Nut Disco Fuselage

thingiverse

As you're aware, the glued-in nuts that hold the upper and lower halves of the Disco fuselage together have weak threads, which loosen easily from the top body, making tightening the screw futile or impossible. Gluing them back in is ineffective since they've created a depression in the lower half with nothing to bear on, causing them to come unglued again. So, here's a remedy: First, use Sugru or something similar to fill the depression in the lower fuselage half. I had blue on hand. Then, download and 3D-print the files; you'll need seven nuts and three inserts for the three rearmost screws. Take a look at the pictures for clarity. The inserts will be glued into the lower body to strengthen the weak holes that sometimes allow the screw to pull right through. The nuts require some pressure while the glue is curing, which can be done as shown in the picture. The middle rear nut needs to be cut down in the flange or a slit made in the foam, as seen in the picture. Put a piece of masking tape at the end of the nut to keep the glue out of the threads. I used UHU-Por for this job. Let the glue dry thoroughly and remove any excess before assembling the fuselage; otherwise, you may glue it "permanently." My printer made the threads rather stiff, so I had to clear them with a M4 tap.