The possibility of always finding the part you need?

[Saddle Tramp]

Over at the Maverick thread, I asked Rusty ol Ranger what features he liked on new trucks that you don't get on old ones. He said parts availability among other things. The thing is, I believe we are just a few years away from never having this problem again.

With 3D printers, you can make pretty much anything out of plastic and there are industrial printers that can make items out of metal. All we need to do is have the schematics for every part put in a database and then be able to send them for printing.

On the argument that the auto companies won't do this on the loss of part sales, I can see them making a deal with the auto parts stores to have a printer at the store and make that needed part at a reasonable cost. IF they don't do it, third party companies will like JC Whitney.

 

[Curious Hound]

Nice dream. Would be cool if it happens. But I won't hold my breath waiting for it.

You have the idea. Run with it. Make it a reality.

 

[Dirtman]

Its a neat idea but 3d printers are incredibly slow, and the ones good enough to make auto parts, even plastic are incredibly expensive, and they require some training to use so you have to hire people to run them. For plastic parts injection molding is vastly superior in almost every way. Butt soup.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

If they don't do it there is no reason why we can't. If Ford stops making those parts I can't think of a legal reason why we can't reproduce a part of the 80's or 90's.

People like new, so the few that keep their old vehicles running don't threaten the industry

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Like TVs, 3-d printers will become better and easier to use while the quality of the item will go up.

 

[Dirtman]

Exactly. As you said, in a few years maybe... The technology needs to develop more to make it more practical. Still need nerd types to program and run the damn things though. Butt soup.

 

[RobbieD]

Good post. I hope to see a stronger aftermarket develop.

My stable is limited to what I consider to be the first three generations of the Ranger, 1983-94 (also including the Bronco II and first gen Explorer), and I've really noticed that in the last several years a lot of parts have become hard to find. For "specialty" parts, LMC used to be good, Bronco Graveyard seems to be good for some things, but that's it as far as I can see. Even for "common" parts (tune-up, engine, driveline) the regular parts stores have stopped stocking (even Rock has gotten skinnier), or can't get a lot of parts.

There were a lot of these trucks made, a lot of them have survived, and they are still (and increasingly) popular. It's really a ripe time for the aftermarket to kick in, producing parts, and it's also a good time for a new "one stop shopping" specialty parts house business for selling these parts. Like what LMC used to be.

As long as I can get the parts, I honestly believe that I can keep my trucks serviceable for as long as I'm able to drive them. I just don't see being able to do that with the newer vehicles, as they age. Just look at how electronics in general these days go obsolete fairly quickly, and soon after replacements can't be found.

The 3D printer idea does sound like it has some merit, though. Can you print me a second-gen HVAC blower fan knob?

 

[Roert42]

The main complaint that I have heard about 3D printing is their strength.

Since they are laying layers of material on top of each other the weak point is where to two layers join.

I've talked to some people that used them to print lower receivers for rifles/handguns, and not heard about anyone blowing their hands off. So it can't be that bad.

However even with metal I don't know that I would want 3D printed gears or Valves.

 

[Ranger850]

What Was Local Motors & The 3D-Printed Olli Shuttle? | House Grail

Local Motors were known for their open-source motor vehicle designs, their cutting-edge expertise in 3D-printing cars, and their impressive self-driving vehicle technology.

localmotors.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The main complaint that I have heard about 3D printing is their strength.

Since they are laying layers of material on top of each other the weak point is where to two layers join.

I've talked to some people that used them to print lower receivers for rifles/handguns, and not heard about anyone blowing their hands off. So it can't be that bad.

Depends on the gun, glass reinforced regular molded lowers are flakey on a full powered 5.56 AR-15... which in the real world is kind of a wimpy round especially in a soft shooting AR. It isn't a matter of if they are going to break but when.

For pistol caliber or .22 they are ok.

 

[Dirtman]

The main complaint that I have heard about 3D printing is their strength.

Since they are laying layers of material on top of each other the weak point is where to two layers join.

I've talked to some people that used them to print lower receivers for rifles/handguns, and not heard about anyone blowing their hands off. So it can't be that bad.

However even with metal I don't know that I would want 3D printed gears or Valves.

This is the difference between one of those cheapy ones you buy on amazon for $200 bucks and a $10,000 + dollar machine. A high end profession machine can be extremely precise and make very strong material where a cheap one is barely a step above making parts with play-doh.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Man oh man you hit on something I've been working towards.

I've been trying to do exactly this for 2.9 parts with small scale runs on parts like cam retainer plates, rocker pedistals, etc.

 

[MikeG]

I know a guy who built his own 3d printer from a kit. Been tempted to do so myself, but lack the time.

Building, and running the printer are not the issue. The first hurdle is getting the part drawn up in a format the printer can use. I don't remember what he uses.... there are a number of 3d drafting programs, some paid for, some free. But learning to use those will be the first hurdle. Once a correct drawing is obtained, then it doesn't matter so much if you're running a CNC mill, or a 3d printer - you can at least start. Your 3d drawing will be converted into the g-code or whatever it is to run the machine.

Then there's some learning curve - materials, pre-heat, nozzle flow, and a bunch of other crap. Nothing insurmountable, but takes a little time to fiddle with it.

Valves and lots of things are simple (well, relatively simple) lathe jobs. No real reason to print those.

As far as printing metal parts, no real experience with those nor do I know anyone who has a 3d printer than can do that. But someone figured out how to 3d print 1911 frames, it was in the news a while back, so it can be done. As far as plastic AR frames go..... there was a really funny thread on one of the AR forums a while back about a guy who milled one out of pine. It worked for a few shots, surprisingly. A decent shock absorbing plastic ought to survive much longer than that.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

The dildos in that dumpster were probably 3D printed.

 

[Dirtman]

We don't discuss the dumper outside of the tailgate!