge are some of the most user friendly printers. I would highly recommend for anyone thinking about trying 3D printing consider a printer like the Flashforge Finder 3."

Showcasing Robert's 3D Creations

With his trusted printer and a trove of downloaded designs from online platforms such as myminifactory.com and thingiverse.com, Robert has brought numerous 3D creations to life.
"Generally all these projects are using the default printer settings (0.18mm layer height and 50mm/s print speed). I usually use a brim for models with a narrow footprint and do not use rafts. For reference, all these models were painted using acrylic paints after printing.” said Robert. Now let’s see some of his excellent 3Dprintout works.

Submarine 

This is a large multi-part model from my minifactory by designer ec3d designs. This is a very nice supportless model used for gaming. It took about 24 hours to print but came out perfectly. It was a fun project!

Daleks and Doctor Who

Those images are various 30mm models from Dr Who (one of Robert’s favorite TV shows). These models come from various sources and some Robert designed himself. He scaled and performed minor edits on models to give everything a consistent feel.

Pirates and Steampunk

These are 28mm-high figures by a favorite designer of Robert’s (briteminis). These are also designed to be supportless and printed very nicely. They are designed for gaming.

Teddies

Teddies are two small models that he designed as a gift for a friend. These are teddies shrunk down to a very small size (approx. 40mm)! He did these using MS 3D builder.  

The Journey of a Self-taught 3D Printing Enthusiast

Robert's journey into 3D printing is a testament to the power of self-learning. “I knew that there would be challenges so I watched a few Youtube tutorials before buying a 3D printer. So when I started printing, I already had a pretty good idea of what to expect.”. Robert stands as an example that with persistence and an insatiable curiosity, one can master 3D printing tasks.

Robert's story stands at the intersection of traditional craft and modern technology. His lifelong interest in model making and miniature painting has found a new dimension through 3D printing. In an era where digitization is transforming every facet of our lives, Robert's story is a vibrant testament to how technology can breathe new life into our passions, creating a world of endless possibilities for creative expression! At Flashforge, we're proud to be part of Robert's innovative journey, offering quality Flashforge 3D printers and helping in bringing his miniature creations to life. We hope Robert’s journey inspires more people with alike interests to explore the possibilities of 3D printing, knowing that Flashforge is always here to support their creative pursuits!