3D Printing & Design

What is 3D Printing?

Layer by layer construction...

3D printing is an additive manufacturing process, meaning objects are built layer by layer from a digital computer-aided design (CAD) model. Unlike traditional methods that carve away material (subtractive manufacturing), 3D printing only uses what’s needed, minimizing waste.

Types of 3D printing:

There are two main types of 3D printing

FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) – Uses plastic filament to create durable, functional parts. This is the method I offer.

SLA (Stereolithography) – Uses UV-activated resin for high-detail ornamental work, such as miniatures.

Isn't 3D Printing just for toys?

Not at all! Like any manufacturing method, 3D printing has strengths and limitations, but with the right design, material choices, and printer settings, it can produce highly functional, everyday-use objects.

Low cost, low volume customisation

Unlike injection moulding, 3D printing requires no costly tooling (metal moulds) and allows for quick iteration, customization, and small-batch production. Adding custom text, logos, and unique designs is easy, with endless colour options—including multi-colour prints.

Whether you need a one-off tool, a replacement part, or a fully custom-designed product, 3D printing offers flexibility that traditional methods simply can’t match.

Pricing

Hourly Design Rate: £25

I provide an estimate of design time upfront, with two minor revisions included at no extra cost per model. Additional revisions or major design changes will be charged at my hourly rate.

Cost of Materials: £0.04 - 0.08 per gram

If you require a specific colour or material that I don’t already stock, there will be an upfront cost (~£20-35) to cover the filament. Each print is then charged per item, based on material use.

No minimum order! Once you have your design, further orders will only require the cost of materials and print time.

Best practices & what you get:

Provide as much detail as possible about the form and function you need – I’ll give you an estimate of design time. If necessary, I’ll ask for any dimensions and provide an estimate on print cost.

Once the design is complete, I will share a 3D render with you. If no revisions are needed, I will print a first draft. Once you’re happy with the draft, we can proceed to your full print run.

Materials

Here are the materials I can currently print with

PLA:

Strong, but not flexible - can be brittle
Cheap and easy to print
Indoor use only

PETG:

Slightly flexible
Cheap, generally easy to print
Suitable for outdoor applications
Generally chosen for everyday durability

TPU:

Very flexible "rubbery" material
Virtually indestructible vs PETG/PLA
Slightly more expensive than PLA/PETG
Suitable for outdoor use
Can require more post-processing

Drums

Full Service: £85

Deep clean and polish, hardware restored, basic parts replaced as required (washers, small nuts), heads restored or replaced as required, bearing edge cleaned and a full tune.

Price based on 4 piece kit - surcharge applies for additional drums

Tuning (full kit): £55

Tuning will be based on customer preference (open/closed resonance, high/medium/low, etc)

Tuning (one drum): £15

Bearing edge repair: £25+

Dents lifted, rough spots repaired, edges levelled - prices vary depending on damage and drum size.

General repairs and servicing: £25 + hr rate

Pedals serviced, springs replaced, etc.

All prices exclude the cost of heads & any replacement parts / hardware

Guitar

Body crack repair: £35 + £10 per ad.

Usually around the bell area, the crack will be removed and prevented from spreading further. When caught early, the tone of the cymbal can be largely intact.

Edge crack repair: £25 + £10 per ad.

Clean, polish and buff: £15 per cymbal

Whilst every care will be taken to preserve the character of your cymbal, these repairs always carry a risk of change - but repaired is better than shattered down the line!

Customisable

Bridge Replacement: £70

A bridge will be sourced with the correct grain orientation & characteristics for your instrument. It will then be shaped and fit to the arching and set to your action requirements.

Sound-post adjustment: £60

Placement and good fitment of the sound post is crucial for the best sound out of your instrument.

Peg fitting: £60

For the remediation of slipping or worn pegs.

Nut replacement: £60

All prices exclude the cost of strings & any replacement parts

Basic Designs

Bridge Replacement: £50

A bridge will be sourced with the correct grain orientation & characteristics for your instrument. It will then be shaped and fit to the arching and set to your action requirements.

Sound-post adjustment: £40

Placement and good fitment of the sound post is crucial for the best sound out of your instrument.

Peg fitting: £40

For the remediation of slipping or worn pegs.

Nut replacement: £40

All prices exclude the cost of strings & any replacement parts

The sky's the limit

Bow re-hairing: £60+

All crack / dent / finish repairs: Enquire

Double Bass repairs can be discussed, though I am limited by my workshop size.

Repair & adjustment of electric violin / cello also undertaken.

Other bowed instruments: see "Folk & Historical"

Historical & Early Muisc

Viol de Gamba, Viol de Amore & etc.

I studied at West Dean College, the last specialist lutherie school in Europe for Viol de Gamba. Due to the uncommon nature of the instruments, I am unable to list set prices for services, but all setups and adjustments can be catered for.

Lute & Archlute

Any and all work will be considered, however if I am unable to assist you with your setup or repair requirements, I will be able to point you in the right direction of lute specialists who can.

Other historical instruments

I specialise in the obscure and unknown, with my final project at West Dean recreating an almost extinct arpeggione, or "bowed guitar". Rest assured, your opharion, cittern or tromba marina will be thoroughly researched and safe in my hands, whatever the requirement.

Folk - Plucked

Sitar & saz family

Fret adjustment and replacement, crack repairs, re-stringing, peg fitting and general set-ups

Bozouki, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, etc.

All services offered for acoustic guitar available, plus banjo + similar instrument drum skin replacement

Oud & other bowl-backed instruments

As with lute, all work will be considered, but anything beyond my remit can be referred on to specialists

Lap harps, lyres, dulcimers, psaltry & zithers

Restringing, hardware TLC, repairs and restoration

Pricing: all on a case-by case basis

Folk - Bowed

Erhu

Qiān jin (nut) replacement / installation, general setup, restring

Tagelharpa / Jouhikko

Tailor-made synthetic strings, bridge replacement / creation, general setup, restring

Others

If your instrument is not listed here... I am even more interested in working on it.

I carry out extensive background research on the correct practices and culture behind setup and repair for any new instrument I encounter.

This is part of my passion for musical instruments!

As a sole trader, my hourly rate reflects not only my time and expertise but also the need to cover essentials like sickness and holiday pay. I believe in transparent pricing to build trust and break down taboos around money - unfortunately we can't avoid it!

I'm also open to alternative payment systems and happy to discuss work in kind or reciprocal arrangements—let’s chat if you have something in mind!

Please note that the prices listed are estimates, not fixed rates. Costs may vary depending on the complexity of the job, but I’ll always provide a fair quote before starting any work.