A 3D Printed Axial SCX6 Mudder’s Dream Machine

There’s no denying the sky’s the limit in RC bodies thanks to 3D printing technology. And one of the best parts about the RC hobby is making your rig uniquely you. With the help of modern technology, if you can dream it, you can build it, and that’s exactly what Pete Holey did with his Axial SCX6. He planned out his dream mudding machine and built a body for his rig that is not only a work of art, but embodies what the RC hobby is all about: making it your own and sharing the experiences with friends.

In the video below, you’ll see first-hand the love that went into making a custom body for the Axial SCX6 inspired by a 1967 Chevrolet Blazer™. Pete estimates he put about 80 hours of labor into the body alone.

The Axial SCX6 is big, which means 3D printing body panels for it was no small feat. The design was scaled up from an original work by Klein Designs and re-worked to fit the Axial SCX6. Once printed, rig-owner Pete Holey got to work on assembly. Due to the 6^th-scale size of the rig, the body was printed in pieces and were then glued together, painted, and sanded. After multiple rounds of painting and sanding, the Axial SCX6 had a new body that was ready to go mudding.

And oh, the mud that this rig got to see! Pete and some of the Horizon Hobby crew were out at Beat the Creek where many of the full-scale vehicles had to be towed in because there was just too much mud. The Axial SCX6 is a mudder’s dream machine and the 1967 Chevy Blazer-inspired body just takes it to the next level. As Pete says, “We build them to go play with them. We don’t build them to look at.” The body design is part of the fun, but function is everything. With an Axial foundation and a stunning body design, this rig is ready for adventure!

At Horizon Hobby, we inspire dreams and build memories. This video is an excellent example of what that looks like in real life. Enjoy!

If you don’t have a 3D printer, you can still build your dream RC rig! We have countless RC car bodies available in your favorite licensed models. RC car bodies are available painted and unpainted, letting your creativity run wild. Check out our selection of RC car bodies here.

We also have a great blog about how to paint RC car bodies available!

If you do have a 3D printer (or know someone who does) you can start with a pre-designed RC car body from sources like Thingiverse®, MyMiniFactory, Cults 3D, and others. Printable 3D files are available for free or purchase. Take the time to find exactly what you want to prevent needing a lot of modifications. Try searching for your RC car chassis name to find things that will (likely) already fit, or search for the brand of body you’re looking for, like Ford® or Chevy®. If you have to modify a body to fit your mounting points, you’ll need CAD software, but there are lots of options for CAD software, like Tinkercad® and Blender®.

If you’ve already watched the video at this point, you’ll know that glue was the one weakness in this Axial SCX6 1967 Chevy Blazer crawler build. Strong filament is available for most 3D printers, even UV-resistant filament is an option. But if you don’t use the right glue… it won’t hold up to rocks, water, and mud. Look for a glue that matches the type of plastic in your filament. Two-part glues are often strongest, though that isn’t always the case. Have some 1,000-grit sandpaper ready and you can prime and paint your 3D-printed body any style you chose. Like glue, RC car body paints are available for different types of plastic, too. Try to match everything up as best as you can for a flawless finish. Wrap it all up with a clear-coat for that factory finish and you’ll be ready to muddy it up!