Knockoff Momo custom center inserts

[Kenny_Z]

The first thing I did when I got my knockoff Momo wheel was to take it apart. There's a little black center section behind that cheap metal label. It got me thinking about having something 3d printed that's the same size and shape but maybe with my VIN or RED (in DMC font) made to replace it.

Here's some tests I threw together in 3DMax real quick. These are just to give me an idea, no where near the final product. The scale is a bit off too. I'm also not a fan of the numbers in that DMC font.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering04.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering05.jpg

I know one thing I want to do is lengthen the mounting studs enough that I can put some sort of retainer on them. As it stands now they are glued with the world's crappiest glue. Tomorrow I might try my hand at making an embossed version of the above pieces.

I'm planning to get them printed through http://www.shapeways.com unless anyone has a better idea. If it works out I'll happily provide the mesh to anyone that wants to have their own printed.

[LordFly]

That's pretty cool. Although I've never been a fan of the DMC "font" that is available ("stain-proof" or whatever it's called). It's decent, but not good enough that I would use it for anything on my car. I'm getting a "Canadaian Spec" decal cut, but I completely re-drew all the lettering based off the hood logo. I should have a pic of it tomorrow.

[Nicholas R]

I like the idea of 3D printing the emblem! I doubt you'll need the mounting studs though. I've tried several different center emblems on my knockoff and double sided tape has always worked perfectly. I just clean the surface with alcohol and then it adhears fine. Never fallen off, and every time I've changed it, I've had to work to remove the old one.

What material are you planning to print it in? Plastic? Stainless?

[DMCVegas]

That's pretty cool. Although I've never been a fan of the DMC "font" that is available ("stain-proof" or whatever it's called). It's decent, but not good enough that I would use it for anything on my car. I'm getting a "Canadaian Spec" decal cut, but I completely re-drew all the lettering based off the hood logo. I should have a pic of it tomorrow.

Yeah, it's crap. I have a much better TTF that I found some time back called "DMC" that does both upper and lower case letters and looks far better. I think that there is still a copy in the DML's Yahoo! Group files. If not, here you go.

DMC Font (http://home.comcast.net/~dmcvegas/Files/Dmc.TTF)

[Kenny_Z]

I don't think the stainless has enough detail and the plastic may not be able to withstand the heat of the DeLorean in an Alabama summer. I was thinking the unpolished alumide. It has a nice level of detail and heat rating up to 342F.

That's the DMC font I'm using. It's not too bad but the E and the 4s seem kind of odd. I'm going to alter them a little.

[Nicholas R]

That's the DMC font I'm using. It's not too bad but the E and the 4s seem kind of odd. I'm going to alter them a little.

I agree, every time I look at your vin one I just see the letter "h" upside down, not a 4, lol.

[Kenny_Z]

That's exactly what I see too. I tried to fix it but I'm not sure I did any better than the original font's creator. I tinkered with the design a little on my breaks. I can't say any of them stand out to me. I am going to drop the posts. You're right, double sided tape would work better.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering06.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering07.jpg

I made this one as a joke. I thought about adding a "= (flux)" but there's not a lot of room on this little tag.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering08.jpg

[Kenny_Z]

I think I like this design the most so far. Of course it's also the one with the most mesh errors. I'll have to clean it up a lot before I have it printed.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering11.jpg

[Kenny_Z]

I've decided on this one.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering13.jpg

It passed the upload test to Shapeways.com and only costs about 8 bucks to print.

These were the other two that I decided not to go with.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering12.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering14.jpg

[Henrik]

Here's some tests I threw together in 3DMax real quick.

Super awesome! I have the MOMO knock-off and I want to replace the non-sensical logo on the steering wheel. So if I want to get in on this but I obviously want my own lettering (such as my VIN or whatever I may come up with) - what do I do? Do you already have the design tool, Kenny, so maybe you can make the changes for me, then send the file to me and then I will place my order with shapeways?

[Kenny_Z]

Yeah, that'd be easy to do. I made sure to save the "blank" so I can put VIN numbers or names (very small names) on it. Or if you draw a picture of a shape you like I can do that too. That's if you name your car something like "the car formerly known as DeLorean" ;)

I hope to get the parts in later this week. I bought one black plastic and one alumide. It cost 20 total with shipping for these. I'll post pictures when I get them.

[Kenny_Z]

I got them in earlier today but I'm just getting home from a late movie.

http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering17.jpg
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering18.jpg

I'm extremely impressed with the level of detail and the quality. Especially for 6 bucks a pop. I'll get some pictures of them in the car tomorrow.

[Kenny_Z]

I forgot about getting those pictures of them installed. I took them but I couldn't keep the silver one from getting washed out in photos. They're on my other pc at the moment.

Anyway, you guys probably know by now that I can't leave anything alone. The wheel is nice but the vinyl in the center was just not installed right and bothered me a lot. I decided I'd replace it. Maybe even customize it a little.

New black insert. It's a little larger than the one from the wheel so it glues down easier. It's only taped into place at the moment. Silver or black logo could be used.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering19.jpg

Seat color insert with black logo. (as a reminder, these are my seats: http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/seat31.jpg)
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering21.jpg

Black insert with seat center insert perforated vinyl. These would be sewn together. Silver or black logo could be used.
http://uploads.m-cgi.com/kennyz/Delorean/Projects/steering22.jpg

I'm torn, I do not know exactly what I want to do yet.

[thirdmanj]

I like the top one best. Less busy.