{"id":165074,"date":"2022-07-03T16:56:43","date_gmt":"2022-07-03T08:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=165074"},"modified":"2022-08-11T14:41:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T06:41:35","slug":"3d-printed-rc-car-12-cars-to-feel-like-an-f1-racer","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/3d-printed-rc-car-12-cars-to-feel-like-an-f1-racer","title":{"rendered":"3D Printed RC Car: 12 Cars to Feel Like an F1 Racer"},"content":{"rendered":"
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3D printers are even more fun when they’re used for a wild hobby like RC cars. Dig into this collection of 3D printed RC car projects, ranging from simple to advanced.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Fuel Your Hobby<\/h3>\n
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The good old days? (Source: Wanabrc \/ R\/C Tech Forums)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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There was a time when the radio-controlled vehicle hobby had an incredibly high barrier of\u00a0entry. The models themselves were expensive, the electronics were pricey, and the skills were difficult to acquire unless you joined a club.<\/p>\n

But over time, as technology improved and costs became more reasonable, radio-controlled models became a more casual hobby.<\/p>\n

Now, with an expanded radio spectrum and dirt-cheap Pacific Rim electronics, RC cars, in particular, are approachable by pretty much anyone in some form or another. And the rising accessibility of consumer 3D printing doesn\u2019t hurt, either.<\/p>\n

This article aims to showcase some of what\u2019s possible thanks to 3D printing. Along with some potentially printable models, we\u2019re including a few projects that may just shock even the most experienced hobbyists. But we feel we should add the disclaimer that, just because something can or even has been created with a 3D printer, doesn\u2019t mean that it should be replicated by just anyone. The last few models in this list are noteworthy projects that, for one reason or another, are unlikely to be replicated successfully by any but the most ambitious of hobbyists.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, we hope all the models and projects in the list provide fuel for your imagination.<\/p>\n

Not confident in your ability to print accurate high-resolution parts? Why not try a 3D printing service? With\u00a0Craftcloud by All3DP<\/a>, you\u2019ll find the best price and provider for your needs, benefitting from professional quality and round-the-clock support.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Classic Retro Design<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Ain’t it cute? (Source: Rick Winscott \/ Instructables)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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When Rick Winscot discovered that the classic gas-powered\u00a0Cox Dune Buggy<\/a>\u00a0was long out of production, he designed his own. It\u2019s powered by continuous rotation servos and a standard RC controller or an Arduino Nano. You can download the files from Thingiverse or\u00a0edit the model<\/a>\u00a0on Tinkercad.<\/p>\n

Who made it?<\/strong>\u00a0Rick Winscot\u00a0(@rwinscot<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0This model has close to 1,500 downloads, so it\u2019s probably brought fun to many makers.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>Thingiverse<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Simple and Modular<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Made to be modular. (Source: lcs5000 \/ Instructables)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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This model was designed by a high school student\u00a0to be\u00a0simple enough to assemble with his younger brother who has ADD. Despite being fairly simple, you have a choice of adding complications like a drive train, if you so desire.<\/p>\n

Who made it?<\/strong>\u00a0lcs5000 (@lcs5000<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0This has over 13,000 views and over 100 likes.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>Instructables<\/a>\u00a0provides a full bill of materials along with the STL files and step-by-step instructions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Easy to Print<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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A simple design for anyone. (Source: Lazlo Hollyfeld \/ Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This RC car has a clean design since it\u2019s intended to be easy to print and assemble with low-cost components. It\u2019s a little large for a 200-mm square bed, but it\u2019s simple enough that you can modify it to fit. We think it\u2019s a good option for a first-time builder.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a\u00a0YouTube video<\/a>\u00a0that includes some FPV footage of it driving. From the video, it seems to be quick enough to be fun to drive.<\/p>\n

Who made it?<\/strong>\u00a0Lazlo Holyfield (@nullandvoid<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0No makes are posted, but it\u2019s got over 350 likes and it\u2019s been added to almost 500 collections.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>Thingiverse<\/a><\/p>\n

No Screws Required<\/h3>\n
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Remix, anyone? (Source: Taylor Alexander \/ Make)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Files for the Flutter-Scout are\u00a0available on GitHub<\/a>.\u00a0It originally used ARM-based controller boards\u00a0formerly available from\u00a0Flutter Wireless<\/a>. Unfortunately, they don\u2019t seem to be taking orders anymore, but it doesn\u2019t look like it would be terribly difficult to modify the existing designs to use microcontrollers that are commonly available.<\/p>\n

Taylor Alexander discusses the design\u00a0on his blog<\/a>, so take a look at what he\u2019s done if you\u2019re interested in building it.<\/p>\n

Who made it?<\/strong>\u00a0Taylor Alexander (@tlalexander<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0The electronics came from a successful Kickstarter with 1,600 backers.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>GitHub<\/a><\/p>\n

Rough and Tumble Street Racer<\/h3>\n
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This one can take a few crashes. (Source: Banana Science \/ Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some toys just seem to attract hard play, and RC cars pretty much define that category. This 3D printed vehicle is packed with beefy structural components with that in mind. In fact, this is an updated V2 model that\u2019s been modified with improvements and better batteries. There\u2019s\u00a0a model<\/a>\u00a0in the online editor Onshape that you can take a look at if you want to see for yourself.<\/p>\n

Who made it?\u00a0<\/strong>Banana Science (@Banana Science<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0No makes posted yet, but over 800 downloads means this design has probably hit the road on many occasions.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>Thingiverse<\/a><\/p>\n

Take It Easy<\/h3>\n
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A nice and detailed tractor in color. (Source: makit \/ MyMiniFactory)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This nicely detailed tractor from MyMiniFactory is an update from a previous OpenRC model. If you\u2019ve already printed the old one, you can update it by printing just a few new parts. There\u2019s even a working dumping trailer accessory that you can print and add on.<\/p>\n

Obviously, this isn\u2019t in the same category in terms of playability as the other rugged models, but it\u2019s a nice experience to play with, nonetheless.<\/p>\n

Who made it?<\/strong>\u00a0makit (@makit<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?\u00a0<\/strong>There are 853 downloads posted and a few pictures of finished makes.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>MyMiniFactory<\/a><\/p>\n

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Petrol-Powered<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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This futuristic design is actually a petrol-powered racer. (Source: Vectary \/ Myminifactory)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This skeletal design was\u00a0created with the\u00a0Vectary<\/a>\u00a0online modeling tool\u00a0and can be downloaded from MyMiniFactory. It utilizes a tiny petrol engine for old-school RC car fun.\u00a0You can download the design\u00a0for a very reasonable two dollars.<\/p>\n

The petrol engine might make this model harder to maintain, but it can add an element of nostalgia to the driving experience that you just don\u2019t get with the others.<\/p>\n

Who made it?<\/strong>\u00a0Vectary (@VECTARY<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0This model has a whopping 3,900 downloads at two dollars a pop.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>MyMiniFactory<\/a><\/p>\n

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Open Source Design in Resin<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Only strong resin will do. (Source: Daniel Noree \/ Pinshape)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Daniel Noree has designed a collection of open-sourced 3D printed vehicles. Here\u2019s his take on an F1-style 3D printed race car. There are\u00a0more details<\/a>\u00a0about the design and construction of the OpenRC cars on\u00a0the Pinshape blog, where he mentions using resin for strength. We\u2019re pretty sure that ABS on an FDM printer would work perfectly well, though.<\/p>\n

Who made it?\u00a0<\/strong>Daniel Noree<\/a><\/p>\n

Who\u00a0printed\u00a0it?<\/strong>\u00a0This model has close to 1,500 downloads, so it\u2019s probably brought fun to many makers.<\/p>\n

Where to get it?\u00a0<\/strong>Pinshape<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Major Leagues<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Custom 3D printed tires on a regular RC car. (Source: RCLifeOn \/ YouTube)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The following models step away from what most people are willing to undertake and instead show the raw potential of 3D printing applied to RC cars. Nevertheless, it\u2019s nice to admire them so we can see just how far 3D printing can go given enough trial and error.<\/p>\n

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Keep Your Printer Busy<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Many 3D printed parts later, this beast is born. (Source: Kris Shellman \/ Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

You may have noticed that some of these projects are full of hobby shop components designed for RC cars. In contrast, Kris Shellman designed his Tarmo 3 to use as many 3D printed parts as possible. There\u2019s so much to print that the Taro 3 takes up three whole Thingiverse projects:<\/p>\n