For this week’s edition of Inventor Spotlight, we talked to Josh Griffin, a 3D printing enthusiast, who has created some fantastic models. We spoke to him about how he started 3D printing, what inspires him to create in 3D and his advice for beginners.
Foreword by Josh Griffin
“First off, I would like to thank the team over at Bionic Inventor for having me on. It’s certainly a great honor, and I’m truly humbled by the experience. When Alex reached out to me to discuss this opportunity, I was thrilled by the idea. If you’re reading this, it’s because those guys made it possible. Believe it or not, but I only recently began 3D printing as a hobby and creative outlet. In my profession, I spend a lot of time in front of a screen and interacting with my employees. It is often very stressful and I needed a way to unplug.”
What Inspired Josh Griffin to Start 3D Printing?
Josh has been interested in 3D printing for some time. He decided to pull the trigger back in April and was immediately hooked. His passion grew, and soon, he had three 3D printers. Josh began to grasp the functional aspects of this hobby. Over time, he moved from printing to painting and painting to 3D modeling and designing. Josh finds inspiration in a variety of places. From childhood nostalgia to engineering and functionality. He is a fan of “dry brushing” techniques, which gives his models the worn-out and metallic look.
Josh believes that there are so many great models out there, which can provide a jumpstart to creativity. When he finds a model that inspires him, he thinks on it for a while and contemplates what direction he wants to proceed with it. The creation is a journey, and Josh prefers to work deliberately. He focuses on the possibilities and tests them out. Some might fail, but that is a part of the journey. For every failure that Josh experienced, he gained vital knowledge that allows him to continue to grow. This is truly a hobby for Josh, and he thoroughly enjoys it. He occasionally has the opportunity to earn income from his creations, but monetary benefits are is not the main focus for him. He believes that this could turn something you enjoy doing into “work.”
Advice for People Getting Involved With 3D Printing?
Some advice for those that are just getting started begins with 3D printing – ENJOY IT. Enjoy the process, enjoy the learning, and let your imagination run wild. Yes, you will have print failures, and there will be times where you are left scratching your head, trying to figure out what went wrong. It is perfectly normal, as this is all a part of the process. Do your research and watch instructional videos, something that helped him tremendously. You should also get involved in some of the communities online; whether that be Reddit, forums, etc., You can receive solid advice that will help you create better prints.
Few Other Tips by Josh Griffin:
1. Start with a good quality PLA filament. Once you have the hang of it, you can explore some of the other materials that are out there.
2. Maintain your equipment and work area. These are machines that need to perform with a fairly high level of accuracy. Regular maintenance is essential for optimal results.
3. Purchase spare parts and wiring for your printers, like nozzles, fans, thermistor cable, etc. It is not a big expense but will help tremendously in the long run. Don’t go overboard and buy enough parts to build an additional printer. Just keep a few items in the event that you have a failure so that you are not stuck waiting for a shipment to arrive.
4. In his experience, printing with PLA should not require any type of additional adhesives. A lot of people suggest using glue sticks to cover their print bed so that the model adheres better. Josh does not use glue sticks, as they are messy and provide sub-optimal results. If you choose to use an adhesive, get some Aqua Net hair spray. It applies easily and cleans up very well with a little isopropyl alcohol.
Message for the Readers
“I hope that this was at least somewhat helpful, and I’m thrilled that I was able to contribute to this wonderful site. Feel free to reach out to me on IG or Reddit, I’m always willing to lend a helping hand. This is Maverick, signing out. Stay classy, y’all.”
Where to Find Josh Griffin and His Work?
You can find Josh Griffin on Instagram at @maverick_3d_co, and on Reddit u/mvrckcompany.
If you would like to be featured in our Inventor Spotlight, feel free, send us an email to contact@bionicinventor.com. We’d love to hear from you!
Thank you for the opportunity and the kind words. It was an honor to be included in what y’all are doing to encourage creativity while promoting this wonderful hobby.
Thanks for your contribution Josh, it’s great that you are a part of our community!