Tools of the trade

[Marm]

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

[bford903]

magnifier/loupe

[curious aardvark]

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

102219.jpg

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.

[Wolfie]

Needle nose pliers - Use these for snipping filament as well as grabbing ooze just prior to printing without burning yourself

Lubricant - apparently a good gun oil is effective. Also lithium based grease.

Just curious...what for?

[curious aardvark]

rails, rods, z-screw etc.
Can't remember who suggested it - but it was of the decent printer manufacturers.

[Wolfie]

Ahh. Swear my Taz manual said to never lube anything. Better read it again just in case.

[Mjolinor]

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.

[beerdart]

Beer!!!!!!!!

[curious aardvark]

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.

[curious aardvark]

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.