Google "3-D printers" for more info.  Not cheap, but useful for plastic parts or for prototyping parts for casting or molding in metal.  It's going to be a good thing for the old car hobby.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 9:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: printing parts

Does anyone know more about this than I do?  I don't know much, but have read about it and heard a report on NPR.  A year or so ago I read about a couple of guys who were rebuilding a vintage vehicle who had to fabricate their own parts.  They printed them on a 3-dimensional printer.  A day or so ago, NPR had a report about printing parts for washing machines, fishing reels, and cars.  Evidently, if you already have the printer and can program the printing, it is cheaper by far than buying parts.  According to the NPR report, software is now available free or inexpensively.

Perhaps suitable for individuals to make their own parts, or more likely, entrepreneurs could print those no longer available Vanagon parts we all need.

--
David McNeely