Tie Wrap Screw Anchor

prusaprinters

<p>This is a screw-in anchor that secures a tie wrap to a surface. This kind of part is commonly available at a hardware store, but I didn't have any at home when it came time to hang some holiday lights outside. Designing and printing it was faster, and certainly more enjoyable.</p><p>Design parameters:</p><ul><li><strong>RH6:</strong> Hole is sized for a #6 pan/round head screw. I specifically used a Paulin #6x1/2" Drill-X self-tapping metal screw (<a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/paulin--6-x-1-2-inch-drill-x-pan-head-square-drive-self-drilling-tapping-screw-zinc-plated-17pcs/1000116165">link</a>). This is the original version.</li><li><strong>RH8:</strong> Hole is sized for a #8 pan/round head screw. Will also work with a #6 screw.</li><li><strong>CS8:</strong> Hole is sized for a #8 countersunk wood screw. Will also work with a #6 countersunk wood screw.</li><li><strong>All:</strong> Tie wrap slot is sized for a 4.8mm x 1.2mm tie wrap to comfortably slide through.</li></ul><p>Features:</p><ul><li>The tie wrap slot ends in a smooth 90 degree curve. This allows a lot of variation in the size of the object being secured without putting too much pressure on the anchor.</li><li>The screw will turn in the hole smoothly, but the hole is tight enough that it should hold the screw while someone passes it to you on a ladder for you to install upside down. (This doesn't work with the RH8 or CS8 version using a #6 screw.)</li></ul><p>Printing tips:</p><ul><li>Print as oriented in the .stl file.</li><li>No supports should be needed.</li><li>If you need strength, print it with PETG.</li></ul><p>Testing results:</p><ul><li>I tested original RH6 version this with a 1/2" screw and a 14" zip tie rated at 50 lbs tensile strength. The screw ripped out of the wood without damaging the zip tie or the printed part. (Printed in PETG.)</li><li>I tested the original RH6 again with a 3/4" screw and the same zip tie. The zip tie broke. The part was undamaged.</li><li>I repeated the test with the RH8 (using #6 and #8 screws) and CS8 (using #6 and #8 screws). In all cases, the zip tie broke. One part failed during setup because it was over-tightened and cracked.</li></ul><p>Notes:</p><ul><li>My design is fully parameterized. If you'd like a version with different sizing, just message me.</li></ul><p>Updates:</p><ul><li>2022-10-26: Added a new version (R2) that has the screw size written on the bottom of the part, for easy identification of the #6 vs #8 pieces.</li></ul>