I have this cheap binder clip from Amazon, which wasn’t actually cheap imo, but whatever. I like the cat. I’d like to keep using it, but the “brass” paint is rubbing off, and it smells like metal. I think it reacts with the oils in my hands or something. I’ve only been using it for a few weeks.
Is there something I can do to keep it looking nice and perhaps prevent it from wearing down so quickly?
How does it clip?
It it’s simple, and you want, take a picture with a zoom lens from a decent distance away, straight on, with no angle at all. Then measure the height, width at widest point, and thickness.
If I have time after the holiday, I could craft that into a 3D model that you could provide to a place like PCBWay to have printed, or even machined in actual brass.
Posting that in a 3D Printing or CAD community might also find you a volunteer that could do this for you with a more definitive timeframe.
That being said, thats easy with a flat piece, but I’m not sure what I’m looking at as a “clip”.
Each flat part of the clip is about 1.5mm thick.
I’d love for the cat to live on as a 3d model to use for things even if a binder clip isn’t the end result. But the machine in brass idea very intriguing. I’ve got a few handy people at work I can ask if they know anybody nearby who does this. Can you CNC brass? Is that the same as ‘machining it’.
When I’m back from holiday (in the new year) I’ll take a look at the pictures.
PCBWay can machine brass: https://www.pcbway.com/rapid-prototyping/cnc-machining/
You basically just upload the model and it generates a quote. Amazing how easy it is to order custom-made items these days
This is fantastic. Now I’m just looking at where to buy a spring that will fit.
Could use a spring from a chip-clip. If it’s too narrow, some washers or spacers would hold it in place. Or adjust the model to fit the spring. FreeCAD is a wonderful thing 😉
Looks like there are a number of styles of these in case you weren’t aware: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807120439578.html
Yep, looks the same on the Amazon store. I usually get crafty stuff from AliExpress, but recently my orders are getting cancelled by my bank :/ so then I end up getting it on Amazon.
Very odd. I use a virtual number with an REI capital one there usually, no problems thus far, and I’ve ordered a lot (mostly electronic parts)
It was really frustrating.
And flooding with comments but I’m bored ATM, here’s a premade model of similar style: https://www.printables.com/model/1001548-black-cat-and-moon-wall-art
I don’t have time to smooth this out with manual tracing, but I did the best I could with the Lemmy posted picture and some automated workflow: https://www.printables.com/model/1120050-cat#preview.file.D5qTC
Wow! That’s so cool! Thanks so much! You’ve made my Christmas!
Hah, you’re welcome, just sorry I don’t have time to clean it up and smooth out those edges!