• TjCo
    July 30, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Hi, it looks awesome, but one thing is preventing me of trying to build this one. The RetroPi has a lot more Emulators like an Gameboy Advance and N64, and for some of those Emulators you need more than those two round buttons. I would love it if you enhance this one (if possible) Then i’m going to built it with your setup. I like the Hexagon style πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • James
      July 30, 2015 at 11:44 am

      Thanks, TjCo! Glad you like the style!

      You shouldn’t have any issues with GBA emulation, as that was the primary system I was aiming this project for, and it’s got all the necessary buttons.

      SNES and N64 would have more complications, as I’ve heard N64 emulation is really finicky for RetroPie and SNES can get laggy as well. However, if that’s what you’ve got your sights on, I’d recommend going with a Raspberry Pi 2 (it’s larger than the A+ though, and probably won’t fit into this case without significant modification, so keep that in mind). Haven’t gotten my hands on one of those yet, but hope to soon.

      Reply
  • loss expert
    August 20, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!

    Reply
  • John
    August 28, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    I just discovered Onshape today and found your website while searching for reviews. That’s awesome that you had a chance to chat with one of the team members. I’m definitely going to be trying it out. I’m a mechanical designer with 20 years of AutoCAD experience (2D) but only a year or two of Solidworks modeling. Onshape looks like the future of things to come!

    Reply
    • James
      August 30, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      Thanks for reading, John! Have fun with the software. Would love to know what kinds of things you’ve seen and worked on in your experiences (unless of course you’re under NDAs).

      Reply
      • John
        October 19, 2015 at 7:22 pm

        Since my previous post, I haven’t had a chance to play around with Onshape at all. But it’s on my list of things to do! Same with Solidworks. I’ve been too busy at work with projects previously drawn in AutoCAD.

        Recently, I was able to get my hands on a 3D printed part made from copper. The quality was very good but it was very expensive. Electrically, it performed identical to a machined part made from solid copper. I was impressed.

        Within the next year or so, I’d like to get my own 3D printer to tinker around with at home (no, not a million dollar metal printer!). I’ll definitely be back to check out your latest projects!

        Reply
        • James
          November 3, 2015 at 3:53 pm

          Wow, cool! Due to the prohibitive cost, I haven’t even thought about getting a 3D printed metal part. Glad it turned out well though!

          Onshape’s been adding some really nice features as of late (variables, *.dxf importing, and sketch images). I continue to be impressed with it, and the workflow is so close to SolidWorks (which I use professionally).

          However, if you’re more familiar with Autodesk software, they’re offering Fusion 360 free to start-ups and hobbyists. For me, it’s a bit “different,” but I’ve only scratched the surface of it.

          Good luck on your home 3D printer quest. If you get the right one, you will not be disappointed.

          Reply
  • pedro
    January 29, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    no sound?????

    Reply
    • James
      January 31, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      Thanks for the question, Pedro!

      Sound is available through the headphone jack on the Raspberry Pi. There wasn’t enough room in the housing to include an audio amp and speaker, but some future Raspberry Pi projects I’m hoping to work on will.

      Reply
  • Jacob (JTM)
    February 19, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    Hey, JTM here, that is hilarious! Feel free to post it if you get permission from Geoffro.

    Reply
    • James
      February 29, 2016 at 9:34 am

      Glad you like it, JTM! You’ve got some fantastic work up on Thingiverse.

      Reply
  • Gomazio
    May 8, 2016 at 8:34 am

    Very nice work and beautiful design. Do you know if this project still works with raspberry pi 3 ? And also, how long your battery last ? Thank you.

    Reply
    • James
      May 9, 2016 at 8:37 am

      Hi Gomazio! Thanks for the comment and questions.

      This was designed to house the Raspberry Pi A+, so it likely won’t fit the Pi3 (or any other “B” style) without some modifications. However, there are plenty of other Gameboy designs out there that use the “B” style boards (adafruit.com being a huge resource).

      The smaller battery will last a few hours, and the larger battery much, much longer. I apologize that I don’t have actual times recorded, but for reference, I’ve only needed to charge the larger battery once in the last six months.

      Reply
  • Ross Maddox
    July 5, 2016 at 3:46 am

    Hey James,

    Great post and I really like the vac-bag adaptor.

    I see you linked to that RepRage article.

    I also love that resource.

    In fact, it inspired me to create a more user friendly and up-to-date version.

    Here’s the link in case you want to check it out:

    blog.layertrove.com/3d-printer-filament-storage

    It might be worth a mention in your article.

    Either way, keep up the awesome work!

    Cheers,

    Ross

    Reply
    • James
      July 18, 2016 at 11:55 am

      Thanks for sharing this, Ross. Looks like a great resource!

      Reply
  • Barbara Pierce
    July 18, 2016 at 9:49 am

    Hey thought you might like my “dragons for everyone” stickers. I see one of them is very close to your logo. On thingiverse and cults3d.

    Reply
    • James
      July 18, 2016 at 11:49 am

      Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  • Grant Goss
    September 4, 2016 at 8:38 am

    I like it.
    I am going to be making one, but I won’t have access to the IKEA stuff to hack so I will have to build it from 2×4 and plywood…how high off the ground is the standing area? If you were to do it over and you could change anything about it (height; area; rail dimensions; mobility; etc.) what would you change?

    Reply
    • James
      September 6, 2016 at 8:27 pm

      Hey Grant!

      From the ground, the first step is ~10″ and the second (standing area) ~20″.

      Height and area of the “platform” work out pretty well for us. Go wider/deeper if you’d rather keep the center of gravity lower for epic wigglers (which will change everything else, but it’s not difficult to modify the rest if you’re starting from scratch). I might end up going back to add extra horizontal rails now that she’s climbing out herself (that’ll limit her perceived exits), but so far it hasn’t been a big issue. The maple is pretty light and she’s gotten to the point where she can push the whole thing to where she wants to go, so that’s… fun.

      Reply
  • Hep
    September 26, 2016 at 11:40 am

    Hello: I am the Photo Editor for Make: Magazine, and we would love to feature your design as part of a “cool 3D printing projects” roundup in our upcoming issue. We are on a bit of a time crunch, but do email me at hep at makermedia dot com if you are interested!

    Reply
    • James
      September 26, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      I would be honored! Email: sent.

      Reply
  • Barbara Pierce
    October 4, 2016 at 7:00 am

    Thank for the sample referral. I’m going to print one of these today!

    Reply
    • James
      October 4, 2016 at 8:24 am

      No problem!

      Have fun printing out the purse. Would love to see it when you’re finished!

      Reply
  • Christine
    March 26, 2017 at 8:12 am

    We eventually want to do something like this for the kitchen that serves as a catch-all/seat for putting on shoes. Love this!!

    Reply
    • James
      March 26, 2017 at 9:12 am

      Thanks! It’s a fairly easy project. The whole thing can be wrapped up in a weekend. Most of the time is spent waiting for the stain/paint/polyurethane to dry.

      Reply
  • Dave Gavin
    March 29, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    Your welcome. Dang you stay busy.

    Reply
  • Holton Avent
    September 19, 2017 at 11:46 am

    Cool concept, and awesome results! keep up the work and congrats.

    Reply
  • Gint
    February 9, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    Awesome

    Reply
    • James
      March 9, 2018 at 8:36 pm

      Thanks, Dad.

      Reply
  • Benjamin Cooney
    March 9, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    Hey, you wanna try and make another 3D model of a vehicle?
    https://ton.twitter.com/i/ton/data/dm/972154623728418825/972154576924127232/oXKy75yp.jpg

    Reply
    • James
      March 9, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks for reaching out, Ben. Looks like a really cool ship! I’m not sure if my schedule would work for you right now, but I’ll message you on twitter and maybe we can discuss it a bit further.

      Reply
  • Enricosx
    February 6, 2019 at 7:33 am

    hi! i want join to myminifactory studios, can you give me some information on how it works? and if there are minimum requirements? because their site is very thin, thank you

    Reply
    • James
      February 6, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      Hi! To be honest, there’s not much more information I can provide that wasn’t already shared in the post. You can follow the “Studios” link to a page where you can get in contact with the MyMiniFactory team. In my case, they approached me about joining due to the work I had posted on their site. Best of luck!

      Reply
  • Linda Shaw
    April 30, 2020 at 9:42 am

    where can you buy this train whistle.

    Reply
    • James
      April 30, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks for your question! The files for this 3D-printable train whistle are free right here from this website. You do not need to buy it.

      Reply
  • Troy Astle
    January 17, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    My kids love this truck. Thank you for sharing your designs. We’ve been having a lot of fun with them πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • James
      January 20, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      So glad to hear you and your kids have been enjoying the truck!

      Reply
  • Disco Serengeti
    February 18, 2021 at 9:47 pm

    I’m getting a 3d printer now. I have to. The ziplines for the turtles? And those Mutagen containers….ahhhhh. I’m so psyched. Thanks for gifting all this awesomeness to me.

    Reply
    • James
      February 20, 2021 at 9:47 am

      You are welcome! Glad to hear you are excited.

      Reply
  • Chris Innes
    September 1, 2021 at 2:01 am

    This whole TMNT Series of printable toys you have going are awesome!!! The fact that you design them for ease of printing and predominantly no supports is even more impressive. My daughter and her friends love these, Thank you for making them.

    Love the MPWMT, but kinda love the original preview version too. Any chance you’d release that one too?

    Reply
    • James
      September 3, 2021 at 1:14 pm

      Thank you for the kind words, Chris! I’m happy to hear that your daughter and her friends love them.

      Unfortunately the original, full-scale version of the Party Wagon was far from finished when Autodesk made changes to their hobby version of Fusion 360 that would make completion a challenge. I currently have no short-term plans to pick that project back up and start from scratch in a new software, but I won’t rule out it ever happening.

      Thank you again and take care!

      Reply
  • Rue
    June 26, 2022 at 11:49 am

    I just got this printed out recently and it looks like it fits v1.4. Will need to sand it down a little and test it out but thanks for this! (not sure if the lights line up, lol)

    Reply
    • James
      June 28, 2022 at 5:11 pm

      That’s great to hear! I’m glad it’s semi forward compatible. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  • Zach
    October 22, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    Your train whistle sounds awesome and printed well. I just don’t think I have enough capacity in my lungs to make it go for more than a second. When hooked up to the air compressor it is definitely fun to play with and very loud.

    Reply
    • James
      October 26, 2022 at 8:47 pm

      Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying it! There are likely some air gaps between the components which is what is requiring a significantly higher lung capacity. If you can seal some of those gaps up with some sort of non-toxic bonding agent, it may be a lot easier to use (just don’t get any inside the whistles themselves).

      Reply