Mrs.Q kindly bought me a 3D printer for christmas, and I've been playing with it and learning since then.
I happen to do 3D CAD for a living, so the software isn't exactly difficult for me.
My first bash at parts for my old narrow body excel are the door mirror shrouds which seem to biodegrade.
Work in progress is here if you care to take a look: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3508737
Click on the 'Thingiview' button for a 3D look at it.
3D Printed parts for the Excel?
Moderator: Board Moderators
- Qwertyco
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 13:51
- Model: plain old Excel
- Colour: White
- Year: 1983
- Location: North Yorkshire
3D Printed parts for the Excel?
"Life is like a Dancing Monkey, - Pretty amusing, until it starts to lob faeces at you"
- Phantasm
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 647
- Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2015 21:16
- Model: Excel SE
- Colour: Silk Red
- Year: 1992
- Location: Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Contact:
Re: 3D Printed parts for the Excel?
That's pretty cool that you have those talents.
I suspect it might make you some money here as well!!
I suspect it might make you some money here as well!!
-Bill
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang
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soldave
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 106
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 22:34
- Model: Eclat
- Colour: Yellow
- Year: 1979
- Location: West Yorkshire
Re: 3D Printed parts for the Excel?
Very cool and good skills. You could definitely make a bit of money commissioning parts that are no longer made for Excels/Eclats/Elites.
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Alex_76
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2016 13:25
- Model: Eclat Excel (Type 89)
- Colour: Red
- Year: 1983
Re: 3D Printed parts for the Excel?
Maybe a 3D print of the seat release bezel would be great. Those things break al the time, none of them left in the market. 2 please. Also 2 mirror mount covers for me please... 
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soldave
- Regular Poster
- Posts: 106
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2015 22:34
- Model: Eclat
- Colour: Yellow
- Year: 1979
- Location: West Yorkshire
Re: 3D Printed parts for the Excel?
I think the big step is going to be when 3d scanners come down in price a little more. You'll then be able to get a pretty much perfect replica of trim pieces that are no longer made and difficult to get hold of used.
- Mauro200
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2019 15:01
- Model: Excel
- Colour: Bianco
- Year: 1984
- Location: Silvi Marina Italy
Re: 3D Printed parts for the Excel?
Hi. I tried to print it, it's not so bad, just that the drawing on the file is a little bit shorter. I had to extend it by almost 10 mm.Qwertyco wrote:Mrs.Q kindly bought me a 3D printer for christmas, and I've been playing with it and learning since then.
I happen to do 3D CAD for a living, so the software isn't exactly difficult for me.
My first bash at parts for my old narrow body excel are the door mirror shrouds which seem to biodegrade.
Work in progress is here if you care to take a look: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3508737
Click on the 'Thingiview' button for a 3D look at it.

- Cappies85Lotus
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Wed Oct 23, 2019 21:20
- Model: Excel
- Colour: Monaco White
- Year: 1985
- Location: Hereford
Re: 3D Printed parts for the Excel?
Hi Mauro
Being an old fashioned engineering draughtsman (16-65) I am well impressed with your skills. Only wish that I had got involved in CAD drawing during my working life but didn't have the time to learn new skills, besides I always thought I could draw better myself with my ink Rotering Pens!!!!
Will these be the same for the 1985 Excel??
Well done. I concur with the comment that there must be an opportunity for you with parts that are scarce or not available across the Lotus range.
Brian
Being an old fashioned engineering draughtsman (16-65) I am well impressed with your skills. Only wish that I had got involved in CAD drawing during my working life but didn't have the time to learn new skills, besides I always thought I could draw better myself with my ink Rotering Pens!!!!
Will these be the same for the 1985 Excel??
Well done. I concur with the comment that there must be an opportunity for you with parts that are scarce or not available across the Lotus range.
Brian