72 June 2015
PRACTICAL 3D PRINTING n BY CHUCK HELLEBUYCK
ecently, I purchased a low cost rotary instrument
that is similar to a Dremel style tool, but far less
powerful and a whole lot cheaper. I just needed
it to drill small holes or grind off some plastic from a
3D print. The tool came with a whole bunch of tiny
interchangeable bits. If I laid them all out on my bench
top, there would be no more room for anything else. Since
they were all round, a tiny bump to the bench would find
them rolling on the floor. So, with the help of Tinkercad
software, I set out to create a 3D printable tool stand
customized for this specific device.
The design started out simple enough. Just a block
with holes for holding the tool bits. However, after
counting the number of bits, I found I would need a lot of
these blocks, so I started stacking them like stairs. Before
long, I had a back section that was half the height of the
rotary tool — just perfect for a large slot to hold the tool
when idle.
The bits came in two basic diameters: 0.090 inches
and 0.120 inches. Then, there were different loose collets
of various sizes for inserting into the rotary tool chuck. I
located the 0.090 holes along the bottom rows, and the
0.120 holes along the top. In the front block, I added a tray
for loose bits and larger holes to fit the collets.
Construction
I don’t think you can ever get a design right the first
time. Not a problem if you have your own 3D printer
vs. sending the design out to be printed. The print took
about eight hours to complete, then I was able to test it
out. It didn’t take long to find that the holes needed to be
enlarged a little because as the printer builds the design
layer by layer, it leaves ribs of plastic at each layer. The
center of that plastic filament is at the dimension, however,
it gets squished down a bit, leaving a little plastic inside
where there should be an open hole. It made some parts
Organizing my bench is always a challenge. I like to
keep everything visible so I can see and use it without
digging around. That requirement can easily make
my bench messy as many tools are scattered about.
So, when I can find a way to organize and also display
my tools, I jump at the opportunity.
Tool Stand
for a Low Cost
Rotary Tool
keep everything visible so I can see and use it without
So, when I can find a way to organize and also display
for a Low Cost
Using 3D printers for
practical projects on
your workbench.
n FIGURE 1. Tinkercad design
R