The blue hook is 3D printed to replace the broken one
Fixing toys for the Te Atatu Toy Library has been one of the most satisfying things I’ve been able to do since I discovered TAPlab. If you haven’t heard of a Toy Library before it’s a wonderful place if you have babies or young children. But the toys there have a very hard life, imagine every few weeks you become a toddler’s new favourite toy. I’d noticed a few things I’d gotten out for my son had broken parts or missing pieces. When I learned about 3D printing at TAPlab I thought I might be able to do something to help.
The first thing I was given was a broken battery cover for a baby toy. A battery cover that can be screwed shut is very important for safety, without it the toy would’ve been thrown out. It took me a while but I was able to make a new one. Since then I’ve gotten quicker at it. I wouldn’t try to do something like re-creating an action figure, it would be too much work and I wouldn’t be able to get it looking good enough. I’ve stuck to more functional things like hooks and battery covers.
I start by doing a sketch of the piece I will be making on paper. I put all the measurements on it I need to know. TAPlab has a set of digital calipers that are really useful for getting the measurements off the original piece. Then I draw it as a 3D model in Tinkercad (a free and easy to learn online program). After that I can print it. We use PLA in our 3D printers. It’s a really safe plastic so I don’t have to worry if one of the things I make gets chewed a little.
The hook on the rescue helicopter has been 3D printed
One of the really great things about 3D printing is once you have your 3D model done you can print it as many times as you like. The toy library often have multiple sets of the same toy, if it’s broken in one set chances are it’ll break in the other one too. The original bits in the set below had been done in a plastic that was rubbery, as it aged they just kept breaking off. I’ve printed the replacement piece more than 10 times.
The white plastic piece on the left is 3D printed, the one at the top is an original
There are people out there using 3D printers to lovingly restore toys. I don’t colour match or paint anything, I just try to make them work so the toy can keep being used for as long as possible. A couple of the toy sets I’ve fixed things for cost over $150 new. The fixes I’ve done are all small but from watching my son play with them I’ve been able to see that they make a huge difference to how much enjoyment the toy can give.