3D Printed Ford Battery Case Help

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by WarbirdPhotog

Update! Went to the EarlyFordParts store today and they are letting me borrow their original 1940 battery to use for measurements! I'm going to photograph the heck out of this things, measure everything, and get that star texture exactly replicated. This will be a massive help!

I'm sorry you don't appreciate my observations, I don't mean to be rude in my replies. It would be great if you are able to manufacture a product capable of pleasing everyone, and your acquisition of that Ford HF battery should help in that endeavor.
I've never worked with 3D printers, but have seen what they can do and their shortcomings, so I'm guessing that the surface pattern and details as produced by that machine would leave a lot to be desired. How would you go about creating that surface and detail with a printer?

[fordv8j]

The tabs on the bottom is easily sawed off with hack saw; don't diminish from strength of the battery case, mine would not go in the case with them on there

[WarbirdPhotog]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

I'm sorry you don't appreciate my observations, I don't mean to be rude in my replies. It would be great if you are able to manufacture a product capable of pleasing everyone, and your acquisition of that Ford HF battery should help in that endeavor.

I've never worked with 3D printers, but have seen what they can do and their shortcomings, so I'm guessing that the surface pattern and details as produced by that machine would leave a lot to be desired. How would you go about creating that surface and detail with a printer?

It depends on the printer, but you can achieve very smooth surfaces and also texture surfaces. In the case of this battery, looking at the original, this star texture seems to be slightly raised. I can easily build that into the 3D model itself so it actually prints the texture. If that's what you're talking about.