Presenting my first successful attempt at a 3d printed fast catch boomerang. Currently, the boomerang flies too fast for me (I'm not amazing at fast catch), but proves to be very usable when in the hands of more experienced throwers.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!
- Print the Boomerang in PETG. It is the current tried and tested material. From my experience, PLA is far too brittle for boomerangs and can snap when tuning dihedral and twist. PETG can somewhat hold its shape after bending and handles impacts on soft surfaces like grass pretty well. Don't expect the boomerang to survive impacts on hard surfaces like metal, though.
- PLEASE SAND THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS!!! - Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way, and got cut by this boomerang twice. Before throwing, sand the leading edges, especially around the first layers if there's elephant's foot. It also helps to sand a little bit of undercut on the leading edges which makes it more comfortable to hold and shortens the range a little bit.
- When removing the boomerang from the print bed, flex the edges of the plate downwards to avoid giving the boomerang positive dihedral. Ideally, the boomerang should not have dihedral at all, or be slightly negative.
Quick throwing guide
- The boomerang should be released at shoulder height and fly straight ahead instead of up.
- Like many other fast catch boomerangs, it should be thrown vertical with little to no layover. This boomerang is quite unforgiving when it comes to layover (which is why I can barely catch it), so your throws must be very consistent.
- I highly recommend wearing a glove on your non dominant hand. (this thing really bites)
- When determining your throwing direction, throw straight towards the wind first, and the adjust your direction from there.
Lastly, this boomerang is not a toy. I have intentionally omitted information on throwing technique and tuning because that should be prerequisite knowledge if you can throw a boomerang like this.
hypersucksatprinting
