I have a B2910 purchased new back in the day. Parts are getting difficult to find now. The plastic locking nut on the adjustable steering column broke, and I am thinking of printing one on a 3-d printer. Has anyone done something like this, and if so, what king of filament do you use?
3-d printing parts for older tractors
- Thread starter rossetal
- Start date
LittleBill21
Veteran Member
have you ever printed before? for an outside item, PETG is recommended due to UV protection, if you need something printed, I can print stuff for a fee, do you have a link to the STL file?
LittleBill21
Veteran Member
i am somewhat new to printing, and personally I don't see anything positive about ABS, seems like a pain to print, and doesn't seem like there is any advantage over petg, nylon seems better in a wear situation like being used as a gear, but honestly for your application, i doubt it really matters.
if your comfortable printing in either of them, i am reading nylon is stronger in smaller pieces so i would go with that
if your comfortable printing in either of them, i am reading nylon is stronger in smaller pieces so i would go with that
Root Cause
Platinum Member
ABS is typically a go-to plastice for outdoor use. It is UV resistant and unaffected by most chemicals. Nylon will warp and turn yellow soon. Google uses for ABS to see that automotive uses it alot.
LittleBill21
Veteran Member
yea looking this up, if its abs vs nylon, abs is the way to go
A locking nut sounds like there will be some torque/stress on the plastic component. Try it if you wish but 3D printed parts from consumer printers seldom produce parts that will stand up to much stress, especially if it's threads that will be subject to stress loading/unloading cycles. Perhaps better to insert a metal nut into the plastic knob.
LittleBill21
Veteran Member
I would try it, I have printed a vice threads and all, and it has impressive strength if the thread is large enough.
i don't know if you saw my actuator post, but I am doing over 30 pounds with PETG. stuff is strong if you can make it large enough
Root Cause
Platinum Member
You can 3D print a solid part, a hollow part or anywhere in-between. The best part about them is that they tend to stay put when put in a slight bind.
The idea of using a steel nut is worth considering but I would think that through before changing materials and think about the application. Sometimes parts are made to be the weak link so something more costly doesn't break. And sometimes, the manufacturer is just cheap but you will figure that out.
The idea of using a steel nut is worth considering but I would think that through before changing materials and think about the application. Sometimes parts are made to be the weak link so something more costly doesn't break. And sometimes, the manufacturer is just cheap but you will figure that out.
Haven't seen your post and will not deny your results but I've seen results and failures that I cannot deny either. It's all about the application and I don't know what the OP situation is but thought the thread size would be under 5/16 and torqued as a pinch clamp on the steering. I just wanted to suggest something that won't end in failure. Would like to read your actuator post if you'd care to post a link. I'm always up for changing my opinion.