Minolta SRT film advance lever covers

[xkaes]

Does anyone know if someone is making 3D printed versions of the black Minolta SRT film advance lever covers?

Seems like a pretty easy way to make some cash.

 

[Individual One]

Considering that the worldwide market for Minolta SRT lever parts is maybe around 5 units total, it is a way to make a (tiny) amount of cash considering the time spent modelling the object.

 

[4season]

Someone has created the 3D model. Check in with your public library to see if they have a "Maker space" that can print it for you. Mine does this sort of stuff for free.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6923462

 

[xkaes]

Thanks for the useful response. I figured someone had done it -- if only for their own purposes. I'll check out where I can get it done. I only need a few of them. These cameras are TANKS, and you can usually get them inexpensively if the lever cover is missing.

There must be a ton of other useful replacement "items" that can be made this way as well. It's the first I've heard of it. I'll help spread the word.

Thanks again!!!

 

[xkaes]

Considering that the worldwide market for Minolta SRT lever parts is maybe around 5 units total, it is a way to make a (tiny) amount of cash considering the time spent modelling the object.

Nice to know. It's the first time in my life that I've been able to single-handedly encompass an entire worldwide market.

 

[ic-racer]

See this also:

Making A New Plastic Film Advance Lever Tip

One of the Rollei SL35 cameras I bought to fix came to me without the little plastic tip on the end of the film advance lever. It seems these levers are hard to come by on the used camera parts market. So I decided to make a new one.

www.photrio.com

 

[xkaes]

Someone has created the 3D model. Check in with your public library to see if they have a "Maker space" that can print it for you. Mine does this sort of stuff for free.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6923462

I got it done, and it was too easy -- and fast.

In my library district, every library has a 3D printer. All you need to do is go on-line to their 3D printing web page, and fill out a short form. You don't even have to have a library card or live in the county. You attach the 3D computer file -- that I got from your link -- and tell them which library you want to pick it up at. That's it.

I sent them the file, and an hour later they told me the lever cover was ready to go at the library closest to me -- no charge. Mine is a Martha Stewart GREEN, but a little black epoxy paint will make it look new -- and actually give it some protection.

My tax dollars at work.

I'll add that anyone who does this should add a bit of epoxy glue to make sure it stays in place. The two tiny pins in the cover are made of pretty weak, corn-based plastic, but some glue should help secure it.

 

[4season]

I got it done, and it was too easy -- and fast.

In my library district, every library has a 3D printer. All you need to do is go on-line to their 3D printing web page, and fill out a short form. You don't even have to have a library card or live in the county. You attach the 3D computer file -- that I got from your link -- and tell them which library you want to pick it up at. That's it.

I sent them the file, and an hour later they told me the lever cover was ready to go at the library closest to me -- no charge. Mine is a Martha Stewart GREEN, but a little black epoxy paint will make it look new -- and actually give it some protection.

My tax dollars at work.

I'll add that anyone who does this should add a bit of epoxy glue to make sure it stays in place. The two tiny pins in the cover are made of pretty weak, corn-based plastic, but some glue should help secure it.

Great! Typical extruded 3D prints are kind of weak along the Z-axis, but once it's in place, I imagine that part will be plenty strong.

 

[xkaes]

When I've actually given it a "test run", if it passes "muster", I'll print up a small batch and make them available to others. I'm not the only one with this problem, and not everyone has access to a 3D printer -- believe it or not!

 

[4season]

When I've actually given it a "test run", if it passes "muster", I'll print up a small batch and make them available to others. I'm not the only one with this problem, and not everyone has access to a 3D printer -- believe it or not!

Nevertheless, If you find yourself doing this a lot, you might want to consider getting one: They turn up in thrift stores from time to time (no seriously, they do), but in my area, the thrift store is super-popular, and sometimes a new or refurbished product winds up being a better deal.

 

[xkaes]

Even if I had some extra cash and space and time laying around, if the library does all the work for free, why bother?

What I've got to spend my time on now is figuring out what other "parts" I could use that could be 3D printed -- not so simple a task.

 

[F4U]

I have studied Freecad for a few years now. It is not easy, but I finally reached a level where I can produce many useful things. Highly recommend.