Fixing/repair/working with 3d printed parts

[Psycho91]

So I have a tracer recon slide that has been in storage for years and has become warped, can I just apply heat and reshape it, also what can be done to 3d printed parts, can they be cut or drilled into or through how does it hold up, I know nothing about 3d printing

[Ecapnation]

Eh... With warped parts you are likely sol, as applying heat will make it warp in another direction.

Reprinting it is the best course, or drilling it out and epoxying in a sleeve or something.

[Psycho91]

Damn, well if I'm sol it's not gonna matter if I screw it up worse or not lol, I might get lucky, warped may have been the wrong term to use its slightly bent, I was gonna use a hair dryer and a barrel and just see if I could get it straight enough to work again

[Ecapnation]

That may work... Depends on what it was printed with though

[Psycho91]

I have no idea, it's a fisrt run trracer recon slide that's all I know

[Psycho91]

so can 3d parts be cut, sanded, and drilled or is what you print what you get

[XEMON]

You can, but keep in mind you're working with plastic, it will melt if you power sand ...

Also, it's hollow inside, so keep that in mind ...

[zinger565]

so can 3d parts be cut, sanded, and drilled or is what you print what you get

3d printed parts can absolutely be cut, sanded, and drilled. The biggest issue is if they don't have 100% fill. A lot of prints will use a % infill to save on material and weight (see picture below), so cutting may not always give you a solid face and drilling might offer less support than expected.

A lot of folks sand their prints to smooth out the layers, especially for painting.

[Psycho91]

Ok, well the arms cracked and broke off so I'll have to use it for a shroud or attach arms to it at some point, it's fill looks like image 2 or 3 from that photo