Okay, so, I’ve printed the Master Sword and am printing its Scabbard. Both are in ABS because that’s what my library’s 3D printer likes and once I got my own filament I could just print for free. I have a wooden dowel for the main channel and then am using wire for the two side channels because when I shrunk this to size it made them hella tiny so all I can stick in them is that 16 gauge hanging wire that’s galvanized steel. But I’m unsure about the actual construction process in terms of product.
My question first question is which is better for actually putting the pieces together after I’ve sanded everything?
I have 100% acetone nail polish* at home and I see LOTS of folks recommend it, but I got the Plastic Bonder specifically because it mentions ABS. But I’ve since seen people say it’s better to get the clear epoxy resin and use it for putting props together because it can expand inside for the dowels as well.
My second question is, since the sword is bigger than just a piece I can rinse in the sink, should I tape off the parts where they’d line up/join and spray each piece with the sandable filler primer individually before putting them together, or just put it together and then use a hose and sponge between sanding/applying more coats before painting it?
I don’t have a way to do acetone vapor smoothing, hence why I’m doing this the old fashioned way with sanding to hell and back, then priming and sanding it more between each coat, then FINALLY painting it and will use a clear coat when done.
Also, because I was excited to see it “put together” once it was done printing, I taped the sword together on the dowel, hence the last two pics.
*NOTE: 100% acetone nail polish remover shown here isn’t the exact brand I have at home, but it’s in my mom’s bathroom, so I can’t get to it rn