Any interest in reproduction center A/C vent?

[66 C10 383]

I know this was started years ago and has been brought back so I'm not sure the poll is still open.

I would also be in the market for something like this. I'm not a purist but it'd be neat to have something like this to mount my Vintage Air so it don't have the under dash vents. I've not been actively been looking for a stock center vent yet but it is something that's been in the back of my mind to try.

As to the statement earlier, if something like this would be made, I'd bet there would be a good call for it.

[lee64]

Ditto. Price is always a factor, but for a piece your describing it can have some str------etch to it. More advances need to be made for availability of previously unavailable parts. I don't think we are the last generation who wants these trucks. I've met half a dozen guys in their 20s who have one.

[cortcomp]

I bet if you repopped these (and they were even just close) and inner BBW panels, you'd be a rich rich man.

[ChefCy]

I want one for my 63, yes im willing to cut in to my dash. I was trying to buy a truck recently just for the vent. the rest was crap but THAT vent was the jewel.

[gofastnut]

I'd love to have a good center vent to scan in and then put in a 3D printer, to make a mold for maybe even an injection molded piece.
Any updates?
Anybody?
Please...

[cab_01]

My friend is a fabricator. I showed him a picture and he said no problem, it looks pretty easy. It will probably be a few months before I have him do it. I also told him I do not want the center vent.

[Budman56]

Originally Posted by gofastnut

I'd love to have a good center vent to scan in and then put in a 3D printer, to make a mold for maybe even an injection molded piece.
Any updates?
Anybody?
Please...

gofastnut I have one that Iam going to put into my truck, I live in patterson ca, maybe we can work a deal so that you can scan it a maybe I could get a copy when your done with it.

[Budman56]

Originally Posted by cab_01

My friend is a fabricator. I showed him a picture and he said no problem, it looks pretty easy. It will probably be a few months before I have him do it. I also told him I do not want the center vent.

how long would it take him to scan it? is it something that can be done in a day?

[lasher78]

build'em and we will buy them....
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[ChefCy]

Originally Posted by lasher78

build'em and we will buy them....
Posted via Mobile Device

I 2nd that

[gofastnut]

Originally Posted by cab_01

...I also told him I do not want the center vent.

kinda funny.

The thing I'm worried about with the non-gazillion dollar 3D priting units is the lack of a good finished surface. Maybe I can cover it with bodyfiller, or an epoxy, then go from there.
If a 3D printed one can be "finished" out to where it's smooth, there may not need to be an injection mold process....
Got to do a little research and talk to a friend, keep ya posted.

[gofastnut]

Originally Posted by Budman56

how long would it take him to scan it? is it something that can be done in a day?

Oh yeah! More like 5 minutes with the correct scanner.
search for jay leno's 3D printer you tube stuff, it's killer!

Budman, let me try to get things lined up here, then we'll talk about collateral that you'll need for me to borrow and ever-so-tenderly use your center vent.

[lasher78]

Originally Posted by gofastnut

kinda funny.

The thing I'm worried about with the non-gazillion dollar 3D priting units is the lack of a good finished surface. Maybe I can cover it with bodyfiller, or an epoxy, then go from there.
If a 3D printed one can be "finished" out to where it's smooth, there may not need to be an injection mold process....
Got to do a little research and talk to a friend, keep ya posted.

please do keep is posted as how it works out...there are alot of us that would like one..
Posted via Mobile Device

[66 C10 383]

Depending on the price of course, I'd be interested in something like this myself. I'll be putting in Vintage Air and I'd like to add some type of stock looking vents. Since my truck isn't going to be a 100% restoration, something close to stock would be close enough for me. Most people wouldn't know the difference anyway ...

[cab_01]

Originally Posted by Budman56

how long would it take him to scan it? is it something that can be done in a day?

Not sure what you mean by scanning it. Actually, I think I do but not sure. Do you scan one to make a mold? If so, why?


He has made a ton of stuff. He has been restoring/upgrading classic cars for 30 or more yrs. I believe he would make it by hand, but i will talk to him more seeing that there is so much interest. Maybe he can make some extra money.

[gofastnut]

[QUOTE=cab_01;6201256]Not sure what you mean by scanning it. Actually, I think I do but not sure. Do you scan one to make a mold?QUOTE]

No, not to make a mold. I kinda don't want to say more at the moment....
I'm working on this as a way to make some money for my hobby, which is trucks, and I'd rather not spell it out for someone to beat me to it.

[cab_01]

No worries. I will not even talk to him about making anymore than mine. He has enough on his plate already. If you get yours going soon enough I may even buy one from you.

[gofastnut]

Cab, I'm trying to get one lined up to scan. I also just found out that one of my buddies has some serious CAD talents. I'm a little torn, do I get him one he can measure up and do his magic with (time consuming), or do I just get it scanned, and then turn it into the type of file that works with his program to tweak it a little, so if I/anyone here wanted something just a hair different(such as no center vent--which might be a good place for controls, or a simple logo) we could do that.
I also appreciate you holding off on them. I don't want to do it so much for the money(but that would be nice), but more to help out lots of great guys with great ideas for their trucks! Yes, I want to be the center vent hero!

[cab_01]

LOL I hope you get it up and running. I like the idea of being able to add or delete something.

Sounds like scanning one and having him tweak it would be the fastest way to get it done. my .02

[gofastnut]

I've been wanting a 3D printer for quite a while now, the only problem is the $2000-$2500 that it takes to get one with a large enough print bed and high resolution.
In the meantime, I'm working on an alternative to shelling out that kind of money and still get center vents out there.....

[Budman56]

Originally Posted by gofastnut

Cab, I'm trying to get one lined up to scan. I also just found out that one of my buddies has some serious CAD talents. I'm a little torn, do I get him one he can measure up and do his magic with (time consuming), or do I just get it scanned, and then turn it into the type of file that works with his program to tweak it a little, so if I/anyone here wanted something just a hair different(such as no center vent--which might be a good place for controls, or a simple logo) we could do that.
I also appreciate you holding off on them. I don't want to do it so much for the money(but that would be nice), but more to help out lots of great guys with great ideas for their trucks! Yes, I want to be the center vent hero!

gofast I always thought that these center vents should have been aluminum, for my money it would be nice to get it into a cad program and then have them milled out of aluminum. let me know when your ready to scan or measure the vent. we will work something out.

[gofastnut]

Originally Posted by Budman56

gofast I always thought that these center vents should have been aluminum, for my money it would be nice to get it into a cad program and then have them milled out of aluminum.

Can you sketch me something that you're after?

PM sent about the vent

[Budman56]

Originally Posted by gofastnut

Can you sketch me something that you're after?

PM sent about the vent

I have a question for you guys, I am looking at having a the air conditioning vent reproduced, this is what I got back from a designer what do you guys think I have not done this before and don't know if this is good or not. Hi Bud,
Ok, cool.
Ah! I see why they don't make them. Not too many '65 chevy pickups came w/ AC.
Are you interested in fully dimensioned 2D drafting for use to quote at different prototypers? Or you just need a 3D solid file?
Since it's just plastic you might be able to have it rapid prototyped, but it would need some polishing.

For a good accurate CAD model (3D only) of the base and middle vent you'd be looking at about $400-600. Add $50-$150 for 2D drafting depending on level of detail needed

[Leverhead]

Another vote for YES..assuming it is good quality and the price isn't absorbitant. Easy hookup to aftermarket air would be a key factor.

[Captainfab]

I don't think that price is unreasonable considering the time to create a 3D CAD model and file, plus the designers investment in something like Solidworks.

Originally Posted by Budman56

I have a question for you guys, I am looking at having a the air conditioning vent reproduced, this is what I got back from a designer what do you guys think I have not done this before and don't know if this is good or not. Hi Bud,
Ok, cool.
Ah! I see why they don't make them. Not too many '65 chevy pickups came w/ AC.
Are you interested in fully dimensioned 2D drafting for use to quote at different prototypers? Or you just need a 3D solid file?
Since it's just plastic you might be able to have it rapid prototyped, but it would need some polishing.

For a good accurate CAD model (3D only) of the base and middle vent you'd be looking at about $400-600. Add $50-$150 for 2D drafting depending on level of detail needed