3D Printer belt tension measuring tool for small 3D printers like Renkforce RF100

thingiverse

This tool is based on an idea by user calviniba https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2230598 <h5>Update 21.07.2017: Remade all STL files, because Thingiview won't render them for 3D view. SketchUp files included.</h5> I made a complete new and compacter design (not a remix), small enough for Renkforce RF100 which has a steel body before the belt. That makes it difficult to measure the belt tension, so I created this one. But it should work with other printers, too. The biggest difference is that this tool uses a standard ball pen spring with 3mm diameter. I tried to print the 2,4mm shaft, but that didn't work and broke down. So I decided to use the ball pen mine itself as shaft. First put the spring on the other side of the mine. Than cut it as shown at the pictures. Beware of ink, better use a ball pen mine that is empty. Use super or plastic glue to assemble. Last you need 3 M3 screws. On my model I glued them in, so there is no hex nut needed. Every ball pen spring is other. Before you disassemble your printer, measure the old tension and use a pen to mark the positions on the tool. Both sides should have nearly the same tension, so only one line is needed. If not, use different colors to mark the position.