3D printed shift pattern insert

[CSX321]

We got a 3D printer at work, and in playing around with it I tried making a shift pattern insert for my '89 CSX. I have a good one in the '87 CSX, but those three little prongs are broken off on the '89. It came out pretty good! The surface finish is rough from our pretty cheap printer, but it fits and I think will work nicely. It's not a part that's visible, in any case. I've put the model and files on thingiverse.com: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1483590 .

Here's a couple of pictures. It was printed in two pieces, then glued together. The quality was better that way with our printer. In the photo, the piece on the right is the original from the '87 CSX, and the one on the left is the 3D printed one.

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[ajakeski]

Cool. Thanks for sharing the design too. I look forward to trying it out.

[Vigo]

That's neat!

[Wastelands Warrior]

What an age we live in!

[CSX321]

The first post is updated with a link to the files.

[88C/S]

Very cool!

[ajakeski]

Did you design that free hand or was it scanned?

[CSX321]

I measured the original, then did the model in OpenSCAD. It uses constructive solid geometry, which means you describe the object as a union, intersection and difference of primitive shapes. Being a programmer, that's right up my alley, instead of having to learn a more traditional CAD package.

[jonnymopar]

Cool stuff for sure! My work just picked up a barely-used Stratasys uPrint. I can't wait to mess around with stuff like this.

So, can you just pop the face off of your broken one and transfer it to the piece you printed?

[CSX321]

Yes, just press the metal cap on. The fit is tight enough that it doesn't really even need any adhesive. It works best on the shifters with a metal rod for reverse lockout. I forgot that my 89 CSX has one with the plastic cable. It still fits, but there's nothing for it to clip onto, like the nut on the 87 version. The prongs could be moved outward, maybe, for a better fit in the 89.