Model Painter Clip

thingiverse

Just starting out with painting model kits and looking to replicate the alligator + skewer + foam approach for spray painting. This is my adaptation of an alligator-style clip designed to aid in model painting. The clip's strength feels like a firm pinch on skin, which I consider a reliable gauge of its force. The model clip features interchangeable teeth caps that can be customized in three styles: tall, short, and wide. For easy setup, the model clip can be attached to a BBQ-style skewer, allowing for hands-free painting. In tight spaces, the short style provides a tighter grip, while the tall style offers a good grip without being too constricting. Printed in PLA at both .2mm and 1.mm layer heights, no supports were required. However, a raft is optional for the teeth caps, but not essential. To ensure proper bridging, a 0.4mm gap was maintained between the middle and top/bottom ledges. After testing various clearances, I found this to be the optimal setting without requiring additional cleanup. Depending on your printer's calibration, minor cleanup may be necessary, especially for the ends of the Pinch Clip and entry points for teeth caps. I would anticipate that a stronger and more elastic design could be achieved with ABS. While PLA functions adequately, it can lose its tightness upon repeated pinching; however, stretching it back can help mitigate this issue. How I Created This Using OnShape, I designed the clip through several iterations, focusing on creating a parameterized solution that would allow me to adjust the size and strength of the clip. I'm pleased with how the pinch clip and annotation of part steps turned out, but the teeth caps could be further refined. https://cad.onshape.com/documents/fafe24bbff1559c0c2c66a77/w/cd0bde23d50698f1a398028f/e/2cb721cb9f24073105b8263e