Expanding Sewing Gauge (Simflex Inspired) for Measuring Pleats and Button Holes

thingiverse

This is an expanding gauge. It always shows equal spacing between its points. Ideal for marking buttonhole, pleats, or other repeating patterns. The number of points is up to you. 8 or 10 are commonly used. All parts are printed and then snapped together - nothing else is required. Please post photos of your makes - Its cool to see what you print + I like to learn how people's print settings affect my designs. Print Settings Printer Brand: Wanhao Printer: Wanhao Duplicator i3 V2 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.32 layers (for faster printing) Infill: 60% Notes: All parts tested on my printer using layers around 0.3mm in height. 50 or 60% infill recommended for strength. If the objects have been rotated onto their edges by the software, place them flat side down on the print bed in your slicer. Post-Printing Instructions - Print and Assembley (1) Decide how many points you will need (X) and print 'arm three' X times (2) Print the 9mm connector set twice as many times (X multipled by 2) (3) Print 'arm one' X times -1 (4) Print one 4mm connector peg for each 'arm one' (5) Print 'arm two' X times -1 (6) Print four of the 3mm washers For an 8 point gauge, your parts list will be: 8x arm three 16x 9mm connector set 7x arm one 7x 4mm connector peg 7x arm two 4x 3mm washers Assembly: The push fit connectors will be tight in the holes on the arms, this is normal. Rotate them a few times to bed them in before moving to the next one. The octagonal peg parts of the connectors are also tight. They not designed to be removable. Insert them gently with pliers, a press, a vice, or gentle taps with a hammer. (1) First set of three arms: Take an arm three, an arm one, two 3mm washers and a 9mm connector set. (1a) Connecting arms three and one: Arm three goes at the bottom. Arm one goes on top, with the round peg facing up. Put one of the round holes of arm one over the top of the round hole on arm three. Put a 3mm washer on top. Connect the parts with a 9mm connector set. (1b) Adding arm two: Press the central round hole of arm two onto the round peg of arm one. Connect with a 4mm peg. Put an end circular hole of arm two over the slot in arm three. Use a 3mm washer inbetween. Connect with a 9mm connector set. (2) Intermediate sets of three arms: Use this procedure for all arms other than the beginning and end sets - which need washers. (2a) Connecting arms one and two: Connect a set of arms one and two using the central hole and peg, and a 4mm peg connector (2b) Connecting arm three to the new arm one and previous arm two: Line up the circular hole of arm three under a circular hole of arm one. Place the free end of arm two from the previous set on top. Connect using a 9mm connector set. (2c) Connecting arm three to new arm two and previous arm one: Line up the slot in arm three under the free circular hole in arm one from the previous set. Place the a circular hole of arm two on top. Connect with a 9mm connector set. (3) Adding the end arm (the extra arm three) Well done, you now only need to add the last arm three to complete your gauge. (3a) Connecting arm three to the free end of the previous arm two: Put your last arm three on the bottom. Line up a 3mm washer over the round hole. Line the free end of the previous arm two over the washer. Connect with a 9mm connector set. (3b) Connecting the end arm three to the previous arm one: Line up the slot in arm three under the free circular hole in the previous arm one. Line a washer up over the top. Connect with a 9mm connector set. (4) Enjoy! Feel free to add comments and post pictures of your makes.