I’ve always been a maker.
For years, that meant working in the digital ether. My workshop wasn’t a physical garage; it was my custom-built Unraid server, running on a LincStation N2. I’ve spent countless hours tuning that machine, managing terabytes of data, and even writing self-harvesting scripts to curate custom music libraries. In that world, if I needed a solution, I’d just write the code.
But a few months ago, I needed something real.
I needed a specific bracket for my home workshop. I looked on Amazon. It didn’t exist. I looked at eBay. It was cheap junk that would snap. The solution required an engineering mindset, but there was no “code” that could materialize a structural component onto my desk.
That’s when I bought my Flashforge AD5X, and everything changed.
The Magic of the First Print
I won’t lie—as a developer, my first foray into the 3D world was humbling. My initial CAD designs were… bad. I struggled with “slicing” tolerances, failed build-plate adhesion, and a spectacular spaghetti-monster print that looked like something from a nightmare.
I’ll never forget the first time I got it right, though. I had designed a simple, functional hex-tool holder. I clicked “Print” on my slicer, and for the next hour, I sat there, transfixed.
The AD5X whirred and hummed, laying down microns of molten PETG. It was a rhythmic, almost hypnotic dance. When the build plate lowered and I snapped that small, structural, grey object off the bed, it felt like genuine sorcery. I didn’t just buy this object. I didn’t just code it. I manifested it.
Where Art Meets Engineering
The excitement hasn’t faded. In fact, it’s only grown. Every time I get a new bespoke request, I feel that same “maker’s rush.”
3D printing isn’t just about the machine; it’s about solving problems. When a customer sends me a photo of a broken, vintage plastic gear and asks, “Can you make this?”, the challenge is exhilarating. I love the entire process: the precise CAD measuring, the careful geometry, selecting the exact material (like ASA for UV resistance), and finally, watching the AD5X conjure the solution.
This isn’t a factory; it’s a digital blacksmith’s shop.
Why I Started Merlin 3D
I started Merlin 3D (named after the wizard who supposedly roamed the hills here in Carmarthen) to share this excitement. I wanted to use my dual passions for engineering and creating to help people get the quality, custom parts they can’t find anywhere else.
Yes, I love printing the articulated dragons and the decorative items—they are pure joy and artistic expression. But the core of Merlin 3D will always be about solving physical problems with digital precision. I’m no longer just a coder. I’m a digital forge master, and I can’t wait to see what you challenge me to create next.
Have a bespoke part you need made? Challenge the wizard! Shoot me a message with your CAD design or a photo of what needs to be made.