Kitting out a full workshop can be expensive, but if you’re only working on small things, it can also be overkill. Indeed, if your machining tends towards the miniature, consider building yourself a series of tiny machines like [KendinYap] did. In the video below, you can see the miniature electric sander, table saw, drill press, and cut-off saw put through their paces.
Just because the machines are small, doesn’t mean they’re not useful. In fact, they’re kind of great for doing smaller jobs without destroying what you’re working on. The tiny belt sander in particular appeals in this case, but the same applies to the drill press as well. [KendinYap] also shows off a tiny table and circular saw. The machines are straightforward in their design, relying largely on 3D printed components. They’re all powered by basic DC brushed motors which are enough to get the job done on the small scale.
They look particularly good if tiny scale model-making is your passion.
If you like these, this person also makes mini tools but uses pvc pipe that they heat up and flatten!
https://youtu.be/Z6JvAZHJCAo?si=JRJ1lLjfP5wL7b1H
I’ve already gotten cancer once, I don’t want to get it again from the off gassing of vinyl chloride.
Too bad I don’t own a 3D Printer…
So go buy one?
Then go use one at you local Makerspace. That’s what they are for!
The utility of these tools depends strongly on the actual use. I build small model- and large high-power rockets. If I had a 3D printer, and knew how to use it, I’d be working on the sander right now instead of reading about it. (My hobby is much less about “building rockets” and much more about “sanding, filling, sanding some more”.) :-)
The table saw would be next.
Post WWII, (USA?) homeowners were becoming a market for power tools.
Often a handheld electric drill was the first purchase.
An option to get more usage from the drill were attachments like a drill press stand. Another add-on was the Mill Saw, a small diameter (~4 inch) circular saw blade and guard; the arbor of which was inserted into bit holder.
I do a lot of research into self reproducing tools, machines, machinery and factories.
As we drift toward a useful humanoid robot
I agree with you that the more or less universal handheld drill or other handheld power tool
Rapidly becomes the focus of the definition under which even the robot might replicate
I have a 3d printer and if I can find the files for the parts and you pay for deliver of the printed parts there yours
That would be amazing!! Can I get them?
I usually express surprise when someone doesn’t have a 3d printer, “You don’t have a 3d printer, what is this, 2010”
I bought my Prusa in June, but need to clear a place on the workbench for it.
Some people may have the money for it, but just not the space.
(And read space as: WAF-compliant, otherwise I’d have one on the dinner table)
“A” 3D printer, as in only one?
You don’t have a , what is this, 20.
Haha, agreed!
I recently got the Bambu labs A1. Not sure if you’re allowed to name check here, but seriously a fantastic machine. Treat yourself, it will be the best investment you’ve ever made.
Now I’m off to go and build that sander.
These are all cute and I would use all of them, especially the table saw and belt sander. But they all use hardware that’s an expensive PITA to source at hobbyist scale, so I’d just buy the equivalent from Micro Mart before I even switched my 3D printer on. Which is a shame.
I mean, it’s not /that/ hard to get pulleys and shafts and mini saw blades and such, but between vague specs and multiple websites and 600% hobbyist markups and shipping fees, even a modest BoM becomes an expensive hassle. You can easily spend a couple of days and $100 on what would cost a factory $5. It really detracts from the cool part of 3D printering, which is the rapid iteration.
I guess there are a couple of places in Asia where you can just go to a giant awesome physical market, but for the rest of the world there’s surely a retail opportunity here.
Meant my message as a reply to yours. They are obtainable for pretty cheap.
Aliexpress :)
Check for vendors with good ratings, and you can usually get great prices at low quantity. Shipping sometimes is free on a 4$ part
Not to mention Harbor Freight sells two of these tools made of metal for pretty cheap. Adam Savage even took two of them and made them better. I have both the tiny table saw and my wife has the cheap chop saw she uses for cutting down dowels. Drill press is nice but Dremel also makes a kit that does the same and you get the rotary tool too. I’m not arguing one buy all their parts and tools, and would even argue these could be worth printing if you already had the parts laying around from something else you disassembled. But I would argue after sourcing all of these parts, printing the files, and assembly, you might have been better off buying the pre-made stuff. If you’re hell bent on doing this, at least consider all the options on thingiverse and similar that utilize cheap rotary tools for the motors.
Well its not that hard to source since they provided links to all the parts used, but to your point I just saw a mini belt sander on amzon with 7 speed settings and made of metal for ~36 bucks
The ali-express motor alone + shipping to me is almost half that so its something to consider
I believe the sawblade is actually a slitting saw (i just checked). Particularly smooth finish slitting saw blades, which can be had on mcmaster for $20 or less
And at McMaster, that’s probably a decent one as well – they generally don’t sell junk.
To anyone considering buying a 3d printer. Ask yourself one question – can you draw in CAD or Blender? If the answer is yes it’s a no brainer these days. If not, learn 3d drawing first.
Cute, clever, educational, and noteworthy, but are they safe?
The mini-lathes I’ve shopped for are all made of metal.
Harbor Freight sells machine tools with a minimum fitness of purpose.
Metal and composite 3D printers do exist–those I’d trust–but I can’t afford them.
The perils:
Belt sanders need to take a lot of lateral force.
Drill presses need to be stiff to keep vibration in check.
Saws are wicked dangerous (as they say in New England).
G*d forbid this chop saw’s plastic hinge breaks while the saw blade is spinning.
Me? I like having all ten fingers. 3D-printed SawStop anyone? (Just kidding)
Okay, if you’re going to take the plunge, at least don’t forget your safety glasses!
so SHC #4. (with good explanation)
but to be on topic again: minimum fintess of purpous is another word for dremel. i once bought a drill press to drill pcb holes. it had more than 1mm of lateral movement. complete garbage. half plastic, half metal. now i have switched to proxxon and their drill press is all metal and even cheaper.
nuff said
I don’t mean this in a negative way, I’ve noticed this a few times in other videos.
The design and build process doesn’t seem to embrace the abilities of a 3d printer. This build seems to be made for a laser cutter, but ended up 3d printed.
I suspect a professional, that has been designing everything out of sheets, ending up with a 3d printer. The thought that volume doesn’t really cost anything, in 3d printing, must hard to accept.