I see, the one with the Ferrari since his post is gone. Is that a bad thing Dwayne?

You have Art who is not returning due to a member who continues to hammer and badger with comments. Kevin wanted something free, I don't think my comments were off base, now were they? And I believe I was nice in those as were everyone else.

I can leave if you feel I am a problem here and delete my membership. There must be some reason you posted that he deleted his account.

I would like to wait, if you do, until I get the 2.3 in my Pinto.

Dianne

C'mon now lady... That would be the most polite outburst I've ever seen, if you're looking at it like that. You should check out the 4m crowd! I personally wouldn't have taken offence to that, had it been directed to me. Chalk it up to the obama "bucket" mentality.

I only posted that Kevinwi had deleted his account so everyone here would know there was no longer any reason to belabor the point.  NOTHING I read in that thread was out of line other than his assertion that all of Alberto's work invested in reproducing the lens should be made available free of charge.  I had already made my position clear when someone earlier balked at the price so I didn't call him out on it; quite frankly, I figured some others would... and they did.  I am very proud of the members who spoke up and pointed out the error of his ways.  I never dreamed that he would be so thin skinned he would remove himself from the site altogether, but that was his decision.  I do not find any posts, made in response to his, offensive in any way... you stepped up and supported and acknowledged the time, investment, and talent that goes into developing something like this lens and called out someone who clearly had no regard for that.  This site is dedicated to the preservation of Ford Pintos and I can think of no way to better fulfill that mission than the developing of new resources for parts.  That's what Alberto has done here and I applaud his efforts. 


A personal note to Dianne: I know this should go in a PM rather than a public post, but I feel so strongly about it that I decided to put it here so anyone and everyone can read it.  In no way whatsoever, do I want you to leave... and if that's the impression you got, I truly apologize.  Re-read the next to last sentence I wrote above.  You are uniquely positioned with the resources at your disposal to be a major factor in the preservation of Ford Pintos, if you so desire.  Your vast knowledge and understanding of technology, coupled with your ownership of shops, and your employment of mechanics who sound like real "car guys", could be the most valuable resource available to members of the PCCA.  I'm afraid that the future of quite a few Pintos died along with Fred Morgan, but even he could only harvest and supply existing parts.  The folks who have the capability to innovate and reproduce viable new parts will ultimately be the lifeblood of our hobby.  And, even if you do not choose to get involved in any of that, I like your energy, your enthusiasm, and your love of the hobby; and bottom line, I like you.  I think you'd find many of the other members here feel the same way.


Dwayne

I only posted that Kevinwi had deleted his account so everyone here would know there was no longer any reason to belabor the point.  NOTHING I read in that thread was out of line other than his assertion that all of Alberto's work invested in reproducing the lens should be made available free of charge.  I had already made my position clear when someone earlier balked at the price so I didn't call him out on it; quite frankly, I figured some others would... and they did.  I am very proud of the members who spoke up and pointed out the error of his ways.  I never dreamed that he would be so thin skinned he would remove himself from the site altogether, but that was his decision.  I do not find any posts, made in response to his, offensive in any way... you stepped up and supported and acknowledged the time, investment, and talent that goes into developing something like this lens and called out someone who clearly had no regard for that.  This site is dedicated to the preservation of Ford Pintos and I can think of no way to better fulfill that mission than the developing of new resources for parts.  That's what Alberto has done here and I applaud his efforts. 


A personal note to Dianne: I know this should go in a PM rather than a public post, but I feel so strongly about it that I decided to put it here so anyone and everyone can read it.  In no way whatsoever, do I want you to leave... and if that's the impression you got, I truly apologize.  Re-read the next to last sentence I wrote above.  You are uniquely positioned with the resources at your disposal to be a major factor in the preservation of Ford Pintos, if you so desire.  Your vast knowledge and understanding of technology, coupled with your ownership of shops, and your employment of mechanics who sound like real "car guys", could be the most valuable resource available to members of the PCCA.  I'm afraid that the future of quite a few Pintos died along with Fred Morgan, but even he could only harvest and supply existing parts.  The folks who have the capability to innovate and reproduce viable new parts will ultimately be the lifeblood of our hobby.  And, even if you do not choose to get involved in any of that, I like your energy, your enthusiasm, and your love of the hobby; and bottom line, I like you.  I think you'd find many of the other members here feel the same way.


Dwayne

That's a Big Ditto , Dwayne....
 BTW , I have a 3D Dome light, but it's the light reflecting off my missing hair patch It's not dimmable so, I wear a hat a lot!

You guys are too kind actually.

What's that supposed to mean?! Now I'm offended! How rude!

Huh? Hope that was a joke. What it meant, if you're serious, is that I'm nothing really when it comes to these comments and my experiences. I do what I can, with the assistance of many here, so I'm not an expert or anything else. Do you understand what that comment means, or was it to be funny?

It's too early to be serious. It's always too early to be that serious. Insert smiley face here.

Whew LOL

I didn't know LOL Thanks for that, I needed the laugh this morning. I may be letting a mechanic go today and hiring another. Not in the best of moods

Well then, insert smile there instead. Wish I could stand to be that from the ocean, I'd come apply.

I grew up on the water and used to miss it. But mountains, high plains desert, and lakes with the best river/stream fishing around and hunting make the ocean seem not as good   Less population also!

Ok...for those complaining about the price of this item, let me tell you how things work with the company that's producing them from the perspective of someone who has some products of his own up on the website.  The way it works with Shapeways is you submit the file of your part and then choose from materials ranging from different grades and colors of plastic all the way up to platinum.  Their software then gives you a cost to produce the part based on volume/print time and material, at which point you get to specify how much you would like to mark up that price.  The only money you, as the designer, receive for the sale is that markup.  In the case of these lenses, and based on my experience, I doubt *very* much if Pintopower is making more than $5 on each one of them and I think that is incredibly fair.  I'm assuming he's got at least a couple hours in the design of these and that means that he'd have to sell between 20-40 of them before he even broke even with the time he's got invested.  I can promise you, he didn't create this part or the gauge cluster with the intention of getting rich.  He did it as a labor of love and everybody who wants to gets to benefit from it.

My only concern about the price was the QUALITY of this part and after reading popbumpers post I am certain i would have been very upset about the look and quality of the lens. I do realize the time it takes to create the files and cost of machines and material - but if i pay a premium price i would think i would be receiving the same in the part - a premium quality part!!     but for those who need one now and not looking for a oem look and just need one for a daily driver this is great!! just not for me!!

I don't need a lens for my car, but I'm considering purchasing one anyway; just to see it up close and personal.  The photos look fine to me.  Chris bought one and is not impressed with the quality.  Scott bought two and says they look fantastic.  I really can't see why one person's opinion would outweigh another's, but from what I know about Chris and Scott, I believe both are being 100% truthful in their analysis.  I guess everyone has their own expectations.  Has anyone else here purchased a lens and, if so, can you post your thoughts on it?


Thanks,
Dwayne

I do realize the time it takes to create the files and cost of machines and material - but if i pay a premium price i would think i would be receiving the same in the part - a premium quality part!!     but for those who need one now and not looking for a oem look and just need one for a daily driver this is great!! just not for me!!

What you don't realize is that it's not a premium price, especially since new ones aren't available anywhere else. I could CNC them out of whatever plastic I want, but if you thought $30 is a lot....

Just five years ago if you had a Mustang SVO with a broken front passenger corner lens, you would be faced with paying $250+ for a good used one. Now good, but still not premium repops are "only' $200 from a single source.

I think it's a case of unrealistic expectations.  It is not an injection molded part.  It will never *look* like an injection molded part any more than a cast object will look like a billet object.  If you absolutely *must* have a smooth, glossy finish for whatever reason, you may be able to achieve it by a combination of acetone vapor bath (Google it...) and polishing.  As for me, I like the texture and it helps diffuse the light.  If my car had a dome light, instead of a rollcage, I'd buy one...   ;-)

Guys, I don't know what has gone on with this thread. I did not intend this to become some discussion on socioeconomics . Fact of the mater is, if you need a dome  light, I spent the time to make one for myself and offered it up to the community that I share a common passion with and I make a massive few cents on every sale. The price for this has to do with the smoothness of the part. This is printed with a high quality material that gives the fine details to the lens versus the cheaper versions that look terrible. I know some of you do not care for the smoothness of the lens on the 3D printed part. Here is my solution. In many cases, I like to color sand and clear coat my 3D printed parts. In the case of the lens, install it and see how it looks with out looking at it through a magnifying lens.

Guys, If you want it better, please front the $10000 for the press, the molds, the material and the shipping and I ill gladly have one injection molded for you. I shall continue to 3D print parts for the community because that is what I enjoy doing. If you expect perfect injection molded parts, please call Doc Brown, jump in the Delorean and he will get you some nice ones, though you will need to source some plutonium.

For those that have purchased them and liked them (I have received many emails thanking me), I am glad that I was able to help you out. That was my goal. I know what it is like to have a missing or damaged parts in my car and how much i loved getting replacements. I hope this spurs others to 3D print parts. We just got a 3D scanner at the office so I have big plans for the back of the instrument clusters.

You go!!!! Awesome on creating a part people need!

Guys, I don't know what has gone on with this thread. I did not intend this to become some discussion on socioeconomics . Fact of the mater is, if you need a dome  light, I spent the time to make one for myself and offered it up to the community that I share a common passion with and I make a massive few cents on every sale. The price for this has to do with the smoothness of the part. This is printed with a high quality material that gives the fine details to the lens versus the cheaper versions that look terrible. I know some of you do not care for the smoothness of the lens on the 3D printed part. Here is my solution. In many cases, I like to color sand and clear coat my 3D printed parts. In the case of the lens, install it and see how it looks with out looking at it through a magnifying lens.

Guys, If you want it better, please front the $10000 for the press, the molds, the material and the shipping and I ill gladly have one injection molded for you. I shall continue to 3D print parts for the community because that is what I enjoy doing. If you expect perfect injection molded parts, please call Doc Brown, jump in the Delorean and he will get you some nice ones, though you will need to source some plutonium.

For those that have purchased them and liked them (I have received many emails thanking me), I am glad that I was able to help you out. That was my goal. I know what it is like to have a missing or damaged parts in my car and how much i loved getting replacements. I hope this spurs others to 3D print parts. We just got a 3D scanner at the office so I have big plans for the back of the instrument clusters.

And a great big "THANK YOU"  to you!

Dwayne

That looks awesome actually! At $30 it seems like a deal. I don't need one, but if I ever need one I'll order it from you