Fingernail Guard/Thimble (for jiu jitsu or other athletics)

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One of my fingernails got absolutely WRECKED from jiu jitsu (gi) - split 80% of the way down, just off-center. It's awful. After months of trying different methods of protecting it to let it heal (while not giving up training), making progress then getting set back, I've finally found a good method. I'm uploading it in the off chance it helps somebody. I start with a nail splint, made using micropore surgical tape, superglue, and baking soda (sets+hardens the superglue). That protects it well enough for day-to-day activities and lasts ~5 days. Soak with a bit of acetone to replace it when it's damaged (before it begins lifting). For what it's worth, acrylic nails (with the powder and monomer) work okay at first, but when they begin lifting, they'll make things even worse. For training, it's a silicone finger cot for some cushion (cut to size). Then the thimble. Then ~10mm wide athletic tape over the top (X pattern) and all the around/down, going past both interpharangeal joints (keeps it from being pulled off). Then micropore tape to keep the athletic tape from peeling. Yes, it's a lot, but it works! Stays on for full contact sparring in both gi and no-gi. The model, as-is, is sized for my ring finger. You will probably want to modify the first two sketches in the FreeCAD file to fit it to yourself. You might get away with scaling in your slicer if you don't know how to use FreeCAD. (Though if you want to learn, MangoJelly Solutions on YouTube has the best tutorials.) You'll want to print it in nylon (very durable, slightly flexy), 0.6mm nozzle, 0.75mm line width, 0.2mm layer height. Print it so the tail and the angled face is flat on the bed. After printing, use a butane torch to briefly heat the tail up and bend it to be inline with the rest of the thimble. That helps it from pulling off with the tape. Happy training!

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