Brass Mouthpiece Generator

prusaprinters

<p>A customizable parameterized mouthpiece design.. print your perfect mouthpiece.</p><h3>First step: Go research mouthpiece design a little. Here's some great sites:</h3><ol><li><a href="http://www.bestbrass.com/mouthpiece/titan.html">BestBrass</a> has some phenomenal comparison charts, (righthand side) cross sections, and descriptions/comparisons between measurements, standard reference mouthpieces, and usual use cases (righthand side under 'For Trumpet' etc)</li><li><a href="http://www.dwerden.com/Mouthpieces/">David Werden's guides</a> is a measurement database for brass mouthpieces.</li><li>this <a href="http://thevault.musicarts.com/trombone-mouthpieces-buying-guide/">buying guide</a> is a nice blog article on what to look for.</li></ol><h3>Second step: Choose a design!</h3><p>This thingiverse thing has several mouthpieces uploaded, feel free to try them or open onshape document down below and change anything you'd like. Here's the naming convention I've created:</p><h3>CAD Design Source!</h3><p>Designed this in OnShape. It's an online version of SolidWorks (made by the original creators of solidworks too) that's<i>way way</i> better. It's<i>free to use</i> for hobby projects, so if you need to modify anything and don't have an account go make one of their <a href="https://www.onshape.com/products/free">free accounts</a>.</p><p><a href="http://b.link/onshape_mouthpiece">Custom Brass Mouthpiece document</a></p><h3>Message me!</h3><p><strong>If you use the CAD, print a mouthpiece, or even go with an alternative: Message me on </strong><a href="https://b.link/t4discord">discord</a><strong>/</strong><a href="https://t.me/coolwheel"><strong>telegram</strong></a><strong>! I want to hear how it went!</strong></p><h3>Fourth step: Print it</h3><p>I'd recommend printing this in PLA or PLA+ at 0.18mm high layers or finer. Finer layers equals easier time sanding in the next step</p><h3>Last step: Finish it / Sand it!</h3><p>You'll want to sand things down, especially the bits that touch your mouth.</p><ul><li>Start out with 80 to 140 grit sandpaper (yes, that's coarse!) to remove the layer lines but be careful not to change the shape much. I wet-sand this by wetting the mouthpiece (not the sandpaper).</li><li>Now go with 180 to 240 grit and wet-sand things to make them smooth.</li><li>Repeat with ~400 grit, 800 grit, and ~2000 grit.</li><li>The higher grit you go the less you'll notice a difference and it'll look like you're just polishing things. You are..</li><li>Rince, dry, check to see if it's as good as you'd hope, then:</li><li>OIL it. A recently sanded plastic part will be oleophilic meaning it really wants to soak up oils. Either rub it with your fingers for a while or get something fancy from the hardware store.</li></ul><h3>Elliptical / Oval shape?</h3><p>As a project with my dad we're trying out making an oval shaped mouthpiece for better playing comfort.. with promising results! Give it a shot, any mouthpiece with '+2' has an extra 2mm of width, and this can be configured with even more eccentricity.</p><h3>Post your make!</h3><p>Please post 'em! Really! Take a quick cameraphone photo of your print in all its glory and show it off! Plus it really helps get this design out there to the world.</p><h3>Message me on <a href="https://b.link/t4discord">discord</a>/<a href="https://t.me/coolwheel">telegram</a> for</h3><ul><li>customizations</li><li>different engravings</li><li>different variation ideas</li><li>any issues: printing, design, fit, etc</li><li>to show off / geek out about your result</li><li>say howdy</li></ul><p>Designing stuff is fun but interacting with cool people and hearing about their adventures is better. I can generate any variation / engraving easily, message me on <a href="https://b.link/t4discord">discord</a>/<a href="https://t.me/coolwheel">telegram</a> and/or leave a comment and let's make your perfect version. I only ask that you post a make!</p><p>If you'd like the CAD or STEP file too, no problem. I've already helped a bunch of great folks! Send me a ping</p>