AtHome Light Switch Plate 1 gang

thingiverse

Sometimes I want to replace a wall plate in my house. It might be a light switch, or a socket cover, but I want to customize it, perhaps add something to it. This thing is the first of designs that help me in the home. It is rather large, and if you're using ABS, it will give you quite a hard time with warping at the edges. This is a first for me in that I have not actually been able to successfully print one yet. The first attempt curled bad enough that the nozzle ended up dislodging it from the platform and sent it to the floor. The second attempt was a bit better, but I could tell it was not going to come out well, so I stopped it. Since I can not print in PLA as yet, I thought I'd release the design anyway. Perhaps someone can come up with a derivative that doesn't have such a hard time printing. It's quite challenging given the amount of flat surface area. Although it does have a curved surface like what you'd see with a typical wall plate, it is not "hollow", meaning, it's a solid block of plastic. A better design would scoop out the bottom. I've been trying to do that in OpenScad, and it keeps crashing. At any rate, it's another thing to play with. UPDATE: 21022011 I did manage to print one out by standing it on its edge. Still got some warping, but it's actually usable. Just discovered the prior art: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3342 Similar outcome, derived independently. The other thing is more complete as it has the hollow in the back. Instructions 1) Print one out (probably using PLA) 2) Contemplate Affixing to your wall switch 3) Rejoice! (cautiously) Keep in mind that anything remotely related to electrical systems in a house can be dangerous and deadly. This thing is in no way certified, UL listed, nor any other kind of approved by any government agency anywhere on the planet. In particular, I'm not sure how well ABS plastic does when it is near electrical fields such as wall sockets and light switches. The design is here as a study in how to produce such things, and not as a finished product. So, if you decide to play with this for real, be very careful.