MakerBot Industries

Caliper Holder by LightingPhil

With a 3D printer at your disposal you can design everything from a complex machine to a replacement knob for your stove. Sometimes, elegantly simple designs that make your life easier are the killer models. And bonus meta-points when you design and print 3D printed parts … that make it easier to print 3D printed parts. Here are two functional designs that have arrived up on Thingiverse since Friday that I am certain to print this week — and put into immediate use!

MakerBot Filament Spool Holder by charlespax

MakerBot Filament Spool Holder by charlespax

MakerBot Industries now sells filament on spools! Here is a spool holder you can mount on you Thing-O-Matic or Cupcake CNC in place of any rod cover. You should also print the spool housing to keep you filament nice and tidy. thingiverse.com/thing:8762 If you want to stack two spools, checkout tbusers Spool Stacker thingiverse.com/thing:9198

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Caliper holder by LightningPhil

Hold a caliper and 3 hex keys neatly on the front of the makerbot. Now I can find them! Everyone needs a caliper. Much easier to read a digital display than guess fractions of a mm. The hex keys come with the makerbot. Seemed a good holder to put them all together in one place. In addition to the above, I have a small holder for a craft knife and a tourch. Might draw them again, but didn't keep the STL's. This was my first go at using Solid Works. Far easier than expected! :)

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Tricks for measuring with a digital caliper

A digital caliper is one of the most useful accessories to a 3D printer.  With a caliper in hand you can ensure you’re going to end up with accurate replacement or upgrade parts.  Some Skeinforge guides even suggest using calipers to assist in calibrating your printer.  The guys over at Buildlog.net have put together a short guide with some tips and tricks for using your digital calipers.