Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
So this is a prosaic print for a Hall of Fame, but bear with me...
About two years ago, I bought a new Maytag clothes dryer and its extended warrantee. We have a big family, and the machine runs probably 3-4 times per week. As with many post-pandemic consumer goods, I noticed early issues with quality and reliability - including the need for a full belt swap within 6 months of purchase.
Fast forward to last week, when the dryer appeared to be unresponsive - set timer, push start, nothing happens. Is it an electrical issue, or what ? I can file a warrantee claim, but this will take a half an hour on the phone, a week to get an appointment, and then a week after that to get a technician. 2 weeks of line dry in the humid, rainy summertime ? Disaster!
So I pop off the knob itself in the hope that the issue is mechanical. And what do I see ? What looks on the outside like burnished aluminum ...
... is actually injection moulded ABS plastic!
Not that there's anything wrong with ABS, but the main, load bearing part of the knob - the piece that connects to the nylon control shaft on the dryer - is less than 1.5mm thick. The surprise is not that it cracked, but that it lasted as long as it did.
No lie, I have seen children's toys more robustly designed than this.
This part isn't that complex. With some quick Fusion magic, and my trusty MK4S, I was able to design, print, and post ( https://www.printables.com/model/1347673-maytag-whirlpool-washer-dryer-knobs ) a full replacement set for the whole dryer - one that will last longer than the original - in under three hours.
I'm prepared to be sympathetic to pressures on manufacturers with supply chain disruptions and increased input costs, but honestly. 1.5 MM of ABS plastic for a load bearing shaft is just obscene. The difference between that 1.5MM and a 3MM shaft would have prevented the problem entirely, and with a material cost of less than a penny.
Suffice it to say, I'm really glad that my 3D printer was there. It's not the first time I've had to resort to home manufacturing to cover the weaknesses of every day consumer products, and I suspect that it won't be the last. I can see a future where a 3D printer will be a necessary tool in every home!
Prusa Core One, MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. ASA, PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
I'm prepared to be sympathetic to pressures on manufacturers with supply chain disruptions and increased input costs, but honestly. 1.5 MM of ABS plastic for a load bearing shaft is just obscene. The difference between that 1.5MM and a 3MM shaft would have prevented the problem entirely, and with a material cost of less than a penny.
Suffice it to say, I'm really glad that my 3D printer was there. It's not the first time I've had to resort to home manufacturing to cover the weaknesses of every day consumer products, and I suspect that it won't be the last. I can see a future where a 3D printer will be a necessary tool in every home!
Your part looks better than the original. Nice work.
I remember when knobs on devices like amplifiers were all machined steel. They had such a premium feel to them.
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
...is actually a cheap plastic knob with a flimsy metal sleeve that had slipped. A quick fix with some super glue saved me a huge hassle. Sometimes the simplest solutions are best.
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
For mine, I mixed super glue with baking soda which creates a "mold"
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
Thanks for sharing this! Stories like yours really highlight the practical value of having a 3D printer around. It’s amazing how a small, inexpensive printed part can save so much time, frustration, and even money especially when warranty repairs take forever. The fact that you were able to diagnose the issue yourself and use an MK4S print to get the dryer running again shows how useful community-designed replacement parts can be. It’s a great reminder that 3D printing isn’t just for fun projects, but also for real-world fixes that keep everyday life moving.
RE:
Printing is always the nicer solution, but 🙂
I had similar issue and just use multiple layers of heat shrink tube to get it tight again. (and some super glue where it broke).
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
Normally, isn't there a metal band around the knob shaft that provides the strength and resilience? At least, that's what I usually find on such things. Maybe you just got an incomplete knob.
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
Normally, isn't there a metal band around the knob shaft that provides the strength and resilience? At least, that's what I usually find on such things. Maybe you just got an incomplete knob.
Yes, there is - and this metal band was present on the knob (actually, all of them that I replaced). The metal band holds the nylon shaft that is on the machine selector, and is supposed to provide a snug fit against the ABS knob. My knob cracked around the metal band, which was still intact.
Prusa Core One, MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. ASA, PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.
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Also -- one serious question came to mind that demands an answer 🙂 --- how the heck did you achieve the radiating "texture" on those knobs. I've seen sheets with carbon fiber and random star textures, but nothing with the texture you've achieved. Help out a curious mind here, please???
ps: while printing a new knob deserves kudos, a trip to the autoparts store and purchasing a few hose clamps of the proper diameter also work as repairs.
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
Also -- one serious question came to mind that demands an answer 🙂 --- how the heck did you achieve the radiating "texture" on those knobs. I've seen sheets with carbon fiber and random star textures, but nothing with the texture you've achieved. Help out a curious mind here, please???
In the Prusa slicer go to Print settings -> Infill -> Top Infill Pattern and select Octogram Spiral.
This works best with metallic filaments, and is my go-to for making a flat surface more interesting without extra design work 😉
Prusa Core One, MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. ASA, PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.
RE: Maytag Dryer Knob (MK4S to the rescue!)
In this case.... Top Infill Pattern -> Bottom Infill Pattern , due to the orientation of the part.
Prusa Core One, MK4S w/ MMU3 (formerly MK4 / MMU3, MK3S+/MMU2), 2 Prusa MINI+, Octoprint. ASA, PETG, PVB, (some) PLA.