Printed tools aren’t exactly known for their durability, but [Gladius] shows us that with some thoughtful design, it’s possible to print a ratcheting wrench that can handle surprising amounts of torque.
This particular wrench is inspired by NASA’s 3D printed ratcheting wrench, and also from an early 1900s design. It sports a 1/2 inch square socket into which modern adapters can be fitted, allowing those steel parts to do their job while the wrench itself delivers the muscle.
[Gladius] found that the strongest results came from slicing parts — especially the handle — so that they come out consisting almost entirely of perimeters, with virtually no traditional infill. Want to know more? There’s a discussion on reddit where [Gladius] goes into added detail about measurements and performance.
Over the years, we’ve seen our share of powerful prints. For example, what the Crimson Axlef*cker can do looks downright intimidating. Speaking of printing things that move, we want to remind you about this handy tip for easily and reliably joining motor shafts to printed parts by (mis)using jaw couplings.
So it can torque up to 30 fig newtons!
Nice
Printing entirely in perimeters—concentric infill—kind of mimics the purpose of hammer-forging metal (which is used for a similar purpose in regular old metal wrenches). Aligns all the grain of the material to travel the full length of the lever, and also curl around the parts which are subjected to large forces. A good illustration of that principle, yet at a scale which is visible with the unaided eye.
How do you interface this with modern sockets when sockets have a 1/2″ square hole in them as well.
The comments mention needing a “1/2 inch square drive coupler”