Rep2 Essential Tools w/ Links

thingiverse

I found most of these tools with the help of MUG community. I couldn't live without them now. Links below. Instructions Isopropyl Alcohol - (any drug store - CVS etc) If I handle the plate surface too much (taking prints off) I do quick swab of entire plate of blue tape and that makes for perfect surface. Also, if there is a print with very little surface touching blue tape I give it a quick swab too for better sticking. Wire Nippers - (any hardware store) When feeding new filament in the plunger I always cut a clean a new 45 degree end. Cricut Spatula - (http://www.amazon.com/Cricut-29-0099-Spatula-Tool/dp/B000NP1ESO I've tried a bunch of tools for print removal - this one is the best.) Xacto knife - (http://www.amazon.com/X-ACTO-Knife-Cap-Silver-X3602/dp/B000V1QV7O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357079622&sr=8-1&keywords=xacto+knife) You wil need to clean prints of flash and various strings of plastic. Nail File Boardsl - (any drug store - CVS etc) I use these to cleanup and finish pieces. Caliper - (http://www.amazon.com/Neiko-01407A-Extra-Large-SAE-Metric-Conversion/dp/B000GSLKIW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357079858&sr=8-1&keywords=metric+caliper) I quickly found out that measuring your filament diameter is super important. From supplier to supplier and even color to color from same supplier filament diameter can vary greatly. Some users even check diameter multiple times during same roll. Note: I found no way to enter this value in Makerware but once I moved to ReplicatorG I make sure to enter it on every print. Deflection Guide - (http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/2970986/Magnetic-%26-Deflection-Acc/2-1/4-in.-Dia.-Deflection-Gauge Printed the mount http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28725) This made a huge difference in platform leveling in a scientific way as opposed to dragging a business card around the plate under the nozzle. Feeler Guides - (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050MM6QO/ref=oh_details_o09_s01_i00) I have them to check space between nozzle and build platform but honestly haven't used them once since getting the Deflection Gauge. Super Glue - (any hardware store) Many prints will require assembly. A very little super glue works well. Be careful of overpour though as it discolored my plastics. Alternately I use a hot glue gun but isn't as solid or permanent as the super glue. Color Samples I keep a collection of filament colors on the desktop. It is helpful when comparing to printed objects on screen without pulling out spools of filament. Also helpful if you are outside away from your setup and need to compare colors. I've since printed out these amazing micro spools http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:26414.