5 ms·

The hard part is finding appliances that need fixing. This is super easy if you happen to own a lot do things that break. If not, it becomes quite boring and te

by dplgk 7y ago

The hard part is finding appliances that need fixing. This is super easy if you happen to own a lot do things that break. If not, it becomes quite boring and tedious to scout out things that are breaking for other people, that you have no personal motivation to fix, to get the broken appliance and then figure out the 3d model for the bad part.

tlrobinson 7y ago
It seems like once you build up a critical mass of reputation/SEO you could get people to send you their broken parts to reproduce (then start advertising that specific part too)
- dplgk 7y ago
  Then that depends on either how much they're paying for the part and how much you enjoying 3d modeling and the trial and error dof 3d printing. You'll also need at least a real version of the part to copy and maybe even the appliance.
microtherion 7y ago
A few years ago I bought a replacement part for a baby stroller: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bugabooparts https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bugabooparts It's a neat business model: The person posts DIY repair videos on youtube, which drives traffic to his site. The strollers can easily cost $1000 new, and are often handed down / resold, so there is motivation to keep them running, and they have some weak spots which tend to break. The 3D printed replacement parts can be of superior quality to the original parts.
- kwiens 7y ago
  Yes! We have guides for doing Bugaboo repairs using 3D printed parts on iFixit. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3++Handlebar+Clip+Replacement/107457 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3++Handl... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Swivel+Wheel+Lock+Replacement/107401 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Swivel... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Brake+Handle+Replacement/107741 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Brake+...
petra 7y ago
Depending on the long-term economics, it might be worthwhile to work as a repair technician for some time and gather repairs.
ausjke 7y ago
someone needs to make wheels for those luggage suitcases, some wheels broke while the case is still good.
- dplgk 7y ago
  A lot of them appear to be the same as roller blade wheels
- bronco21016 7y ago
  If you buy a bag with rollerblade wheels vs the plastic castering garbage that comes on a lot of bags you’ll get significantly more life out of them. I spend 15-20 days/month on the road and get several years out of rollerblade wheels.

by dplgk 7y ago

tlrobinson 7y ago

It seems like once you build up a critical mass of reputation/SEO you could get people to send you their broken parts to reproduce (then start advertising that specific part too)

dplgk 7y ago
Then that depends on either how much they're paying for the part and how much you enjoying 3d modeling and the trial and error dof 3d printing. You'll also need at least a real version of the part to copy and maybe even the appliance.

microtherion 7y ago

A few years ago I bought a replacement part for a baby stroller: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bugabooparts https://www.shapeways.com/shops/bugabooparts It's a neat business model: The person posts DIY repair videos on youtube, which drives traffic to his site. The strollers can easily cost $1000 new, and are often handed down / resold, so there is motivation to keep them running, and they have some weak spots which tend to break. The 3D printed replacement parts can be of superior quality to the original parts.

kwiens 7y ago
Yes! We have guides for doing Bugaboo repairs using 3D printed parts on iFixit. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3++Handlebar+Clip+Replacement/107457 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3++Handl... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Swivel+Wheel+Lock+Replacement/107401 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Swivel... https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Brake+Handle+Replacement/107741 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Bugaboo+Cameleon+1+and+3+Brake+...

petra 7y ago

Depending on the long-term economics, it might be worthwhile to work as a repair technician for some time and gather repairs.

ausjke 7y ago

someone needs to make wheels for those luggage suitcases, some wheels broke while the case is still good.

dplgk 7y ago
A lot of them appear to be the same as roller blade wheels
bronco21016 7y ago
If you buy a bag with rollerblade wheels vs the plastic castering garbage that comes on a lot of bags you’ll get significantly more life out of them. I spend 15-20 days/month on the road and get several years out of rollerblade wheels.