{"id":166182,"date":"2023-02-01T11:13:44","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T03:13:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=166182"},"modified":"2023-02-01T11:13:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T03:13:44","slug":"3d-printing-tools-32-essential-optional-safety-tools","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/3d-printing-tools-32-essential-optional-safety-tools","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Tools \u2013 32 Essential, Optional & Safety Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"

Functional 3D printing does not get the same publicity as printing for fun. The share of useful 3D prints in domestic 3D printing is growing but such models are not appreciated enough. In our opinion, both types of modeling are needed and it all goes in the right direction. 3D printing for fun helps to attract the young generation and enthusiasts. After sharpening their skills in the fun department, they would eventually get involved in the functional side, that\u2019s when fresh ideas and new solutions may be born.<\/p>\n

Top 10 Essential 3D Printing Tools<\/h2>\n

Pre-Made Tool Sets<\/h4>\n

First of all, we do recommend to explore and search for tool sets. You may need to add more tools in due course. These kits became available just recently and may variate in price greatly. Remember, that bulk price for the set doesn\u2019t always mean it is cheaper than buying particular items separately, some items may never be used and the quality of other items may deteriorate.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

3D Printer Tool Kit
\nAmazon<\/a>
\n3D Print Tool Kit
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Print Removal Tool \u2013 Spatula<\/h4>\n

Helps to remove newly printed objects from the build plate. A blade easily slides underneath the prints. New spatulas are thin, strong, and durable. Especially good for gently removing the large 3D prints. In some tough cases, all 3 spatulas can be used at once.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

3D Print Removal Spatulas
\nAmazon<\/a>
\n3D Printer Spatula
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Nozzle Cleaning Kit<\/h4>\n

Part of 3D printer maintenance routine. The extruder nozzle cleaner is an essential item for any 3D printer owner. Every extruder nozzle must be cleaned regularly as part of maintenance.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Nozzle Cleaning Kit
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nSteel Cleaning Needle
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Knife Clean-Up Kit<\/h4>\n

Multi-blade knife set to clean prints. Easily removes supports, raft and other excess material from your 3D printed objects.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Steel Collet Knife Set
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nBlades Knife Set
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Tweezers<\/h4>\n

Helps to remove oozing filament from a hot nozzle and to remove support. Great for removing 3D printed support material or cleaning up 3D Printer hot ends. Fine ends let you easily get to hard-to-reach places.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tweezers Set
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nStainless Steel Tweezers
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Glue Stick<\/h4>\n

An adhesive is required to keep an object in place during printing. It can be glue or hair spray. Stick glue is recommended for use on a build plate, heated or not heated. Prevents warping. A strong type of glue stick works better.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Glue Stick
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nWashable Glue Stick
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Pliers<\/h4>\n

Must have tools. Preferably a set for all kind of tasks: to cut, clean, adjust, etc. These are used to cut the filament and to remove support. Different size of plier ends helps to get hard-to-reach parts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Pliers
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nDIY Plier Set
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Spanners and Wrenches for Nozzle Change<\/h4>\n

A spanner is used when changing the nozzle. Yet again, as you planning to change the nozzle it\u2019s more likely you will need replacement. There are all kinds of sets available (spanners+nozzles) for affordable prices.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Spanners
\nAmazon<\/a>
\n5 in 1 Wrench
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Nozzles<\/h4>\n

Instead of trying to clean the nozzle, in most cases, it is better just to replace it. There are a few types of 3D printer nozzles that can be bought in bulk. Before buying, make sure that the nozzles are compatible with your 3D printer. For example, MK8 nozzles are compatible with the following 3D Printers: Creality CR10, Ender 3 v2, Ender 5 PRO, Makerbot, Ultimaker 2, Anet ET, Tevo Tornado, Anycubic i3 Mega \u2026<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Nozzles (MK8)
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nNozzle Sets (E3D V5 V6)
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Desiccant Dehumidifiers \u2013 Silica Gel Packets<\/h4>\n

It is very important to store filament correctly. Extra\u00a0moisture ruins the quality of 3D printing material<\/a>. Desiccant should be always added to airtight containers where the filament is stored. Excess moisture changes the quality of filament.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Silica Gel 20g Packs
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nSilica Gel 10g Packs
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Masking Tape, Sticker Sheets<\/h4>\n

For those printers, which do not have a glass bed or smooth printing surface or bed got damaged masking tape or stickers are essential. Wide range of all kinds of stickers sheets specially for 3D printing.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sticker Sheets
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nHeat bed Sheets Sticker
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Flexible Magnetic Sheets for 3D Print Beds<\/h4>\n

To have a magnetic flexible 3D print bed is a new normal for many\u00a0desktop FDM 3D printers<\/a>. Once you try it, it\u2019s hard to go back to the caption tape, stickers, or even a glass bed. As technology advances, we see a wide range of functional and convenient magnetic 3D print surfaces on the market.\"\"<\/p>\n

235x235mm Flexible Magnetic Bed
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nSpring Steel Sheets \u2013 All Sizes
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Alcohol Wipes<\/h4>\n

Helps to clean glass and other types of print beds. Even though such wipes may not be as green as alcohol in the bottles due to the foil paper packaging, for a casual 3D printer user, such wipes are justified in terms of alcohol volume (one wipe is just enough to clean the whole surface) and safety (no risk of spillage or from the fumes).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Antiseptic Wipes
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nAlcohol Wipes
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

Hex aka Allen Key Set<\/h4>\n

An important tool for the maintenance of 3D printers. It is needed when changing the extruder, adjusting the belts, fixing the heated build plate, etc. We found that a hex key with a handle is especially comfortable to work with when dealing with a DIY 3D printer kit like\u00a0Original Prusa i3 MK2<\/a>. In such cases, it is not recommended to use electric screwdrivers as there is the risk of damaging the fragile 3D printed parts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hex aka Allen Key Set
\nAmazon<\/a>
\nUniversal Key Hexagon
\nAliExpress<\/a><\/p>\n

The list is sorted by:\u00a0Essential<\/strong>,\u00a0Safety<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Optional<\/strong>\u00a03D printing tools. As we went along and got deeper into 3D printing there were more and more items that became part of the whole process. We will be adding tools for decorating the prints, photo equipment, scanning stations, acetone vapouring products, etc.<\/p>\n