Tools: What do you recommend?  

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

I just received a recommendation for the list of IFixit tool kits.  I absolutely love my IFIXIT Mantra Tool Kit.     Although not specific to printers, it is perfect to work on them and just about anything that has a screw or bolt.  

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@charles-h13

It belongs in every household anyway. There you are the master of all screws 👍 
I often had the problem that the hexagon socket became round when handling Allen screws and therefore I bought this set of Allen keys from WERA (I can only recommend it):

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01GU8RVQ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

WERA Hex-Plus: https://www-de.wera.de/de/great-tools/hex-plus/

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

WRT the suggestion about RC tool kits, I have toolset from my days racing RC cars.  A couple of the tools that were useful were a cross wrench with 7mm, 5.5mm and a couple of smaller sizes that I can't remember.  It is similar to the one shown in the toolset.  In addition, I have a set of ball end Allan drivers that are similar to small screwdrivers.  They are particularly useful for spinning in some of the screws where the L shape is a bit of a pain.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@sledjunk

Sometimes the L-shape is a real hindrance, so I bought the short and long version Allen keys. Additionally a set for filigree things:

small Allen keys

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

Here are the dry box photos.

Sorry if this seems underwhelming.  😉

Here are the boxes.  You'll see the dry-packs just placed inside.  The humidity gauge shows through the box.  You'll see the obvious 3d printed bracket for the gauge.

As you see, it reads 29, which means it's about ready for a recharge.  I'll just take the dry-packs and put them in the oven at 250F for three hours, as the instructions say.  When I took the cover off to take the photo of the packs, the humidity quickly zoomed to 30.  It will go back down after 1/2 hour or so as the packs 'pump' out the moisture from the ambient air that contaminated the box when I had it open for the photo.

These are very good for filament that is open that you will not be using for a while.

What they are not good for is storing filament that you will use often, as in open the box, hunt for a spool, pull it out (forget to close the box) make a print, unload the filament, and put it back in the box.  Each opening of the box gives a rush of ambient air, thus shortening the usable cycle of the dry-packs.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@karl-herbert

I do like the WERA 3950 Allen Wrenches.  They come in silver and color-coded.  

There are a lot of pretenders, but WERA is the real thing,  

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@jsw

I like the containers.  What are those cans for the dry pack?  Did they come that way?  How much desiccant are you using in total?

Sorry for all the questions.  I just bought a 5 Lb bag of desiccant from a craft store (used for drying flowers) and I am looking for ways to package it to distribute to the containers.  I was thinking of something like this.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

Those came from Ebay.  It looks like they are currently available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reusable-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-Beads-Dehumidifier-Canister-Safe-40-Gram-2-Packs/401561441872

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

Interestingly, the forum will not allow me to edit the post again.  I used these pill bottles from old prescriptions that have the childproof lids.  I drilled holes in the outer part of the lid.  The desiccant that I have is basically like sand, so it is very fine.  I was hoping that there would be enough airflow to be effective.  However, it may need more work as I filled one of the bottles with water, put the cap on and turned it over.  I was expecting the water to leak out, but in fact, the inner seal seals pretty well and very little water came out.  Even after an hour or so, there were only a few drops.  I may try a tea bag for loose tea, and open the holes up a little more.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

Posted by: @jsw

Those came from Ebay.  It looks like they are currently available.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Reusable-Silica-Gel-Desiccant-Beads-Dehumidifier-Canister-Safe-40-Gram-2-Packs/401561441872

This is also available from Amazon.  Great product. 2 Packs Indicating Silica Gel Desiccant Canister Dehumidifier

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

The instructions say to 'recharge' the packs when the center circle turns green.  However, I've seen the humidity in the boxes creep up close to ambient before the circles turn green.  I'm in the habit of recharging them every couple of weeks or when they approach 30% or so.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@jsw

Thanks for the info.  Those packs are pretty pricey on amazon.ca but they look interesting. 

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

I found a new set of detail sanders to help clean up my prints.  

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

Tool for today:

I found this little nozzle cleaner essential to keep my nozzles clean.  It is easy to use and keeps my hands away from the heat.  

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@charles-h13

That looks too much like tools of a dentist - brrrrrr.
I don´t like to own something like this!

Best regards, Clemens

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@clemens-m

If you prefer, acupuncture needles.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@charles-h13

I also use these needles acupuncture needles , in all sizes from 0.1 to 0.9mm. They are very practical and work well. I have printed a holder for them and positioned it near the printer. When using them, it is advantageous to have a focused view and a steady hand.

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

I don't know if it has been mentioned before, but a very helpful tool, not only for 3D printing, is a hot air gun. I use a device from Bosch which is infinitely variable up to a temperature of 660 degrees C. This allows each "blob" to be removed and each nozzle to be cleaned.

https://de.rs-online.com/web/p/heibluftpistole/4632358/

a slightly cheaper option: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B003KHLKF4?tag=werk0d-21&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

Posted by: @charles-h13

@jsw

Agreed.  I use one to measure antique bullet from my metal detecting collection.  It was very hit and miss.  To be accurate you must have the talent.  

What holder did you print? 

RE: Tools: What do you recommend?

@charles-h13

If the question is for me: A simple mounting bracket to fix with double-sided adhesive tape on the inside of the printer enclosure: