Hobby Helper: Miniature Painting Handle and Pin Vice, From Prototype to Kickstarter and Production
Hobby Helper: From 3D Printed MVP to Kickstarter and 500+ Units
Miniature wargamers and modelers need a steady grip and precise control when painting and drilling small models. The Hobby Helper combines a painting handle and a pin vice in one tool, letting users drill into models, hold them securely, and quickly swap different models or parts.
CADLETE Designs designed the complete product, including the enclosure, mechanism and handle ergonomics, following plastic injection molding guidelines from the start.
The turning point was the prototype stage. We produced a series of high-quality 3D printed functional prototypes, detailed and reliable enough to work as real MVPs. The client used these prototypes to present the product on Kickstarter, and the campaign was a great success.
Because the design was already built for manufacturing, it moved straight into production after the campaign: we built the plastic injection molds and produced more than 500 Hobby Helper handles. This project shows how campaign-ready 3D printed prototypes can help a product win backers, then scale smoothly into injection molding.
From 3D CAD to Product in Use
Every stage of this project, in the order it was built. Select a stage to see it full size.
3D CAD
Functional Prototype
Injection Molding
Final Product
Product in Use
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