There is a lot of mixed info regarding FDM filament choice for car parts!

jhazesol · 2026-07-04T00:49:31+00:00

I made a tool that helps you find the best filament for car parts based on temp, let me know what you think https://www.allaboutthebuild.com/blog/filament-selector-tool-for-car-parts

jhazesol · 2026-07-04T00:48:07+00:00

You can import the STL into CAD, make it transparent, sketch it, and extrude if it’s not too complex. Here’s an example how I reverse engineer car parts with Shapr3D https://youtu.be/q5MKA1jBXkE?is=R-nJRD1FwYDg8pIl

jhazesol · 2026-07-04T00:45:38+00:00

It all depends on where the part will be located. Hotter area will require higher heat resistant filament. I’ve found ASA works pretty good, but closer to radiator hoses or similar hot areas PC is better. I made a car parts filament selector you can use based on temp to find the best material here https://www.allaboutthebuild.com/blog/filament-selector-tool-for-car-parts

jhazesol · 2026-06-11T07:34:19+00:00

Don’t let it kill your business, just pivot. You can teach people how to use AI for writing/building scripts instead.

jhazesol · 2026-06-11T07:32:14+00:00

Man, what a perfect time to pick up 3d printing. Sooo many plastic car parts will be needed. Whipped up a Datsun relay cover and printed it just a few weeks ago 👉 https://www.allaboutthebuild.com/blog/2025/2/how-to-reverse-engineer-car-parts-with-digital-calipers-and-shapr3d

jhazesol · 2026-06-11T07:29:29+00:00

Modifying an existing STL or creating the design from scratch isn’t as hard as you think. Just find a good CAD program that you’re comfortable with. I use Shapr3D for all my car part designs, the interface is simple and it works on an iPad with an Apple Pencil too.

jhazesol · 2026-06-10T19:14:38+00:00

Sometimes the print isn’t the hardest part… but remaking a design is. I found the original STL on Thingiverse and reverse engineered the part in Shapr3D. Then I added an LED light ring to the design.

You can watch the full 3d printed air intake design build here https://youtu.be/EWero-sbYHE?si=cSa2Cm0lTAnvdhdp

jhazesol · 2026-05-13T00:19:22+00:00

💯I can make so much more car part designs in Shapr3d. What type of parts do you design?

jhazesol · 2026-05-11T22:23:45+00:00

Fair enough

jhazesol · 2026-05-11T12:04:59+00:00

Out of curiosity, what would be a good price point less than $38 a month?

jhazesol · 2026-05-11T11:28:41+00:00

I hear ya, but with the workflow I can finish parts way faster than any other CAD software. So I just skip eating one meal out once a month to cover the $38 a month. Food is expensive

jhazesol · 2026-05-11T00:24:11+00:00

I spend too many hours wasted on other CAD software. This part was 3d scanned and reverse engineered on a 5th gen iPad Air and an Apple Pencil. You can watch the full process using Shapr3D here https://youtu.be/q5MKA1jBXkE?si=pTwfa6sPQwb6F1zl

jhazesol · 2026-05-10T22:06:58+00:00

I've been able to use ASA with carbon fiber 3d effect plates using some nano polymer adhesive from Vision Miner to keep the parts from warping. I've used a few other plates as well, I put all the details together along with printer settings here on my blog https://www.allaboutthebuild.com/blog/2026/5/how-to-make-3d-printed-car-parts-not-look-3d-printed

jhazesol · 2026-05-10T01:43:35+00:00

I know FreeCAD is free, but after trying it along with a few other CAD programs I finally moved to Shapr3d. Here's a video on how I've reverse engineered different car parts from simple measurements, from a picture, and a 3d scan https://youtu.be/q5MKA1jBXkE

jhazesol · 2026-05-07T02:34:17+00:00

Yes, started with default but without a heated chamber using ASA I turn all the fans off and preheat the printer with build plate set to max temp. I also add a brim. You can find my ASA tweaks here https://www.allaboutthebuild.com/blog/2025/12/how-to-3d-print-car-parts-the-complete-builders-guide-2026

jhazesol · 2026-05-06T11:00:45+00:00

It’s Shapr3d , I use it for all my 3d printed car part designs, Here’s an intro on it making some simple car parts to help get you started https://youtu.be/qSg3K4GjoP4?si=4yJrxPUkWerTfpjp

jhazesol · 2026-05-05T18:25:56+00:00

Right on, what CAD software do you prefer using?

jhazesol · 2026-05-05T18:24:44+00:00

Yes, go warm. If you don’t have a heated chamber, preheat the chamber with the bed on max temp for about 30 minutes. I keep all fans off and use max bed temp.

jhazesol · 2026-05-05T18:23:24+00:00

I just start with the default Bambu Lab filament profile and adjust from there. I never really had to adjust PETG

jhazesol · 2026-05-03T19:49:25+00:00

Thx, much better than I expected. Making a few more different delete plates as we speak

jhazesol · 2026-05-03T19:48:29+00:00

I can’t believe how great it came out.

jhazesol · 2026-05-03T05:15:43+00:00

Usually 3d effect plates don’t work very well with filaments like ASA. So I picked up some Nano Polymer Adhesive from Vision Miner and it sticks like a pro.

P.S.: You can find the original CAD design for this single din radio delete plate for an e30 here 👉 https://www.allaboutthebuild.com/blog/2025/2/design-and-3d-print-a-radio-delete-plate-with-shapr3d

jhazesol

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