{"id":4031,"date":"2016-08-06T13:53:41","date_gmt":"2016-08-06T17:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/?p=4031"},"modified":"2016-08-06T13:53:41","modified_gmt":"2016-08-06T17:53:41","slug":"essential-3d-printer-tools-accessories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/2016\/08\/06\/essential-3d-printer-tools-accessories\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential 3D Printer Tools and Accessories (2016)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that I’ve gotten more into 3D printing and the maker movement in general, I thought I would share a quick summary of some of the tools\u00a0that have helped me make the whole process better. These products\u00a0are\u00a0based off a combination of best practices suggested by\u00a0various third party sources and items that I’ve found useful on my own. Regardless of source, all are what I personally use at the time of this writing.<\/p>\n

Electronic Digital Caliper<\/h3>\n
\"Neiko<\/a>

Neiko 01409A Electronic Digital Caliper<\/p><\/div>\n

Electronic digital calipers like the\u00a0Neiko 01409A Electronic Digital Caliper<\/a>, allow for precise measurements of both the interior and exterior of items. This is particularly useful when trying to design or fit a 3D printed part, but obviously has uses well beyond that. While I still recommend having a good metal ruler<\/a> on hand for quick measurements as well, such a product does have its limits compared to something like the Neiko, which is available in various lengths.<\/p>\n

Electric Blower Duster<\/h3>\n
\"Metro<\/a>

Metro ED500 DataVac 500-Watt 120 volt 0.75-HP Electric Blower Duster<\/p><\/div>\n

Whether it’s plastic bits or just general dust in sensitive components, this eco-friendly alternative to disposable dusters really blows (see what I did there?). I use the\u00a0Metro ED500 DataVac 500-Watt 120 volt 0.75-HP Electric Blower Duster<\/a>\u00a0and it’s like having an indoor leaf blower. If something needs to be blown out and this doesn’t get the job done, then I seriously doubt anything will.<\/p>\n

Hand Vacuum<\/h3>\n
\"Stanley<\/a>

Stanley Black & Decker FHV1200W Cordless Mini Canister Vac<\/p><\/div>\n

Now that you blow, it’s time to suck (I just rolled my own eyes so you don’t have to). The\u00a0Stanley Black & Decker FHV1200W Cordless Mini Canister Vac<\/a> is a great handheld vacuum and is a good way to clean up what blowing can’t.<\/p>\n

Stainless Steel Scraper<\/h3>\n
\"Titan<\/a>

Titan Tools 11508 1-1\/4″ Offset Stainless Steel Scraper<\/p><\/div>\n

Stuck prints or other plastic bits on your print bed? The\u00a0Titan Tools 11508 1-1\/4″ Offset Stainless Steel Scraper<\/a> is the ideal removal tool.<\/p>\n

Dry Packs<\/h3>\n
\"5<\/a>

5 Gram Pack of 50 Dry&Dry Silica Gel Packets Desiccant Dehumidifiers<\/p><\/div>\n

If you have multiple spools of filament that you swap between on your printer, it’s a good idea to store them in a good plastic container, or, as you’ll see next, in a good vacuum bag. It’s impossible to keep all moisture out, though, so that’s why you’ll want to add one or more dry packs that you replace frequently. The\u00a05 Gram Pack of 50 Dry&Dry Silica Gel Packets Desiccant Dehumidifiers<\/a> offers an inexpensive option.<\/p>\n

Vacuum Storage Bags<\/h3>\n
\"DIBAG<\/a>

DIBAG 12 Bags Pack Set – Vacuum Storage Space Saver Bags<\/p><\/div>\n

Options like the\u00a0DIBAG 12 Bags Pack Set – Vacuum Storage Space Saver Bags<\/a> are a great way to essentially vacuum seal your filament spools. And depending on bag size, you should also be able to fit more than one. Just be sure to toss in a dry pack or two like mentioned above and then place it all in a good plastic container for the ultimate in protection.<\/p>\n

Knife Set<\/h3>\n
\"X-Acto<\/a>

X-Acto X5262 Double Knife Set<\/p><\/div>\n

No matter what you 3D print, you’re almost certainly going to have to do some clean-up on the object. The\u00a0X-Acto X5262 Double Knife Set<\/a>\u00a0is a great way to cut off edges and other stray bits that a regular snipper (described later) is too clumsy to handle. Just be sure you get a good cutting surface like the one suggested next.<\/p>\n

Cutting Mat<\/h3>\n
\"Alvin<\/a>

Alvin Professional Self Healing Cutting Mat GREEN\/BLACK (12×18)<\/p><\/div>\n

If you’re going to work with blades, you’re going to need a good cutting surface. The\u00a0Alvin Professional Self Healing Cutting Mat GREEN\/BLACK (12×18)<\/a> is a nice\u00a0choice. I like the 12×18″ size, but it’s available in many others. If you want a protective work surface that you don’t need to (and shouldn’t) cut on, I like the\u00a0KuKisheet Silicone Baking Mat 16.25 X 11.5 Inches<\/a>, which has a tacky surface and lays nice and flat after being rolled up for storage.<\/p>\n

Sandpaper<\/h3>\n
\"Bluecell<\/a>

Bluecell Pack of 12 Sandpaper Abrasive Dry\/Wet Paper Sheets<\/p><\/div>\n

3D prints won’t beautify\u00a0themselves and the\u00a0Bluecell Pack of 12 Sandpaper Abrasive Dry\/Wet Paper Sheets<\/a> can be a big help with smoothing. For best results, work your way up from a coarse grit to a finer grit. I also like to use files like this Protian set<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Painter’s Tape<\/h3>\n
\"3M<\/a>

3M Scotch-Blue 2090 Safe-Release Crepe Paper Multi-Surfaces Painters Masking Tape<\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a03M Scotch-Blue 2090 Safe-Release Crepe Paper Multi-Surfaces Painters Masking Tape<\/a> is the tape of choice when taping over your print surface for better print adhesion and protection.<\/p>\n

Pliers<\/h3>\n
\"Stanley<\/a>

Stanley 84-114 3 Piece Basic 6-Inch Slip Joint, 6-Inch Long Nose, and 6-Inch Diagonal Plier Set<\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a0Stanley 84-114 3 Piece Basic 6-Inch Slip Joint, 6-Inch Long Nose, and 6-Inch Diagonal Plier Set<\/a> has the three key tools for 3D printing. The long nose pliers are good for pulling filament, the snippers are good for cutting filament, and the slip joint pliers are good for making machine adjustments. You’ll probably want to expand this toolset in the future, but these three will go a long way when it comes to the specific needs of 3D printing. I also love\u00a0the enhanced precision of the\u00a0Xuron 170-II Micro-Shear Flush Cutter<\/a>, which I’ve pulled for use from my soldering bag.<\/p>\n

Wire Brushes<\/h3>\n
\"TEKTON<\/a>

TEKTON 7068 Wire Brush Set, 9 Inch, 3-Piece Set<\/p><\/div>\n

With the\u00a0TEKTON 7068 Wire Brush Set, 9 Inch, 3-Piece Set<\/a>, you can use the brass or metal brush to scrape the bottom of your printer’s hot end, and the softer nylon brush to clean off just about anything else. It goes without saying that\u00a0keeping the most important part of your 3D printer clean goes a long way towards its longevity.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

So there you have it. While I’m sure there are some tools or tricks that I’m leaving out, these are certainly the ones I’ve been using the most. Since I labeled this 2016, I’ll to remember to do one around this same time in 2017 to see if those tools and tricks have changed much. As always, I’d also love to hear about the tools that you make use of, so be sure to leave a comment here, on social media, or via the contact form. Happy making!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now that I’ve gotten more into 3D printing and the maker movement in general, I thought I would share a quick summary of some of the tools\u00a0that have helped me make the whole process better. These products\u00a0are\u00a0based off a combination of best practices suggested by\u00a0various third party sources and items […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4049,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Essential 3D Printer Tools and Accessories (2016) #3dprinting #3dprinter #make #making","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[94],"tags":[1001,1002,1050,1028,1004,966],"class_list":["post-4031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","tag-3d-printer","tag-3d-printing","tag-accessories","tag-make","tag-making","tag-tools"],"yoast_head":"\nEssential 3D Printer Tools and Accessories (2016) - Armchair Arcade<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/2016\/08\/06\/essential-3d-printer-tools-accessories\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Essential 3D Printer Tools and Accessories (2016) - Armchair Arcade\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Now that I’ve gotten more into 3D printing and the maker movement in general, I thought I would share a quick summary of some of the tools\u00a0that have helped me make the whole process better. 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The editorial content and infographic that follow from Abby Quillen and Quill help address that.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Editorial"","block_context":{"text":"Editorial","link":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/category\/editorial\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Editorial and Infographic - STEM Teaching: Using 3D Printers for Your STEM Program","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/I_robot_car.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/I_robot_car.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/I_robot_car.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/I_robot_car.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5128,"url":"https:\/\/armchairarcade.com\/perspectives\/2017\/06\/12\/review-tactink-red-pla-1-75mm-3d-printer-filament\/","url_meta":{"origin":4031,"position":3},"title":"Review: Tactink Red PLA 1.75mm 3D Printer Filament","author":"Bill Loguidice","date":"June 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"In my ongoing quest for tracking down excellent PLA 3D printer filament, I've come across the Tactink Red PLA 1.75mm 3D Printer Filament. It's a large, 1KG\/2.2 lbs. roll. 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