I took the liberty of uploading the 3D models of the non-logo VB cart shell (dust cap and plastic connector strip) to Shapeways.

A set of these can be manufactured for €28.59 – perhaps cheaper for just a few 100’s or 1000’s than having molds made and having them made the usual way through injection molding.

If the maker is not OK with them being available there I’ll take them down again immediately. I just thought it might be good for the community.

Why not make a set in silver for x15 the price!?

Anyone with enough money, please go ahead – order – and then take a bunch of pictures to show us.

Try the links, price in cheapest material:
Top €10.31:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/523463/4dc77f955fe2501182c46a4ba9a4fda5
Bottom €11.05:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/523465/6b2dd3d7bbf0a447330a864061f778af
Connector strip €3.48:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/523467/f516baa28a1185aad42d70f005f6b38f
Dust cover €3.75:
http://www.shapeways.com/model/523468/5782c6f8165f3dd20851a923966a1b88

“Dark grey and flexible” could look close maybe.
Anyhow – someone should have a set made just to check that the model is done exactly right, might need some adjustments.

Looks in the model as if the three little hooks that are supposed to lock into the dented areas in the other shell half is missing. The front has the grooves, the bottom doesn’t seem to have the mating part…

Yes, the three little holder pieces are missing from “VB cart body rear (no text).STL” if the maker sees this perhaps it can be corrected – have been searching all over but I can’t find it. 🙁

Not that the current version won’t work – it will but it will be possible to pull the edge apart.

In the Vectrex scene, a guy paid about $20K to have a mould made. Repro cases then became under $2 to buy.

BTW the VB cart case needs redesigning to match the connector you found. Otherwise we’re still stuck using donors.

Tempted to pick some up in white actually, like the Gameboy power cart:

Trouble is, this is just shells. I can’t help but think that it’s better to use donor carts, considering the community is relatively small and carts relatively cheap.
Some people in the NES community for example, abhor using donor carts when other options are available.

I suppose I could see the allure for a special cart, like a Flashboy 2 or similar.

For $20k you’d probably be able to make 700 of these sets. IMHO the community is too small for 700 carts… So Shapeways is a good alternative, donor carts are however cheaper.

The connector I found is not recommended, needs tweaking before it works well. Finding a suitable metal connector for a Shapeways made connector strip would be better.

Guess they need to be made from a material with higher resolution.

Here’s the updated bottom shell
http://www.shapeways.com/model/525467/6b33b163341aba655812fda0f463da29

Ask Alistair McKee if you want to have them made.

My Shapeways shop link:

http://www.shapeways.com/shops/hedgetrimmer3dstuff

hope things are set up ok, just done it a rush.

I was wondering about the connector piece, if it was possible to find a properly fitting connector piece like these (which are probably too large)

http://ultimachine.com/content/01-gold-female-connector-pack-100

It doesn’t actually have to be a round female piece, perhaps a “double tongue” would be enough.

There are places to have these things manufactured of course, IMHO it would be very neat being able to build a cart from all new parts.

Connector pieces in a PCMCIA card is about the same size, maybe it’s possible to find them loose somewhere.