Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

Rick's suggestion to print a bespoke gear knob got me thinking about 3D printing. It looks to have many uses and I wouldn't mind having a go, but have no idea about the printers themselves and no experience of using CAD software!

Anyone on the forum printing in 3D?

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2467 Location: South Cheshire

I like the idea of it too. I have read a few threads on other forums about it, and it seems that anyone who buys a low-end printer to have a go with, has to start off by printing a load of parts to make the printer a bit less rubbish. It also seems to be very slow, with things taking many hours to print. This latter point causes me a problem as I don't leave the electric on in the shed (the ideal place to leave something printing) when I'm not there.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6304 Location: Derby

Is it the best way to get a bespoke gear knob?

There are several firms who will accept a commission to make a one off gear knob for not a lot of money.

Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:09 pm Post subject:

We have a 3D Printer in our office, we use it very often for one offs, small runs and to make drilling jigs/fixtures.

Very handy piece of kit but expensive to buy and run if you were not a business.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

consul 57 · Joined: 09 Nov 2017 Posts: 487 Location: somerset

i have had quite a few model parts made by 3d printing for moulding and quite frankly the finish on some is awful even some of the expensive ones, i had to spend so much time cleaning the parts up i would have been better making my own origianal in the first place.

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2467 Location: South Cheshire

Peter_L · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:43 pm Post subject:

I have a fascination for the process, not that I have looked at it too closely. For me it falls into the category of "if money no object" but I would have to spend serious time looking for things to make. It is a bit like a machine shop milling machine, it would have been useful 3 times these past 20 years. I have a lathe and that has been used more than 3 times in the last year.