3d printed tail lights! | Project Blackpowder

[@griffingibson4389]

Sick idea. Looks way better. Color is nice and deep too. Really gives it that shockingly bright mustang tail light look.

[@Thugsidekick]

Do you think you could 3D print some front turn signals hosing for a 65 Chevy Impala front

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I would have to look at how they are set up, and how dificult they are to model. Let me get back to you!

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Totally. It is a pretty simple shape. I'm guessing you would want an LED integrated into it?

[@mrdennisday]

It took me way too long to realize I needed a printer enclosure. I highly recommend getting one and preheating your heatbed to print temps for 20-30 minutes prior to printing your parts. Also, to diffuse your light, pull apart an old tv (every suburb neighborhood has one out on trash day) or an old LCD monitor apart and remove the white film. I use that stuff a lot. I'd remove the red lens from the truck light of course too. I'm working on my 1982 Supra and am planning to do this very thing.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I get good results from my printer setup, but to print abs/asa i will have an enclosure. I have a couple ideas for diffuser, and i think i will add yours to the list. I even have a junk monitor! Thanks!

[@mrdennisday]

@@squirrelsworkshop Glad to hear it! I print entirely in ABS and Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate now. Also, have you seen how clear cellophane gift wrap (the stuff the use for basket arrangements) transmits light? They use it in lightsabers. Just something to keep in mind when you need to carry light a distance.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Interesting thought, but I doubt the color fastness of the celophane. UV does a number on those types of plastics

[@mountainmanfab]

looks good and great idea...just keep in mind that direct and reflected sunlight can do a number on pla parts in a hurry so may wanna look at asa or one of the carbon or glass filled nylon like nylon x and nylon g or their equivalent....may even want to look into a caswell printed parts plating kit ..have fun!

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Yeah, the next version is pla+ and I am going to let it sit in the back of my truck for a while this summer. I may need to upgrade to a better material before the project is over. Thanks for stopping by!

[@KalvinD]

Absolutely love the idea. Great job executing. To be honest, I like the look with the recessed lights and no lens or lens bezel. Kind of a resto mod look.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I know what you're saying. I think my favorite would be the "crystal" lenses like the 99-04 mustangs, but I still dont want to see the actual bulbs or LED dots

[@daledurgin]

I like it. Good job.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Thanks

[@AutoRevLife]

I'm subscribing just for this. I had a lot of the same ideas you have for 3d printing and wiring up custom tail lights. You really don't see people doing this kind of thing. Glad to see I'm not crazy!

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Heck yeah! My wife wanted a printer for trinkets and nerdy stuff. Once we had it running, I realized the possibilities! Stay tuned for V2 soon!

[@ShopKatIndustries]

WOW! Very cool idea, well-executed. Cheers from Alberta, Canada!

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Thanks! Stay tuned for version 2!

[@jbizz23]

Nice job looks great 👍

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Thanks!

[@Thatoneguytrav]

Looks good! cool idea Subbed!

[@robrs210]

If you want your prints to stick to the heatbed then use hairspray with polyvinylpyrrolidone in. It must have that ingredient in it . Just a light dusting will do

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Good to know, thanks! I have had good luck lately with a clean and dry textured Ender plate.

[@MyKARSShop]

I definitely like the LED… You might consider painting the inside of the printed bucket with that pseudo chrome rattle can paint - it might help bounce the light around even more inside. You also might consider doing POD and sell those things. $$$$

[@squirrelsworkshop]

You are reading my mind 🤘

[@MyKARSShop]

@@squirrelsworkshop I’ve only watched about six or seven of your videos, and I can already tell we think a lot alike. Lol.

[@viteliohernandez]

Nice job, I'm looking to do the same for a cherokee

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Cool!

[@nowayhunting]

can you make colored lenses with the 3d printer?

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I think so, and I think I need to try. Several people have asked similar questions. I will need to research some materials.

[@FrankensteinDIYkayak]

simple solution for a good reflector on back of housing:hand polish an aluminum can and print clips to hold it in

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Good idea! I think I will have an aluminum back panel in the final version, so maybe I will leave extra room for a polished section. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@FrankensteinDIYkayak]

@@squirrelsworkshop I've seen advertised a low temp aluminum welding rod that could join even .004 or so aluminum. could use cansand shape them. if you did a parabola shape it would be extra reflective. could 3D print a simple form to make it.. I used Metal Polish Creme by Blue Magic to get some items to an absolute mirror finish., good luck with the idea and post any projects you do with it as I'm curious as to what creativity can do.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

@@FrankensteinDIYkayak thanks for the info! Part 2 video has been released, and it took a bit of a departure from this setup. More to come in the future as well!

[@FrankensteinDIYkayak]

@@squirrelsworkshop stay in touch with me as I might be doing the same with a high degree of innovation and creativity. and maybe swapping ideas. I've been pretty good at plastic welding. kayak in photo is a one off and was plastic welded and has held up

[@alphaboltz]

needs a frenzel layer

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Yeah, needs something for sure. Thanks for watchin!

[@mikewolfe789]

How much to print a set of tail light lenses for a 1979 Malibu?

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I have not yet printed lenses. I would have to look into transparent materials and methods. Are they not available for purchase?

[@mikewolfe789]

No they are not it is for a 1979 malibu

[@squirrelsworkshop]

@@mikewolfe789 i see there are quite a few used ones for sale, but almost no new ones. They also look like they are too big for my printer. There is a big 3d print community or reddit, and you can ask lots of questions there. Many people there will even print for you. www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/s/N0y53EWUdQ

[@JMMortgages]

did you stick with this design for the tails? or did you swap it for something that slides in from the back to keep the lense in place? would removing the supports along the sides allow this to slide in as it should?

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I have made quite a few versions, and I have at least one other video on them. I do have a design to insert the housing from the outside, but I am struggling to find a drop-in LED that I like.

[@JMMortgages]

@ any chance your willing to share the latest that slides in from outside? I’m going to be working on wiring up my own led lights inside.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

@@JMMortgages let me see what i have

[@michaelabraham9177]

Interesting, i bought 2 3d printers this year, but do not know any cad programs yet. Either way plenty of stuff to print.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Freecad and Fusion360 are both decent free CAD options to get started with.

[@michaelabraham9177]

@@squirrelsworkshop I got free cad, its time, and then motivation when I have time that's kicking my butt lol

[@squirrelsworkshop]

@@michaelabraham9177 i hear you! I have the same problem.

[@LostnEurope]

This is great idea, where do I find your STLs?

[@squirrelsworkshop]

They are not up yet. I am making the followup video right now, and I will have files up when that video premiers!

[@quinteastwood8752]

Could get better output with a clear LED, it's going through a red lense anyways. Clear PETG makes for a good diffuser, use high heat and thick layers

[@squirrelsworkshop]

You are right about the clear LED, I think I found one I will use in my final version. Video in early 2024!

[@robertbdees9913]

Will over load flasher relay with led . My brother spent a bunch of money on led for his 64 1/2 mustang. Cool idea but should update head light ,brake light switches . Even check all your grounds

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I believe it. If you watch a couple other vids on this car, it's gutted, so it is getting a full custom wire harness. Thanks for watchin!

[@peppermintgamer3856]

As a diesel mechanic, no those lights really dont last any longer. The end result looks really good though.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Do you mean number of years they last, or number of hours they run before failing? I would think that most comercial truck/trailer lights run a great deal more hours per year than this application. Thanks for stoppin by!

[@peppermintgamer3856]

@squirrelsworkshop maybe for this application, I don't have nearly as much experience with classic or regular cars, but on trailers and trucks the only main difference is brightness. Past that I replace just as many. Either way you got my subscription, I never thought to use cheap trailer lights on anything else. Can't believe I havnt seen any of your videos until now. Edit: for clarification It feels like I replace just as many leds as conventional style.

[@mikee6657]

cool idea. led's are more reliable just my 0.02$

[@chrstphrr]

I like that your design uses an off the shelf unit. That gives you the opportunity to swap out a light if there's an issue. Did you solve the tail light lens moving in the metal grating? That, I would make a space bracket (or two - upper + lower?) to space the lens proper between the sheet metal and the metal grating that surrounds it on the outside. Going to check out some of your other videos and snoop around and see if you've updates on this.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I have a new light video in the works. V2 is a fair bit different, and I will explain what changed and why. Cheers!

[@PaganWizard]

Has this been posted on thingiverse yet??

[@squirrelsworkshop]

It has not. I have V2 coming out and I will try to clean up the models and get them posted soon!

[@TerryPullen]

Try a clear light instead of the red one.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Good idea. I actually did use some clear LEDs in the next version. Video has been posted if you are curious!

[@dpgedward5947]

Learn sketchup for 3D part, very easy and fast

[@cirovig1]

Hey, shout out to anybody who can help me dig-print an outer part for my saab tail light! I can`t get the part anywhere so have to resort to getting someone to make it or advise how to....

[@ronnycox27]

If you haven’t figured out where the light comes from it’s probably Grote

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I did figure out who made it, and now i cant remember... lol. I will find it again for the next video.

[@gabrielenitti3243]

nice idea, try not to make them too bright though, you dont want to be blinding people driving behind you

[@squirrelsworkshop]

That was in my mind when I saw how bright they were, but it is a standard trailer light, so it isnt too bad. Version 2 will be a little different though, and it could be a bit too bright. Stay tuned!

[@NXT_LVL]

Awesome! i can't stand the All-in-one "throwaway" LED lights they are worst. Spend $500 or $1500 a pair just to have a group of LEDs die out and you have to toss the whole thing. A housing is a housing and a bulb is a bulb. Way easier and cheaper to replace $20-40 worth of LEDs and if you can't find your bulb anymore you have the working file to adjust the bulb side of the mount and the slicer/printer to run another set.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

You got it! Yeah, I definetly want something easy to replace. Keep an eye out for the final version in the future!

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Help me buy some new filament and lenses for the final version! www.patreon.com/SquirrelsWorkshop

[@PetrolHeadBrasil]

NO LED in classic cars!

[@squirrelsworkshop]

You do what you want with your car, this one is mine. Thanks for watching!

[@TheGhostOfTheShadow]

led makes the car better, we just like the look of classic cars

[@hoodoooperator6769]

Don't tell me what to do

[@buiItnotbought]

We both had the same redneck idea. I didnt want to buy that overpriced led kit either. So i ended up getting some $10 led trailer lights and just clear epoxying them to the inside of the red lens. Another bonus is you can run really small gauge wire to the rear.

[@squirrelsworkshop]

Yeah buddy! I was ready to just stuff some small lights in the original housing and call it good, but i think this is a better route.