Popup Up and Down Rain Gauge

thingiverse

This is the Popup, Up and Down Rain Gauge! As it rains, the bottom of the base will fill with water and the center numbers will float on top, pushing them higher and higher showing how much it's rained. And, it's surprising accurate! It's very easy to see 1/4, 1/2, and 1 inch increments. It's very, very important to print with these settings: Outside Base: Wall thickness of at least 1.0mm, and Horizontal Expansion to .1mm. This will ensure the base wont leak. It's designed to print with 0 infill, but can be printed with any infill. Inside Slider: VERY IMPORTANT: Zero Infill, Zero Support. 0.8 wall thickness. This inside slider needs to float on the water, so it needs to be hollow and light. The hollow 'cone' is designed this way to shed water to the sides, and also it allows the printer to build up without support. The inside slider has 'Tabs' that hold the numbers in. They have also been designed with a gradual build up such that no supports are needed. The numbers: I printed them with a filament change. Black on bottom, then paused the printer at layer height and continued with white. It gives a nice 3D look. I also heated them very slightly after the print and put a slight bend to them (See Picture). This holds them in better, and also makes sure the number stick through the holes better. Stake: Any printing settings will do. I hate when parts fits so tight you can't get them together. I would suggest a small amount of glue fitting the stake to the base. Special Note: The inside numbers sit a little less than 1/8 inch proud of the base edge when completely empty. This is because it takes a little less than 1/8 inch of rain to get it floating, there's no way around this. I have used this gauge right next to my known very accurate rain gauge and this one is spot on every time. The holes in the inside number slider are 'offset' from each other. This makes seeing 1/2 of an inch, and even 1/4 of an inch very easy.