Drift Charm...

[Slide]

Originally Posted by suprachica79

Hey guys,

Since there seems to be a bit of interest I figured I'd tell you about this site. I am on a local motorcycle forum who used this before as a group buy. The website is called http://www.shapeways.com/ and it allows you to design or upload designs into it where they then will produce that design in a myriad of materials eg. aluminum, plastic, rubber, etc. One of the guys on my local motorcycle forum made a few different options for keychains and then I orchestrated a group buy on it. Pricing depends on the size of the item, but for reference, we got a 3"x1"x0.2" keychain in a softer plastic for like $3.50 a piece. Their minimum order size is $20 or $25 bucks, so if you buy one for $3.50, they'll charge you $20 lol, so you need to order at least $20 worth of key chains to make it worth it.

Anyways, hope that wasn't incredibly confusing. But if you guys are interested in doing a low-level production of these, shapeways is a great option and when I dealt with their customer service, it was top-notch. Just something to think about.

Sounds good to me!!! lets do it!

[AE86XGC8]

so where do we sign up to buy one? heeheehee
even if it's just the stl file I would like to buy that too
this is too neat

[nate89]

Wow, I'm glad there's some interest! Let me clear some stuff up before I go any further.

1) I do not have or have access to a 3D printer (this was something the professor did for us seniors)
2) If I make them myself, it would be through a casting process (latex mold filled with plastic). I would like to keep the cost down to around $10 (I'm not in it for the money)
3) If I do it myself, it would be a limited production thing (unless I buy a 3D printer...anyone want to donate $1000 lol)
4) If we go mass produced, the cost might be higher to to overhead, setup, etc.

Current dimensions; 1" diameter piston, 2" overall length
(I can resize to whatever)

I'll look into the link suprachica79 posted as well as some other manufactures. I'd like to be able to make aluminum ones, but for now plastic seems to be the most economical option. I'll do some research and get back.

[Slide]

Originally Posted by nate89

Wow, I'm glad there's some interest! Let me clear some stuff up before I go any further.

1) I do not have or have access to a 3D printer (this was something the professor did for us seniors)
2) If I make them myself, it would be through a casting process (latex mold filled with plastic). I would like to keep the cost down to around $10 (I'm not in it for the money)
3) If I do it myself, it would be a limited production thing (unless I buy a 3D printer...anyone want to donate $1000 lol)
4) If we go mass produced, the cost might be higher to to overhead, setup, etc.

Current dimensions; 1" diameter piston, 2" overall length
(I can resize to whatever)

I'll look into the link suprachica79 posted as well as some other manufactures. I'd like to be able to make aluminum ones, but for now plastic seems to be the most economical option. I'll do some research and get back.

Looking forward to see what you can come up with!!!

Make a carbon fiber one!! :P

[subatoy]

Originally Posted by Slide

w0w you could start a business dude!!

find someone that can make it out of heavy plastic! keen to buy one for 15aud = 15.27usd :P

uhhhh yeah, no, it's called copyright infringement.

[GrimmSpeed]

nate, we are in the process of acquiring a 3D printer and would be willing to work with you on this. Shoot me a PM and we can get the ball rolling.

For the most part the printer would only be used for prototyping but we could definitely do some low-run cool stuff like this.

Justin Grimm

[NorCalRider]

I would be interested in one. I have access to a Cnc machine, I wonder how hard it would be to convert the file. I will look into it.

[mockngbrd]

i'll be in for one. preferably less sharp around the edges so i don't get cut

[pkptd447]

i have something similar. There's at least two companies that i know of that make these for 6 to 8 dollars. production cant be that costly.

nate you said the 3d printer is 1000? theres at least 200 people in this forum alone willing to buy them for 5 bucks 5*200=1000, theres your money back. sell them at 10 and you do the math

heres the piston companies:
http://pistonkeychains.com/
http://www.turbinekeychains.com/piston_keychain_13.html

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by subatoy

uhhhh yeah, no, it's called copyright infringement.

You could get permission. If you are willing to share profits.

There are ways to go about it legally, just takes a little bit of research or knowing someone with knowledge in this area of expertise. The worst thing you can do is sell them without checking it out first and then wait until after a lawsuit occurs...bad idea

I believe there is a way to do it at cost but I can't remember the phrasing. It's like fan edits of pictures or distribution of certain copyright material like pictures. It's acceptable for some reason that I can't remember the law regarding it.

I dunno. I would love a keychain or something similar but I would avoid cheap ripoffs or the imported stuff. OEM official stuff is usually so overpriced to be ridiculous.

[switchlanez]

Like!

[ryun84]

Holy crap! Ever heard of resizing photos?

[nate89]

Okay, so I did a bit of research last night and I can up with a few things. I sourced a 3D printer and have come up with preliminary pricing to come close to breaking even without being overpriced.

1) Production run of 50 --> $15USD ea (shipping included within USA) (Worldwide shipping is extra $5)

2) Production Run of 100 --> $10-12USD ea (shipping included within USA) (Worldwide shipping is extra $5)

I will be in contact with Toyota very soon to deal with the copyright/trademark stuff. I will also try to get a better, more accurate shipping quote to possibly reduced shipping charges. As I sit right now, the 3D printer won't be here and setup till mid to late December. So units would not be shipped out till early January. I will also go back and clean up the model a bit to make it a bit more cosmetically pleasing.

For those interested, I will make a list of who wants one. Just reply saying you do or don't and I'll PM those of you who do with more details. I don't want to go too commercial with this as I'd kinda like it to be a limited thing just for you guys here on the board who are passionate about this car.

[Dragonitti]

Neat man, nice job..