Printable Log for Rolling Log Mouse Trap

thingiverse

This Rolling Log Mouse Trap "Log" is a printable log add-on for Hayedid's rolling log mouse trap design. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3050065 The original calls for a ~10.5" or so piece of 3/4" PVC pipe which I didn't have laying around. You will need to go to the thing post above to print the 2 each of the original thing's parts and of course will need two standard skateboard bearings, the cheap ones work fine ($7-$8 a set of 8) You only need to print one "...270mm" log if your printer can print over 270mm height. For smaller printers print TWO of the SPLIT logs and one coupler and super glue them together. The split versions are identical on the ends so no particulars on assembly. I have not tested the split version, but I figured since I had all the drawings up it was only another couple minutes to make split version as many small printers max at 250mm Z. All dimensions are in the file names in case you want to tweak the fit via slicer scaling. This log is designed to fit over the original bearing-rings for larger outer diameter, so it should spin easier than the originally intended 3/4" PVC tube (because leverage). It covers the log-to-bearing ring junction so it's a smooth cylinder and less for mice to grab on to, not that it probably matters. There's only 1mm of extra depth for each socket so you can pretty much push the bearing rings all the way in. It's a light friction fit, and of course that depends on your level of printer calibration. So as always, I highly recommend somewhat regular re-calibration of your rig and settings. I highly recommend the TeachingTech 3D printer calibration website-calculator-tool. At the least make sure your extruder flow is calibrated to within +/- 0.05mm or better. https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html#flow Print it vertically with a brim inside and out for bed adhesion. No support required as recesses for the bearing rings/coupler have a cone shape at inner ends when printing vertically. Length was designed to fit a standard 5 gallon bucket. Do whatever you want for settings, but I went with 0.4mm layer height for speed, 2 walls @0.6mm wall thickness (nozzle size) and 10% infill. For a 0.4mm nozzle just do 3 walls 0.4mm wall thickness and it's the same difference. With these settings it took about 3.5hrs to print. I use the zero cooling fan trick (just disable it/turn it off in your slicer) anytime I can print without supports as the layers bond better and thus it's stronger for functional parts versus cute things that sit on a shelf. At $20/1kg roll of PLA it cost $2.22 worth of filament to print it, whereas if you don't have scrap 3/4" PVC plumbing pipe laying around, a 2 foot stick of 3/4" PVC costs $3.16 at the local box hardware store, plus the gas to go get it. FTIJPI!