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Topic: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip (Read 516 times) previous topic - next topic
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Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
I am hoping to find out who makes the vertical window shades that I have in the back window of my mid-bath. Is it Lazy Daze or a third party manufacturer?

One of the retainer clips has broken and I'd like to find a replacement. So far I've done a search here and on google and haven't found info or a source for the clips. I also contacted Todd, but didn't hear back, so perhaps he doesn't have these clips.

Barring that, I just took a 3-D printing course at a local library, and I may be able to find a 3-D model if I know the manufacturer of the shades.

Here is a photo of the back shades and a photo of the unbroken window shade clip:
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Jan Forseth
2007 27' Midbath named Footloose
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #1 –
Jan, have you considered making something?  Perhaps a wide piece of decorative leather with a hole or a colorful crochet piece with a button hole.   If I was doing this, I’d try to make something homey and make a matching pair.  Actually, I’d be asking Margee to create something which she does all the time.  At any rate, my $.02.
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #2 –
Those are very good, creative ideas, Ed. Thank you. Right now I'm using one of those metal clothespins in the track. It's functional, but I don't like the look. I do think that I'd still like to find or make the type of original clip that came with the rig.

Clothespin jerry-rig shown below:
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Jan Forseth
2007 27' Midbath named Footloose
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Jan Forseth  - 
Barring that, I just took a 3-D printing course at a local library, and I may be able to find a 3-D model if I know the manufacturer of the shades.


Ive used my 3D printer for a variety of LD projects but I do my own designs - I seriously doubt you'll find a model of that part to download and print.  But if you do....   use ASA material..   beginners always use PLA and that's fine if you're making little yoda dolls but it's not very strong and heat alone will destroy your print after awhile.

If you're going to stay with 3D printing I would encourage you to learn at least a basic CAD program so you can make your own models.  I use SolidWorks; it's the professional industry standard but it can be difficult to learn even with youtube videos.. beginners often use Sketchup, tinkercad, or (yuk) Fusion360.

My LD came with 1" aluminum miniblinds - they had a little plastic gadget for holding the bottom close to the wall when they were down and, of course, they were all broken.  only took a few minutes to copy, then improve the original design.. printed them in ASA.

Time spent camping is not subtracted from your lifespan

'94 Chevy 30GP' (very Rare) 30.5' TB, converting to IB  LD
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #4 –
Great advice, DesertDust/Bill, thank you! My library has only PLA, but I can buy my own filament and could look for the ASA filament. Do you find that it has an offensive odor that might bother me or the other library patrons? In that case, I would need to go someplace that has an enclosed 3D printer, or purchase my own printer.

I also do plan to get versed in a CAD program, and will download Solidworks to try it out. Meanwhile, I have a couple other CAD programs to try out as well. Easy is good, if the program gives me the desired result.

BTW, if the moderators feel that we should take this to private message, I'm happy to do that if DesertDust is OK with it.
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Jan Forseth
2007 27' Midbath named Footloose
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #5 –
Solidworks may overwhelm you but if you're determined, make sure you get the 'Solidworks for Makers" version..    I dunno if they have a trail deal but it's only $45/year and is full featured.

as far as printing goes, ASA is basically ABS that is resistant to UV so it's great for outdoor use and is quite strong.  It's all I use now  BUT, it requires very different print settings and key is the print space needs to be HOT.   a beginner machine may have great difficulty getting a successful print, - warping is the usual result.
 I have an Ultimaker S5 Pro Tower- and I added two small heaters to the print space.

feel free to contact me.
Time spent camping is not subtracted from your lifespan

'94 Chevy 30GP' (very Rare) 30.5' TB, converting to IB  LD
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #6 –
Thanks for the tip on the SolidWorks for Makers. I'll likely try the free CAD programs first, and then the SolidWorks for Makers, although even that is a bit pricey for this application. But I've got other ideas that are begging to be made, too! I just got certified on Saturday at the library. I had no idea just how immersive this was going to be for me!

Thanks also for the offer to contact you, so appreciated.
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Jan Forseth
2007 27' Midbath named Footloose
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #8 –
Hi Jan;  Your picture with the temporary (I'll call it a paper clip) seems to reveal a traveling slide body that travels inside the track.  I believe these were MCD vertical pleated shades.  The company seems oriented toward RV manufacturers, doesn't mention repair parts, and nothing they displayed matched the side to side pleated shades that you (and many other LD owners) have.
   My approach would to hand make the part you need, but thank you for investigating plastic 3d printing.

   So I'll mention this here:  The plastic window 'weep hole' cover used in pre 2003 Hehr window frames has been successfully printed and I have been testing one on my rig. A friend of one of our members, and our member, cooperated in making them by 3d printer.  They are uncertain if there is much of a market, and aren't sure if they can advertise here.  Estimated cost is in the $2-$3 per clip. If that sounds high, unsuitable sized but similar clips available online are up in the $10 per clip range.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Source for Broken Window Shade Retainer/Clip
Reply #9 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Hi Jan;  Your picture with the temporary (I'll call it a paper clip) seems to reveal a traveling slide body that travels inside the track.  I believe these were MCD vertical pleated shades.  The company seems oriented toward RV manufacturers, doesn't mention repair parts, and nothing they displayed matched the side to side pleated shades that you (and many other LD owners) have.
   My approach would to hand make the part you need, but thank you for investigating plastic 3d printing.

   So I'll mention this here:  The plastic window 'weep hole' cover used in pre 2003 Hehr window frames has been successfully printed and I have been testing one on my rig. A friend of one of our members, and our member, cooperated in making them by 3d printer.  They are uncertain if there is much of a market, and aren't sure if they can advertise here.  Estimated cost is in the $2-$3 per clip. If that sounds high, unsuitable sized but similar clips available online are up in the $10 per clip range.   RonB

Thanks so much, Ron, the MCD info may be what I need. I will look into that. The part that I need is the clip with a round hole in it through which a knob fits and then retains the vertical pleated blind when the blind is open. That unbroken part is shown in the second photo of my very first post in this thread. It has a curved portion that you hold onto when you're pulling the blinds to either side. Hope this makes sense. In any case, it's not either of the parts that you mentioned, but thank you again.
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Jan Forseth
2007 27' Midbath named Footloose