3D Printed Parts?
Transforming Upgrades with 3D Printed Parts and Kits
The world of military model building has come a long way, and 3D printing is shaking things up in the best way possible. As a modeller, I’ve seen how this incredible technology makes it easier than ever to bring our creative visions to life. With pre-printed parts, you can now get highly detailed upgrades that were once nearly impossible to find—and without the headache of making them yourself. These parts add a whole new level of precision and customisation to our builds, making the hobby even more exciting.
Let’s take a closer look at how pre-printed 3D parts compare to the more traditional options like photoetched parts, cast resin parts, and injection-moulded parts. Each has its place in the hobby, but 3D printed upgrades bring something really special to the table.
Photoetched Parts: Photoetched parts are fantastic for replicating components made from sheet metal in real life. Their thin, metallic profiles are perfect for details like grilles, brackets, and other intricate flat structures. A great example is German WWII tool clasps—photoetched parts can make these look incredibly realistic. But let’s be real: working with photoetched parts isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’ve got to cut, bend, and glue these tiny, fragile pieces, and it takes a lot of time and patience. For many of us, pre-printed 3D parts are a lifesaver. Sure, they might not hit the absolute realism of photoetched parts every time, but they’re a fantastic alternative. Instead of wrestling with three tiny photoetched pieces, you can just pop a pre-printed part in place and still get impressive results. They’re perfect for modellers who want great detail but don’t have endless hours to spend.
Cast Resin Parts: Resin parts are well-known for their ability to capture intricate details and unique shapes, but they’re not without their quirks. First off, there’s usually a lot of cleanup involved—getting rid of sprues and excess material can be tedious. Then there’s the fact that resin parts are made using silicone moulds, which can sometimes cause deformations, especially as the moulds age. Over time, these moulds lose their sharpness, and the parts they produce can end up lacking the crisp details we’re after. Pre-printed 3D parts, on the other hand, skip all that fuss. They come clean, detailed, and ready to go, saving you time and frustration while still delivering the quality you need.
Injection-Moulded Parts: Injection moulding is the go-to method for mass-produced model kits, and for good reason. It’s consistent, affordable, and gets the job done. But there are some things injection moulding just can’t do. For example, tank tracks often have hollowed-out or undercut details that are nearly impossible to achieve with this method. Even tiny details like cast serial numbers on tracks often get left out or simplified. Pre-printed 3D parts step in beautifully here, filling in those gaps and letting you add a level of detail that takes your model to the next level.
One standout example of these limitations is the Sherman periscope guards. These are made of steel round rods welded together, with undercut areas and a rounded profile that injection moulding simply can’t handle. Photoetched parts try to replicate them but end up with flat, fragile profiles that don’t look quite right. Resin casting doesn’t fare much better due to the thinness and fragility required. Pre-printed 3D parts, however, nail it by delivering accurate, durable, and realistic versions of these tricky details.
Incorporating pre-printed 3D parts into your builds is like adding a secret weapon to your toolkit. They let you blend the best of traditional methods with modern innovation, giving you results that are both impressive and a joy to create. Whether you’re working on a tank, a plane, or a detailed diorama, these parts open up a world of possibilities for creative expression while staying true to the craftsmanship that makes this hobby so rewarding.