Hey Jake!- I didn't see where I could send direct messages

[wagnerism]

Hi Jake,

I wanted to get your thoughts and permission before promoting myself here since I'm your guest.

I applied one of my hobbies to design and manufacture my own refrigerator repair parts that were discontinued years ago.

Several weeks ago, on a whim, I listed my extra set of parts on ebay. Since then I helped several dozen people that had my exact same problem. I'm getting thank-you notes from people!

I'm keeping my day job, but I am seeing if I can evolve my hobby into a side hustle. I'm a one-person operation doing everything - 3d design, manufacturing, promotion, sales, and order fulfillment.

With your permission I would like to promote two things:

1. Replying to other members' messages when I have a repair kit that would work. I have an answer for this one right now:
   LRFC25750ST LG Refrigerator - Freezer Door Handle
2. Solicit ideas from other members for potential new repair kit offerings. Perhaps I can manufacture a replacement if they have no means to replace it.

Please let me know what you think.

Regards,

Richard

 

[Jake]

Hi Richard,

Another person mentioned that back in 2013:

3D Printing of Appliance Parts

Hello all, I have a Makerbot 2X 3D printer that prints ABS plastic parts and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for parts to make for appliances because I know a lot of plastic parts in appliances are cheaply made, break often, and are often very expensive to fix. For anyone not familiar...

www.applianceblog.com

I'm not familiar with how 3D printing of No Longer Available appliance parts works.

 

[wagnerism]

Thank you for your reply, Jake.

2013 is an early adopter of 3d printing. I have had mine since 2019. I just set up my third printer a few weeks ago to keep up with demand.

I designed two parts myself and have sold over 60 sets of repair kits in the past five weeks. I luckily stumbled upon this because I initially only sought to repair my own handles.

That said, I only have my own refrigerator as an example. I'm sure that other appliance owners have a need for discontinued parts. I'm looking to expand my product line.

I have a GE profile range and advantium microwave whose handles have been replaced multiple times. That may be my next endeavour.