Thanks for the update.
and thank everyone for taking the initiative.
and thank everyone for taking the initiative.
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- Thread starter Lil'John
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Sounds good to me!
Any updates on this?
I've been told soon for the last two weeks.
I'll check again later today.
I'll check again later today.
Great news. No hurry, just remembered this may be a thing and wanted to check.
Super stoked!! I have been stressing on this part for awhile!
I haven't forgotten about you guys..
That's really something! Excited about getting a set. 
While I have my wallet open for other things, count me in for a set.
Walkerm916
Too many hobbies
Why is it every time I get on mud something new comes up. As I am working on my pig I tent to keep finding parts that are brittle or already broken I am in for a set. Just let me know where I need to send the funding. This thread is awesome I just read through the whole thing.
Sorry for the late reply, we both got hit hard with some unexpected jobs and we’re working 7 long days a week right now trying to unbury ourselves so we can get back to the fun stuff.
These are still on the list of “fun” projects that need to get finished, I’ll update when I know more.
DoubleNickels
SILVER Star
Seeing now the sordid history of creating this no longer available part! Jim's got the machined aluminum world down pat, but from an injection molding standpoint you can actually get an entry level mold for a simple part (like this) for well under $5k. Companies such as Protomold and Xcentric have made $2k quick-turn mold tooling their business.
@scrapdaddy is sending me a sample to take further down the road toward reproduction. I have access to a high-quality scanner and possess the CAD software and skill set to make it happen.
... Everyone's been awfully patient, so I'll do my best to finally carry through on this one. Once I have the part designed we'll start looking at manufacturing options to get estimates on cost.
Count me in for 4 when they happen!
DoubleNickels
SILVER Star
Fellas! First time back on MUD in nearly eight weeks. Job change, lifestyle change, damn stressful. You know you're in the dumps when you lose interest in your hobbies...
The mold isn't built yet - the vendor completely dropped off the radar and (yesterday) just resurfaced. This will happen but it's delayed. OBVIOUSLY.
Anyways, patience is a virtue. For all of us. Thanks for your continued interest, and sorry to be MIA. I'm back, MUDsters.
The mold isn't built yet - the vendor completely dropped off the radar and (yesterday) just resurfaced. This will happen but it's delayed. OBVIOUSLY.
Anyways, patience is a virtue. For all of us. Thanks for your continued interest, and sorry to be MIA. I'm back, MUDsters.
I'm interested in 4 also.
Great things take time.
DoubleNickels
SILVER Star
Hey everyone. The job is still nuts - been on the road six of the last seven weeks. Hah!
I admit that my lack of progress on this part has actually kept me away from MUD for the past few months... feel like I let you all down! Right when I changed jobs, my local injection molding resource went to sh!+ and the cost for tooling went from ~$1000 up to ~$2200. That's where it stalled. At this point I have an accurate reverse-engineered model that I've 3D printed and tested, but nothing as far as true injection molded components.
I am glad to give my 3D CAD file to anyone who asks. A few options exist for interested individuals:
1) Give the file to any CNC machine shop. There is nothing goofy in the file that would prevent it from being machined of any material of your choosing.
2) Upload the file to a service provider in the world of 3D printing. There's a caveat, here: you need the material to be friggin' strong or you'll be disappointed. This gives you more sub-options:
3) Take my file and have a mold built to create injection molded parts as I originally intended! If you do the math, however, you'll see it'd be hard to recoup costs if tooling goes much beyond $1k.
Perhaps sourcing 3D printed parts with confidence is outside of your comfort zone? I'm glad to assist - just shoot me a PM. In fact, looks like Shapeways is charging a mere $5 per part for the HP printed options right now. For that price why not give it a shot? Here: HP Nylon Plastic 3D Printing Material Information - Shapeways
Hopefully this helps me regain some face on the forum. If things change I'll update everyone.
I admit that my lack of progress on this part has actually kept me away from MUD for the past few months... feel like I let you all down! Right when I changed jobs, my local injection molding resource went to sh!+ and the cost for tooling went from ~$1000 up to ~$2200. That's where it stalled. At this point I have an accurate reverse-engineered model that I've 3D printed and tested, but nothing as far as true injection molded components.
I am glad to give my 3D CAD file to anyone who asks. A few options exist for interested individuals:
1) Give the file to any CNC machine shop. There is nothing goofy in the file that would prevent it from being machined of any material of your choosing.
2) Upload the file to a service provider in the world of 3D printing. There's a caveat, here: you need the material to be friggin' strong or you'll be disappointed. This gives you more sub-options:
2a) Go with sintered metal from a company like Shapeways. You'll get strong parts but they'll appear a little "fuzzy" due to the method of manufacture.
2b) Go with sintered Nylon 12 from a company that stocks the new Multi Jet printers from HP: HP figured out how to solve the "fuzzy" edges problem. The parts are bomb-proof and look like real injection molded components - this is what I used in my testing. Looks like Protolabs and Shapeways both have the technology...
2b) Go with sintered Nylon 12 from a company that stocks the new Multi Jet printers from HP: HP figured out how to solve the "fuzzy" edges problem. The parts are bomb-proof and look like real injection molded components - this is what I used in my testing. Looks like Protolabs and Shapeways both have the technology...
3) Take my file and have a mold built to create injection molded parts as I originally intended! If you do the math, however, you'll see it'd be hard to recoup costs if tooling goes much beyond $1k.
Perhaps sourcing 3D printed parts with confidence is outside of your comfort zone? I'm glad to assist - just shoot me a PM. In fact, looks like Shapeways is charging a mere $5 per part for the HP printed options right now. For that price why not give it a shot? Here: HP Nylon Plastic 3D Printing Material Information - Shapeways
Hopefully this helps me regain some face on the forum. If things change I'll update everyone.
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
GOOD WORK, Dude! we missed you, but you were not letting anyone down...glad to have you back. and it sounds like you got some good results cooking here...I had a thought for a couple other little fj55 parts that maybe you could help us work on in the future...