Common questions
Money
- How much does it cost?
- A replacement part starts at R2,250. A CAD model with no part made starts at R1,650. A prototype from a sketch starts at R1,950. Printing from your own file has a R250 minimum. An on-site visit is R3,200 for a half day. Your actual price depends on the part, which is why the quote is free and comes back in 48 hours.
- Is the quote really free?
- Yes. No deposit, no call-out fee, no obligation.
- Do you add VAT?
- No. VAT is not applicable. The price you are quoted is the price you pay, plus courier where courier applies.
- What does courier cost?
- From R60 locker to locker, R95 by road, R125 overnight. Free on jobs of R2,500 or more. That is us couriering the finished work to you. If you post a part to us for scanning, that leg is at your cost.
- Why are you not the cheapest?
- Because being the cheapest printer in Gauteng and being the workshop you trust with a one-of-a-kind part are two different businesses. We chose the second one.
Time
- How fast is a quote?
- Within 48 hours of getting your photos. Every time.
- How long does the work take?
- Five working days for a replacement part, a CAD model or a prototype. Two to three working days for printing from your own file. Three working days for data after an on-site visit.
- My line is stopped. Can you go faster?
- Yes. Same day inside 50 km of Pretoria, or a part in 48 hours. See the emergency part service. Phone
084 865 6657.
The work itself
- What do you need from me to start?
- Photos of the part, its rough sizes, and your deadline. That is all.
- My part is broken in pieces. Can you still do it?
- Usually yes. Often one good half is enough. Send photos and we will tell you honestly before you pay anything.
- Will the printed part be strong enough?
- It depends on the job, and we will tell you straight. Plastic is right for covers, housings, brackets, trim, handles, guides and guards. For heavy loads, high heat or safety-critical parts we say so up front and either quote a stronger material or point you elsewhere.
- The part lives outside. Will the sun wreck it?
- Not if we use the right plastic. Ordinary printed plastic fades, goes chalky and cracks after a season outdoors. We print outdoor parts in UV-resistant ASA, which is built for sun and weather. We stock it in black. Say so at the quote stage and we will spec it.
- Can you make the part better than the original?
- Often. If it broke in the same place twice, that place was the problem. While your part is in CAD we can thicken it, add a rib or change the shape.
- Do you do metal parts?
- Not in-house. If your part has to be metal, we will say so at the quote stage and point you to someone who can.
- Do you keep my design?
- Your design is yours. We never share it or sell it to anyone. We keep a copy on file so that a reorder is one email, and nothing more. On a replacement part or a scan-to-CAD job the CAD model is included, so you get the file too.
- What is the difference between a scan and a CAD model?
- A scan is a skin made of millions of triangles. It looks like your part but you cannot change it. A CAD model is built from real dimensions, so you can change any of them and any manufacturer can quote from it. We deliver the CAD model.
Where and how
- Do you come to me?
- Within 50 km of Pretoria, yes, and travel is included. That covers Pretoria, Tshwane, Centurion, Midrand, northern Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Edenvale, Honeydew, Hartbeespoort, Bronkhorstspruit and Cullinan. Not on the list? Tell us where you are and we will say straight away whether you are inside the free area. Beyond that we charge R6.50 per km round trip, quoted up front.
- I am in Cape Town / Durban / Polokwane. Can you help?
- Yes, for printing, design and reverse engineering. Post us the part and we courier it back with the new one. On-site scanning is Pretoria-area only.
- Can I drop the part off and collect it?
- Yes, by arrangement. Phone us first on 084 865 6657 and we will give you the address and a time that suits. We are open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 17:00 and Saturday 08:00 to 14:00. Closed on Sunday.
- Can I just WhatsApp you?
- Please do.
084 865 6657. A photo of the part is the fastest way to start. - Do you take small jobs?
- Yes. One part is a job. That is partly why we exist.
Still not sure?
Send photos of the part. The quote is free and it comes back within 48 hours. If we cannot help, we will tell you quickly and say who can.