Not completely MYOG because I got it printed for me, but I needed a tent pole top piece for my cheapo Chinese tent and decided it would be a good excuse to learn a bit about 3d printing; here's Mk1 of what I ended up with ....

mushroom2

mushroom1

I wanted something to distribute the load of a tent pole across the tent material where there wasn't any reinforcement. OK I could of chopped up a tennis / pingpong ball, but I wanted something bespoke. Its designed to fit a 12mm pole (just about to order some shiny new pole-a-bear's from Stu), weighs 20g and 2 off cost me £11 to get printed.

Mush2
Mush1

If you're interested, here is a 3d.pdf https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1glJ ... 2VpREw5TUk <open link in new tab, download and open in Adobe Acrobat> which is far easier to understand. I used https://www.freecadweb.org/ to generate the design and these guy's https://www.rennd.com/services/3d-printing/ to get it made (great service, will use them again)

That looks really good for a print, I'm yet to have any success designing my own.

Considered putting the design up on https://www.thingiverse.com/ ?

Tom,

I didn't want to put it on there, but I'll happily share it here for anyone who wants to use it non commercially, message me if you want the .stl file.

Hi I love your design , would you mind if I contact the printers and ask if they could print me a couple ? They would be for my own personal use only.

Just like to say thanks for the use of your 3d file I had these printed by a different guy as the original printer wanted £21....cost me £12 posted and they fit up to 12mm poles.

Not as smooth as yours but different material used still smooth to the touch .

Happy with them if anyone wants the printers details to have their own made give me a pm.

Nice one, chuffed to see the design re-used Who did you get to print it ????

Rich3rd wrote:Nice one, chuffed to see the design re-used Who did you get to print it ????

PM sent Richard.

Richard, I just noticed, "The Bottom Inspectors". Ha, ha, that takes me back, .

Your design works a treat with the 3f tent , enables a taught pitch all around . Thanks for the share .

Cheers

Fantastic stuff Wingnut, I'll be testing mine out on the WRT this weekend, see how it holds up

Could you post some pics and lets us know how you went on please ?

Very nicely done, Rich3rd.

If anybody else is a tight as me - or just takes enjoyment from bodging something for a use completely different to that which the manufacture intended - then you could take the low-tech route...

• Obtain a plumbing joint from your local DIY store
• Drill an appropriate sized hole in the 'elbow' (only through into the pipe - not out the other side)
• Insert your pole of choice
• Prop up your tarp/tent

All for the grand sum of £1.15 (possibly more, possibly less, depending on which supplier you use)
Size of hole will depend on the pole that you're using - I'm using Pole-A-Bear DAC poles which are 10.25mm, so I had to use a 10mm drill-bit and wiggle it around a bit (as my drill chuck won't take an 11mm bit)

HoleyPipe by belugabob, on Flickr
TarpProtector by belugabob, on Flickr

Rich kindly shared the shroom print file with me, I sent it to a friend who recently bought a 3D printer, last week I was presented with this…



One on the left is raw print, one on the right has been filled and lovingly painted.

I just use these:

https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-g ... 518_BQ.prd

Spotty dog IMHO

My current mushrooms are simply a couple of bar end plugs..... eg:

I'm the same as you RIP, but with a different brand

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MagiDeal-Tre ... SwSPBabnDt If anyone is interested they weigh 15 grams each for the 13mm diameter

Rich3rd kindly sent me the files and now I have my 3d printer set up, I can confirm that this is excellent:



Printed upside down with some support material, so took a bit of light sanding to make it smooth.

If anyone is struggling for somewhere to get it printed, let me know, I'd be happy to print and post.

Good show there Tom, great to see it getting re-used

RIP wrote: ↑Tue Apr 24, 2018 8:56 pm My current mushrooms are simply a couple of bar end plugs..... eg:

I use green cane protection caps from B&Q, they work OK

https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-g ... 518_BQ.prd

Rich3rd wrote: ↑Tue Feb 28, 2017 5:57 pm Tom,

I didn't want to put it on there, but I'll happily share it here for anyone who wants to use it non commercially, message me if you want the .stl file.

Please could you send me the STL files Richard. I'm then happy to print some for people at the material cost/postage.

Cheers

Duncan

Another option that is very cost effective (free I expect as they'll be binned on lots of construction sites) is the safety caps they put on reinforcement bars to stop you poking your eyes out.



or pennies if you choose to buy...

https://www.vital-parts.co.uk/safe001-- ... 5479-p.asp

https://www.buildersbeams.co.uk/product/rebar-caps/