Keyring Compass Tool

This is a compass which can be kept handy on your keyring, with additional handy uses.

Printed in PLA and utilising manual colour changes and pauses to place magnets into the model. Can of course be printed single colour and you can mark the screws in the end only to indicate North facing end. The screws increase the magnetic attraction for picking up small items.

I found that it is better to place a mark on the North end of the magnets for reference and when placing the magnets (Both North Upward) apply a  small amount of Gluestick glue to ensure they don't get pulled out and up to the extruder.

Magnets are 10.0mm x 2.0mm Neodynium readily avaliable, from many of your favourite web shopping sites.

And the two screws one for each end of the compass are steel M4 x 8.0mm (Not essential)

Pause for 1st Colour Change Black to Yellow at Layer 10.0, then Pause at Layer 10.5 to insert first magnet, then pause for second colour change Yellow to Red at Layer 41.4. And finally Pause at Layer 43.0 to insert the second Magnet.

To use as a compass you will need a small length of cotton to tie to the hoop, and ensure it locates in the notch to ensure it is balanced central, see pictures, then hang up and wait untill it settles. If printed as shown in pictures in colour, the compass Red end will point North.

Other Uses for this device

Plumb Line - hang from fixing point on wall to assist in marking vertical lines

Pick up magnet to retrieve small screws.

If suspended over the drive end of a vertically mounted 3 phase electrical motor, it will spin in the direction of the rotor, for you technicians out there.

Check metals are Ferous or Non Ferrous.

Check car bodywork for patches of Fibreglass (I would recommend removing the steel screws)

And why not get some Iron filings and have some fun making pictures.

There may be many more applications.

Happy Printing