I got bored (errr, tired of writing my Master's thesis) so I designed a hood star that attaches with an neodymium magnet and 3-d printed it!





I'm going to try to find some type of metallic or chrome rattlecan paint to coat it with. I may magnet it to my "other" cars when I want that soothing star to guide me. I thought you guys would appreciate it.

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RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

Would you be willing to share the file? Maybe on libre3d?

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

Nice.

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83 SD

84 CD

Yes yes very good - what about that thesis...

(I was always a ball ache for the students unlucky enough to be in my office - join the club!)

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Put a longer and hollow bell on the bottom and you can sell them as tree toppers at Christmas...

(I'm really glad I didn't have technological distractions when I was in school!!)

Good luck with the thesis.

I can understand the idea of needing to change your focus for a short while, and complement you on your choice of a diversion!

I recently bumped the star on one of my cars and knocked it off. I think they are just plated zinc diecastings. I had thought of casting a couple out of bronze and polishing them up, along with all the other hundreds of projects I consider doing!

W.

Yeah, I wrote 40 pages between the last two days, so I needed a break.

I'll share the files with you guys by email if you want a copy.

It's actually a 2 piece assembly, so making a tree topper would be easy. I can design up a clip that would slide nicely onto the top point of the tree! I'll have to do that next time I need a diversion.

I have paid my living expenses while in school by manufacturing oddball car parts that are not available and selling on eBay -- design/3d printing/prototyping is my other hobby besides the cars...and muzzleloading...and lead casting...and gardening and...(and it actually results in a positive cashflow...unlike the others ). Many distractions in this house.

As an aside, if you guys think of parts on these cars that are hard to get your hands on, let me know. I know machinists and am planning to get set up for injection molding sometime after I graduate in a month.

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

Sun visor retainer clips.

That are plastic and metal.

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83 SD

84 CD

I noticed the other day that someone had already designed that!

Sunvisor Clip Mercedes-Benz w126 by grob6k - Thingiverse

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

pm sent

__________________
1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

There's a few lawyers in Stuttgart that would like a word with you...

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

Hopefully they will see it as a huge compliment that I am promoting their products!

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

For the closest "chrome" rattle can I know of is from Spaz Stix, their Mirror Chrome. It's usually used in r/c car bodies which I have used it quite a bit and love the stuff! It actually looks identical to actual chrome if done right. Here's the trick, we paint r/c car bodies on the inside and in reverse lay-down. So the new bodies are clear lexan and when you paint them from the inside, the lexan effectively is the clear coat. So I don't know how well it would work for your Star. It does like a scuff to adhere to and needs a clear coat after. One of the other aerosol chrome paints might look better.

Model Master brand model paint has a "Chrome Silver Trim" color that would look good but it looks more like a bare or brushed aluminum look. You could brush it on or airbrush it, plus its enamel which will hold up good with a clear coat.

Looks good though! Is this made of PLA plastic wire?

Oh and since this is a personal item, I don't think Mercedes can do anything about it. Correct me if i'm wrong.

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87' 300D, Currently undergoing an OM606 swap/build! SUPERTURBO!!!
03' 2500HD Dmax + goodies!
82' 300SD, parting out!
93' 300TE 4matic, parting out!
83' 240D Project Cheap Drive
89' 300E, parting out!
74' Datsun 510 wagon
88' RX7 10thAE, 13B track car build soon

Skippy~ As for perception: Drive what you like and can afford. Those who don't like it can supply vacuum to one of your components. LOL

If you need parts, I have some!

That one is made from PLA, but I'll probably make the next ones in ABS, so it does not soften in the sun.

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

That is so awesome!
There are plenty of parts needed and some "want" items as well. One main thing everyone wants is a cup holder, that will sell like hot cakes Im sure!! And help with tuition and food and whatever else!
Oh yes, and a key head that wont break!
Not to mention what benz owner doesnt want a MB xmas tree topper!!
Keep us posted on your projects! Great idea, Im happy to buy to further your education!!!