Simplest Ever Filament Joiner Ever (Ever)

Simplest Ever Filament Joiner Ever (Ever)

NEW AND IMPROVED

Update 04-11-2022:

No screws and now no cable-ties required.

Many thanks to jcjames_13009 for suggesting his ‘hollow squares’.  These are now part of the print with grips on the sides.

Added an exploded assembly drawing.

Totally redesigned to reduce sideways wobble.  The pieces for the pivot are now printed face down to produce perfectly rounded holes so the tongues (filament grippy bits) are a separate piece.

PRINTING:
Print 2 arms,2 sliders and 2 base pieces and the pivot pieces.
No supports or any of that nonsense.
I used PLA with 0.15 mm height and 15% infill. Use whatever.

ASSEMBLY:
Seriously?
Assembly drawing now included but it’s pretty obvious.
Slide the  sliders onto the arms (grips on the outside) and glue (if required) to the bases.
Push the pivot pieces through the holes in the bases and sque-e-e-e-eze.

USAGE:
Cut the ends of the filament square and pop the ends into the slots.
Open the arms and adjust the filaments until they’re wide apart.  Just make sure they will meet exactly and there’s enough to melt together.

Slide the sliders along the arms to grip the filament.

Don fireproof clothing, full heat helmet, fire-proof gloves, etc and use an oxyacetylene torch to light a small candle or T-light.

Apply the flame close to the filament ends but don’t let them catch light.

Squeeze lightly and slowly till the stuff fuses.

Slide the sliders back and pull out filament.

Should be OK now to remove the fireproof gear as long as you remembered to turn the torch off and blow out the candle.

You’ll need to trim and sand/file the join.

If you’ve got loads of scrappy colours lying round it might be fun to try joining lots of random colours together for a marble effect on some small print.  Anyone ever tried that?  I mean for a laugh if you’ve got too much time on your hands?

You could use the multi-coloured filament to make a filament joiner, I’m thinking…

Any problems or comments you can use the Comments section or email me at [email protected]

Regards, Paul