Thought of it... yes.... financially viable... no..
Being as I don't charge for any of the advice I give (forums aren't so bad - it's the countless Facebook groups where I get private messages, or tags in posts - or phone calls on a Sunday...) means that is just time I'm using in the hope that should someone need a part that I can supply then they will consider coming to me, rather than a second hand 'tested' one from a breaker... or just because there's so much misinformation on FB groups that it's a case of wanting to try and actually post something that will help, rather than confuse - and keep a P38 running rather than scrapped for some stupid issue that people can't be bothered to read a diagram, or use a multimeter to diagnose...
So I don't make anything from that - and all the parts I DO sell I have to try and be competitive on price, otherwise people don't see the point in paying a bit more for something which has been checked by someone who actually cleans and tests things, rather than something that's a few quid cheaper from a breaker who has 'tested' it... (eg... it worked when it was on the vehicle, or appeared to... or it wasn't the reason the vehicle was scrapped, so it must have been OK..).. So a lot of the time the parts I sell make it to the point where the time I've put into them is 'paid' (after parts - new switches, lamps, screen connector, etc depending on what I'm rebuilding and eBay and Paypal fees) is often worked out to be as less than minimum wage, and a lot of the time wouldn't even cover my own mortgage payment in a month... so hiring an assistant/apprentice - whilst it would be lovely, ain't going to happen at the moment - as then I'd be paying them x amount, and it would make it that much less on the little I make at the moment!
Still... If I keep this busy, I might be able to (one day) make this into more of an income earner for myself, and then be able to tackle more of the jobs that will make a bit more, and can afford to then have an apprentice!
But rant/digression over....
I'll try and get a board done anyway - as when it's on the bench and I'm actually working on it, I can get a fair bit done if I'm doing 2 or 3 at the same time, and then it will be useful to have them on the shelf and ready to send for if people enquire!
Connectors/printer... I guess anything is possible - would need to design it in 3D to make sure it's identical and has all the pin locks etc in it too, and then source the pins. I might have a look again at the Tyco/Amp website and see if I can find them in their catalogue somewhere, as I'm sure there must be a part number - maybe can still find them somewhere!
Marty
'06 4.2 Supercharged Black/Cream "Jess" -- Bought April 2021 (NZ)
'01 4.6 Vogue Black/Lightstone "Snog" -- Bought Jan 2012
'99 4.6 HSE Cobar Blue/Lightstone -- Sold March 2009
'95 4.6 HSE Epsom Green/Tan -- Traded June 2008