Mechanical components are the backbone of crafting in Arc Raiders, powering everything from gadgets to advanced gear. Here’s how to track them down, collect them safely, and turn them into the materials you need to survive the machine threat.
How to get mechanical components in Arc Raiders
Mechanical components in Arc Raiders are mainly crafted at the Refiner workbench in your hideout. To make one, build the Refiner first, then use 7 metal parts and 3 rubber parts for each mechanical component. They can also be found by looting “Mechanical” tagged areas on the map, or by recycling common and uncommon weapons in your inventory.
The best way to get mechanical components in Arc Raiders is to craft them. As long as you’ve built the Refiner workbench, you can craft one mechanical component forseven metal parts and three rubber parts.
If you’re anything like us, prior to figuring this out, we had metal parts for days in our stash. That number has quickly dwindled since we’ve been crafting mechanical components like there’s no tomorrow, but we’re still drowning in rubber parts, which means every time we’re topside, we’re prioritizing metal parts and items that we can recycle into metal parts. With that said, if you’re the opposite, you should prioritize items that can be recycled into rubber parts.
You can also get your hands on more metal parts by training Scrappy, but if you need a hand with the first couple of levels, all you’ll need is a dog collar and a few lemons and apricots.
If you can’t craft any mechanical components, another reliable source is to recycle any weapons you have. Common and uncommon weapons will give you mechanical components, while rare weapons will give advanced mechanical components. Some weapon mods will also do the same when recycled. If you have no weapons to recycle, head topside a few times with a free loadout, extract safely, then recycle those weapons to get your mechanical component storage off the ground.
Where to place and build the Refiner in my hideout
The Refiner in your hideout does not have a “wrong” spot, but there are a few practical placement rules that make life much easier:
Where to place it
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Put the Refiner in the main crafting/workbench area of your hideout, close to the stash and other benches you use often (Workbench, Gunsmith, etc.). This minimizes running back and forth while upgrading or crafting.
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Avoid corners that are hard to reach or blocked by décor; you want a clear path in and out so you can quickly interact with it between raids.
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Leave some open space in front of the Refiner so you can stand and move around even when teammates or companions are nearby.
How to build it (general steps)
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Unlock the Refiner through the relevant early progression/upgrade track (usually under crafting/base facilities), then return to your hideout.
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Open the build/menu mode in the hideout, switch to the “utility” or “crafting station” tab, select the Refiner, and place its hologram on a flat floor tile or surface.
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Confirm placement once it is green/valid, then pay the listed resource cost (like Metal Parts and Arc Power Cells) to actually construct it.
Good layout habits
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Group “input” storage (scrap, metal, rubber) on one side of the room and “output” workbenches (Refiner, upgrade benches) on the other, so your loop is: stash → Refiner → upgrades.
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If you plan to add more stations later, keep the Refiner along a wall instead of in the center, so you can expand the room without having to move it every time.
Best spot in hideout for a refiner to save space
The most space-efficient spot for your Refiner is usually along a wall in your main crafting room, close to your stash and other benches, but not blocking any paths or doors.
Ideal placement spot
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Place it against a wall in the main workbench/crafting area of your hideout so it doesn’t eat into walkable floor space.
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Keep it near your stash and upgrade benches, so your loop is stash → Refiner → upgrades with minimal walking.
Spots to avoid
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Do not place it in narrow doorways, stair mouths, or tight corners you frequently squeeze through, since it will make the base feel cramped quickly.
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Avoid the exact center of small rooms; central placement wastes space you could use for movement or future stations.
Space-saving layout tips
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Line all “big” stations (Refiner, workbench, Gunsmith) along the same wall, and use the opposite wall for storage; this creates a clear central lane to move.
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If your hideout has multiple rooms, dedicate one compact room as a “utility lane” and park the Refiner there with everything you regularly interact with in a straight line.
