A 3D printer can replace brackets, mounts, spacers, and guards on RC models in hours. PLA suits indoor parts, while PETG suits parts that face heat and sun. This guide covers material choice, heat-set inserts, printer parts, and the design rules that keep printed parts strong.
Which material suits RC replacement parts?
PLA suits brackets and spacers indoors. FFF nozzles run 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm in diameter, and PLA is stiff and easy to print, but it softens in a hot car.
PETG handles heat and sun better than PLA, so it suits outdoor mounts and guards. ABS is stronger still, but it warps without an enclosure.
How do heat-set inserts work in a print?
A brass heat-set insert melts into a printed hole and gives a metal thread for an M3 screw. The M3 insert measures 5.7 mm long and 4.6 mm in diameter.
Press the insert in with a hot soldering iron until it sits flush. A printed part with inserts holds screws far better than a bare plastic hole.
Which printer parts wear out first?
The MK8 extruder drive gear wears where it grips filament. A brass 26T or 40T gear in a 10-pack covers years of printing.
Heated bed leveling springs lose tension over time. A set of 7 mm by 20 mm springs in a 20 to 50 pack restores a level bed.
How do you design a part that will not break?
Print load-bearing parts with 4 walls and 40 percent infill or more. A part with 2 walls and 10 percent infill breaks on the first crash.
Orient the part so layer lines run across the load, not along it. A bracket printed flat is stronger than the same bracket printed upright.
What screws and hardware finish a printed part?
An M3 stainless screw, bolt, and nut assortment in 150 pieces covers most RC prints. M3 nylon standoffs in 6 to 20 mm space boards and frames.
A 420-piece M3 nylon screw, nut, and gasket kit covers pan-head screws in black and white. Nylon hardware saves weight on a drone frame.
Can you print a whole RC part, or only brackets?
You can print brackets, mounts, guards, spacers, and landing gear parts. Print a motor mount with 4 walls and 40 percent infill to hold a small motor.
Do not print a propeller or a stressed frame arm for flight. Printed parts suit brackets and guards, not parts that carry flight loads.
Steps
- Measure the broken part with a digital caliper to 0.1 mm.
- Model the part with 4 walls and 40 percent infill in the slicer.
- Add holes sized for M3 heat-set inserts where screws go.
- Print in PLA for indoor parts, or PETG for outdoor parts.
- Press brass inserts in with a hot soldering iron.
- Test-fit the part before you fly or drive with it fitted.
Frequently asked questions
Is PLA strong enough for RC parts?
Yes for brackets, spacers, and guards indoors. Use PETG for parts that face heat, sun, or heavy loads.
What size are M3 heat-set inserts?
The common M3 insert measures 5.7 mm long and 4.6 mm in diameter. Drill or model the hole to match the insert size.
How do I keep a print from warping?
Level the bed, use fresh leveling springs, and print the first layer slow. A brim or raft helps large flat parts stick.
Can I print threads instead of using inserts?
Yes for light loads, but printed threads wear fast. Brass inserts last far longer under repeated screw use.
Parts used
MK8 Extruder Drive Gear, Brass, 26T / 40T, 10-Pack, $9.06. MK8 brass extruder drive gear : 26T or 40T, 5mm bore, fits CR-10 / Ender 3 / Anet A8. 10-pack. Ships from NY, USA.
3D Printer Heated Bed Leveling Springs, 7mm OD x 20mm, 20/30/40/50-Pack, $7.26. Heated-bed leveling springs for 3D printers : 7mm OD × 20mm, nickel-plated carbon steel. 20/30/40/50-pack. Ships from NY, USA.
M3 Brass Heat-Set Threaded Inserts for 3D Prints, M3 x 5.7 x 4.6mm, 100-Pack, $11.03. M3 brass heat-set threaded inserts for 3D prints : M3 x 5.7 x 4.6mm, knurled, for PLA / ABS / PETG. 100-pack. Ships from NY, USA.
M3 Stainless Steel Hex Socket Screw, Bolt & Nut Assortment Kit, 150-Piece (8: 25mm), $10.56. M3 stainless steel hex socket screw, bolt & nut kit : 150 pieces, 8/12/16/20/25mm + 75 nuts, in an organizer box. Ships from NY, USA.
420-Piece M3 Nylon Screw, Nut and Gasket Assortment Kit, Pan Head, Black / White, $14.76. 420-piece M3 nylon pan head screw, nut and gasket assortment kit in a storage box, black or white. M3x6 to M3x25 screws plus gaskets and hex nuts for PCB and flight stacks. Ships from NY, USA.
180-Piece M3 Black Nylon Standoff Spacer Kit for FPV Drone Frames, Hex, 6-20mm, $9.81. 180-piece M3 black nylon standoff, screw and nut kit for RC FPV drone quadcopter frames. Male-female hex spacers 6 to 20mm plus M3 screws and nuts in a storage box. Ships from NY, USA.
250-Piece M3 Black Nylon Standoff Spacer Kit, Insulated Hex, 10 Sizes, $14.61. 250-piece M3 black nylon insulated hex standoff spacer kit, 10 sizes, male-female and female-female standoffs plus M3 screws and nuts in a storage box. Ships from NY, USA.
M3 Knurled Aluminum Standoff Spacer Set, 10-Piece, Anodized, 11 Colors, $9.12. 10-piece M3 knurled aluminum standoff spacer set for RC FPV multirotors. Anodized aluminum, 14 lengths M3x6 to M3x50, 11 colors. Ships from NY, USA.
Digital Caliper, 100mm / 150mm, $8.55. 150mm/100mm electronic digital caliper. Ships from NY, USA.
Electric Precision Screwdriver Set, 155-in-1, $62.99. 155-in-1 electric precision screwdriver set for RC, drones, and electronics repair.
JST-XH 2.54mm Connector Kit, 500pcs – Housings + Crimp Terminals + Pin Headers, 2/3/4/5/6-Pin, $12.72. 500pc JST-XH 2.54mm kit : housings, crimp terminals, and pin headers in 2/3/4/5/6-pin. Build your own leads. Ships from NY, USA.
Nylon Standoff Kit, M2-M4, 200 Pieces, $8.99. 200-piece nylon standoff kit. M2, M2.5, M3, and M4 sizes with matching screws and nuts. For flight controller stacks and electronics mounting. Ships from NY, USA.
Metric Screw and Washer Assortment, $17.95. M4 and M2.5 machine screws plus M3 and M4 washers for RC assembly and repairs.
Related buying guides on Quality RC Parts
RC Screws, Nuts and Standoffs in the USA
Browse all the guides on the Quality RC Parts Drone Guides hub, or start at the Quality RC Parts store.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Fused filament fabrication (FFF process and nozzle sizes)
- Adafruit: 3D printing guides and tutorials
Quality RC Parts stocks parts in New York, USA and ships in-stock orders in 1-2 business days.
Last updated: 2026-11-10.