Gilded Walnut Christmas Decoration

thingiverse

This Christmas Tree Decoration is one of 4 designs based on pine cones and walnuts. These are produced from real pine cones and walnuts I found in our yard. I think neighbour is feeding the squirrels walnuts as we don't have any walnut trees in the area. The walnut is based on my 3D photo capture of a real walnut, as shown at SketchFab: https://skfb.ly/oD8oUIn the 3D capture process, 50 photos of the walnut analyzed and assembled into the 3D model using a program called PhotoCatch on a MAC computer. The 3D model was then manipulated in Blender 4 to produce the STL file included here. In this stage, the walnut was split down the centre into halves. This allows for printing flat avoiding having to print supports. Holes were added to the back of the 2 halves for ease of alignment when gluing. In Cura 5.3, I scaled the walnut to 82mm and printed on an Ender 3 printer with PLA filament. This makes a large walnut, you may want to make it smaller. Print settings wereEnder 3 printerBed temp 60Filament temp 200Speed 60mmNo supports Post printing, I used pieces of a plastic straw as alignment pins as 2 pieces could be collapsed into 1 hole to fill the larger alignment holes. The 2 halves of the model were glued together with two-part, 5 minute epoxy. An elastic band held the pieces together while the glue set.The walnut was then sprayed with a coat of Rustoleum brand primer, and then Rustoluem brand silver for colour. I recommend printing them in the coloured PLA of your choice to avoid the painting, perhaps in gold PLA to look like a gilded walnut.Lastly, a ribbon is added for hanging it on a tree and your decoration is complete.