EDUstick® Creators Club
Chair for a small character
Build a miniature chair for an imaginary small character from four parts. Choose the colours and infill strips, join the cool parts and use the piece of furniture in your scene.
Your outcome: Build a clearly recognisable miniature piece of furniture from simple components.
Illustration of the finished construction. Full-size (1:1) templates are supplied on a separate sheet.
Session Praca własna • stage 1/8
Make two identical sides
On the first pattern, make the outline including the legs, followed by joined strands inside the legs, post and crosspiece. Once it has cooled, repeat the paths with a second layer. Leave the opening between the legs empty. Follow the same sequence on the second pattern. Let both sides cool.
Check: The two sides have the same shape and two integral legs each.
If it does not work: Fill the gap on the flat support. Remake a crooked side; do not bend cold PLA.
Parts and methods for this stage
1 × Side 1 with two legs · PLA
• template SIDE_L
Trace the entire profile, including both legs. Add internal strands in both legs, the tall post and the crosspiece. Repeat the same paths on the cool first layer; together, the two layers are approximately 3,2 mm thick. Do not close the opening between the legs. Support: Flat mat for PLA; the entire part being drawn rests on the surface. Cooling: Wait until the whole piece is cool and rigid before lifting it.
1 × Side 2 with two legs · PLA
• template SIDE_R
Trace the entire profile, including both legs. Add internal strands in both legs, the tall post and the crosspiece. Repeat the same paths on the cool first layer; together, the two layers are approximately 3,2 mm thick. Do not close the opening between the legs. Support: Flat mat for PLA; the entire part being drawn rests on the surface. Cooling: Wait until the whole piece is cool and rigid before lifting it.
Two cool sides
Side 1 with two legs · Side 2 with two legs
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 2/8
Start the seat
Complete the outline on the seat template. Fill about half the interior of the first layer with strands from edge to edge. Each strand touches the adjacent one and joins the outline; everything remains flat and supported. Stop at the halfway point of the first layer shown and leave the seat on the mat.
Completing and cooling the full layer, then adding the second layer crosswise, are covered in card 3.
Check: The completed outline and the joined half of the first layer are visible; the other half remains empty.
If it does not work: Join a loose end to the edge and fill the gap with PLA.
1 × Seat · PLA | template SEAT
→ T001 • Techniques — reference appendix
Half of the infill
Seat
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 3/8
Finish the seat
Finish the first layer. Once it has cooled, repeat the outline and lay the second layer crosswise, from edge to edge. All strands join to their neighbours and the outline. Choose your own strip colours. Leave it to cool.
Check: The seat has a continuous surface and two joined layers.
If it does not work: Fill the missing area on the flat support and let it cool again.
Complete seat
Seat
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 4/8
Make the backrest
Close the backrest outline on the pattern. Fill it from edge to edge with adjacent strands. Once the first layer has cooled, repeat the outline and add the second layer crosswise. You can repeat the seat colours. Let all four parts cool; you can pause the work here.
Check: You now have two cool sides, a seat and a backrest with consistent infills.
If it does not work: Fill the gap while the part is flat and let it cool. Do not assemble a flexible or warm part.
Parts and methods for this stage
1 × Backrest · PLA
• template BACK
Close the outline. Fill the first layer with strands from edge to edge, touching adjacent strands. Once it has cooled, repeat the outline and lay the second layer crosswise. The total thickness is approximately 3,2 mm. All strands must be supported; choose your own PLA colours. Support: Flat mat for PLA; the entire part being drawn rests on the surface. Cooling: Wait until the whole piece is cool and rigid before lifting it.
Completed backrest
Backrest
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 5/8
Join the seat to the first side
Stand the side on both legs. Rest the seat on the crossbar: it extends forward from the tall rear post toward the short front leg. Align the outer edges. A second person supports the cool free edge of the seat from below at the front corner. Grip the cool front of the joint with a finger underneath and your thumb on top.
With your other hand, make two PLA tacks from the outside: one at the rear and one in the center. Let them cool, connect them with a weld, and let it cool again. Move your grip to the cool rear, extend the weld toward the front, and let it cool.
The helper provides continuous support, including during the grip change and while moving on to card 6. Both people must keep their hands out of the path of the hot nozzle.
Check: Both legs of the side touch the surface; the weld is cool, and the helper continues to support the free edge of the seat.
If it does not work: Correct the alignment without pressing before making the tacks. Support a weak spot, add PLA and let it cool.
1 × Seat weld — left · PLA | template follow the written method
→ T002 • Techniques — reference appendix
Reinforced joint
Side 1 with two legs · Seat · Seat weld — left
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 6/8
Position the second side and align the legs
The helper continues to support the seat. Without releasing it, they shift their support under the cool front edge between the sides, making room for the second side. Place it under the opposite edge of the seat, with the tall post at the rear and the short leg at the front. Align the outer edges; the seat sets the spacing.
Rest all four legs on one flat surface. Grip the cool front of the new joint. From the outside, make two tacks, one at the rear and one in the center, let them cool, and connect them with a weld. Once it has cooled, move your grip to the cool rear, extend the weld toward the front, and let it cool.
The helper provides support throughout the grip change and assembly until all four legs are supported and the welds have cooled. Only then release your grips. Both people must keep their hands out of the path of the hot nozzle.
Check: All four legs touch one flat surface, the seat is level, and both welds are cool before the grips are released.
If it does not work: Correct the alignment before making the tacks. Support and fill a loose joint. Do not force cold PLA straight.
1 × Seat weld — right · PLA | template follow the written method
→ T002 • Techniques — reference appendix
Second joint reinforced
Side 2 with two legs · Seat weld — right
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 7/8
Position and attach the backrest
Rest the bottom of the backrest on the seat in front of the rear posts. Align the top and side edges. Hold the cool centre of the top edge; the seat supports the bottom. From the outside, make two PLA tacks at each of the left and right posts, one lower and one higher. Let them cool.
Connect the tacks with a weld and extend it slightly upwards and downwards: first on the left, then on the right. Maintain your grip until it has cooled.
Check: The backrest stands upright and holds to both posts; all legs still touch the surface.
If it does not work: Move the backrest without pressing before making the tacks. Support a weak weld, add PLA and let it cool.
Parts and methods for this stage
1 × Backrest welds · PLA
• template follow the written method
Make short PLA tacks on the supported joint, let them cool and then connect them with sections of weld. Do not make this part separately. Finished cross-section [mm]: 2.4 × 2.4. Support: All four legs stand on a flat surface. The bottom of the backrest rests on the seat; the backrest touches the front faces of the rear posts. Holding the cool centre of the top edge prevents it from tipping over. Strand direction: Guide the tip along the accessible outer joint; connect the beginning and end of each section to a cooled tack. Cooling: Maintain your grip until the tacks have cooled; after reinforcing them, wait for them to cool again. Tip access: Work from the outer edges of the chair, making the left weld first and then the right; keep your fingers in the centre of the backrest, away from both welds.
Two side welds
Backrest · Backrest welds
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Session Praca własna • stage 8/8
Check and use the chair
Once it has cooled, check the four legs, the seat level and the backrest attachment. View the chair from the front and side. Use it as a piece of furniture in an imaginary scene and explain who the selected pattern was made for.
Check: The chair stands by itself on four legs, with a level seat and a strong backrest. Explain which small character it was made for.
If it does not work: Support a weak joint, add PLA and let it cool. Do not bend a crooked, cool chair; check the fit of its parts.
Check from the front
Check the complete model
Blue / dark emphasis: the part used in this action. Arrows: visual guides. Illustration not to scale.
Finished model
View 1
Compare your model with the illustration.
Finished model
View 2
Compare your model with the illustration.
Finished model
View 3
Compare your model with the illustration.