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  1. #1
    Engineer Marm's Avatar
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    Tools of the trade

    What tools, aside from the printer itself, do you use regularly and should be in our essential toolbox? (I'll edit this as it goes to make a comprehensive list in the OP)

    - Digital Calipers
    - Stainless steel scale/ruler
    - Needle File
    - Putty knife / Metal Scrapers
    - magnifier/loupe
    Last edited by Marm; 04-16-2015 at 07:47 AM.

  2. #2
    Technologist bford903's Avatar
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    magnifier/loupe

  3. #3
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
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    0.25 mm thick flexible steel scrapers.
    Got a mixed pack of various sizes from poundland. Best getting-stuff-off-build-plates tools ever :-)
    They're in the decorating section for using with crack filler: http://www.poundland.co.uk/flexible-...-blades-4-pack


    Acetone
    blue tape
    pet tape
    foam centred sanding blocks - this sort of thing: http://www.amazon.co.uk/FLEXIBLE-SAN...sanding+blocks
    Tin snips for cutting plastic filament or plastic - much more useful than scissors. These are more or less what i have: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-4...ords=tin+snips
    m3 nuts - I'd suggest buying a bag of 100. Assorted sizes of m3 bolts. Although this might be makerbot clone users only.
    Lubricant - apparently a good gun oil is effective. Also lithium based grease.
    Extra allen keys - you will drop and lose the ones that come with the printer :-)

    Think that's the stuff I use regularly - with the bits you've already got. The digital caliper and steel rule live in the printer case, so I never lose those :-)

    And I really do need to get a cheap set of needle files.
    Last edited by curious aardvark; 04-15-2015 at 10:28 AM.

  4. #4
    Engineer-in-Training
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    Needle nose pliers - Use these for snipping filament as well as grabbing ooze just prior to printing without burning yourself

    Quote Originally Posted by curious aardvark View Post
    Lubricant - apparently a good gun oil is effective. Also lithium based grease.
    Just curious...what for?

  5. #5
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
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    rails, rods, z-screw etc.
    Can't remember who suggested it - but it was of the decent printer manufacturers.

  6. #6
    Engineer-in-Training
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    Ahh. Swear my Taz manual said to never lube anything. Better read it again just in case.

  7. #7
    Senior Engineer
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    Quote Originally Posted by curious aardvark View Post
    And I really do need to get a cheap set of needle files.
    Buy a set of those diamond ones from Aldi (Lidl also sometimes) they are excellent.

  8. #8
    Engineer-in-Training beerdart's Avatar
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    Beer!!!!!!!!

  9. #9
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mjolinor View Post
    Buy a set of those diamond ones from Aldi (Lidl also sometimes) they are excellent.
    looked at those last time round. But weren't quite as cheap as I am :-)

    just bought these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sivitec-Need...s=needle+files
    Cheap as chips and apparently good quality.
    If I want handles - that's what duct tape and pvc tape were invented for :-)
    Or maybe just 3d print some if the ducttape is out of reach when I decide I want a handle :-)

    Although a base of ducttape with a pvc finish is probably as good as anything :-)
    Might print one out of polyflex pla or filaflex for a laugh.
    Last edited by curious aardvark; 04-15-2015 at 02:02 PM.

  10. #10
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
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    usb cable extender - so you can have the usb connection in front of you for unplugging and re-plugging. Rather than at the back of the machine or from the computer.
    I can even do it one handed :-)

    And aputty knife is generally a lot thicker than the scrapers I have. so Not the same thing.

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