Mark Gregory Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 I own a 1931 Reo Royale 8 - 31 all the metal dash knobs are missing . They were metal with L C S H letters cast into them representing what they controlled . Can someone 3 D print out these knobs made of resin metal ? That will withstand the pulling on the knobs to make the controls work . Can they place a metal insert inside with the threads for the dash cables which they control . Then 3 D print around the inserts to make them stronger so the 3 D print does not fail when been pulled ? Who would someone recommend to make them any idea on costs as a few other members need some . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 (edited) Here are the knobs in question.... Edited May 19, 2015 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Having them lost wax cast would be more economical as well as stronger. Aside from the strength issues can the printed resin metal be plated ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 All I have is a picture of the knobs what they should look like . I thought with all the computer scanners that was the way to go to make new ones . Also would it be cost efficient to just make 3 each . That is why i thought of the 3 D printing . The plating is dull looking . There is a name for it not German silver but a dull finish . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted May 19, 2015 Share Posted May 19, 2015 The dull finish is called "Butler" finish I believe. If it were our problem we would try to borrow an original set and have them lost wax cast. The expensive part of 3-D printing is the computer time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted May 19, 2015 Author Share Posted May 19, 2015 "Butler" finish I think that is what it is called . I will see about trying to find someone who has these to copy . Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) I'm not sure if the idea is to USE the printed knobs.........but they'd make fantastics patterns for pouring and pattern making is e x p e n s i v e....... Edited May 20, 2015 by cahartley (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I would get an estimate on the price of the computer time before I even started looking for someone to actually print them. I think you will be shocked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 You could check with any local trade schools; sometimes they will work on personal projects for real work experience at a much lower price than a professional computer print shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregory Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 Thank you everyone for all the advice . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdee Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 (edited) I know this thread is old but would anyone have the dimensions of these knobs.height and width maybe a side shot photo showing the contours. If I get them made I'll put a download link to the files.Thanks for any info Jdee Just messing around .. test link https://skfb.ly/FqsK Edited July 6, 2015 by Jdee (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdee Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Here is a link for the STL files if you want them.I don't have a side view of these so they are not right on but they might do.I'm going to have one printed so I can see how strong they will be. white nylon plasticis only about $4 and can be Plated .... I'll post back when I get one in hand.. If it looks good I'll have one printed in stainless steel.Jdeehttp://woodgraining.com/downloads/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdee Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 (edited) Knobs came in today. look ok.Just put a coat of conductive paint on,I'll see if putting on some copper plate is going to work.. maybe next week..Jdee Edited July 23, 2015 by Jdee (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Knobs came in today. look ok.Just put a coat of conductive paint on,What material have they been made from?How much effort went into developing the stl files? From CAD or scanned oroginals?To me getting the file is the hard part (While I am an Mech Engineer, and my AutoCAD skills are limited to opening a dwg file and printing) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdee Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 (edited) These are ABS plastic for testing, but can be printed in just about anything else since they are small. Like stainless steel, Steel ,Brass and so on.I used Lightwave to make the models But you can get blender for free. I modeled them from the photo posted and the measurementsMark sent me so they are not dead on. I export the STL from lightwave then Open it with Netfab to clean and check it for holes and other problems for printing. Also Shapeways checks the models to make sure they will print ok.I think with Blender and Netfab and watching lots of howto videos on youtube folks could make these simple models with out to much trouble.The best part is they are free programs and there are tons of videos and info out there.Its the more organic modles that are hard for me https://sketchfab.com/models/cc1b6f0ea0124f5f9476f9c592cd4ddcI'm just learning so I'm sure there are better workflows for this But I already had Lightwave for making videos and stuff for work.Well time for coffee and I gotta finish up a 1939 Buick Dash this morning I have free software and stuff linked here.http://woodgraining.com/downloads Jdee Edited July 24, 2015 by Jdee (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 Hupp Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Nice looking work, Jdee!! 30 Hupp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Well actually they cannot be printed in "stainless steel". They can be printed in glued together stainless steel powder, an entirely different material. Not saying it won't work, just that they can't be printed in solid stainless or bronze. Much like "All Metal" is Bondo filled with metallic powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary_Ash Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 No, actually the stainless steel is post-treated after the 3D printing process and becomes solid metal. It is heated and infused with bronze to make it almost 100% dense, and about as strong as billet 420 stainless. Not the cheapest material, but very interesting. Shapeways.com says it is useable to above 830°C [i might question this value, but it can certainly be used quite hot]. Admittedly, getting a plastic or wax part printed and then casting in a foundry makes more sense for multiple parts or large parts, but for one set of knobs it might be OK. Here are the properties of the finished material from the Shapeways.com page: Stainless Steel Specifications Alloy Family: 420 SS+ Bronze (40% bronze) UTS: 99 KSI (682 MPa) Yield: 66 KSI (455 MPa) Modulus: 21.4 MPSI (147 GPa) Elongation: 2.30% Hardness: 20-25 HRc You can machine it, drill and tap it, weld it, and even RAM or wire EDM it. A machinist evaluated the material as tough enough to need a carbide bits to mill or drill it. There are customers who printed turbine impellers and run them at 3500 rpms for testing purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 Interesting. It is amazing how fast this technology is advancing. It would be nice to know what a set of knobs like these would cost if one actually had to pay someone to do the scanning, computer work etc. As always the first set would be the most expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 The Shapeways website says in their video that metals are NOT 3-D printed but rather that wax patterns are 3-D printed and then put thru a traditional lost wax casting process. Do they also print directly to stainless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdee Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 (edited) Here is the video... neat stuff I'm waiting for the plastic printers to get bigger and smoother...For some of my junk lolLike this Packard dash plastic.https://skfb.ly/FGtR Edited July 27, 2015 by Jdee (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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