So, for those of us who know nothing about 3D printing:  Does one require a
part for a pattern, or is all the information in the files for making the
part?  If a pattern, then it seems that the new part would have the flaws
of the old part.  How were the files generated?  From copying a preexisting
part?

Sorry for my ignorance.

mcneely

On Sun, Jul 14, 2019 at 6:23 PM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:

> I think... I might be mistaken about the source, but I think there are
> files for 3D printing of that part at thingiverse.com.
>
> Yup...
>
> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:34856
>
> For at least some of the plastic NLA parts, 3D printing will be our
> saviour.
>
> Alistair
>
> > On Jul 14, 2019, at 5:21 PM, KIM BRENNAN <kimbrennan@mac.com> wrote:
> >
> > On our ancient vehicles I rarely remember that sometimes parts become
> unavailable. Case i point the little plastic housings for the rear license
> tag lights. I found one of mine dangling (broken), and went to order from
> the usual places and “out of stock”. BusLab (in theory) has them, so I
> ordered a couple of replacements. Hopefully I won’t get a charge back due
> to them no longer having any….
> >
> > I went to one of my “out of service” Vanagons. Plastic housing (and
> clear lens and screws) looked like new. Must have been replaced at some
> point in their life. On the other housing on the Van I was fixing, the
> screws are stripped, so that will be a fun repair if or when I have to
> replace the bulb on that side (if it isn’t working right now, it will flunk
> Virginia safety inspection.)
>