What you can bring us
The more of the original we can see, the faster and cheaper the job. Any of these is a good start:
- The broken part, even in pieces
- An intact matching part, like the other side of a pair
- The part it mates with, so we can model the fit
- A drawing or manufacturer dimensions
- Clear photos with a ruler or caliper in frame
How a part gets reproduced
We start by deciding whether 3D printing is the right answer at all. If it is, the part is measured with calipers and gauges, rebuilt as a CAD model, and printed as a test piece. You check the fit where the part lives. Once it fits, we print the final in the right material.
Why the first part costs more
Most of the work happens before the final print: measuring the original, modeling it in CAD, and printing a test piece so you can check the fit before we make the real thing. That is why reproducing a part costs more than printing a file. The quote separates the design work from the print so you can see both.
Part reproduction projects start at $129, for a simple part with an intact sample. Broken pieces, complex curves and tight fits take longer. We quote each part after a quick look at photos, usually the same day. You approve the price before any work starts.
Reorders are reprints
Once your replacement has been validated, we keep the model on file. Future copies are reprints rather than redesigns.
Keeping the model doesn't make it ours. It stays your part: we only reprint it for you or with your permission, and we delete it if you ask.
Good candidates and poor candidates
We don't reproduce safety-critical parts: structural parts, braking, steering or suspension parts, anything that contains pressure or fuel, life-support equipment, or parts that need a certification. If a failure could hurt someone, it needs a certified part.
| Good candidates | Poor candidates |
|---|---|
| Cabinet latches, catches and clips | Brake, steering or suspension parts |
| Knobs, handles and trim pieces | Anything holding pressure or fuel |
| Drawer slides, rollers and stops | Parts that must meet a safety certification |
| Vent covers, escutcheons and caps | Parts that run hot, near engines or heaters |
| Brackets and mounts for light loads | Load-bearing structure |
RV and camper parts
Cabinet and door latches, vent and fan covers, drawer stops, window shade hardware, trim pieces and the small brackets that hold an interior together. Many of these came from suppliers that no longer exist, so the part in your hand is often the best drawing left. Anything in the propane, brake or hitch systems is off the table.
Automotive interior trim
Interior clips, bezels, trim pieces, switch surrounds, console covers and panel fasteners: the non-safety-critical parts for cars that are out of production, or where the dealer only sells the whole assembly. Nothing connected to airbags, seat belts, pedals or steering, however small.
Appliance parts
Knobs, shelf and drawer guides, door bin clips, hinge covers, feet and brackets for washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and ranges. We leave alone anything next to a heating element or burner, and anything in the gas or water supply.
Discontinued plastic components
Housings, covers, spacers, caps and brackets from shop tools, electronics, furniture and outdoor gear the maker stopped supporting. If the rest of the machine works, one plastic part shouldn't be the reason it goes to the landfill. Some molded features, like thin living hinges or glossy cosmetic surfaces, don't print well, and we tell you before you pay for anything.
Choosing the material
We pick the material from how the part is used: heat, sunlight, chemicals, load and flex. Most replacement parts end up in PETG, which is tough and tolerates heat better than PLA. We currently print PLA, PETG and TPU. If your part needs something else, say so and we will tell you honestly whether we can do it well.
Ownership and copies
We reproduce parts for repair and replacement of things you own, and design new parts for your needs. We do not clone branded products for resale.
Keeping the model doesn't make it ours. It stays your part: we only reprint it for you or with your permission, and we delete it if you ask.
Questions
- Can you 3D print a replacement part from a broken part?
- Usually, yes. If we have enough of the original to measure, even in pieces, we can model a replacement, test the fit, and print the final part.
- Do I need a CAD file?
- No. Most replacement parts start from the physical part or photos with a ruler in frame. We build the CAD model.
- What materials work for outdoor replacement parts?
- PETG handles most outdoor use. For parts in constant high-desert sun or heat, tell us where the part lives and we'll say honestly whether what we print will hold up.
- Can I get more copies later?
- Yes. We keep your part model on file, so a reorder is just a reprint.