r/Villaging • u/iamzammechat • Aug 02 '26
Thoughts on 3D Printing
Just can’t afford to add new Lemax sets this year but I still want to expand. Should I 3D print some houses? I would definitely paint and detail them to match my current sets as much as possible.
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u/JimmyJRisbestwaifu Aug 02 '26
Honestly if lemax is gunna keep putting out crap quality buildings and low effort figures I’m gunna make my village 3d printed from now on minus one big piece here and there
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u/worshipmeow Aug 02 '26
I am going to print one for my spooky town this year. I think it’ll be fun to paint and nice to add my own finally.
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u/JkOrRiDsA2N3 Aug 02 '26
Lemax and Dept 56 are pricing themselves right into allowing someone a 3-D printing opportunity to join their market and make them suffer. It's just a matter of time.
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u/tabbathebutt Aug 02 '26
Are you an FDM or resin printer? I have fdm but worry the quality isn’t high enough for that small scale. I hope you post whatever you print. I can’t wait to see it!!
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u/iamzammechat Aug 02 '26
FDM. Quality on some other things has been solid (Anycubic Kobra 3v2) and the painting will hide most of the layer lines. Going to experiment over the next month to make sure the scale matches some other sets. Drybrush technique does wonders!
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u/CaptJaxParo 29d ago
Automotive primer filler spray also fills in the lines
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u/tabbathebutt 29d ago
I finally tried that stuff on a massive dragon head I’ve built. I had hoped it would do more for the layer lines. I find if I spray it on thick that helps but then I end up sanding drips instead. 🤷♀️ I kinda just hate the post processing stuff.
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u/CaptJaxParo 29d ago
You need several layers. Their first layer is thin. The second and third layers long after the first one has dried and been buffed down are a little thicker it also depends on the humidity outside as well. I love it but you do need some buffing sandpaper I like buying sanding sponges for nails from AliExpress they get in all the little cracks
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u/Nerdmitage Aug 02 '26
Yes I support this!
I wish people that did it wouldn't try and charge the same as lemax though 😩 I would LOVE the Charmed house but everyone that's 3D printing it wants like $300 and none of them are village sized. Either teeny tiny or dollhouse sized. Like why has no one realized there's a market for this (including the freaking studios). I know folks selling have to deal with copyright and all that but I mean just don't call it that but make it that, y'know?
Anyone out there willing to print and sell blanks of like famous show houses like Bob's Burgers and Gilmore Girls and of course Charmed would immediately have my money (and many others) but not charging lemax level money since I have to paint the whole thing! I don't mind painting them, but not for hundreds.
And yes I've seen the building sets but it's just not as nice.
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u/Netslummer 29d ago
I'm DESPERATE for a Stars Hollow gazebo for my village
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u/Nerdmitage 29d ago
Hallmark makes one!! It plays music!! They made the sign too! but I'm begging for them to make the house as a "tree topper" like they did haunted mansion because those are actually village sized!
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u/Netslummer 29d ago
I love the concept. I wish I had access to a 3d printer and skills enough to paint things so I could make adorable little queer couples for my village rather than breaking figures apart and gluing them together like I had to for these guys..
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u/SuperTainted Aug 03 '26
Totally fine, imo. I like to think of it as complimenting what lemax and dept 56 offer.
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u/HedaMoBeta 17d ago
was actually looking at some of these pieces to print up myself. Was also thinking of just painting the ones without ams
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u/Ribra64 Aug 02 '26
I printed some figurines and bridges. I have great respect for the people who paint the pieces. So if you have that skill than go for it. It’s your village so you can do what you like.