so we all know of those parts which are very hard to find in good nick and cost a lot like a fuel pump breather. I was curious y hasn't any one brought a 3d printer off the net and started remaking them and selling them........ just a though like there mini k front badge or the breather or anything that is plastic..... 3d printers you can pick up for under a grand...

It certainly has crossed my mind. I still want to make a reprap 3D printer but at $500, I could buy a few new mini parts.

As for engine bay parts, you run into problems with the maximum heat capacity of the plastic and it could possibly deform or outright melt. I don't know of any entry level printers that can do something that could withstand the heat.

If you can think of any part that is in demand and can manufacture it cheaply and make it reliable then you're all set.

The other issue with entry level 3d printers is that the stuff they make isn't very good. Its great for rapid prototyping e.g. making something and checking that its going to fit/work, but because of the way the plastic is laid down in layers 3D printed stuff tends to be rough and jaggy and has weaknesses in it where the layers don't bond to each other perfectly. Chunky stuff is OK and quite robust, but anything with thin walls, like the example of the fuel pump breather wouldn't be much good. Likewise the Mini K badge, would have to be done in transparent material, but there would be bubbles of air trapped in the layers so it would look crappy.

An alternative, in some cases, might be to 3D print the moulds for parts, then use conventional materials in the moulds.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

I have a 3D printer and I do make parts occasionally. I eventually want to make a sports 850 badge for my 850.
There is no problem with durability, if you have a decent printer and set it up correctly (no easy task). You can even get carbon fiber filament.

The big issue is finish, My printer is very dated and only has a tolerance of 0.3mm. So its useless for pretty things like badges but there's no problem with making.
This walls are doable, especially with SLA printers, but anything with overhang is basically impossible.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

As the others have said, 3d printing doesn't spit out an exact replica of the part, it prints in layers like a topographical map.

You can finish the parts to be quite smooth but then you're taking material away and the dimensions of the part will suffer.

If you wanted to reproduce a part (accurately and in terms of finish and clarity) then the best bet is to re-make the part on 3D the have a tool made and polished.

Was worth a thought just imagine if it could make a breather, who wants a breather 50 of u no worries print 50 out done but not that easy

Dont bother with a prusa. The idea of a self replicating machine is nice, but you will get a much better more rigid machine and better prints with a good old fashioned materials.
I have the prusa mendel, the predeceseor of that prusa i3 so Im speaking from experience.

The mendel90 or printr bot would be a better choice.