Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Can 3D-printed plastic really handle hydraulic pressure and the weight of an adult? 🏗️ Today on Tripods Garage, we’re pushing the absolute limits of additive manufacturing. From a rideable bike to a massive $1,300 excavator, we’re finding out if these builds are the future of engineering or just a pile of broken plastic.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on these advanced 3D-printed projects, but today is the moment of truth. We aren’t just looking at these models on a shelf; we’re putting them to work in the workshop. I’m testing the structural integrity of a fully functional 3D-printed bike and seeing if my custom hydraulic excavator can actually dig without shattering. This is engineering at its most experimental—and most dangerous.
What You’ll See:
The Impossible Bike Ride: Can a 100% 3D-printed frame actually support my weight?
The $1,300 Excavator Build: A deep dive into the electronics, hydraulics, and massive print time.
Stress Testing the Arm: Pushing the hydraulic actuators to their breaking point.
Filament vs. Physics: Why I chose specific materials to survive these "real-world" tests.
The Final Verdict: Are high-end 3D-printed machines ready for the big leagues?
Why This Matters: Whether you're a maker, an engineer, or just love seeing cool stuff break (or survive!), this video is a masterclass in what’s possible with modern desktop 3D printing. We’re pushing past "toys" and into the world of functional, heavy-duty machinery.
#3dprinting #3dprinted
#3DPrinting #Engineering #TripodsGarage #HydraulicExcavator #Advanced3DPrinting #MakerCommunity #StressTest #DIYEngineering
From RC Death Racers to a 3D-printed mini bike and a 1:14-scale hydraulic excavator, this video dives into three ambitious 3D printing projects that demand real-world making skills—FDM printing, RC electronics, soldering, and light fabrication. Expect to work from community docs, Facebook groups/Discords, and solid build manuals (Offset Maker Lab Piranha files + BigTreeTech kit) while choosing durable materials (PETG for heat resistance, TPU for tracks, heated inserts, threaded rods). We cover print beds (256×256 mm compatible parts), high-infill components, dry-fits, lock-nuts, slip rings, ESCs/servos, and safety. If you love maker projects, core RC mechanics, and functional 3D prints, you’re in the right place.
Project notes & costs: Death Racer (RepRap festival classic) with rules like no metal weapons, head height limits, and boom reach; mini bike (by Sam Prentice & Michael Badley) with ~$500 electronics and ~9 spools of filament; and the Bernie222RC excavator converted to hydraulics with ~$1,200–$1,300 in parts plus 2 mm steel laser-cut reinforcements. Sponsor shout-out: PCBWay for PCBs, CNC, injection molding, 3D printing, and laser-cut metal (purple solder mask promo, TPU printing) — perfect for those steel plates and custom parts: https://shorturl.at/c5d7X
. Filament fans: I often run Polymaker materials in builds: us.polymaker.com/?aff=22
. Patience, creativity, and community support will get you from STL to show-ready machine.
Expensive but tons of fun!
Creator Credit!
youtube.com/@UChFNvcsYthE8ql-4niRTS-A
instagram.com/offset_maker_lab/?hl=en
youtube.com/@UCscxUHApwLnnZb1FMWE7dSw
Death Racers
youtu.be/Z0pQY1Msu-U?si=OIjgzenIVzOavO3e
youtu.be/yF4NyfIXB5g?si=Q4UXdYSte5J9ZY9z
printables.com/model/1134616-piranha-death-racer
patreon.com/c/mrbaddeley
facebook.com/groups/deathracer.builders
Tiny Bike
youtu.be/-Ac6NSGe1OA?si=CfZqopCzYjeZPao1
patreon.com/c/mrbaddeley
facebook.com/groups/printmyride
Hydraulic Excavator
youtube.com/@UCscxUHApwLnnZb1FMWE7dSw
cults3d.com/en/users/burnie222/3d-models
Disclaimer - This is an instructional video only - I assume no responsibility if you do not become a pro after watching this video. This video is for learning purposes only, you are following the steps in this video at your own risk!
#excavator #deathracer #3dprintedbike
Can 3D-printed plastic really handle hydraulic pressure and the weight of an adult? 🏗️ Today on Tripods Garage, we’re pushing the absolute limits of additive manufacturing. From a rideable bike to a massive $1,300 excavator, we’re finding out if these builds are the future of engineering or just a pile of broken plastic.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on these advanced 3D-printed projects, but today is the moment of truth. We aren’t just looking at these models on a shelf; we’re putting them to work in the workshop. I’m testing the structural integrity of a fully functional 3D-printed bike and seeing if my custom hydraulic excavator can actually dig without shattering. This is engineering at its most experimental—and most dangerous.
What You’ll See:
The Impossible Bike Ride: Can a 100% 3D-printed frame actually support my weight?
The $1,300 Excavator Build: A deep dive into the electronics, hydraulics, and massive print time.
Stress Testing the Arm: Pushing the hydraulic actuators to their breaking point.
Filament vs. Physics: Why I chose specific materials to survive these "real-world" tests.
The Final Verdict: Are high-end 3D-printed machines ready for the big leagues?
Why This Matters: Whether you're a maker, an engineer, or just love seeing cool stuff break (or survive!), this video is a masterclass in what’s possible with modern desktop 3D printing. We’re pushing past "toys" and into the world of functional, heavy-duty machinery.
#3dprinting #3dprinted
#3DPrinting #Engineering #TripodsGarage #HydraulicExcavator #Advanced3DPrinting #MakerCommunity #StressTest #DIYEngineering
From RC Death Racers to a 3D-printed mini bike and a 1:14-scale hydraulic excavator, this video dives into three ambitious 3D printing projects that demand real-world making skills—FDM printing, RC electronics, soldering, and light fabrication. Expect to work from community docs, Facebook groups/Discords, and solid build manuals (Offset Maker Lab Piranha files + BigTreeTech kit) while choosing durable materials (PETG for heat resistance, TPU for tracks, heated inserts, threaded rods). We cover print beds (256×256 mm compatible parts), high-infill components, dry-fits, lock-nuts, slip rings, ESCs/servos, and safety. If you love maker projects, core RC mechanics, and functional 3D prints, you’re in the right place.
Project notes & costs: Death Racer (RepRap festival classic) with rules like no metal weapons, head height limits, and boom reach; mini bike (by Sam Prentice & Michael Badley) with ~$500 electronics and ~9 spools of filament; and the Bernie222RC excavator converted to hydraulics with ~$1,200–$1,300 in parts plus 2 mm steel laser-cut reinforcements. Sponsor shout-out: PCBWay for PCBs, CNC, injection molding, 3D printing, and laser-cut metal (purple solder mask promo, TPU printing) — perfect for those steel plates and custom parts: https://shorturl.at/c5d7X
. Filament fans: I often run Polymaker materials in builds: us.polymaker.com/?aff=22
. Patience, creativity, and community support will get you from STL to show-ready machine.
Expensive but tons of fun!
Creator Credit!
youtube.com/@UChFNvcsYthE8ql-4niRTS-A
instagram.com/offset_maker_lab/?hl=en
youtube.com/@UCscxUHApwLnnZb1FMWE7dSw
Death Racers
youtu.be/Z0pQY1Msu-U?si=OIjgzenIVzOavO3e
youtu.be/yF4NyfIXB5g?si=Q4UXdYSte5J9ZY9z
printables.com/model/1134616-piranha-death-racer
patreon.com/c/mrbaddeley
facebook.com/groups/deathracer.builders
Tiny Bike
youtu.be/-Ac6NSGe1OA?si=CfZqopCzYjeZPao1
patreon.com/c/mrbaddeley
facebook.com/groups/printmyride
Hydraulic Excavator
youtube.com/@UCscxUHApwLnnZb1FMWE7dSw
cults3d.com/en/users/burnie222/3d-models
Disclaimer - This is an instructional video only - I assume no responsibility if you do not become a pro after watching this video. This video is for learning purposes only, you are following the steps in this video at your own risk!
#excavator #deathracer #3dprintedbike
