Finally! A simple & effective solution to "locking" your Ford NACS adapter -- 3D Print Lock

[Al_V]

I might be wrong, but it looks like you could pull that locking piece out with some run of the mill needle nose pliers?

Sponsored

 

[Wsl346]

I might be wrong, but it looks like you could pull that locking piece out with some run of the mill needle nose pliers?

I’m sure there are a number of house hold tools that could remove this lock. Keep in mind that the point of this “lock” is to make it more effort than it’s worth to steal the adapter, not to truly lock the adapter in. Someone would 1: Need to know the lock is there and how it functions, and 2: have a pair of needle nose pliers on hand. As it stands, unless you are familiar with Ford’s charging port, it’s not immediately obvious the lock is even there.

The alternative is to either have no lock at all, making it very simple to quickly walk off with the adapter, or to create a more complex and conspicuous lock that will draw more attention to the fact that there is a lock.

I personally think that this is a great compromise between security and obscurity.

 

[Al_V]

I’m sure there are a number of house hold tools that could remove this lock. Keep in mind that the point of this “lock” is to make it more effort than it’s worth to steal the adapter, not to truly lock the adapter in. Someone would 1: Need to know the lock is there and how it functions, and 2: have a pair of needle nose pliers on hand. As it stands, unless you are familiar with Ford’s charging port, it’s not immediately obvious the lock is even there.

The alternative is to either have no lock at all, making it very simple to quickly walk off with the adapter, or to create a more complex and conspicuous lock that will draw more attention to the fact that there is a lock.

I personally think that this is a great compromise between security and obscurity.

Right on! I agree with everything you said here, just couldn't help pointing out my observation.

 

[Athrun88]

This is a genius addon for anyone. Might try printing it out on my printer in PETG and see how things go. If it goes well, I'd be happy to ship out to anyone who doesn't have a printer, just cover materials and postage (if allowed).

 

[Ricks Lightning]

This is a genius addon for anyone. Might try printing it out on my printer in PETG and see how things go. If it goes well, I'd be happy to ship out to anyone who doesn't have a printer, just cover materials and postage (if allowed).

Sounds very nice of you. But most on this this forum are months away from even needing 1 . Plus we don’t know if the design of the new adapter will remain the same.
Rick

 

[LUXMAN]

I’m sure there are a number of house hold tools that could remove this lock. Keep in mind that the point of this “lock” is to make it more effort than it’s worth to steal the adapter, not to truly lock the adapter in. Someone would 1: Need to know the lock is there and how it functions, and 2: have a pair of needle nose pliers on hand. As it stands, unless you are familiar with Ford’s charging port, it’s not immediately obvious the lock is even there.

The alternative is to either have no lock at all, making it very simple to quickly walk off with the adapter, or to create a more complex and conspicuous lock that will draw more attention to the fact that there is a lock.

I personally think that this is a great compromise between security and obscurity.

little late seeing this but now that I have a 3D printer......
Can you tell me what material your buddy used? Was it PETG?
Any issues with heat during your charge sessions on your trip?

 

[carys98]

little late seeing this but now that I have a 3D printer......
Can you tell me what material your buddy used? Was it PETG?
Any issues with heat during your charge sessions on your trip?

I’ve been using one made of PLA with no problems. The adapter should never get over 65C which is the bed temperature when I printed it.

 

[Athrun88]

little late seeing this but now that I have a 3D printer......
Can you tell me what material your buddy used? Was it PETG?
Any issues with heat during your charge sessions on your trip?

Depending on where you're at, PETG would be a better long term material to print this with. PLA should be acceptable if you're in a cooler climate since you shouldn't hit the glass transition temperature of PLA, but PETG or ASA would be better suited. I usually print in PETG for any vehicle applications; PLA for prototyping or non-temperature sensitive applications.

 

[LUXMAN]

Depending on where you're at, PETG would be a better long term material to print this with. PLA should be acceptable if you're in a cooler climate since you shouldn't hit the glass transition temperature of PLA, but PETG or ASA would be better suited. I usually print in PETG for any vehicle applications; PLA for prototyping or non-temperature sensitive applications.

Thanks. I just got into the 3D printing and I just had some PETG delivered. SO I will dry it tonight and this will be a good first print in PETG

 

[ScubaSteve_TheReal]

I am enjoying reading about all this 3D stuff and am still learning and taking notes, thank you. Haven’t yet had the time to take the plunge into deciding on the best overall machine to get for just a hobbyist. I do like the PETG idea for vehicles and PLA for prototyping ideas quite a bit though.

 

[LUXMAN]

In enjoying reading about all this 3D stuff and am still learning a d taking notes. Haven’t yet had the time to take the plunge into deciding on the best overall machine to get for just a hobbyist. I do like the PETG idea for vehicles and PLA for prototyping idea quite a bit though.

Hey Steve,
I picked up a Bambu A1 a couple weeks ago at MicroCenter in Dallas at 75 and 635. Great deal on a combo with the reel holder that holds up to 4 colors. Printing a bunch of stuff for around the house organization.
Here are a couple things I made.
1. Cutting board rack made with PLA. Got the design on MakerWorld and scaled it up a bit.

2. I had this remote with no battery compartment door for my garage stereo. SO I designed it on TinkerCAD and printed in PLA

 

[Athrun88]

I am enjoying reading about all this 3D stuff and am still learning a d taking notes, thank you. Haven’t yet had the time to take the plunge into deciding on the best overall machine to get for just a hobbyist. I do like the PETG idea for vehicles and PLA for prototyping idea quite a bit though.

If you're looking for a "works out of the box" experience, Bambu Labs printers would be recommended. More expensive and closed ecosystem, but things just work out of the box without much tuning or tinkering required.

If you're up for doing some tuning and learning, printers from Creality or Prusa are good options to get your toes wet. Sovol and Voron are some higher end brands. I personally have the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro which has been treating me very well.

Tons of things open up once you have a printer. Everything from making replacement parts to bespoke parts unique to your needs. I love my printer

 

[Firn]

I am enjoying reading about all this 3D stuff and am still learning a d taking notes, thank you. Haven’t yet had the time to take the plunge into deciding on the best overall machine to get for just a hobbyist. I do like the PETG idea for vehicles and PLA for prototyping idea quite a bit though.

After many years with a Creality, and then a second, and then modifying the first with some great improvements, i bought an X1C and have not touched my other printers since.

The Bambu Labs printers are just so darn good out of the box.

 

[LUXMAN]

Printed beautifully in PETG

 

[ScubaSteve_TheReal]

Printed beautifully in PETG

Bet you could sell quite a few of those here if you ever decided to do so for the right price. I’m not yet into 3D printing yet…. I’d love to get one for myself soon though.
So out of curiosity, once a person gets a printer and appropriate filament, if you factor out printer cost and time involved, how much does it usually cost to make something like this? It doesn’t appear that they would weigh that much if that’s how people calculate things.
I’m going to have to take the plunge here in the new year on all this is my plan is why.