Why I Love My 3D Printer

[Wendelspanswick]

I have a 1980's Claude Butler mountain bike which I'm converting into an ebike, the original centre pull cantilever brakes had plastic spring retainers which have deteriorated over time.
Trying to get replacements is nigh on impossible so an hour with a vernier caliper and Fusion 360 and I had modelled the 2 different components. An hour to print one to test and it was good to go, 3 hours later and I had all four components printed.

The new with the old, originally they were black but they've faded with time.
I even printed the adjusting screw holes.

And one fitted on the bike.

 

[roofman]

could you print me one of these...don't mind waiting a couple of years and can pay cash

 

[pedrobedro]

I had the same problem with an old bike I used to ride, the plastic collars had disintegrated and the brake would not centre. I bought and fitted a set of V brakes for £9.

 

[Westfield-builder]

could you print me one of these...don't mind waiting a couple of years and can pay cash

Can I have the second one please, not bothered about the colour.

Brilliant work !

 

[tlovatt]

That 50p piece has come out well, a metallic filament?

But in all seriousness I do love mine, I have printed so many little hangers and organisers - things are rapidly becoming wall mounted and now working on some bespoke cases, plus printig out some raaco storage srawer dividers having seen how much they charge for them!

 

[Ianb]

How do you enter the parts shape/size, do you have to do a 3d drawing in a program, just wondered as I have seen someone replicate some Porsche door handles which seemed complex with a lot of non circular curves and I imagined it would take a lot of measuring to even get the design into the computer?

How is the durability of the parts that are printed are they as strong as regular plastic or nylon parts?

 

[tlovatt]

How do you enter the parts shape/size, do you have to do a 3d drawing in a program, just wondered as I have seen someone replicate some Porsche door handles which seemed complex with a lot of non circular curves and I imagined it would take a lot of measuring to even get the design into the computer?

How is the durability of the parts that are printed are they as strong as regular plastic or nylon parts?

You can draw the parts in CAD or you can use a 3D scanner to make a copy of the object.

The durability of the parts depends upon what material you use to print, ABS and nylon can both be printed but are more tricky than things like PETG or PLA