3D Scan & Print options?

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kiwiharry

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#323583 17-Dec-2025 19:14

Hi. I have a model aircraft stand that has broken. Have repaired it in the past with araldite but repair only lasted about 1 year.

Currently cost for a complete replacement stand from the USA based supplier is USD$50 for the stand itself and the webshop cart quoted almost USD$120 for shipping to NZ.

Wanted to see if there is fellow Geekzoner that may be able to help me with making a replacement of the broken part by way of 3D scanning and printing or if anybody knows of a place that may be able to do this small one-off job? I am based in Auckland but could ship the part to be scanned. Approximate dimensions are 100mm x 35mm x 5mm, so it is a reasonably small part.

I have an intact section of the stand that can be used for the scan to make the replica.

Aircraft are a couple of Air NZ Boeing 777-300ER with Hobbit livery so nice to keep them on display.

Thanks

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SepticSceptic

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#3445111 17-Dec-2025 22:44

Have you looked into the likes of Aliexpress or Temu, etc, for similar?

Nice Models 👍

kiwiharry

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#3445149 18-Dec-2025 09:26

SepticSceptic:

Have you looked into the likes of Aliexpress or Temu, etc, for similar?

Nice Models 👍

Yes have had a look. Couldn't find the right stand with the correct attachment method.

The plane is held onto the stand with a thumbscrew and the pin is used to keep the plane orientated. This is what the attachment point looks like.

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russelo

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#3445153 18-Dec-2025 09:46

Have you searched in Thingiverse and see if somebody has already recreated the stand ready for 3D printing?

https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=aircraft+stand&page=1

kiwiharry

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#3445156 18-Dec-2025 10:04

russelo:

Have you searched in Thingiverse and see if somebody has already recreated the stand ready for 3D printing?

https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=aircraft+stand&page=1

No haven't searched there Will have a hunt today.

Thanks very much for the link.

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frankv

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#3445268 18-Dec-2025 12:13

Drawing the object typically takes more time and effort than printing it.

Do you have CAD skills? If not, this is the ideal time to learn some. :)

If you can't find the right thing on Thingiverse, you could try a 3D print search engine like yeggi. If you still can't find anything, try searching some of the online CAD sites... e.g OnShape It's common for people to share their CAD designs. The beauty of these is that they're like source code and can be copied and edited, whereas thingiverse, etc are pretty much like a compiled app, so are take it or leave it.

mdf

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#3445387 18-Dec-2025 14:57

I'm not sure 3D printing is necessarily going to be the best option here. The layer lines are always a point of weakness and you've got a couple of pretty small and possibly weak points at the base tabs and at the neck.

If you've got all the parts, you could try a plastic welding repair service. I'm not in Auckland and can't vouch for any of these personally, but it looks like you do have options: https://www.google.com/search?q=plastic+welding+repairs+auckland. Depending on the type of plastic and how old it is, this type of repair may be much stronger (and will definitely look closer to the original) than a 3D print.

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kiwiharry

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#3445582 19-Dec-2025 11:22

Thanks for the advice so far. Will look at the various sites suggested and in the new year see what comes back in regards to plastic welding enquiries.

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SepticSceptic

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#3445783 19-Dec-2025 22:15

Try epoxy resin and filler o make a putty thats reasonably malleable.

Join pieces together, but form a nice flared fillet around the join, in keeping inline with the existing curves .

Harden and then sand, shape, etc.