red1980F150

Hi Dave, I am still making these, happy to do it for you and I could probably get them done this week. Sorry about the email, this email address gets so much spam now that I miss things. It's probably better to email my company account for this now: JMiddendorf@lasersoln.com I have that on my phone so I'll see it. I'll also check back here in the next few days if you reply here instead. John

Hey Jim or Gary, do you guys have a spot on the website that I can upload the STL files for guys that want to make plastic sliders and bezels on their home 3D printers? Tommy's are all done and shipping out tomorrow.

That would be awesome. For you guys that want the STL and have emailed me. I'll send it soon. I need to change the logos on the bezel. Wouldn't make much sense for you to print Bezels that have Tommy's family names on them.

Tell you what, I'll just print them anyway and give Tommy the price break. Then if someone wants one in the future I'll have it in stock.

Hi All, I'm about to make some 316 SS locks for AZtommy. If I can get another buyer for the 316 version I can probably sell them at $150. That would save him some money and get whoever else wants one a good deal. The print will happen in the coming week, so let me know. I may even make Tommys today, but I'm not certain I'll get to it in time.

Okay, shoot me an email and I'll send you the files. I assume you want the STL and SLDPRT files... ? That's great, I wasn't familiar with Gannon U. I started Open Additive in my previous job, didn't own it but created the tech. So Xact used to be a competitor, hopefully you guys have the galvo-based system. Xact is using the best galvos in the industry on that thing. At OSU we have Open Additive, Aconity, AddUp, EOS, and Concept Laser in laser powder bed fusion. We have other metal technologies too, DED, E-beam powder, ultrasonic, binderjet, etc. We're about to receive our 14th metal printer. Then in my personal company I have 3 EOS machines, a Concept Laser X-Line, and an Open Additive, plus a few "parts" machines. You and/or your group are welcome to visit anytime or discuss collaboration. Anyway, midtec2005@hotmail.com will work.

I'm going to make some soon for Aztommy, are you interested in metal? If not I can ship you the CAD so you can do SLA, it's no big deal. What college? Just curious, I am the director of additive at Ohio States Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence.

That will work, I also see your reply here. I'll get back to you in email what the lead time looks like.

I don't think so. Was it here, through email, or something else?

I second a possible swollen soft line. ... I'm about to replace all of mine. They go bad, it's normal.

Do you know what you want? You can buy metal locks or I can make polymer locks, but if polymer I need to know what color.

You're dead on, even if heat isn't a problem moisture and UV are. I just don't have ABS. PETG might work too? Honestly, I wouldn't be against just buying some ABS or PETG. Let's see what color these guys want. I have a friend who might be able to do Nylon for us, that would be great, but it would probably cost something... I'd have to ask.

Gary, The email worked! If you guys are okay with plastic then I can make a few for you, no charge, to print with a basic material like PLA, just get shipping for me. I have 5 metal printers now and could make these out of Titanium, Aluminum, Copper, or Inconel (nickel, mostly), but you have probably seen the cost previously in the thread. John

Hey gents, I haven't posted in a while. I, uh, have something that qualifies as a project! I want to follow this post up soon, have to upload the photos, but last winter I decided that the 302 in Elain was just too tired and started collecting parts. It's a good thing I did because it was a miracle it was still running (after seeing the state of the internals). In the winter I acquired some E7 heads for almost nothing and hand-ported them (very lightly, mostly removed sharp edges and the smog bumps), back-faced the valves, checked the valve guides, and put new valve seals in it. I also acquired and touched up casting defects on an Edelbrock SP2P intake manifold (good for torque and MPG's, bad for HP - this is a truck after all). In March I pulled the motor, completely stripped it, and sent it to the machine shop. In the meantime I prepped and painted all of the parts I planned to reuse (valve covers, oil pan, brackets, etc). I put the motor back together in June/July and got her running about a week ago - it's PERFECT - great torque from idle all the way through highway speed RPM (my truck has no Tach, yet). I can't stop driving it. I'm also continuously tempted to play with the distributor curve, but trying to convince myself to leave well enough alone. There's a lot of neat stuff to show. The block had incredible amounts of wear, the ring ridges were so huge we had to go .060" over just to clean up the cylinders. The timing chain was the worst I've ever seen because the stock composite gear was completely knackered. The oil pressure sensor mounting location was cracked (!) because someone tightened the sensor in wayyyy to tight. The crank needed turning, as you might expect. Aside from the sense of accomplishment of building my own engine (and apparently doing it right), I also learned so much about how these things actually work, it was great fun. I hope to follow up with pictures soon. I guess I'll have to change my signature - not almost completely stock anymore!

LOL - I've done the same thing. Unlike you I kept driving and completely ruined the tranny. So, no worries. We all do things that make us wonder, at times. Definitely glad you got it working before anything really bad happened to the transmission.