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Brat bed trim plastic pieces(3D printing?)


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Subaru, to my knowledge, doesn't sell them anymore.  All the current ones are very brittle.

 

I have access to a 3D printer, that prints parts in ABS plastic.  Would this be a good way to make new ones?  If so, would people here be willing to buy some?  And would someone be willing to turn the current part into a file I can use(I'm no good with CAD and such)?

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I would be willing to buy a set.

 

I would love to do the CAD thing but I don't know the first thing about the program.

 

 

In the mean time I will put out the word to see if I can find anybody in my circle that might know the program.

Edited by Dinky26
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Ther are no tailgate trim pieces left, and they were made of tin, not plastic. How would they warp? I'm a bit confused on that one... :unsure:

 

I wasn't talking about the trim itself. I mean the little plastic blocks that go under the trim that the trim screws to.

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When I had my Brat painted the last time about 5 years ago I pulled the metal trim on mine. Several blocks were broken and fell to pieces trying to reinstall. I cut wooden wedges and coated with a fine coat of marine adhesive caulking and tapped into place. That has worked great for the last 5 years and counting.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hey y'all, this is a weird way to introduce myself, but the subject "3D printing" caught my eye and I think I can help you out if you're interested.  I don't have a printer, but I am a CAD guy and have several programs on my computer.  Looks like Speedwagon is fairly close to me (5 hours or so).  If you, or anyone on the forum has one of these trim pieces in good condition, you can send it to me and I'll model it in CAD, then send you the file for printing.

 

I was just cruising the forum for info on these old Subarus as I've always thought they were cool and find myself needing a back up vehicle while I work on my truck for a while.  Then I found this on CL near my neighborhood:

http://westslope.craigslist.org/cto/4045458706.html

 

Any reason I shouldn't go get it?  (If it's still available, need to call them tomorrow)

 

This seems like a really cool forum.  I might hang around even if I don't get the wagon.  Creating old obsolete parts would be fun.

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You're talking about 3d printing the little clips that hold the chrome trim onto the edges of the bed rails, correct?

 

Does anyone have a picture of the clip they can post? I'm curious what they look like, and I don't want to pull the trim off my BRAT to find out. I would think you'd be able to go to a body shop supply store and get a box of generic clips that will do the job.

 

I've worked with 3D printers a decent amount, and a clip printed from ABS should work fine as long as it doesn't take a large amount of deflection to clip the trim on. ABS is a somewhat brittle material, and it's even more brittle when 3D printed, but still usable. Definitely stronger than the material we use in the stereolithography printer at my work.

 

I could also model the part in CAD for the OP if need be.

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Also, if you're printing in ABS, make sure you can print in black as it is the most UV stable for outdoor use.  Shapeways does a good job of quick turnaround on printed parts, and they do a number of different materials, including stainless steel.  I have used their "strong plastic" on several parts and it has a lot of give which may work better for a snap-in piece like this trim clip seems to be.

 

pressingonward, what do you do?  It's always fun to find another CAD geek.  I am an Industrial Designer, used to work for a sports equipment manufacturer in MI, then moved to CO a year ago and now work from home.  (I don't want to hijack this thread, message me any reply)

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  • 5 weeks later...

I used the eye end of a black rubber stretch strap. Cut it so it just barely removes the eye. They taper down already. Cut a smll notch at the top of the taper. You may have to taper it even more. Keep trimming till you can cram it in the hole. That notch will allow it tosnap into place. No need for a pilot hole drilled, for these screws go right in and expand the rubber for an even tighter fit.

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  • 2 years later...

There are four plastic parts I can think of that could be reproduced :

 

1. Air vents

2. Door handle surrounds (in all colors)

3. Trim endcap under tailgate stainless

4. Trim endcap under bed trim (where it meets with item 3) - I am looking for this one myself at the moment.

 

Modelling it - are there 3D scanners that can make the drawing process obsolete - ie. can they scan into an STL format ? I haven't played with 3D printing enough to know the technology.

 

My main concern with 3D printing is the roughness of the finish. I have trialled (for work) acetone vapour finishing and it works in certain designs but not others. The part I was doing was essentially like a very small (2 inch long) bath, and the bottom of the "bath" was very rough...

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The other part I think most of are looking for (for a BRAT) would be the stainless tailgate trim, which really shouldn't be _that_ difficult to have made. Once the tooling is done the unit cost should be peanuts... I know of at least one person who has made up a tool to make it out of solid plastic (and then vacuum-metallise chrome the finished part).

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Since there are several of us with printers but no design skills, what about doing a "group buy" and collect good examples of those parts and get someone for hire like on Shapeways to design it, split the cost among those interested, and then those of us with printers can knock off sets? Any interest?

 

However, dfoyl has posted a good point, the finish of 3d printed objects is something you have to understand and be OK with. I would not find it to be an issue with vents but badges might not be ok. That said, for many cars where plastics are no longer available even in slightly broken condition 3D printing is the only option and lots of methods to finish out the parts to OEM appearance are being used.

Edited by subarubrat
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Since there are several of us with printers but no design skills, what about doing a "group buy" and collect good examples of those parts and get someone for hire like on Shapeways to design it, split the cost among those interested, and then those of us with printers can knock off sets? Any interest?

 

However, dfoyl has posted a good point, the finish of 3d printed objects is something you have to understand and be OK with. I would not find it to be an issue with vents but badges might not be ok. That said, for many cars where plastics are no longer available even in slightly broken condition 3D printing is the only option and lots of methods to finish out the parts to OEM appearance are being used.

 

I could use a new set of clips depending on the cost. 

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