My Toolbox
Tools for Making Nice 3D Prints
I have a box of tools that I use for my 3D print projects, and I thought I would share its contents! As time goes by my box will almost certainly change and grow, but this is what it looks like today:
Chisels:
I use these on most of my projects. Often scaffolding would need removed from hard-to-get-to places, or little nubs of plastic protrude after a piece is removed. It was hard to get clean models without specialized tools. I went to youtube for help, and discovered a secret that would change my 3D printing life: chisels. I wish I could find that video again - it was made by a carpenter who did 3D printing as a side hobby, and not only was it a good video, but I also suspect he has other great 3D print videos. If I find it again, I’ll link it.
The chisels with wide gouges come in handy when trying to shave scaffolding or nubs off pieces that have rounded edges. Those with sharp gouges are fantastic at getting to awkward places, while the ones with straight edges are especially good at cleaning up planes. For now these chisels are in the box they were gifted to me in, though I plan on upgrading the box with a 3D printed chisel holder fitted in each half, just for holding these beauties.
Scraper:
A scraper should really be the first thing you print, and here’s why: if you touch the printbed with even so light a brush that you wonder if you actually touched it, it will mess up your print. Big time. Washing your hands before you print helps, but even that won’t entirely prevent the absolute disaster that is skin oil on the printbed. Our bodies exude a little bit of oil all the time, barely noticeable if at all, but your print bed will notice, and the plastic will not adhere to the bed. That makes it slide around instead of building up properly. The importance of not touching the bed cannot be stated enough.
Print a scraper and use it to get your prints off the bed. That helps keep you from having to wash the bed as often, and it increases the odds of a successful print.
Ruler:
I have a twelve inch ruler that I use when measuring space that a project is going to be in. I also use the ruler for measuring dimensions of objects that are going to fit into something I design. The ruler is great if I don’t need accuracy past 1/4 inch.
I sometimes use internet tools to get a ruler up on my screen and measure items with it, but that’s impractical most of the time. If you don’t have a ruler and you need one, you can find printable ones online.
Digital Caliper:
I love this tool. I’ve never had one before, and had to look up whether to call it a caliper or a pair of calipers. It’s ‘caliper’, and I am not the first to ask either. This particular caliper is digital. One slides a bar to the correct size, enclosing the thing to be measured in a vise basically, and then the tool displays a digital readout of how close together the jaws of the vise are.
I use this tool when measuring small things that need to be precise. Most recently I used the caliper to measure mini magnets so that the space holding them would be a perfect fit.
Long Plastic Tweezers:
I printed these because I was having trouble fitting magnets into slots, and needed a non-metal solution. While I’ve only used them the once, I’m sure I’ll need them again.
Superglue:
This is a necessary part of the toolbox for two reasons. I use the glue to add non-plastic things to models. Being able to add magnets or put felt on feet can greatly increase the printer’s usefulness by making the prints more flexible. The glue is also useful when models are made of multiple parts that need to be put together.
Sandpaper:
It’s purple, but it was on sale. In theory this could be used to sand out lines and smooth edges. I haven’t really needed it, so haven’t used it. It’s still worth having, I think.
That’s it, the entirety of my tools. As I print more, I will learn more; expanding my skills is certain to expand what I need in my toolset! I’m already imagining future designs for a new toolbox. I’m looking forward to needing one, and I’ll update you when that happens.