I designed this stand to hold RC model planes and boats. I have mostly park size planes (600-1500mm wingspan), gliders (< 3m wingspan) and a few small boats, so that is what this stand is designed to hold.

The stand is intended to provide a solid platform with plenty of adjustment to securely hold the model while working on it. If you are looking for a sleek display stand, or a light weight stand to take to the field, this probably isn't the stand for you.

I looked at a few different commercial and home built designs that I found online, but none of them seemed to perfectly suit the range of models I wanted to use it with, so I thought I would design my own. I probably could have knocked up a simple stand with a sheet of plywood and and a jigsaw, but I have a 3D printer and like over-engineering things, so here we are.

Printing

The main frame part of the stand is 240x180mm so should fit on the bed of most mid size printers, but will be too big for some like the Ender 3 to print in 1 piece. All parts are designed to print without support.

These are the settings I used for mine Material: PLA Layer Height: 0.2mm Frame & Arms: 4 perimeters, 10% infill Knobs and other small parts: 4 perimeters 100% infill

Quantities of each part required for a full stand:

• 2 x Main frame
• 2 x Arm Left
• 2 x Arm Right
• 8 x Arm Adjustment Knob
• 12 x Arm Nut Retainer
• 4 x Rod Locking Knob
• 4 x Rod Locking Pin
• 4 x Rod End Cap (Optional)

Hardware List

The stand is designed around common items I could get at my local hardware store. You should be able to find them in most parts of the world, but I've included Aliexpress links in case you can't find all the required bits where you are.

25 mm wide foam weather seal

About 2m are required to cover the top of the stand and arms. I choose 6.4 mm thick, light density foam for mine as it provides good cushioning and grips the model well. https://www.bunnings.com.au/moroday-6-4-x-25mm-x-3m-garage-weatherseal_p4114621 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32960650171.html

2 x Aluminium or carbon fibre tubes, 12mm outer diameter

You can pick the length to suit your needs. The end caps are designed for a tube with 10mm internal diameter, but you can use whatever 12mm OD tube you want. https://www.bunnings.com.au/metal-mate-rcr-12-x-1mm-1m-aluminium-round-tube_p1067750 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32822916583.html

8 x M6 x 50mm Bolts

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-6-x-50mm-yellow-zinc-hi-tensile-hex-bolt-and-nut-6-pack_p0054193 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001326296913.html

12 x M6 Nuts

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32977174437.html

4 x M5 x 20mm Bolts

https://www.bunnings.com.au/pinnacle-m5-x-20mm-yellow-zinc-hi-tensile-hex-bolt-and-nut-10-pack_p2320056 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32969220135.html

4 x M5 Nuts

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32977174437.html

If you don't want to use the adjustment knobs to set the arm position, M6 x 25mm screws with washers also work. The same goes for the rod locking knobs, M5 x 15mm screws would work fine, or even a grub screw if you are not going to adjust it regularly.