Need a small plastic clip ‘cloned’...

Diggsy

Diggsy

Diggsy

Soldato
Joined
31 Aug 2007
Posts
4,754
...I’ve no idea how to begin. I need to ‘clone’ a plastic clip for a toolbox of all things!

What’s the best way to do this? Is it a case of measuring the existing part and trying to create a 3D model in the likes of Tinkercad, or is there another way?

I’m hoping that when I manage to create the 3D model, I can then have it printed somewhere, as I don’t currently have a 3D printer.

Thanks all!
 
Diggsy said:
...I’ve no idea how to begin. I need to ‘clone’ a plastic clip for a toolbox of all things!

What’s the best way to do this? Is it a case of measuring the existing part and trying to create a 3D model in the likes of Tinkercad, or is there another way?

I’m hoping that when I manage to create the 3D model, I can then have it printed somewhere, as I don’t currently have a 3D printer.

Thanks all!
Click to expand...

First thing I would do is search on thingiverse and see if someone has already made the model.

If not then yeah, try and recreate it yourself or post a picture and dimensions in here and see if anyone can help with that and print it for you.
 
bulb66 said:
First thing I would do is search on thingiverse and see if someone has already made the model.

If not then yeah, try and recreate it yourself or post a picture and dimensions in here and see if anyone can help with that and print it for you.
Click to expand...
Perfect, thank you! Will have a hunt on there and if nothing, will have a crack at creating it myself.
 
Can’t find anything on thingiverse. Will try creating something later, and if I get stuck I’ll post here for help...
 
Images...



...anyone know how easy this would be to design and print? Need 2 of them, I think, as looking at this one, the centre piece is broken. Thanks

I have a load more images if they’re needed.

Edit - just realised I didn’t photograph the top of the clip!! Will add that shortly
 
Hmm, thanks for the reply, but I would have thought this could be done by a ‘home setup’. It’s not an overly complicated piece in any way.
 
Diggsy said:
Images...



...anyone know how easy this would be to design and print? Need 2 of them, I think, as looking at this one, the centre piece is broken. Thanks

I have a load more images if they’re needed.

Edit - just realised I didn’t photograph the top of the clip!! Will add that shortly
Click to expand...

If you still have the broken bit then try using super glue & baking powder.
If you have the patience you don't even need the broken bit !
 
As an aside printing a part like this that will be used and potentially under strain quite often the type of material used to print, quality of the layer adhesion and so on will be crucial or it won't last long (common materials used for 3D printing tend to be quite brittle and snap easily unless well designed) - additionally stuff like PLA will tend to warp somewhat even under moderately strong sunlight and potentially break down over time if exposed to moisture so if you were using a toolbox in the field potentially unsuitable (though relatively cheap and easy to print a new one periodically).
 
Thank you both of you. I think that makes my mind up that I’ll either try to repair it, and do without the second one, or maybe contact the manufacturer and see if they can supply one.

On a side note, I had no idea about the super glue / baking soda trick, so thanks for sharing that video!
 
I HIGHLY recommend JBweld Plastic Bond. I had a ripped off front bumper with clean breaks, and managed to repair that, and that sucker was not coming free.

I have also cracked a 3d printed tube in half that I was over baking to allow me to put a large metal tube inside it. When cooled, and under force the print snapped in half, which I repaired with plastic bond. I then again split the printed body, but it did NOT split at the bond, only about 2mm away from it. I.e. the bond held firm under significant twisting force. These are just two repairs I have done with it.

If you really must have a clip made, then get someone to print it out of ABS or NYLON if it is load bearing in anyway IMO.
 
Scougar said:
I HIGHLY recommend JBweld Plastic Bond. I had a ripped off front bumper with clean breaks, and managed to repair that, and that sucker was not coming free.

I have also cracked a 3d printed tube in half that I was over baking to allow me to put a large metal tube inside it. When cooled, and under force the print snapped in half, which I repaired with plastic bond. I then again split the printed body, but it did NOT split at the bond, only about 2mm away from it. I.e. the bond held firm under significant twisting force. These are just two repairs I have done with it.

If you really must have a clip made, then get someone to print it out of ABS or NYLON if it is load bearing in anyway IMO.
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Thanks for this. Funny I had seen the JB weld and wondered how good it was. This has convinced me to buy some and give it a go. If nothing else, it would be good to have in the toolbox!
 
Diggsy said:
Thanks for this. Funny I had seen the JB weld and wondered how good it was. This has convinced me to buy some and give it a go. If nothing else, it would be good to have in the toolbox!
Click to expand...

This is the one I am referring to btw: https://www.jbweld.com/product/plastic-bonder-syringe

Realistically it will start to go hard in 5 to 15 minutes, in an hour it's semi-cured rubbery (but not changeable), in a few hours solid. Clamping the joint will give the best result.
 
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Modelling and printing it is a doddle, the part that isn't is getting all the measurments right. I threw this together in 2 mins in tinkercad:



Its the little things like the little down clip that starts half way or so down the part, does that run all the way? so many questions... I can literally do a tutorial though to make that part in a few mins if you have all the measurements of every part.
 
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Vince said:
Modelling and printing it is a doddle, the part that isn't is getting all the measurments right. I threw this together in 2 mins in tinkercad:



Its the little things like the little down clip that starts half way or so down the part, does that run all the way? so many questions... I can literally do a tutorial though to make that part in a few mins if you have all the measurements of every part.
Click to expand...
That’s incredible! You sir are something of an expert with Tinkercad! I spent an age before trying to work it out and gave up in the end!!

The part in your design looks pretty darn accurate, aside from the internal angular pieces, but honestly please don’t go to any more trouble though, you’ve all done more than enough.
 
Vince said:
Modelling and printing it is a doddle, the part that isn't is getting all the measurments right. I threw this together in 2 mins in tinkercad:



Its the little things like the little down clip that starts half way or so down the part, does that run all the way? so many questions... I can literally do a tutorial though to make that part in a few mins if you have all the measurements of every part.
Click to expand...


As if it was that easy :D
 
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