I was wondering if anybody could help me get ahold of a small plastic clip for the Virtual Boy stand. The clip on mine is broken, and while it isn’t necessary for the VB to be held securely on the stand, I’d still like to replace it. Does anyone have an unused or broken stand with a piece they could spare? I’ve attached a picture of the broken piece in question. Thanks.

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1. 

   imgp0416-scaled.jpg
   

That’s odd, that’s not usually the part that breaks. Of course, that could be a good thing, since you could find someone with another broken stand (the more common kind) and still be able to use it to fix yours. I don’t know if you’re going to find any spares here (unless DogP has some lying around :-P), but you might check eBay for broken stands. I don’t think that any homebrewed solution is going to be as sturdy as the OEM clip. If you still have the piece that broke off you could always try epoxy if you haven’t already.

Unfortunately I bought it second-hand, and the piece that broke had been lost a long time ago. Ebay hasn’t yielded any results either, aside from buying another system. 🙁

I can’t really help you find a replacement, but I wanted to mention that I also bought a used stand with this problem. You say the VB can still be used with it like this? I assumed it wouldn’t hold, so I’ve never tried it (I already had a working stand, but it has since fallen victim to the other, more common breakage).

Maybe Hedgetrimmer (and/or I) could work on an aftermarket replacement…

Surprisingly, it does a fine job of holding the VB without that clip. Unless you hold it upside-down or something.

RunnerPack wrote:
Maybe Hedgetrimmer (and/or I) could work on an aftermarket replacement…

The pdf is a 3D model of the clip I did in Solidworks. Not an easy item to have made physically but possible if you know some good cnc millers. I would be happy to let you have the 3D model file in whatever format is required if you do want to try and get one made. I would like to see photos etc if you do.

Your best and easiest option for a replacement will most likely be what you seem to be doing, find someone who has a busted stand (ie the medallion cracked, usual problem) who is up for selling it.

PM or email me if you want file in a usable format.

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   clip_tab_1.jpg
   

1. vb-clip_tab.pdf

You could send the 3D file to one of these places –

http://www.3dcreationlab.co.uk

MineStorm’s right; it would be fairly easy to print one/have one printed, but if you use a home printer like a makerbot or reprap, you’d have to get rid of the pivot posts and use a metal pin or machine screw(s) in their stead.

Excellent modeling work, as usual, Hedgetrimmer! I can picture a few different ways to machine it, but it’ll take at least two CNC passes (and maybe a custom work holder) and probably some manual drilling steps. Can you post an STL (preferably ascii)?

RunnerPack wrote:
you’d have to get rid of the pivot posts and use a metal pin or machine screw(s) in their stead.
Can you post an STL (preferably ascii)?

No worries, have edited and removed the visual & mold type detail, just leaving the basic shape, less to do, cheaper to print.

Also done one with just a thru hole, so a pin can be used.

Of course there is the full detail version too.

Zip file has STL in and the pdf’s are just so anyone can look at them in 3D without need for special viewer software download.

I hope these helps and if anyone gets results, I’m interested in how strong it might be, also some photos please. 😀

Attachments:

1. vb-clip_tab-stl.zip
2. vb-clip_tab-basic-3d.pdf
3. vb-clip_tab-basic-with-hole-3d.pdf