I HATE store-bought GoPro connector parts. I HATE THEM! When you buy them, they always feel like they cost about 3x what they should cost, and THEY BREAK ALL THE TIME. All the Time.

Because of this, I have made a kit of connectors which are LIKE GoPro connectors, but they have two major improvements: (1) They are 3D printed, so it only costs me what my filament costs me, and (2) They are more durable than the store-bought parts because they are a little thicker and they also capitalize on filament print direction to create strength in the spots that usually give out.

The main way I have accomplished (2) is to develop a "print flat" approach to these parts so the layers of the build run in the "strong" direction rather than the "crack immediately" direction.

Supplies

You just need your 3D printer, your slicer software, decent filament, and the files below listed in this step.

Step 1: Credit Where Credit Is Due

Before I talk about the other parts, I want to talk about this assembly because it has an honorable heritage. This assembly allows the connectors to swivel and then to be locked in position to achieve almost anything other than simple "elbow" connections. This design is adapted from an original design by a creator called "JuanAto" at Thingiverse.com. Here's a link to his ORIGINAL design for the sake of making sure nobody is confused about the attribution:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5415138

My adaptation of his design includes the "print flat" versions of the forky parts, and making both sides of the connector threaded

Step 2: Things to Know About Further Use

If you look closely at the forky parts (the parts that connect together), you can see metal. These are standard 10-32 nuts from any hardware store, and they are meant to receive a standard 10-32 screw. That screw should be set in the "chonky knob" in the STL files above, and I designed the knobs to take a 2" screw and then not have too much sticking out when you tighten them.

Also included in the kit is a handy wrench for tightening the nuts.