Sno-Bloks Prototype Test & Beta Testers...

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

So - a prototype design I have been working on for a little while - I was excited to finally give it a Test today. This was done in the quaint downtown of Willoughby, OH - where I now live - in the main kind of public park 'square'. I decided to do my test - and build some of the blocks onto a picnic table:

Then - back at my building - in the back courtyard area - I did another test. Whilst working on it - a couple kids came outside - while their family was inside in the lobby playing pool - a 5 year old girl and her 13 year old brother. It was funny. They both loved it. In the end, I gave the kids my prototype unit - so that they could play with it - and then return it to the front desk when before they leave Ohio. So - the boy got to play with it more - he messed up my blocks a little - but, here is the 2nd test - after I started it:

Overall - my prototype is working fairly well. But, I already see something things I need to change. 

If anyone in this group would like to help me test out my prototypes (before I attempt to bring my product design to the world - probably via KickStarter) - feel free to drop me a line here - and I will send you the STL files.

FYI - the flatter piece - you flip it - the square part goes thru the hole in the main unit. It allows you to help push the block out.

Happy Holidays Folks!!!

-Kurt

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

Cool… uhhh… actually quite cold. Brrrr.

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Dude - at times here - it is ABYSMALLY COLD!!!!!!!!

That's the one thing I HATE about living here - and why I LOVED SoCal so much!

Glad you liked the Sno-Bloks(tm). I already have plans for an updated version SPECIFICALLY for creating Igloos. Also, a plan for an additional tool to assist in using the Sno-Bloks as well as cleaning up the blocks after putting them in place. 

Needless to say - I'm in the Perfect place right now - to Push forwards with this prototype design (and, Yeah - Pun intended - to push the Bloks out of the units)!.

Maybe Kurt-the-Doppelgänger might like to print them up for his grandchildren to play with!

-K

[david merten]

Looks like a really neat idea, especially if you get the igloo one going. Your like 2 weeks to late to test in KC ( and the wet snow would have been perfect ). The snow is all gone and we are having spring weather. 80% chance of setting a new record high on Christmas.  

       David

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[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Ur funny David,

Seriously - Winter officially began today!!! Like - Officially!

So - if you want to print up the prototype - let me know - and I will send you the files. 

I just prepped up printer to kick off another print of the project - I will start it printing in the morning - before going to work - but, YEAH - make sure first layer is GOOD before I hit the road!

Wanna hear weird?

I get a Txt msg today - from the main accountant at my job - she is sister of CEO. Tells me there will be NO HEAT Tomorrow. Like - WTF - co. go bankrupt and now they can't pay for Heat!?!?! Yikes!!

They say - dress warmly and bring a Space Heater!

Unbelievable!!!

-K

[Anthony Rothert]

Kurt, I'm only a few short hours from you down in the Pittsburgh region.  We had a nice storm uncommon storm come through and I would have definitely given this a go.  We had about 6-8 inches.  Its nothing compared to that lake-effect snow... which you will get to enjoy over the next few months.  I would definitely love to give these a go.  I bet my kids would enjoy them as well.  I want to send you an email, but I'm not savvy with google groups.  I can't seem to find out how to get your email address out of these posts.  I've tried on the phone and a PC, even went a-googling for answers but can't figure it out.
Anyone care to give me a lesson in google groups? 

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

If you look to the far right on the top of any posting you’ll see three vertical dots in a column. Select that and you’ll get a popup menu which will include a “Reply to author “

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Anthony - thanks for trying to reach out to me. 

Project is still a bit of a Work-in-Progress. I did a bit of a redesign to the main part - after Beta testing the units this weekend. I will send to you via DM. I printed a new set last night & yesterday whilst at work - printing another Pusher unit right now. Then, once done - I will start up another main Block unit - to print whilst I am at work. 

Hopefully the DM on here to you will work properly - so - Hold Tight...

-Kurt

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Dang it all!!!

Andy - as I've reported the issue to you in the past - I will get the email reflections - but, NOT All of them - which SUCKS this time around. I got Your reply - but, NOT the one from Robert in my Inbox. If I DID - I could have DM'd him. And, using your suggestion - it doesn't come up as an option to reply to Robert - only to the OP of this posting - Me. 

As such, I'm just going to drop the STL files directly into this forum. 

So - Robert - do keep me posting on your Beta testing of the parts!

-Kurt

[david merten]

Hey I just had a thought, did you put a little draft in your mold to make removal easier? 

               David

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[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Drafts - like in a Draft house?

I've already been testing it - the Pusher unit with the handle - works quite well. Obviously - as you will see - the handle was never fully completed. Idea was to make something that would kind of Snap onto the top of it - but, I never finished that part...

There's more to say about it - but, for now - print it out - and try it out. I printed 3 more complete sets - I just gave one to a co-worker - so she can give it to her grandchildren. She promises to get feedback from the Kids on beta testing the unit!

Once you print and try it - I'd be delighted to hear your feedback. 

-K

[Bryan Eckert]

Kurt a draft in this instance would mean the top is a little narrower than the open bottom, to make it easier to release. 

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[david merten]

Thanks Bryan, I forget my machinist lingo is foreign to many.

Kurt, lol at least you tried. A slight taper in the mold cavity allows a molded part easier removal. And the reverse can cause all kinds of problems.  I have seen some crazy things on cheap Chinese molds.

        Davidɓ

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[Bryan Eckert]

I work in packaging and displays, we do a lot of work with vac forming. So I’m pretty familiar with such things 😀

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Bryan - I was really meaning to be Humorous. I did do a Draft kinda thing - but, that caused other issues during my testing. So - I kinda removed the Draft - since the Pusher unit works well enough to get the blocks out. I will be doing more testing this week - with the new units that don't have the Draft you guys speak of.

Also - I did a BUNCH of work last night - on the piece to complete the handle part of the Pusher unit. As it WILL Snap on. But, I'm doing a few more tweaks right now (already printed FOUR versions of it - as each was getting closer to what I really wanted/needed). 

However, one of the More Important parts of that piece - I need to do that NOW!

Hold tight - as I will follow-up shortly with the finalized version of that piece design!

-K

[Bryan Eckert]

Well it was pretty funny, and now I want a holiday beer! 😀

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[Anthony Rothert]

I have PETG and PLA versions printed already of the first files you posted Kurt.  A nice easy and relatively quick print at bout 3 hours on a Bambu Lab P1S with both parts on the bed.  Set to 4 walls, and 3 top/bottom layers, this uses about 160g of filament.  There was no infill shown in the slice with these settings, so its solid.  

Now I just need to wait for snow... which could be next week or.... next month.

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

No Beer - But...

OK - completed handle top design w/"Logo" - sadly the letters did NOT PRint well. But, that's my fault - as I was printing Draft mode. Using a smaller nozzle & smaller layer height may fix the issue. I didn't look close at the Slice - since I'm in a massive Rush to hit the road ASAP!

So - here's a pic...

Also - design file attached!

-K

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 8:02:40 AM UTC-5 Bryan Eckert wrote:

[Kurt The 3D Printer GUY!!]

Good job sir on the printing. Definitely post a pic of the PETG ones. I plan to print in PETG when I get back - as that's a stronger material and MAY Hold up better in the Cold!

I designed the parts to print QUICK - so, yeah - your settings meant NO Infill. Which works. I hope the new handle top prints well on your P1S. with decent print of the lettering.

-K

[Anthony Rothert]

As requested, here are some pictures.  The magenta and cyan are Bambu Lab PLA Basic, and the black is Pinball PETG (cheap Amazon filament).  
After printing the handle, my only critique about any of it is that the handle is too large to fit through the block opening to act as a pusher.  I can fit it an an angle, but not straight as would be expected.