Essential Tools for FDM 3D Printing

Hello, 3D Printing friends! Today we're going to talk about some must-have tools for FDM 3D Printing. These are tools I use all the time, and I thought you might like to know about them.

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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Tool 1: Ball End Hex Drivers
02:55 Tool 2: Needle Nose Pliers
03:28 Tool 3: Flush Cutters
03:59 Tool 4: Digital Calipers
05:20 Tool 5: Needle Files
06:08 Tool 6: Glue Stucks
07:14 Tool 7: Small LED Flashlight
07:48 Tool 8: Precision Tweezers
08:26 Closing

[joehimes]

My most used 3-D printing tool appears to be the credit card

[aaronwatts]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses a flashlight to snoop on a print. Thanks and many cheers, BV3D!

[RealDids]

Definitely recommend a deburring tool for post-print cleanup!

What I'd really love to see would be a better/safer way to unscrew and swap nozzles, because I keep banging up and eventually breaking my aluminum heater blocks.

[twincast]

👍But if we include consumables (glue), then we need to include grease and (especially) isopropyl alcohol as well.

[TheLuciano]

Also a hot air blower comes in handy sometimes

[DJeff_DPrinting]

Another great video, Mr Vines. I must add a word of caution, though. With the ball-end Allen turny things, take care that you don't strip out your screw heads. It's easy to do. That's what a friend said, anyway. 🙄
You have a good list of tools, there!
As for my must-have 3D printing tools? I have become fond of my de-bur tool (with several sizes of tooling). It was a gift from my son-in-law. I've used it a lot more than I thought I would! Also, a piece of paper! I fold a piece of paper 1 or 2 times and use it to clean a hot nozzle. I do use tweezers at the start of a print to pick the ooze boogies. However, every few prints or whenever necessary, I will heat the nozzle to print temperature and drag the folded (single layer will just tear) paper over the nozzle and even the silicone sock. It is much gentler than metal tools! And, filament sticks to paper very well. Amazing how much you'll get when you think the hotend is clean. Did I mention that it is much less likely to damage your nozzle than metal tools!?!? Thanks for the video!!!

[jamesrosko]

I've been using a 2 inch chip brush to dust off my printer beds. It's amazing how simply running the brush across the bed helps promote good adhesion. Probably don't use a brush in combination with a glue stick.

[justintime]

I would add a 10x magnifying glass. I use mine to inspect prints mainly test prints for filament settings and sometimes the small texts on machines and the tiny screws it helps to have one.

[heroflying]

One of my fav 3d printing tools is a lighted dental mirror. It's VERY easy to confuse shadows on nozzles with burnt filament. Wanna see if your nozzle exterior is dirty? Use one of those bad boys, and save neck strain while you're at it. Don't forget a brass brush while you're at it to clean the nozzle.

[Nooooo]

I have a few:
Wire brush for cleaning up nozzles and heat block
hemostat pliers, great for locking on to supports for removal without cramping hands
deburring tool for part clean up
paint scraper for part removal if you arent using PEI sheets
Nano miner polymer instead of gluestick
Hygrometer to check stored filament humidity

[solarbirdyz]

A lab notebook. Any notebook would do, I use 100-120 page 5x7 college-ruled notebooks myself, and I only use one side of the page because using both sides of these cheap notebook pages doesn't really bleed through but doesn't look great either. But anything that lays flat will do.

Reserve two or three pages in back for an index so you can look up where you made important notes, and log what you do and how you did it - what you printed, what filament, nozzle size, quality, important settings. Firmware upgrades, software upgrades, PID calibrations, write down the befores and afters and date everything as you go. It'll help you learn from what you did _and_ let you look things up when you forget. Super-useful tool.

[richmagda]

Good video Bryan. In my basic tools I use a 6" narrow width, deep jaw adjustable wrench to hold the heat block while changing the nozzle and a nut driver to change the nozzle. Thanks!

[TootEmCarMan]

I use a head torch rather than a standard torch, that way I have both hands free to work on my printer with.
The other thing I use a lot is I designed and printed some hex key handles.

[marijuanas]

A spray bottle with isopropyl alcohol 91% or higher, shop towels or microfiber towels for wiping the bed! Generic magic eraser sponges for cleaning the bed with hot water and soap! Magnetic parts tray or silicone parts tray I find very handy too! Can also get an upgraded pair of hakko flat cutters for about 8 dollars that are an improvement over the ones that often come with printers.

Great tips and video Bryan, thanks!

[gwolfe]

I made an open-end wrench out of a piece of 1/8" thick aluminum to hold the heater block when changing nozzles.

[paulcumber]

hey just like to wish you & your Family Merry christmas & happy New year

[uboofer]

I always have exacto knives handy for supports and rafts

[matthewjbauer]

Good list but its missing a few things. I have a small and large putty knife to wedge it under a print to help remove it. I have a jeweler's hammer to tap the putty knife under really stuck prints. I keep a set of wire brushes to brush off the nozzle and soft brushes to brush off the prints and print bed. And lastly, I keep a cheap (but safe) heat gun for use when melting prints (especially ABS) together or melting the glue off the print bed.

[paulradford]

Totally agree about the calipers.. stay clear of those cheap and nasty ones.

[dennysawyer]

"Nozzle boogers" - I'll never look at filament blobs the same way.