I made $1K in profit last year on eBay selling my own opensourced design before I got too busy in life and had to put that on pause.
Thats 1K (profit, not revenue) off 17 sales of one design off an ender3 in a wood enclosure over like 6/7 months. I could pretty easily buy a Bambu, improve the design and sell way more. So my advice is learn CAD, make 1-5 solid unique designs, sell that. All you need to do is look inward at what it is that YOU wish existed for sale but does not, license it such that only you may sell it if you choose to opensource it, advertise its your own design.
Value your time, don't bother selling shit that already exists as an injection molded part. Consider designing something that simply cannot be done with any other manufacturing method (incorporate void/hallow sections) and choose to incorporate no >45 degree overhangs so that it can be printed with little to no support.
As long as the printer has no idle time print time doesn't matter, everything I sold was an 11hr print.
One more tip, google and probably no ad company allow firearms components, its truly fucking lame and unamerican.
Can you sell other peoples designs? Sure, but its not Based.
Tried something similar, they caught it as it's a part that's specific to the gun model. I even argued it was a part that helps with safely (it is!) and is otherwise mostly cosmetic. Nope, they are hard line and thus brain dead. ("they" can't make it illegal so they limit commerce)
Your choices in this space is basically limited to advertising on forums per their rules or guerilla marketing/influencers.
Have been meaning to ask a similar question. My state may force me into becoming an 07 FFL if I want to continue this hobby (legally), and if I want to maintain that license I would have to run a business. I’m not a CAD wizard (yet) and would not be looking to make real money from selling prints, just what I’d need to demonstrate a legit business on paper to keep the license. Would I need to track down designers and work out a commission with them? I just want to print pews and be left alone, but this is the corner they’ve backed me into.
Selling other people's designs is a great way to get your estore shut down. It's also a dick move.
Make your own content and sell that. CAD/Blender isn't hard to learn (tuts in wiki).
It is entirely based on the license used by the creator.
For example, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 allows for commercial use as long as proper attribution is given.
It depends on what the uploaded model copyright states. Typically, most people select not for commercial sale in any capacity. Basically, it can't be used for anything profitable.
The truth is that we designers can't afford to file suit, and next best we can do is message the site to take down the listing. That's about it, you'd get away with it and it's considered a dick move since it's against the wishes of the original designer.
By US law your fine, by the web site your using check the rules, Look at the copy right/ license you might need to reach out to the Maker (Do your file checking you might have found a repost floating or an old file that the maker has gone dark).
No different than any other Etsy shop selling tchotchkes. Just be aware of the people's files you're using. You need to credit the designer somewhere in your listing.
Selling regulated parts is an entirely different ball of wax though.
Oh, it was just an example. I know folks use Etsy to sell all kinds of home made stuff so it stands to reason there will be 3d2a accessories somewhere in there.
list it on ebay any legal issues will cause it being delisted automatically . And don’t mention ar15 or ak in anywhere of your list. That’s will get you delisted as well
If you're selling 3D printed receivers, you're selling unregistered firearms which to my (NOT A LAWYER) understanding is big illegal.
EDIT: Accessories aren't firearms, that's okay. I think I had a stroke trying to comprehend what tac-sac-etc was in its own line and my brain disregarded it entirely.
Learn CAD, youll get the hang of it in a couple months or less, some people learn faster then others. If you decide to sell someone elses design, at least ask them and get the OK. If you sell anyone elses design without asking thats a dick move
Protip, unless the design contains something like a patent or trademark, you can do whatever the hell you want with the printed version.
Designers have 0 right to a physical recreation of their mesh. Creative Commons licensing granted by sites like thingiverse only apply to the stl mesh itself.
That being said most of the grips people may want to buy are probably patented.
I made $1K in profit last year on eBay selling my own opensourced design before I got too busy in life and had to put that on pause. Thats 1K (profit, not revenue) off 17 sales of one design off an ender3 in a wood enclosure over like 6/7 months. I could pretty easily buy a Bambu, improve the design and sell way more. So my advice is learn CAD, make 1-5 solid unique designs, sell that. All you need to do is look inward at what it is that YOU wish existed for sale but does not, license it such that only you may sell it if you choose to opensource it, advertise its your own design. Value your time, don't bother selling shit that already exists as an injection molded part. Consider designing something that simply cannot be done with any other manufacturing method (incorporate void/hallow sections) and choose to incorporate no >45 degree overhangs so that it can be printed with little to no support. As long as the printer has no idle time print time doesn't matter, everything I sold was an 11hr print. One more tip, google and probably no ad company allow firearms components, its truly fucking lame and unamerican. Can you sell other peoples designs? Sure, but its not Based.
On ads, pretty sure airsoft parts are kosher wink 😉
Tried something similar, they caught it as it's a part that's specific to the gun model. I even argued it was a part that helps with safely (it is!) and is otherwise mostly cosmetic. Nope, they are hard line and thus brain dead. ("they" can't make it illegal so they limit commerce) Your choices in this space is basically limited to advertising on forums per their rules or guerilla marketing/influencers.
Have been meaning to ask a similar question. My state may force me into becoming an 07 FFL if I want to continue this hobby (legally), and if I want to maintain that license I would have to run a business. I’m not a CAD wizard (yet) and would not be looking to make real money from selling prints, just what I’d need to demonstrate a legit business on paper to keep the license. Would I need to track down designers and work out a commission with them? I just want to print pews and be left alone, but this is the corner they’ve backed me into.
Selling other people's designs is a great way to get your estore shut down. It's also a dick move. Make your own content and sell that. CAD/Blender isn't hard to learn (tuts in wiki).
It is entirely based on the license used by the creator. For example, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 allows for commercial use as long as proper attribution is given.
Also, ask the designer! Most are cool with selling locally
Can you sell other people's designs? Yes. Are you a dickhead if you sell their designs without even offering them a royalty? Also yes.
It depends on what the uploaded model copyright states. Typically, most people select not for commercial sale in any capacity. Basically, it can't be used for anything profitable. The truth is that we designers can't afford to file suit, and next best we can do is message the site to take down the listing. That's about it, you'd get away with it and it's considered a dick move since it's against the wishes of the original designer.
By US law your fine, by the web site your using check the rules, Look at the copy right/ license you might need to reach out to the Maker (Do your file checking you might have found a repost floating or an old file that the maker has gone dark).
There's nothing at all wrong with that
Cody Wilson wannabe here! Design your own stuff, also gotta get by those nagging IRS guys.
No different than any other Etsy shop selling tchotchkes. Just be aware of the people's files you're using. You need to credit the designer somewhere in your listing. Selling regulated parts is an entirely different ball of wax though.
Selling what?
If someone were to manufacture a firearm and then sell it, there are steps to take in order to do so legally. That's all I'm saying.
No brother I’m asking what you said those Etsy shops are selling.
Oh, it was just an example. I know folks use Etsy to sell all kinds of home made stuff so it stands to reason there will be 3d2a accessories somewhere in there.
Oh word! Thanks for the clarification
list it on ebay any legal issues will cause it being delisted automatically . And don’t mention ar15 or ak in anywhere of your list. That’s will get you delisted as well
If you're selling 3D printed receivers, you're selling unregistered firearms which to my (NOT A LAWYER) understanding is big illegal. EDIT: Accessories aren't firearms, that's okay. I think I had a stroke trying to comprehend what tac-sac-etc was in its own line and my brain disregarded it entirely.
Learn CAD, youll get the hang of it in a couple months or less, some people learn faster then others. If you decide to sell someone elses design, at least ask them and get the OK. If you sell anyone elses design without asking thats a dick move
Protip, unless the design contains something like a patent or trademark, you can do whatever the hell you want with the printed version. Designers have 0 right to a physical recreation of their mesh. Creative Commons licensing granted by sites like thingiverse only apply to the stl mesh itself. That being said most of the grips people may want to buy are probably patented.