3D printing a part for a 240Z

[Pete J.]

I am certainly not an expert at 3D printing. In fact I am not even a novice.  Having said that, one of the biggest knocks on every 240Z/fairlady model I have ever seen is that they are all right hand drive!  Would it be so difficult to scan an original part convert it as a mirror image for left hand drive and print that??  I have multiple kits in both 1/12 scale(Tamiya) and 1/24th scale(several manufatures) and would be interested in such pieces.  I have no idea if anyone else would be interested in such a part.  I can only speak for me.  I would love to have one in both scales and would be willing to send a part for scanning if someone were interested. 

[MrObsessive]

Somewhere out there, files I do believe can be had for that car. I belong to gamemodels.ru forum which there's LOTS of cars out there that can be downloaded from game files, and be made printable.

I don't have that car on my radar, but now I'm going to get nosy and see if there's a file indeed for that. It might even be left hand drive, but if not-----I've mirror imaged parts (and bodies) so that they can be printed.

Now my curiosity is up!  

[MrObsessive]

  On 9/18/2022 at 3:33 PM, Pete J. said:

I am certainly not an expert at 3D printing. In fact I am not even a novice.  Having said that, one of the biggest knocks on every 240Z/fairlady model I have ever seen is that they are all right hand drive!  Would it be so difficult to scan an original part convert it as a mirror image for left hand drive and print that??  I have multiple kits in both 1/12 scale(Tamiya) and 1/24th scale(several manufatures) and would be interested in such pieces.  I have no idea if anyone else would be interested in such a part.  I can only speak for me.  I would love to have one in both scales and would be willing to send a part for scanning if someone were interested. 

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OK.......I came across two car files which had a left hand drive dash. One was rather "blah", the other one was MUCH nicer and very detailed. I got some screenshots of it in Blender which is a CAD program for 3D files.

The way it works with 3D printing, what I have here is something done in a .obj format. The format needs to be converted (this program does it) to a .stl file, which makes it able to be worked with for printing. In the large scale you mentioned, that may be possible----I do know it can be done in 1/24-25 as I just printed a car using many of these same types of files I described.

Interesting enough, the Z car file I downloaded was in fact a ZG, both of which I have in 1/12 and 1/24 Tamiya kits.

[Pete J.]

That is spot on!  Are you interested in printing a 1/12 and 1/24 scale version? The ZG 1:12  if I recall is the fairlady with clear headlight covers and a JDM front clip.  I bought the west africa safari kit to get the correct front end for the US version.  I bought them to try and replicate my 1972 240Z.  The one car I wished I had kept and not sold though by now I am sure it would have been a rusted hulk.  I spent 5 years in northern Michigan. The winters are absolutely hell on cars. 

[MrObsessive]

  On 9/18/2022 at 7:18 PM, Pete J. said:

That is spot on!  Are you interested in printing a 1/12 and 1/24 scale version? The ZG 1:12  if I recall is the fairlady with clear headlight covers and a JDM front clip.  I bought the west africa safari kit to get the correct front end for the US version.  I bought them to try and replicate my 1972 240Z.  The one car I wished I had kept and not sold though by now I am sure it would have been a rusted hulk.  I spent 5 years in northern Michigan. The winters are absolutely hell on cars. 

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Pete, I'll have to keep you posted on that. I've got sooooo many 3D projects lined up including getting my builds done before GSL next year, I don't want to commit to something and then not be able to follow through. If you know someone or a service that can print it, I can get you the files you need. I have this kit also, and somewhere along the line I'd like to take the file and convert it to be printable for the 1/12 one.

[Pete J.]

  On 9/18/2022 at 9:00 PM, MrObsessive said:

Pete, I'll have to keep you posted on that. I've got sooooo many 3D projects lined up including getting my builds done before GSL next year, I don't want to commit to something and then not be able to follow through. If you know someone or a service that can print it, I can get you the files you need. I have this kit also, and somewhere along the line I'd like to take the file and convert it to be printable for the 1/12 one.

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Thanks for the response.  I would really have no idea were to begin looking.  As I said, I am not really into 3D printing, I was just hoping some like you would come along to do the job.  I am here whenever you get ready to do one. 

Edited September 19, 2022 by Pete J.

[MeatMan]

  On 9/19/2022 at 2:25 AM, Pete J. said:

Thanks for the response.  I would really have no idea were to begin looking.  As I said, I am not really into 3D printing, I was just hoping some like you would come along to do the job.  I am here whenever you get ready to do one. 

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If Bill has a file that's printable, you can upload it to Cloudcraft, who represent printers that will print files at a cost.

I used them to print a body and it came out perfectly, and at a reasonable cost.

You upload your file, they display a list of printers and options for material, you select one, then you get a quote with shipping.

https://craftcloud3d.com/upload

[Fat Brian]

You might want to talk to Charles at Texas 3d Customs, he seems to be taking on new work for his site. I would like one of these in 1/24 for the Fujimi kit.