I need a tame 3D printer

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goneape

Original Poster:

2,839 posts

163 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
The plastic clips that hold the parcel shelf to the tailgate of my car (TT) have broken, and a new parcel shelf is quite expensive. Ideally I'd like to repair or replace the broken clips, which are integral, to the parcel shelf, so it needs an imaginative solution. I thought if I can get a couple of new clips made up by the wondrous new technique 3D printing, that would be an ideal solution.

However, I don't have any way of producing the required 3D model of the parts or any relevant expertise to do this even I did have a CAD package. I do obviously have the clips as a template.

The few printers I've contacted aren't interested, they reckon the time needed to create the model would be prohibitive and it's not worth their time. I can see their point but we're talking about a cuboid 30 x 10 x 3 mm with an enlargement at one end (looks like an arrowhead when viewed side on) to hold in firmly in the bootlid socket.

Anyone know of a tame printer who has a benevolent streak that might help out? If print run is an issue, I can probably order a few pairs and sell on as I can't be the only person with this failure.

My other option is a lash up with some spring steel strip, but that's a but untidy.

goneape

Original Poster:

2,839 posts

163 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
No, it's the little push fit ones that clip into tail gate near the centre brake light.

I intend to sell it soon and want this obvious defect fixed as neatly and cheaply as possible, with minimal hassle or future borkage for the new owner.

goneape

Original Poster:

2,839 posts

163 months

Monday 27th April 2015
quotequote all
There is no labour involved in replacing the parcel shelf, it just clips on and off. The original clips have held up for 13 years, so it's not too bad, and I may have aided their ultimate demise myself by filling the boot up quite a lot in recent journeys and increasing the strain on them.

The labour is in the model development and CAD, at least that's what the guys I've contacted on 3Dhubs have said.

But, thanks to you guys who have offered to help, I will PM you soon with probably a MS .ppt diagram and some measurements, plus a couple of photos.