Dessicase

Dessicase

This is a cheapo way to keep your 3D printer filament dry. The setup is
for 1.75mm filament, so the feeder section would need to be re-mixed for a
fitting that will handle 3mm.

Tools:

10 minute epoxy.
Pipe Tap, 1/8 NPT-27:
http://www.amazon.com/Vermont-American-20371-Carbon-Steel/dp/B000K1LZ76?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
A tap handle if you don't have one.
Coarse sandpaper or a wood file.
Needle nose pliers.

Parts:
Printed:
2x DesicaseHub01
1x DesicaseFeeder
4x Dessicase_corner00
1x Dessicase_corner01a
1x Dessicase_corner02a
1x Dessicase_corner03
1x Dessicase_corner04

Fitting: Straight Quick Connector Pneumatic 4mm x 1/8" PT Male Thread:
http://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Straight-Connectors-Pneumatic-Fittings/dp/B00FH6FIQI?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

1/4" Dowels:

5x DowelX      79mm
4x DowelDiag  138mm
4x DowelY     208mm
4x DowelZ     222mm
1x Dowel Axle  93mm

Ziploc Freezer Bag, 2 Gallon, 13" X 15":
http://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Freezer-Bags-Gallon-Count/dp/B00HXCNNN4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1464278523&sr=8-1&keywords=ziploc+freezer+2+gallon
also trying out:
http://www.amazon.com/pieces-Gallon-Reclosable-Freezer-Storage/dp/B009ZL3S5Y?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
4mm Tubing, teflon works well:
http://www.amazon.com/Meters-Filament-3D-printer-Rostock/dp/B00THZKC8Y?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

10g Silica Gel Dessicant Pack

Instructions:

• Cut 1/4" dowels to the indicated lengths.
• Sand or file the rough edges on the dowels.
• Print the parts. I've used ABS and PETG with good results;
  let me know if other materials work, thanks.
• Make sure a dowel will fit into every socket.
• Tap the hole for the fitting, doesn't have to be
  extremely deep.
• Arrange the dowels by size; put the axle dowel to the
  side so you don't glue it.
• Mix a small amount of adhesive (I've used wood glue and
  hot melt glue as well). I use a small medicine cup.
• Don't glue the axle or Feeder part (with the 4mm fitting).
• Glue everything else.
• Let sit for an hour or so - wood glue overnight, hot melt
  until it's cool.
• Place the assembled frame in a ziploc bag, and push the
  bag down so the axle sockets are easily accessible.
• Pierce the bag at the center of the fitting.
• Slide the bag around to the side of the fitting, and
  enlarge the hole with a pencil.
• Slide the bag back so the hole is over the fitting, and
  gently slide the hole over the plastic head of the fitting.
• Place the dessicant pack in the bottom of the bag.
• Feed filament from the spool through the fitting.
• Slide the filament spool into the frame so the axle dowel
  can make it through the center of the spool.
• Feed the axle dowel through the center of the spool, and
  slide the dowel into the hub sockets.
• Close up the ziploc bag.
• Cut a 2 1/4" length of tubing.
• Seal one end of the tubing - I've used hot melt glue, tape
  and heat shrink tubing.
• Slightly crush the tubing in the middle, so that when the
  filament is inserted it's gripped nicely.
• Slide the filament end into the tubing so that it's held
  and slide the tubing into the fitting.
• Your filament is now sealed from the elements.

Notes:

For printing, I'm using:

0.4mm nozzle
0.198mm layer
2 walls
35% infill
No raft or support

To print the full kit it's taking me a bit over 2.5 hours.

To use the filament, press in on the plastic part of the fitting
to release the tubing, pulling the filament with it. Make sure
the dessicant doesn't interfere with the spool.

On my main printer I use a longer section of the tubing to connect
the Dessicase to the Bowden extruder.

Enjoy!

Edit 20160626: Added feed collar gadget, which keeps the feed tube from going into my EZStruder.