Will the printed part be as strong as the original?

It depends on material and purpose. In PETG or nylon the part is often just as durable, sometimes stronger, because we can thicken it where the original failed. For parts under constant heavy load we'll tell you in advance if we think it won't hold.

Do I get the broken original back?

Yes, it comes back with the new part unless you say otherwise. We keep the model that comes out of it, so any further copy of the same part is quicker and cheaper.

The spare part nobody makes any more

One plastic part breaks and the whole appliance becomes scrap, because that part isn't sold any more. It's one of the most common reasons people write to us — and one of the most satisfying jobs.

5 min read·Updated 2026-08-25

What gets printed most often

Handles and knobs on white goods, gears in grinders and mixers, shelf supports in fridges, trim clips on cars, furniture feet, vacuum-cleaner parts, battery covers on remotes, blind runners. What they share: small, plastic, and no longer stocked by the manufacturer.

The reverse holds too — if the part is metal, carries heavy load or runs hot, printing usually isn't the right replacement. We'll say so straight away rather than sell you a part that will fail.

What to send us

Best of all is having the part in hand, even in three pieces — we measure what's needed from it and scan the geometry. If you can't send it, photograph it from several angles next to a ruler or calipers and write down the key dimensions: hole diameters, screw spacing, overall length.

It also helps to name the make and model, and where exactly the part sits. Sometimes the fastest fix isn't to copy the original but to improve it — if a part fails in the same spot for everyone, we thicken it there and the new version outlasts the factory one.

Cost and turnaround

The cost is nearly always in the modelling, not the printing — the part itself is usually a few dozen grams of plastic. A simple piece with clear measurements is done in a day or two; if it needs scanning and reconstruction, allow a few days. It's still almost always cheaper than a new appliance, which is usually the only other option.

Common questions

Will the printed part be as strong as the original?: It depends on material and purpose. In PETG or nylon the part is often just as durable, sometimes stronger, because we can thicken it where the original failed. For parts under constant heavy load we'll tell you in advance if we think it won't hold.
Do I get the broken original back?: Yes, it comes back with the new part unless you say otherwise. We keep the model that comes out of it, so any further copy of the same part is quicker and cheaper.