Tools You’ll Need

Some common tools and supplies are required to build the Thing-O-Matic:

Soldering Iron

You’ll need to solder a few connections for the electronics.

Wire Cutters / Strippers

You’ll need to cut and strip some wires.

Electronics Solder (preferably high-temperature)

Only lead-free / silver-bearing solders can handle the high temperatures reached by the Plastruder MK5 and MK6. If you have the cartridge-based MK6+ Stepstruder then there are only a few low temperature solder connections and any solder should be a-ok.

Super Glue

You’ll need superglue to attach the bottom of the extruder’s “feet”.

Glue Gun

You’ll need a glue gun to attach the bearings to the XYZ axes.

Hex Keys

Hex keys are included in the kit are for tightening bolts.

13 mm or Adjustable Wrench

You’ll need one of these to bolt your nozzle to your extruder.

Scissors

These will come in handy during various construction stages, particularly for wrapping your hot end with insulation.

Vise

A vise (or C-clamp) is required to make your stepper driver cables.

Needle-nosed Pliers

These are useful for tightening nuts.

Optional Tools

• Tweezers are always useful for small things.
• Files are always handy — a small flat and a medium rat-tail file would be perfect.
• 3mm or 1/8″ drill bit for widening any narrow M3 bolt holes or making new ones.
• Reamer for widening M3, M4, M8 or larger holes.
• Sharp carving knife (scalpel or X-Acto) for trimming sharp edges or other cutting.

• 3-in-1 oil for lubricating rods.

• Ruler with both metric and imperial scale.

• Digital multimeter for checking component values and machine calibration.