3D PROTOTYPES AND MODELS

Custom engineered, functional designs since March 2013

3D printing, prototyping, laser cutting and engineering design consultancy. M: 0415 246 775 Servicing Australia wide 24/7 ABN: 83622372430 E: danieljbrown88(at)gmail(dot)com

3D PRINTING ESSENTIAL TOOLS

One factor that is very important when buying a 3D printer is budgeting for the tools you need to use it effectively. Often I see people throwing out a budget for a printer of for example $1000, but they do not factor in shipping costs and more costly than that are the tools! If you are in the market for a 3D printer or simply want to know what tools are effective, I have written this guide to help you understand what you need and approximate costs.

There are 3 tiers of tools and equipment I will list here.

  1. Are the essential tools, you absolutely will need these to get your printer functioning properly
  2. Are the useful tools that will be used however you do not need them from day 1, you could go for weeks or months without needing these, you will eventually though
  3. Are the optional tools. When you want to make your life a little easier or experiment, these can help but are not needed to use a printer effectively

1: ESSENTIAL TOOLS

For PLA printers, you almost always start by printing onto Blue tape. This is specifically the 3M 'Edge Lock' 2090 variant, not 2093 or other brands. RRP: $10 AUD
ESSENTIAL – For PLA printers, you almost always start by printing onto Blue tape. This is specifically the 3M ‘Edge Lock’ 2090 variant, not 2093 or other brands.
RRP: $10 AUD
For ABS printers you will want more specialised print bed covers. This can depend entirely on preference and costs vary greatly if you buy them retail or direct from manufacturers. Glass Bed RRP: $10AUD Kapton Tape (50m, lasts years) RRP: $45AUD Print Mats (such as Buiildtak) RRP: $10AUD
ESSENTIAL – For ABS printers you will want more specialised print bed covers. This can depend entirely on preference and costs vary greatly if you buy them retail or direct from manufacturers.
Glass Bed RRP: $10 AUD – $60 AUD
Kapton Tape (50m roll, lasts years) RRP: $45 AUD
Print Mats (such as Buildtak) RRP: $10 AUD
Used to adhere prints to the bed more strongly, use 5-strength hairspray on large prints. RRP $8 AUD
ESSENTIAL – Hair Spray/lacquer is used to adhere prints to the bed more strongly, use 5-strength hairspray on large prints.
RRP $8 AUD
Another alternative to hold prints down which works well with ABS, glue sticks or mixing glue with water to cover the build surface with works well. Not required when using print mats or PLA as hairspray works very well with PLA. RRP: $5 AUD
ESSENTIAL – Another alternative to hold prints down which works well with ABS, glue sticks or mixing glue with water to cover the build surface with works effectively.
RRP: $5 AUD
Extremely useful in prying prints off the bed, don't start printing without one. Especially useful with PLA. RRP: $5 AUD
ESSENTIAL – Thin metal spatulas are extremely useful in prying prints off the bed, don’t start printing without one. Especially useful with PLA.
RRP: $5 AUD
Sprue cutters are incredibly effective at cutting away supports and rafts from prints. RRP: $8 AUD
ESSENTIAL – Sprue/precision cutters are incredibly effective at cutting away supports and rafts from prints.
RRP: $8 AUD
Vernier Calipers are used to calibrate your machine and measure prints. Cost can vary dramatically between brands. RRP: $20AUD - $100 AUD
ESSENTIAL – Vernier Calipers are used to calibrate your machine and measure prints. Cost can vary dramatically between brands.
RRP: $20AUD – $100 AUD

Essential Tools starting at around $66 AUD total

2. USEFUL TOOLS

Precision screwdrivers are great for spares when you need to fix the machine but they are also very good at prying out supports from hard to reach places. RRP: $10 AUD
USEFUL – Precision screwdrivers are great for spares when you need to fix the machine but they are also very good at prying out supports from hard to reach places.
RRP: $10 AUD
Smooth out your prints with various grade files. Circular files are very useful to get printed holes more round. RRP: $15
USEFUL – Smooth out your prints with a set of files. Circular files are very useful to get printed holes more round.
RRP: $15
Various grades of sandpaper also help to clean up prints and help prime surfaces to be painted. RRP: $5 AUD
USEFUL – Various grades of sandpaper also help to clean up prints and help prime surfaces to be painted.
RRP: $5 AUD
To smooth out ABS parts and make 'ABS slurry' for extreme print adhesion, you will need acetone. No effect with PLA. RRP: $10 AUD
USEFUL – To smooth out ABS parts and make ‘ABS slurry’ for extreme print adhesion, you will need acetone. No effect with PLA.
RRP: $10 AUD
Super Glue, cyanoacrylate, is perfectly suited to bond 3D printed plastics together. The higher quality glue does hold much better. RRP: $12 AUD
USEFUL – Super Glue, cyanoacrylate, is perfectly suited to bond 3D printed plastics together. The higher quality glue does hold much better.
RRP: $18 AUD
After using your printer for many hours, you will inevitably need to greats the rods. RRP: $8 AUD
USEFUL – After using your printer for many hours, you will inevitably need to grease the rods.
RRP: $8 AUD
For when you remove supports from PLA parts post-process parts using rotary tools .
USEFUL – Safety goggles are useful for when you remove supports from PLA parts (the supports are brittle and can shatter rather violently) or post-process parts using rotary tools.
RRP: $4 AUD

Useful tools starting at around $70 AUD total

3. OPTIONAL TOOLS

wireless, controllable camera to monitor your printer. It can come in extremely handy. RRP: $90 AUD
OPTIONAL – A wireless, controllable camera to monitor your printer. It can come in extremely handy.
RRP: $90 AUD
Foam Mats are great for noise dampening and add them to the base of your printer for extra stability. RRP: $10 AUD
OPTIONAL – Foam Mats are great for noise dampening and add them to the base of your printer for extra stability.
RRP: $10 AUD
A simple plastic tub used for 'cold vapour treating' with acetone, a much safer alternative and recommended to start on. RRP: $4 AUD
OPTIONAL – A simple plastic tub used for ‘cold vapour treating’ with acetone, a much safer alternative and recommended to start on.
RRP: $4 AUD
Use a Rotary Tool for serious sanding and smoothing out prints as fast as possible.
OPTIONAL – Use a Rotary Tool for serious sanding and smoothing out prints as fast as possible. Costs vary wildly between brands
RRP: $50 AUD – $130 AUD

Optional tools starting at around $160 AUD total