2x3 Vinyl Downspout Elbows

thingiverse

**************************************************** UPDATES **************************************************** Edit 1: I have added vertical elbows to the set. Edit 2: I noticed, with trying to keep the wall thickness as small as possible, that there were several edges that are probably too thin. I have redesigned those parts to provide a better edge connection and provide some additional strength in those weaker areas. Edit 3: It appears that PLA does not drill and hold a screw well. It splits along the layers. Not sure if this will happen with ABS or not. I am also printing with infill only around 15% as these are all prototypes. Maybe at closer to 100% they may be strong enough. In the meanwhile I am going to alter the design a little to include some printed holes (6mm) to help with this. If you print without holes and you need to fasten with a screw, try drilling the PLA with a larger hole so that the screw fits inside the hole and does not force it apart. The vinyl is flexible so it will act as the fastener. The STLs are named so you can tell which ones have the holes, as I am leaving the ones without holes for those that might prefer them. Edit 4: I have added a couple of clips for fastening the downspouts to the wall. a 20mm and a 12mm. they include ends that can be fastened together using a zip tie, string or wire if needed. I printed these at 100% infill because they have to flex in order to fit around the downspout. Edit 5: I see that some people are using down spouts to build hydroponic systems by cutting holes in them to hold the pots and then adding end caps to control the water level. I designed an end cap that can be attached to the end of my 2x3 vinyl downspouts. They probably need to be attached and sealed by applying a bead of silicon sealant around the joint. they are designed with a press fit tolerance but you would need to check the pipe style to see if yours is the same. This design is just a solid endcap but can be easily altered to include holes at specific levels or a hose adapter for connecting multiple pipes. If you require some changes and this fits what you have, let me know and I can make the alterations. Edit 6: I have uploaded an endcap (see Update5) with a standard hose adapter thread. It can be used to thread on a quick connect adapter for linking ends or attaching hoses. Edit 7: Just uploaded a new version of the endcap with a threaded cap that can be used to plug the hole. The new endcap has a slightly better fit with the downspout extrusion. I am leaving the old version in case someone finds it fits theirs better. The cap plug is the standard hose thread so it should fit either endcap. Edit 8. Uploaded a new endcap that is designed to take a washer in order to provide a better seal with an inner plug. As well, I have uploaded 3 new plugs. The first is a redesign of the original outer plug. The second is the same type with a smaller wrench end. Both of these designs fit the open threaded end cap and will require some kind of seal to prevent water leaking such as a gasket or thread sealant. I refer to these as outer plugs. The third plug is designed to be used with the washer style endcap as it will tighten against a hose washer placed inside the end cap opening. It can also be used with the other style endcap but would require some kind of sealant on the threads. Edit 9. I have designed a newer version which includes the side scallops that are on my downspouts. This new version does not have as many parts but the fit is a little tighter. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3956878 ******************************************************************************************* SUMMARY ******************************************************************************************* I decided to try my hand at designing and printing replacement elbows for my vinyl downspouts. The price to purchase the parts is pretty high and the 3D printed parts cost about 20% vs the box store price, however the printing time is pretty long. I printed these in PLA (I will test them out over the winter) but they should probably be printed in ABS. I have a 30 and 45 degree model printed and a 180 degree joiner. The 90 is too large for my MPMD so I have not been able to print it. For now I will have to use 2 - 45's to get a 90 (if I need it.) The 2 parts (linked together) are a little sloppy but nothing a thin slice of downspout, acting as a joiner won't fix. A small screw through the parts and vinyl downspout may be necessary, if the pieces are not well supported, in order to ensure they do not pull apart. I have posted the 90 degree elbow but I have not been able to do a test print of it. I attempted to keep the wall thickness as thin as possible which may be an issue over time with PLA. They are designed to require no supports while printing. I printed at 0.28 layer thickness and 15% infill. You should also rotate the object, so you are printing with the large end down, for stability. I was just too lazy to figure out how to switch it in Fusion360.