Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.  

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

Posted by: @dragon1291

Hey Everyone, just curious but what are some tools that you find immensely helpful for 3D printing, outside of your usual Allen Wrenches and spare parts?
For me, I have a few things that are constantly out of the tool drawer and sitting right next to my Printer. Threw in a few links for the ones that I use or are similar enough to what I use. 

Flush Cutters - Personally I have the Hakko CHP-170. Trims filament with ease and useful in many other applications as well. Just a useful all around tool to have and isn't that expensive. 

Square End Flat Nose Pliers - Something like this from TEKTON. Personally I use these more than tweezers to grab hot filament. Less fiddly and can definitely help scrap your nozzle clean if you need it to. Less fragile than the super precision tweezers as well. 

Plastic Razor Blade Scrapers - Easily can find these on online. Helpful in getting your bed clean and popping off prints. Cheap and usually comes with a bunch of spare blades. 

Pick Set - Harbor Freight Picks IMO great tool to help pry out support material from stubborn areas. 

There was a lot of discussion about this in this round:

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/english-forum-general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/tools-what-do-you-recommend/

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

Must be a mind reader., some very handy tools in the linked thread.

I was considering purchasing this for my upcoming build, and general maintenance.

https://cpc.farnell.com/sealey/sts103/1-4-digital-torque-driver-0-05/dp/TL17413

A precision digital torque driver for £43 delivered. 0.1 to 5nm

From what I read torquing the frame and heat bed can make abig  difference to installation.

Handy for nozzle replacement as well.

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

Posted by: @clarmrrsn

Must be a mind reader., some very handy tools in the linked thread.

I was considering purchasing this for my upcoming build, and general maintenance.

https://cpc.farnell.com/sealey/sts103/1-4-digital-torque-driver-0-05/dp/TL17413

A precision digital torque driver for £43 delivered. 0.1 to 5nm

From what I read torquing the frame and heat bed can make abig  difference to installation.

Handy for nozzle replacement as well.

Is there a document defining the torque values ? If so I would be happy if someone could share it.

Thanks

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

While spending days in the house reading the installation manuals I noticed the MK3S manual contained the torque settings for the frame bolts (4.5nm) for some reason this was removed from the mk3s+ manual, but the frame is identical so will still apply.

The nozzle was from what I have read 2.5 to 3nm

Stainless steel bolts into aluminium have a standard torque setting, did a bit of research yesterday and found this information, bear  in mind there is no statement of whether these are minimum or maximum  but would serve as a good guide, maybe a good idea to start lower depending on where the they are used, bear in mind plastics are not included in this and will crack if too much torque is applied.

I was planning on contacting Prusa support to see if they can give the recommend torque setting for the bed screws, as feel these definitely should be torqued to minimise risk of warpage due to uneven pressure.

M2 - 0.3 Nm
M2.5 - 0.6 Nm
M3 - 1.0 Nm
M4 - 2.25 Nm
M5 - 4.5 Nm
M6 - 8.0 Nm
M8 - 19.5 Nm
M10 - 39.0 Nm

Taken from this link.

https://www.engineeringclicks.com/forum/threads/torque-settings-for-screws.42/

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

Nothing so fancy for me, "swinging arm" de-burring tool, stanley knife, 6 inch steel ruler and cheapo vernier calipers.

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

I was unable to get torque settings for the bed screws from support.

He did say "you just should secure all the screws and then tight them by 1/2 - 3/4 of a turn. it is more important to tight them in a correct order as described"

I still think a consistent torque on these can do no harm, I'll follow his half turn  method and measure the torque on the centre bolt and apply the same to the remaining 8.

However, https://help.prusa3d.com/en/guide/2-y-axis-assembly_65392

Torque settings for the MK3 frame can be applied to the S and S+ as well.

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

A thread already exists:

A search revealed: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/english-forum-general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/tools-what-do-you-recommend/

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

That thread is great! Got some things in my Amazon cart.   I'm still looking for a good torquing handle, since I understand a nozzle change (which I have not had to do yet on my Mini) is best done with measured 2.5Nm torque, but other screws require different torque. So, I guess I need something adjustable that doesn't break the bank. Would love some recommendations!

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

@senexfaciens

Hi, looking for the same thing I've found this. It's a 3 Nm version as E3D recommends it here. The 2.5 Nm version also exists. I haven't received it yet so I don't have an opinion on it.

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

Check the other thread as above from Chuck

Got some recommendations in that one

This thread is a duplicate 

RE: Tools you just can't live without for your 3D Printer.

@loak

I have used this and it works and is of very good quality.