Big Mike and Tom (and Greg but I sent him an email already),

What is the cost of printing these ? Is it worthwhile to just buy from him ? I need two sets for the $33 one so $8 for the file seems pretty cheap.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/730100550/3d-file-only-thrustmaster-wheel-wall?ref=shop_home_active_12

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/726822186/3d-file-only-thrustmaster-magnetic?ref=shop_home_active_10&crt=1

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/728238970/3d-file-only-thrustmaster-wheel-quick?ref=shop_home_active_9&crt=1

Wall mount. A fancy internal thread with 4 screw holes to mount on the wall. $10 for STL file. Don't know the size of the thread. Purchased for $25

Magnetic Paddle stiffener. Holds a pair of magnets to give a more positive "click" when shifting. $8 for STL file. Likely 1-2 hours of print time, 4 magnets. Purchased for $33

Manual Torque ring for wheel securing. $8 for the STL file. Likely 1-2 hours of print time. Purchased for $20.


All depends on the time and effort it took to design and test. To me, my sell costs would be less than those retail costs, but I don't market myself. Plus it depends on the material used as well as what the internal fill (infil %) is.

Below is roughly what I would charge.
Wall mount is worth about $12.50-$15.00 in material/print time/wear & tear. Fairly large solid print.

Paddle shifters are harder to guage. Is it preassembled? If so, $7.50-$12.50 in material/print time/wear & tear, $5-10 in labour.

Torque ring is $5.00-7.50 in material/print time/wear & tear. It is a slide-on piece that is an easy print. By far the worst of the three in markup.

These prices would already assume that the designs had been formalized and tested for fit & finish. That alone can add a couple bucks for each pattern (Example is the 10+ prototypes for fit and functionality I did for my gen-1 recoil unit, which is a lot more complicated that those listed.)

So even with the file you still need to test print ? What is wear and tear ?

I thought the pedal shifts are one piece other than the magnet insert. Do you think it is printed on multiple pieces ? I am surprise that these are the most expensive ones (I shouldn't since he charges them the most). These are really the ones I am interested in.

Thanks for the pricing info !

I use ABS which has a shrinkage % depending on a multitude of factors. Size and shape being just a part of it. 
So yes testing in my case.

I've worn out 6 nozzles ($50) and replaced my print bed ($350) in the last 3 years. I'll likely need to replace/tension adjust my drive belts soon. My guess is 20 kg or so of ABS in 3 years.

Power outages & browns causing failed prints 6+ hours into an 8 hour print... Yay!

Again hard to visualise the shifters. Maybe very simple, or more complex. I dunno. Was a guess.

Okay thanks !

I took a better look at the paddle shifters.
2 identical pieces, each with a pair of magnets glued in place.

You still need adhesive double sided tape to affix the paddles to the back of the wheel. (Or glue).