3D printing small parts

[LG]

I'm wondering if anyone on here is 3D printing small plastic bike parts or has recommendations of somewhere to source (and what the quality is like)?

I find myself in need of some dura ace 7300 dust caps as well as some name plates for some 9 speed ultegra shifters, originals are hard to find (and expensive), but files seem to be available for printing.

https://grabcad.com/library/dust-cap-fo ... ub-front-1
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4689172

[MichaelB]

As little as I know, if you have the files, there are any number of sites that will print items for you.

Only they are NOT cheap in the slightest.

[LG]

Thanks, the 'little you know' is more than I know about it! The not cheap is one of the things I was I was concerned about.

[Clydesdale Scot]

Designing the files are the most difficult element.
Load the file up to a 3D printing bureau. Getting a quote is just a few clicks of a button

Shapeways has an amazing range of options in materials.

[MichaelB]

Designing the files are the most difficult element.
Load the file up to a 3D printing bureau. Getting a quote is just a few clicks of a button

Shapeways has an amazing range of options in materials.

The prices are scary though !

[familyguy]

The types of plastics and machines capable of printing something at home that will work and have enough strength for a part under load is limited. Printing a design commercially is the go for anything serious.

You can sure prototype on cheaper machines to confirm your design to avoid a costly undersize opening or misjudged curve. Last part I printed worked out at about 4c per unit printed based on usage of filament. Better than $12 per part if I got them commercially printed and they didn't fit quite right, like the first set.

[Clydesdale Scot]

The prices are scary though !

Isn't that the point of getting a quote?

I have recently bought some fibreglassing supplies, to make moulds for more leather saddles.
Yes, the resin and the matting cost money, but there were new skills learned, and I was very pleased with the result.

For 3D printing I just ask another brother-in-law, he has two 3D printers. He knows how to design the models and the materials best suited to the product required. And the requests I have made are simple and straightforward, unlike the projects he uses the printers for.

I would be interested to see the quotes from a 3D printer.

[LG]

Well I clicked on the computer a couple times to get a quote and it seems to be $6 each in ABS resin and $8 each in nylon plus postage. I don't know much about the comparitive properties of the products other than what a quick google search provides.

I might give ordering some ultegra name plates, the DA dust caps and a couple Shimano aero stem caps a go, will be interesting to see how they come out and whether they fit!

[Clydesdale Scot]

I don't regard those prices as "scary".

[foo on patrol]

I have a 3D printer and might try one of these files.

Foo

[LG]

I have a 3D printer and might try one of these files.

Foo

I haven't progressed from quote to order yet, please let me know how they come out for you.

[foo on patrol]

I have a 3D printer and might try one of these files.

Foo

I haven't progressed from quote to order yet, please let me know how they come out for you.

I won't be able to try this straight away, as I'm yet to have enough room for setting up the printer since we moved, so I don't want to disappoint you with a time frame.

Foo

[LG]

No worries, the commercial order comes with the usual caveat that they don't warrant provided 3d files for fit etc, I'm hoping they do...

I've progressed, will report back in a few weeks once done.

[spacersnightmare]

No worries, the commercial order comes with the usual caveat that they don't warrant provided 3d files for fit etc, I'm hoping they do...

I've progressed, will report back in a few weeks once done.

How did you go mate?!
I am in desperate need of printing some spacers for an integrated seat post and tt bars
Thinking go getting some mates to have a go at designing then sending it off to someone to print...

[LG]

No worries, the commercial order comes with the usual caveat that they don't warrant provided 3d files for fit etc, I'm hoping they do...

I've progressed, will report back in a few weeks once done.

How did you go mate?!
I am in desperate need of printing some spacers for an integrated seat post and tt bars
Thinking go getting some mates to have a go at designing then sending it off to someone to print...

It went pretty well, the the name plates came out a slightly unusual shape which I assume is the design in the file, but they work. Finishing required a light sand and then a spray paint. I'm not all that technologically minded so doing a design myself was beyond my capabilities.

If I needed more parts, I'd do it again.