Effective Solutions or Guide for Reducing 3D Print Sanding Labor
A major and frequently mentioned frustration in post-processing 3D printed items, especially detailed replicas, is the tedious and time-consuming nature of sanding. For instance, a user asked, "Did you find any neat tricks to make sanding less painful 😅?", and the creator of the replica confirmed, "It took me about three weeks of sanding, priming, and repeating." This clearly shows there's a need for solutions that can cut down on the effort and time required to get smooth finishes.
A new product, like improved ergonomic sanding tools designed specifically for 3D printed plastics, safer and more effective chemical smoothing kits for various hobbyist filaments, or a compact, affordable automated sanding/polishing device for makers, or a comprehensive information resource, such as a detailed video course or e-guide, teaching advanced, efficient post-processing techniques to significantly reduce sanding time and effort, would be highly valued.
The expected benefit: Sales of innovative sanding/finishing products or in-depth information resources to the 3D printing and maker community.
Origin Reddit Post
r/3dprinting
Full-scale Replica of the Portal Gun
Posted by u/Hungry_Honcho•06/02/2025
I have finally finished my full-scale replica of the Portal Gun from the game Portal. I have wanted one for over 12 years, since I played the games as a kid, but none were full-scale and all
Top Comments
u/ParamedicAble3541
Brought back happy memories! Beautiful work!
u/athlonduke
too cool!
also do not look into the barrel!!!! GLaDOS said so!
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you. It really is! After making it I see why the replicas you can buy are not full scale, but they just don't do it justice and it feels pretty wicked wielding this thing. I'm going to
u/Hungry_Honcho
Of course! Now I just need some long fall boots...
u/jasssweiii
Awesome! Thank you so much for the response!
I had a feeling there wouldn't be a shortcut for sanding, but I thought I'd try my luck and ask haha. I have a list of steps from a post for pos
u/Oxcell404
You are going to be absolutely *magnetizing* at the next anime/ video game con you go to
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you. It is now a constant hit of nostalgia on my shelf.
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you! I plan on creating a GLaDOS home assistant for our office in the future but it will be a huge undertaking. I’ll post it if here if I ever complete that.
u/Hungry_Honcho
Only the most professional attire for the video.
u/godanglego
I knew there would be cake!
u/Hungry_Honcho
My fiancée and I are actually going to be making long fall boots next so she can cosplay as Chell next time we go. I may or may not also make a full scale companion cube and accompany her as
u/nevin_2
now you just need to make it shoot portals
u/godanglego
I knew there would be cake!
u/nimu1598
Gosh, hearing this song again brought back some old memories
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you! I plan on creating a GLaDOS home assistant for our office in the future but it will be a huge undertaking. I’ll post it if here if I ever complete that.
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you. It is now a constant hit of nostalgia on my shelf.
u/flammenschwein
Just got to find some moon rocks to crush up to make surfaces to put portals on!
u/ParamedicAble3541
Brought back happy memories! Beautiful work!
u/Oxcell404
You are going to be absolutely *magnetizing* at the next anime/ video game con you go to
u/Oxcell404
Post what you make! I will follow your career with great interest…
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you!
u/Hungry_Honcho
Of course! Now I just need some long fall boots...
u/QuarterlyTurtle
DO NOT LOOK INTO THE OPERATIONAL END OF THE DEVICE!
u/CaseFace5
Looks really good! I’ve wanted to add one of these to my prop collection but I’m running out of wall space and it’s such a big gun!
u/jasssweiii
This is really cool! Did you learn any neat tricks for making sanding less painful 😅? Considering that I'm sure you had to do a lot of sanding.
I want to print and post process a lot of thi
u/Slade_Williams
Well freaking done man!
u/Slade_Williams
Well freaking done man!
u/Wicked_Wolf17
That is so cool! Nice work!
u/AlephBaker
This is a triumph
u/Wicked_Wolf17
That is so cool! Nice work!
u/Hungry_Honcho
Sadly I have no tips for you. It took me about three weeks of sanding, priming, and repeating. It would have taken less but I don't have a professional setup and had a lot of mistakes I neede
u/0MEGAP0RK
So cool! Portal 2 is my favourite game of all time.
My only note is that you've got to be more careful with that thing! There's a miniature black hole in there! Seriously, do not look into t
u/SofosDiprosopus
Super project, you should be really proud. In what way do you mean it is not 100% accurate?
u/AmmoJoee
This looks awesome, congrats! I’d send you a piece of cake, but it’s a lie.
u/Vectrex452
Did you include the micro stielhandgrenatten for if the black hole starts acting up?
u/wlogan0402
Gamersupps shirt 👌
u/st11es
Is it functional?
u/Woodworkin101
Amazing
u/athlonduke
too cool!
also do not look into the barrel!!!! GLaDOS said so!
u/AmmoJoee
This looks awesome, congrats! I’d send you a piece of cake, but it’s a lie.
u/Hungry_Honcho
Of course! I have places to be, can't be caught lacking.
u/Hungry_Honcho
My fiancée and I are actually going to be making long fall boots next so she can cosplay as Chell next time we go. I may or may not also make a full scale companion cube and accompany her as
u/Hungry_Honcho
Thank you!
u/zaq962
Very polish, solid sanding work
u/Hungry_Honcho
Sadly I have no tips for you. It took me about three weeks of sanding, priming, and repeating. It would have taken less but I don't have a professional setup and had a lot of mistakes I neede
u/st11es
Is it functional?
u/zaq962
Very polish, solid sanding work
u/Vectrex452
Did you include the micro stielhandgrenatten for if the black hole starts acting up?
u/jasssweiii
This is really cool! Did you learn any neat tricks for making sanding less painful 😅? Considering that I'm sure you had to do a lot of sanding.
I want to print and post process a lot of thi
u/Hungry_Honcho
Of course! I have places to be, can't be caught lacking.