hard to find plastic parts and pieces

[cygnus x-1]

Great project! Is that a silicone mold your using?


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[King Peetis]

Great project! Is that a silicone mold your using?

Yea, it is. It's made by Alumilite. I got the kit at Hobby Lobby for $20.00

[thomson85]

Yea, it is. It's made by Alumilite. I got the kit at Hobby Lobby for $20.00

I would love to see a how to tutorial on casting molds. I think this is ingenious since such parts are hard to come by. I've thought about the use of 3D printers. But this seems more economical and practical.

[King Peetis]

My follow up on the T-handle; I think its done...

I got the t-handle glued to plastic board


Now Im building up a box to surround the part


Im ready to pour

[King Peetis]

I forgot to include these pics. Once I got the part drilled off, I wanted to freshen it up a bit. I added epoxy where the plastic had become brittle and broken. then I added the grooves.


I smothered it with scratch putty to hide as many of the imperfections as possible. I sanded it to give it a smooth finish.

[King Peetis]

I poured the silicone over the part to make a female mold.


Im ready to begin making a part


First run

[King Peetis]

After the resin set up, I pulled it from the mold.


I know it isnt perfect but it is as close as I can come to an OEM replacement part

[Dr_Snooz]

Looks awesome. The talent on this board never ceases to amaze me.

[cygnus x-1]

I've sent parts out for 3D printing, and the guy that does it also does silicone molding like this. The molded parts generally aren't as nice as 3D printed parts but they are quite a bit cheaper. Accurate 3D printing is still fairly expensive because of the materials used. It's really cool to see this molding process in action. I'll have to keep it mind for future projects.


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[King Peetis]

Looks awesome. The talent on this board never ceases to amaze me.

thanks Snooz! coming from you, that's a big complement!

[King Peetis]

I really need to learn how to use my electronics...

[King Peetis]

Resin casting is cool stuff. We have a couple of machines at work that I have been privileged to watch in action. I would guess the parts would be next to perfect built with CATIA and a laser. How much would a small part like that T-handle I made cost using 3D printing? just curious...

[carotman]

Post up a pic of the part you're talking about. Any hatch related part, I'm down to make.

I'll try to get a picture of some new parts I managed to find. I'm still missing some of the clips tough so I can only provide a schema.

Number 37 (Holds the top window trim)
Number 30, 33 and 39.

[King Peetis]

I'll try to get a picture of some new parts I managed to find. I'm still missing some of the clips tough so I can only provide schema

Got it! I know what your talking about now. I have a hatch sitting in my driveway as a parts car. I will try to remove a clip intact and I will determine if I have the skill to make one.

[dacantu]

My goodness Pete, this is top notch!

[cygnus x-1]

Resin casting is cool stuff. We have a couple of machines at work that I have been privileged to watch in action. I would guess the parts would be next to perfect built with CATIA and a laser. How much would a small part like that T-handle I made cost using 3D printing? just curious...

Cost of 3D printed parts varies with material type and the process used, but I would estimate that plastic handle piece would probably cost $10-$20 or so. 3D printed parts are not always suitable for actual use though as the plastics are designed for rapid prototyping, not strength and long term durability. The rapid prototypes are good for making silicone molds though.

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[oldschool3g]

Wow man you and i need to team up and fabricate a new and improved 3g lol..love your work mad props

[carotman]

I managed to salvage some clips today! Are you willing to make some reproductions?

[Tdurr]

Omg, how did I not know you were doing this pete? We need to get some cup holders made haha