This is a custom 3 mm driveshaft coupler designed specifically for small-scale RC crawlers (1/12 – 1/24 scale) using 370 motor transmissions.
The coupler connects directly to the transmission output shaft, allowing a front driveshaft to attach securely without modifying the motor or transmission.
Design Notes
No internal shaft flats by design
Flats were intentionally avoided due to the small 3 mm shaft diameter, where removing material significantly reduced durability. A full round bore provides greater wall strength and long-term reliability.Snap-style transmission interface
One end of the coupler is sized to work with a lipped transmission output shaft. The lip slightly compresses the plastic internally, creating a snap-on effect that resists pull-off while still allowing minimal movement. This provides better retention than a rigid press fit and reduces stress cracking.Reinforced outer ring
The external ring helps stabilize the coupler on the shaft and improves resistance to deformation under load.Twisted geometry for strength
The twisted body design distributes torque more evenly and reduces the chance of layer-shear failure compared to straight couplers.
Compatibility
~3 mm input shaft
~3 mm output shaft
Designed for 1/12–1/24 scale RC crawlers
Compatible with many drivetrains using 370-size motor transmissions
Commonly used in WPL-based builds and custom chassis
Printing Recommendations
Material: PETG (recommended) or PLA+
Orientation: Print upright (shaft axis vertical)
Infill: 40–60%
Perimeters: 4–5 walls
Supports: not required
Notes
Bore may be snug depending on printer tolerances; light cleanup may be required
Designed for low-speed crawler applications
Not intended for high-RPM or brushless setups
Extras- feel free to message about getting parts done or any questions. i am on my engineering journey so all feedback and suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)
Model Source
