Mechanical Components sit at the center of Arc Raiders’ crafting loop. You’ll use them for weapon work, bench upgrades, and to step up early progression milestones like upgrading the Gunsmith. If you’re running short, the fastest fixes are to craft them in your base, recycle the right loot, and focus your Topside routes on mechanical-heavy zones.

Mechanical Components: what they’re used for

  • Weapon upgrades and tuning at the Weapon Bench.
  • Progression milestones such as Gunsmith level II.
  • Intermediate materials, for example upgrading into advanced/mechanical-tier parts when recipes call for them.

Plan to stockpile more than you think you need; many weapon blueprints and bench steps ask for them in small batches that add up quickly.

Craft Mechanical Components in the Refiner (best baseline)

The most reliable source is your Workshop. Build the Refiner and queue Mechanical Components directly using basic materials you find everywhere.

  • Typical inputs: Metal Parts and Rubber Parts.
  • Alternate recipe variants in some builds use Steel Springs alongside Metal Parts.

Either way, the Refiner converts low-level loot into Components on a timer, so keep its queue running whenever you’re in base. This approach outpaces risky Topside runs and doesn’t depend on rare drops.

Note: Arc Raiders has seen iteration on recipes. If your Refiner asks for different inputs than expected, follow the in-game recipe. The baseline to remember is that Components come from common mechanical materials you already collect in bulk.

Recycle weapons and scrap to get Components back

Recycling is the second dependable path—especially once you’re pulling steadier loot from raids.

  • Uncommon (green) weapons and certain uncommon mods can return Mechanical Components when recycled.
  • Upgraded versions of common weapons (for example, higher-tier Rattler/Ferro/Stitcher variants) often refund the Components used to upgrade them when you scrap them later.
  • Heavier mechanical junk can also break down into Components. Examples include items like Rusted Gear or Surveyor caches (vaults), which yield Components alongside basic parts when dismantled.

Tip: Don’t dismantle upgraded guns you actively use just to chase Components—keep those. Aim to recycle duplicates, weapons you don’t plan to run, and mechanical junk that’s more valuable as parts than cash.

Important: Recycling during a raid returns less than doing it back at base. If you can extract the item, process it at home for a better yield.

Loot Components Topside in mechanical zones

You can also find Mechanical Components on the surface—just don’t rely on this as your only source. Target areas on the map with a mechanical focus (check the legend). Crates, stashes, and scrap clusters in these zones have a noticeably better chance of spawning mechanical materials.

  • Surveyor encounters: destroy Surveyors, scavenge their armor plates, then dismantle the loot for a chance at Components.
  • Scrapyards and industrial pockets on maps like Dam Battlegrounds are consistent places to sweep between objectives.

Surface farming is best as a supplement: you’re already up there for quests and parts, so route through mechanical-rich POIs while your Refiner works back home.

Quick reference: ways to get Mechanical Components

Method What to do Inputs Why it’s good
Refiner crafting Build Refiner, queue Mechanical Components Metal Parts + Rubber Parts (some builds: + Steel Springs) Predictable, safe, scales with basic loot
Recycle uncommon gear Scrap green weapons/mods you won’t use Uncommon guns/mods Instant Components without spending basics
Recycle upgraded commons Scrap higher-tier versions (e.g., Rattler III) Upgraded common weapons Refunds Components invested in upgrades
Break down mechanical junk Dismantle heavy mechanical items/caches Rusted Gear, Surveyor vaults, etc. Turns bulky loot into needed parts
Topside looting Route mechanical zones, scrapyards, Surveyor events Field crates, enemy drops Supplemental gains while on objectives

How many to keep—and how to avoid bottlenecks

Expect early bottlenecks when you push your first weapon upgrades and Gunsmith II. Keep a rolling buffer and avoid zeroing out:

  • Always leave the Refiner crafting while you’re in base.
  • Sell or recycle with intent. If an item breaks down into Components and common parts you’re flush with, the parts are worth more than the cash.
  • When you extract with a new weapon you don’t plan to use, consider scrapping it for Components instead of pocketing a small sale.

This cadence—Refiner at home, focused recycling, and opportunistic Topside runs—keeps Mechanical Components flowing without derailing your raids.

If you’re still stuck, double-check your Refiner’s recipe and the rarity of what you’re recycling. Components won’t reliably drop from every enemy or crate, so prioritize crafting and smart dismantling first, then let field farming fill the gaps.