Meet Frank | 3D printing and Cosplay/Prop Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
“You’ve inspired me to buy a 3D Printer!”

“I never knew I could make something like this!”

“You’re the reason I started making cosplay!”

“I couldn’t have done this without your videos!”

That’s why I haven’t given up. If I had a dollar for every DM or comment I’ve received in similar fashion to those above I could retire right now and live happily ever after. But that doesn’t sound fun either to me. Through this hobby and maybe one day career; I found a wonderful passion for teaching people how they can make nearly anything they want using this new and growing technology. I started this hobby with a relatively selfish goal; I’ve wanted my own 3d Printed Iron Man suit ever since my late father brought me to the first movie. However that point of entry for me was just the tip of the iceberg.

Opening the floodgates of what 3D Printing could really offer and allow me to create just overwhelmed me and still does. It’s cheap and people have no idea! But with this new found passion for creating props, cosplay and replicas highlighted a void in the hobby and craft that no one at the time seemed to be filling; Guidance. I’m not insinuating no one else was teaching and sharing how to do all of this stuff, believe me i am far from the first person to walk down the path of educator and instructor in this area.

The spot that seemed to be lacking clarification was how 3D Printing related to larger scale cosplay projects and especially Iron Man suits. And with me sharing my own journey across social media began and wave of feedback I could’ve never imagined. People were grateful! So many people were exactly like me just looking for someone to light a path to help them through this confusing scape of information and resources.

I’ve received some negative comments and hate for being a nerd or geek. That I should pack it up or give up; That I’m not helping anyone and it’s a waste of time. And that’s just a flat out lie these small minded people have. It’s not my job to educate those who wish to stay ignorant. But it’s my privilege now to share my own experiences with other people who want to make and create things; basically from thin air!

If it all went up in smoke tomorrow and I never made another penny from this; No more sponsors or partnerships. Never making another suit or prop again, I’d still be able to walk away happy as ever. I can take with me that the time I put into this helped people; it helped someone. Anyone. And I know exactly how I would’ve felt as a young child or teenager receiving that help.

I would’ve changed me life.

So until some at of god or agency forces me to stop, I won’t. Not while I can still help and make a difference.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I don’t know what label to put on this. I feel uncomfortable calling myself a professional. At the same time I’d like to think I’ve evolved past the basics and this is more than just a hobby now. I feel in a sort of weird limbo almost waiting for someone to tell me where to land. None the less I am proud of everything I’ve accomplished. Less than 2 years ago I bought a $500 3D Printer and made bad Youtube videos with an old Gopro. 12+ printers, 2 Iron man suits, dozens of props, replicas, and helmets, and 1.3 million followers across multiple social media platforms later and I still couldn’t tell you what the golden ticket is.

And maybe that’s what helps me balance and juggle all of this and maintain a level head? I don’t feel any different than I did before. I’m still me just with more stuff and a wider skillset for building. One thing I can say is people tell me I seem to have a very good disposition for instructing and teaching. That’s been the case ever since I was in Highschool all the way into my current career in the US Air Force. I like teaching and I feel I can make very complex things easy for people to understand.

I can’t very well say this was all easy but would you believe me if I said it really wasn’t that hard? I’ve just been me this whole time and that seems to have been enough. So just be genuine and people will see that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well this is a bit of a tricky one to answer as I’m currently stationed overseas in England with the US Air Force. I live in a pretty boring area of the country surrounded by forest and farmland. That coupled with current COVID restrictions and other factors make it hard to very well describe what we would do.

Prior to this change in the world however trips to Cambridge and Newmarket were always a blast. Good food if you know where to find it and a great nightlife. England also serves as a wonderful travel hub for jet setting around Europe. A flight to Rome can run $70-100 on a normal weekend! So being able to set off and see ancient wonders and beautiful cities without a long dedicated trip is amazing. I’ve walked through Pompeii’s streets and seen the remnants of the Berlin Wall. It’s been the best experiences of my life.

Miami sounds nice though!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father. And really just my parents in general. I know that’s usually the common response but allow me to explain. Of course I need to say a massive thank you to my wife for supporting me through all of this and dealing with my obsession. But I need to give credit where it’s due as my parents are the ones who initially set me on this path many years ago. My dad and I didn’t always get along; possibly more so than the average father/son relationship but one thing him and my mother always had no matter what; was understanding. Whether it was Anime or Legos or Gundam models or video games I could talk about or try nearly anything and they would support me. I’ll never forget building my little plastic Gundam model kits and walking into the living room to show my parents and both of them just saying “Wow! That’s awesome” even though they had zero and I mean ZERO idea what they we’re looking at. My dad was a laborer. He lived his life working with his hands and from what I could tell enjoyed it. Building things was in my blood and I loved it just as much.

They never told me something was stupid or childish. Never discouraged me if I enjoyed something and did what they could to support me. And I’m very away not everyone has that benefit. It was something special that still sits with me today and I’ll never be able to say thank you enough. If that support is something one of you maybe didn’t receive while growing up I’m sure it was hard but you can always break and change that cycle to encourage your own kids to be creative and passionate about something. I promise you it will change their life.

I wish I could tell me dad thank you every day for helping shape me this way but unfortunately he passed away October 2019. But I know he would be proud of me. He always made sure to tell me when he could. And thank you Mom for giving me enough love for 2 people. You’re the best.

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