3D Printing Tools I recommend for 3d Printer Fanatics.

[John Kemker]

John, I've been thinking about buying one of these for years to deburr metal, especially aluminum. When you get it try it on something metal and please let me know how it works.

Wait no longer.

I've tried it on aluminum tubing used for ham radio antennae. Works like a champ!

 

[Greg Furtman]

Wait no longer.

I've tried it on aluminum tubing used for ham radio antennae. Works like a champ!

All right! Thanks John.

 

[ghostfather]

I keep my pipe cutter in the drawer close to the printer because it has a deburring blade. Sometimes handy for cleaning up where the support material was.

 

[cwbullet]

I got this deburring tool.

I keep misplacing mine so I bought a couple. I am so glad you posted this. I make cutting brims and boogers off so much easier

 

[cwbullet]

Three purchases this week:

1. RegerKnife utility knife: This folding utility knife comes with 100 blades. It is well worth the price. It is great for cleaning up prints just about any straight cut.
2. Engineer SL-71 Loupe Magnifier With Scale and LED: A great tool to look at details and imperfections.
3. Desiccant Packets: Keep your filament dry when in storage. You cannot have enough of these.

 

[cwbullet]

I received a recommendation for:

NT Cutter Pro and the replacement blades.

Does anyone use these?

 

[cwbullet]

Any more ideas?

 

[cwbullet]

One more:

For calipers, I personally recommend these: EZ-Cal by iGaging. My favorite thing is that is will do fractions of inches for those folks that refuse to convert to metric.

RC car tool kits usually have all of the actual tools you might need at around $25-40. This basic set has hex drivers, screwdrivers, some even have wrenches, good pair of needle-nose pliers.......

 

[Greg Furtman]

RC car tool kits usually have all of the actual tools you might need at around $25-40. This basic set has hex drivers, screwdrivers, some even have wrenches, good pair of needle-nose pliers.......

@cwbullet This kit looks really good for those people who haven't acquired any tools yet. It seems to have all the right sizes for assembling/adjusting most printers.

 

[cwbullet]

@cwbullet This kit looks really good for those people who haven't acquired any tools yet. It seems to have all the right sizes for assembling/adjusting most printers.

yes! I already have them too.

 

[cwbullet]

I really like this multimeter. It is less than $25 and works for what I need. A multimeter is a must! It is much better than that Harbor Freight crap.

 

[John Kemker]

I really like this multimeter. It is less than $25 and works for what I need. A multimeter is a must! It is much better than that Harbor Freight crap.

Okay, so I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to multimeters. As a ham radio operator, I was taught that Fluke makes the best. I like this multimeter for 3D printing, as it includes a thermometer probe. Only goes up to 400C, but that should be enough.

 

[caveduck]

Calipers - after going thru a couple of pairs of Chinese digital calipers in the last several years I finally got a genuine Mitutoyo 8" unit, model 500-197-30. Night and day difference in repeatability to .0005 and never losing counts and battery life ("off" is actually off, not just blanking the display). It also has an absolute encoder so it remembers its position. Be careful, Amazon is full of counterfeits; Travers Tool is a reputable source - you can buy from them thru Amazon at lower price than direct: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I3UA89C Of course I am also doing machinist type work where the high accuracy is helpful. For less expensive/accurate ones I've actually found the HF Pittsburgh brand ones to be perfectly acceptable, better than my other cheap ones.

Multimeters - I'm with John, my Fluke is 20+ years old and still going strong.

Inspection - last year I scoured eBay and scored a vintage Olympus stereo 7-40x zoom microscope in near mint condition. Real Japanese optics and fantastic for my less-than-new eyeballs, 1/10th the cost of new ones. Also great for debugging those Eggfinder boards.

 

[cwbullet]

Okay, so I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to multimeters. As a ham radio operator, I was taught that Fluke makes the best. I like this multimeter for 3D printing, as it includes a thermometer probe. Only goes up to 400C, but that should be enough.

I agree 100% but $139-180 might be a lot for a hobby. I do live my Fluke 117.

 

[Greg Furtman]

I have 5 Flukes in various places around the Furtman Farm. Rock solid. I was given 3 of them that were military surplus and had just been calibrated. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

 

[John Kemker]

I agree 100% but $139-180 might be a lot for a hobby. I do live my Fluke 117.

Well, I'm spending that for more than one hobby. Let's see...ham radio...3D printing...rocketry electronics...So, okay. I'm cool with the price. [grin]

 

[cwbullet]

Well, I'm spending that for more than one hobby. Let's see...ham radio...3D printing...rocketry electronics...So, okay. I'm cool with the price. [grin]

I understand but a Fluke will extend beyond any hobby.

 

[John Kemker]

I understand but a Fluke will extend beyond any hobby.

Okay, so my wording wasn't very good. When I'm buying the Fluke, I'm buying it for more than one hobby: Ham Radio, 3D Printing, Rocketry Electronics, etc.

 

[cwbullet]

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.

 

[cwbullet]

I just bought a set of detail sanding tools to clean up my prints.

 

[cwbullet]

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.

If you prefer there are also acupuncture needles.

 

[cwbullet]

Another tool I recommend and use all the time is an infrared thermometer. I bought this Etekcity Thermometer because it will go to 750C.

 

[cwbullet]

I found these FLIR devices. They are expensive. Concerning the accuracy of the measured values, they are certainly inferior to the very expensive professional devices, but I think they are sufficient for 3D printing.

FLIR make three of these units for 3 different connector types. The USB-C for Android in the FLIR One Gen 3, the FLIR Pro LT, and the FLIR Pro. It is also available in lightening connector for IOS is the same FLIR One Gen3, the FLIR Pro FR, and FLIR Pro. There is also a micro USB version of the Pro LT.

Make sure you order the right type.

 

[cwbullet]

I am going to add another tool to the list that I think is essential and not optional. A good ABC fire extinguisher.

 

[Greg Furtman]

I am going to add another tool to the list that I think is essential and not optional. A good ABC fire extinguisher.

How strange, you can buy 2 of them for less money than one.

 

[gdiscenza]

I highly recommend Element fire extinguishers. They cost a bit more, but they last longer and are easier to use than traditional ABC pressurized bottles.

G

 

[beeblebrox]

Get a HALON fire extinguisher...you do NOT want a dry chemical type, they are extremely messy. You want to put out the fire, you don't want to damage all sorts of other nearby stuff.
another alternative would be a CO2 fire extinguisher. NEVER use water...

BTW: I used to be a firefighter...

 

[cwbullet]

I highly recommend Element fire extinguishers. They cost a bit more, but they last longer and are easier to use than traditional ABC pressurized bottles.

G

I am seriously considering putting an Element Fire extinguisher in each enclosure.

 

[Charles_McG]

At the cidery/distillery, I put them by the door. Our first rule is make sure you can get out. Then get help coming. Then decide if it’s appropriate to try to fight.

Foam extinguisher for alcohol. It may be a flammable liquid - but it’s water miscible. With a dry chemical mounted next to it.
At the regular job, it’s usually a halon /purple K pair by the door - but it does depend on what they do in any given lab.

 

[jhartman009]

Get a HALON fire extinguisher...you do NOT want a dry chemical type, they are extremely messy. You want to put out the fire, you don't want to damage all sorts of other nearby stuff.
another alternative would be a CO2 fire extinguisher. NEVER use water...

BTW: I used to be a firefighter...

Not certain you can buy Halon extinguishers. They were replaced with halotron. Given enough heat, halon can produce phosgene gas. Think WW1.