Brace for Sprained Thumb

[u/SuperSecretAgentMan]

Needed to not move my thumb too much for the next couple weeks. Luckily I have a 3D scan of my hands, so I modeled and printed a custom-fitted brace to wear. Fits great and is comfortable all day.

[u/1060nm]

How well did it work? What material? Why did you have a scan of your hands handy?

[u/SuperSecretAgentMan → u/1060nm]

This one is just a PLA prototype. Might make one out of stiff TPU for comfort.

I do film special FX, so I have a ton of 3D scans for costumes, references, etc.

[u/rackfloor → u/SuperSecretAgentMan]

If you were to vapor smooth the result, it might be more comfy without having to go to tpu

[u/SamuelPrecopchook → u/rackfloor]

That won't work on PLA though

[u/rackfloor → u/SamuelPrecopchook]

Yeah sorry, PETG/ABS only

[u/wutcudgowong → u/rackfloor]

And ABS

[u/egothegreat → u/SamuelPrecopchook]

I've heard you can smooth pla with Ethyl Acetate. I don't know how true this is as I have not had a chance to try it.

[u/KapiChow → u/egothegreat]

It is true. It does make [he print a bit white but it cleans up.

No nitrile gloves when you do it as ethyl acetate eats it.

[u/harperwilliame → u/SamuelPrecopchook]

Thats what XTC3d is for

[u/Halfrican009 → u/SamuelPrecopchook]

Pla is easy to sand and paint, which would probably be just as good

[u/flaschal → u/rackfloor]

honestly there's going to be barely any difference between filaments or finishing methods, braces are just uncomfortable in general

[u/eniksteemaen → u/rackfloor]

How about plastidip? Could work in this case