TR2/3/3A 3D printed tail light

[DavidApp]

Some time ago I saw a thread about a 3D printed tail light assembly. Not the red or amber part but the bit that holds the bulb. The guy had made it so an LED could be used.
Having been gifted a 3D printer I was interested in attempting this mod.
Does anyone know where I can find the info?

David

 

[Hamish Racing]

There is this video on YouTube that does a 3d led plinth mount
with print instructions

 

[mastaphixa]

Brilliant

 

[DavidApp]

Thank you.
That is exactly what I was looking for.
Now to see if it would work on a TR3A and if my CAD skills are up to the task.
David

 

[CJD]

Which program do you use?

 

[DavidApp]

I am using FreeCAD but I am just getting a handle on how to get it to do anything that I want. So far simple shapes are all I have managed.

David

 

[Frank Canale]

I am giving fusion 360 a try and just getting started trying a simple sheetmetal part. Slow going for me also. Frank

 

[CJD]

That looks like a nice platform. It takes a little practice to "think" in the way cad programs think, but once you understand the process it opens up a whole new world. I have experience with fusion, which is a version of Inventor with a few features removed.

The latest cad designed ground up for 3-d modelling is completely different than the old 2-D programs we used. The thought process starts with basic shape...then extrude it...then modify it. Once you change the order in your mind, it works much better. The CAM, or machining and printing interfaces are a whole 'nother story!?!

 

[DavidApp]

The thought process is a bit off. I was trying to make a coffee scoop so I thought I had drawn a cylinder with a bottom in it but it printed a tube. After a bit of YouTube study I found a way to do it. You draw a half section of the part then rotate it. Worked great.

David

 

[CJD]

Or...you can draw a smaller circle on top of your cylinder, and then use that to cut out the inside to just short of the bottom of the cylinder. There are dozens of ways to accomplish the same final object!

 

[Snowkilts]

You can also get "right angle" LEDs that are drop-in replacements for the existing bulbs. I have them on my TR and they work well. Available for both positive and negative ground.

You would still have to make some wiring changes to get the mod described in the video, but you need to do that either way.

Edit: No wiring changes are required for my later ('60) vehicle, but of course I do not have a "third" stoplight.

 

[equiprx]

Anyone here able to 3D build a flange I need?
It's not at all car related and doesn't need to be very strong.
The overall size is 80 mm round by 30 mm thick.
It's only an adapter ring for mounting a microscope.
All other fabrication sources have declined my requests.

 

[CJD]

The printing is not hard...it's the programming that takes the time and makes it non-profitable! If you can learn Fusion 360, mentioned above...you could program the part, and then I bet someone will take up the job for you.

I used to advertise laser cutting. I wound up with a big following, because I was not charging for the programming, only the 15 minutes or so of cutting. For that 15 minute cut job I would often spend 20-30 hours on the computer! My last job was a gentleman who was building a 100" wingspan Consolidated PBY (the old WW2 float plane). I worked with him on and off for 4 years, spent over 500 hours programming the entire plane, and only got $50 for one cut job. I finally shut him down. He still writes every couple months. I explained that for a 1-off part (plane in his case), you can hand cut balsa much quicker than I could program the laser to cut it. The advantage of the laser, or 3D printer, is the follow-on jobs are near effortless.