Plastics manufacutrer low volume

[Keyo 47]

Hi ,

 

I spoke to a manufacturer in Birmingham today who specialises in 3D printing for classic car plastic trims and does classic Lotus and a few other brands etc in low volume. I'm not looking to profit from this and also do not have the time really as I run my own scaffolding company all ready. However frankly I think the prices of obselete trims and decals are to high for my likings and I want to get the ball rolling out of principal to try and cut the costs as much as I can. The main cost is the template , so just getting some feedback if other members would be interested in purchasing some of the below items. He has all ready told me the VR6 Decal is quite frankly a piece of cake for him to make the template after seeing the item by email. Birmingham and the Black country does have an abundance of small manufacturers so very handy !

 

Binnacle trim corner trims left and right 53585850701C & 53585850801C

Fuse clip 191857971

Door seat tilt handels , need to source some of these as mine are golf ones . Corrado right side 867881634

Corrado left side 867881633

VR6 Front Decal badge 535853679

 

Even if i can just get the front decal badge made would be a huge bonus right ? Hoping to at least half current prices floating about.

 

Cheers feedback appreciated.

 

Exmple of some of his work .

 

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]96566[/ATTACH]

Edited March 19, 2019 by Keyo

[robrado974 1]

I think the fuse box pins will be a good one to make .There have been a few ideas knocking around lately by Jim and Hasan . Jim did a couple of runs of the binnacle plastics so I don’t know what demand there would be for them now . The VR badge is for sale already painted in brushed chrome and red . While there’s nothing to stop you from producing the badge , you would need to sell the finished product I think , otherwise you would end up with perfect badge but would have to get it painted, the red is hard enough to do let alone the brush finish. Good thoughts though, I’m sure there are plenty of bits we need .

[Keyo 47]

I think the fuse box pins will be a good one to make .There have been a few ideas knocking around lately by Jim and Hasan . Jim did a couple of runs of the binnacle plastics so I don’t know what demand there would be for them now . The VR badge is for sale already painted in brushed chrome and red . While there’s nothing to stop you from producing the badge , you would need to sell the finished product I think , otherwise you would end up with perfect badge but would have to get it painted, the red is hard enough to do let alone the brush finish. Good thoughts though, I’m sure there are plenty of bits we need .

 

Yes agree will have to be produced so they are ready for use . I get my car back off Stealth in the next week or so and the factory owner has asked me to bring her over and he can have a look at the parts , the binnacle trims has Jim sold them all , otherwise as mentioned probably no point getting any made , also how much was it for a pair .

 

Cheers.

[delfinis38 1]

Yes agree will have to be produced so they are ready for use . I get my car back off Stealth in the next week or so and the factory owner has asked me to bring her over and he can have a look at the parts , the binnacle trims has Jim sold them all , otherwise as mentioned probably no point getting any made , also how much was it for a pair .

 

Cheers.

 

The binnacle corners were redesigned so they didn't break.... I guess Jim has sold them all... he normally takes orders first before committing to manufacture... so he's not got too much stock... you may be able to get the cad file off him.

[fendervg 30]

I'd say the badges are already catered for so there might be too much competition there, although it would depend on the price. There is a list on here somewhere of parts that would be good for 3D printing/repro such as small pieces of trim, clips, screw covers etc, so worth looking into.

[_Matt_ 26]

Recreation of the centre console VDO gauges would be epic

[fendervg 30]

Ha ha - wishful thinking - although the 2 round gauge trim panel/holder for the early cars would be a possible candidate.

[seanl82 23]

Door pins and surrounds for the later cars. Think I mentioned them on the other post as well

[Geeba 0]

I'd say the badges are already catered for so there might be too much competition there, although it would depend on the price. There is a list on here somewhere of parts that would be good for 3D printing/repro such as small pieces of trim, clips, screw covers etc, so worth looking into.

 

They are... but they are eyewateringly expensive! - I know there is a lot of work that goes into re-manufacturing a part.. but I can recall buying new dealer badges for my MK2 for under £20 - so competition might not be a bad thing.

[Keyo 47]

They are... but they are eyewateringly expensive! - I know there is a lot of work that goes into re-manufacturing a part.. but I can recall buying new dealer badges for my MK2 for under £20 - so competition might not be a bad thing.

 

Exactly this if I can get them down by 50% I will be happy, this will be a learning curve for me as never had any automotive trims made before so might well be way off with expectations but iam confident. The MD of the plastics company exact words were "the front decal is a piece of cake" . Ill need engough people to purchase these parts to cover making the template per item .

 

One other part Im going to ask him to make is the door card screw caps.

 

Final list of parts Im going for.

 

Binnacle trim corner trims left and right 53585850701C & 53585850801C

Fuse clip 191857971

Door seat tilt handels , need to source some of these as mine are golf ones . Corrado right side 867881634

Corrado left side 867881633

VR6 Front Decal badge 535853679

Door card screw caps.

 

Just keeping it simple for the time been . Please note the tilt handels will not be made unless someone can post me a spare set in good condition as I have golf ones at the moment so the factory have nothing to go from. these guys have a 3d scanning machine . They are impossible to purchase anywhere please correct me if im wrong.

Edited March 20, 2019 by Keyo

[Keyo 47]

Door pins and surrounds for the later cars. Think I mentioned them on the other post as well

 

Im sure these do need making Sean , might be one for the future if all goes well, obviously the parts I'm hoping to manufacture will need to sell to cover my costs, if good quality and well priced I cant see why not.

Edited March 20, 2019 by Keyo

[Keyo 47]

Ha ha - wishful thinking - although the 2 round gauge trim panel/holder for the early cars would be a possible candidate.

 

If your on about these they are available at a good price all ready. This german ebayer is very fair and the inventor of the door handle repair kit. He also does the VDO trim for the facelift model. Good postage to may I add.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Corrado-VDO-Gauge-Holder-VR6-G60-16V-Heater-Control-Panel-Cover/170604268629?hash=item27b8ce8c55:g:QEcAAOxyZw5RbCK3

 

 

Facelift

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Corrado-Gauge-Holder-Panel-VR6-G60-16V-2L-SLC-3-Hole-93-96-Display-Holder/170605546032?hash=item27b8e20a30:g:-ewAAOSwbc9amWDf

 

H

Edited March 20, 2019 by Keyo

[fendervg 30]

Not so sure about the front and rear badges being a piece of cake - the front has two tabs/prongs on it that clip into the grille which can be tricky to get right and strong enough not to break or snap off. The second problem is the brushed chrome effect or red paint.

 

But good luck and thanks for trying - these are hard parts to find.

[Keyo 47]

Not so sure about the front and rear badges being a piece of cake - the front has two tabs/prongs on it that clip into the grille which can be tricky to get right and strong enough not to break or snap off. The second problem is the brushed chrome effect or red paint.

http://the-corrado.net/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1221710

But good luck and thanks for trying - these are hard parts to find.

 

Thanks but if you have seen what this firm makes it's bread and butter to them. I would probably be only making red or silver front decal. just keeping it simple at the moment. Many firms in Birmingham that have been supplying manufactured parts to the automtive industry so have all the tooling in place. But as mentioned fingers crossed as you might well be right. They are also experts in creating metal fittings.

Edited March 20, 2019 by Keyo

[vw rule 19]

Hi just found this link to another 3D thread from July 2018, that's got other plastic trim bits listed also.

 

http://the-corrado.net/showthread.php?107938-Any-more-3D-printing-projects

 

Si

[fendervg 30]

Hi just found this link to another 3D thread from July 2018, that's got other plastic trim bits listed also.

 

http://the-corrado.net/showthread.php?107938-Any-more-3D-printing-projects

 

Si

 

That's the one I was thinking of.

[Keyo 47]

Hi just found this link to another 3D thread from July 2018, that's got other plastic trim bits listed also.

 

http://the-corrado.net/showthread.php?107938-Any-more-3D-printing-projects

 

Si

 

Hi Guys ,

 

Just concentrating on the parts I have listed for the time been , and will report back once I have met the owner of the company , it’s not just a 3D company they also make Mouldings the old fashion way , they can recreate pretty much anything plastic and supply to motorsport , classic car industry , aerospace , the owner comes across a sound brummie and has helped many a classic car fan out before and totally happy with low volume , so let’s see how it all unravels . I

 

Regards

 

Kieran .

[bryangreene3 10]

I would use a 3D printer. My guess would be SLA is the best. Any other plastics like Delrin, Teflon, nylon, etc can be machined and cast, but at an insanely high price until you get to full scale production.

[vw rule 19]

Hi Guys ,

 

Just concentrating on the parts I have listed for the time been , and will report back once I have met the owner of the company , it’s not just a 3D company they also make Mouldings the old fashion way , they can recreate pretty much anything plastic and supply to motorsport , classic car industry , aerospace , the owner comes across a sound brummie and has helped many a classic car fan out before and totally happy with low volume , so let’s see how it all unravels . I

 

Regards

 

Kieran .

 

Hi Kieran,

 

any update from your discussion/meeting with that 3D printing company ?

 

Si

[Keyo 47]

Hi Kieran,

 

any update from your discussion/meeting with that 3D printing company ?

 

Si

 

Got to be honest have not even been to have a meeting , I saw a website where you can download plastic 3d parts for the Corrado and can print them straight off a 3d printer. I posted it on here on one of the threads about 3d parts.This site has things like the fuse trim clips and many other obsolete parts. Also there is a firm that has popped up called Dreadnought customs based in the UK , he is making the bonnet soundproofing all ready for the corrado and hard to find parts for Scirocco, I recommend posting any plastic parts to them for recreation as the prices are fair and he seems a hungry new business. He has all ready made things like door scrapers, seals and plastic trims for the Scirocco Mk2 , he seems very competent with a OE quality to his parts .

 

https://dreadnoughtcustoms.co.uk/

 

I've purchased a Mk Golf 16V so busy sourcing all the new parts for that in my spare car time at the moment as the Corrado is pretty much sorted apart from the body work.

 

Thankfully the site is allowing me to paste a link now but unfortunately It's not allowing me to post pictures,saying not recognising file, was fine before the site had a meltdown but it's still not fully functional so I don't come on here as often.

Edited August 18, 2019 by Keyo

[vw rule 19]

No worries wasn't sure if you'd been in contact with them.

Hope your new Golf project goes ok.

 

I'll see if I have time to pop in and see that company the next opportunity I have, as I have family not far from

CHELMSFORD, CM1 4DF

 

 

Plus it could be worth having a word with Jim as he was thinking of doing another 3D scan of various items I think ?

http://the-corrado.net/showthread.php?107938-Any-more-3D-printing-projects

 

 

Also there's SPRINTER53 = MfG Chris,

who's on this forum and his items that he's reproducing are of top notch quality from what I've seen, as I've bought quite a few things from him, so he could also be worth a shout, I think Chris prefers to make moulds of the items, rather then the 3D scanning process.

I'm sure he's mentioned that he is considering doing a batch of the later type front indicator unit's 1992 - 1995

 

 

Si

Edited August 18, 2019 by vw rule

[Keyo 47]

I have a added late big bumper 3dr MK GTI 16V, rainbow cloth in brilliant metallic black to my mini vag collection , would post pics but unable.

 

My experience so far is there are a lot of bad sellers of second hand parts describing as great condition in the MK2 golf world, alot of dicks with crappy cars to be honest. Well just sent my third part back, the kick plate by the drivers accelerator, had a crack and was described as perfect, of course paid double what is was new before it went obsolete, oh the joys.

 

Started to look for some plastic jack covers and to my horror they were selling for £50.00 a pair for some scratched ones !!!! Well refreshingly I stumbled across this company on ebay , they may well be able to manufacture some hard to find Rado plastics.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-2-MK2-BIG-BUMPER-SIDE-SKIRT-JACK-FLAP-90mmX90mm-191853917-SET-2-PCS/174022632474?_trkparms=ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140728113935%26meid%3D609d820712254f7e90c7835db419d42f%26pid%3D100148%26itm%3D174022632474%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2059210&_trksid=p2059210.c100148.m2813