Bed Leveling Gauge Mount for 2020 Extrusion. Creality, etc.

DO NOT LEAVE THE GAUGE ON YOUR PRINTER WHILE PRINTING! YOU WILL DAMAGE YOUR PRINTER.

This is a remix of my Anet A8 $4 Bed Leveling. You should refer to that link for instructions on how to remove the gauge's tension spring. Removing the spring is required. This allows the gauge's probe to free-fall onto the print bed.

The best part of using this gauge is in the old saying, 'Seeing is believing.' Its digital visual confirmation is much more reassuring than 'feeling' the level of friction of a slip of paper, or a feeler gauge, or a section of acrylic plastic that Creality provides.

This 2020 mount allows the user to securely mount the gauge on the x-axis 2020 extrusion with very slight tension when properly mounted. The mount should not be difficult to put on or take off the extrusion. You can make micro dimensional changes to the mount in your slicer if it is too tight or too loose. Turn off proportional scaling and increase or decrease the y-axis dimension.

Note: Attaching the gauge to the mount stiffens the mount. This, in turn, increases mount retention on the 2020 extrusion. You should mount the gauge and test for fit before making any dimensional changes to the mount.

I chose to attach the gauge to the mount with a medium size 3M Command Strip for its ease of removal. 3M #17021P-RR. A 9-pack is $2.98 at Walmart. See image #3 above for proper orientation. Any similar double-sided tape should work as well, though harder to remove.

Here is a source for the digital gauge. These gauges are available from many other retailers as well. Digital Car Wheel Tire Gauge Meter, about $4. Make sure to get one with the metal probe. The other kind may not fit the coupler.

I have included a probe coupler and two different lengths of probe extensions. If you need an extension that is shorter or longer, you can change the probe extension length in your slicer. Turn off proportional scaling and set your new length in the slicer's x-axis.

Step 1: If your printer's physical configuration allows for the gauge to be mounted on both ends of the x-axis, tram (square/level) your x-axis with your frame. Zero one side and then detach the gauge and move it to the opposite side of the x-gantry. Make your adjustments to get both sides as level as possible.

Step 2: Level your bed by picking one of your bed adjustment screws as your reference point. Zero the gauge with the gauge's depth probe placed directly over where the screw attaches to the bed. Do not make adjustments to this screw. Now move your bed and/or the gauge directly above each of the other 3 screws. Adjust the leveling knobs until the gauge reads zero again at each screw. Repeat this step until you are satisfied with your results.

Step 3: Once your frame and bed are perfectly trammed/leveled/squared, make any first layer adjustments in your Z-Offset value. Do not repeat steps 1 & 2 to achieve the perfect first layer offset.

The probe coupler must be printed in TPU. The mount and probe extension get printed in PLA, 0.2 layer height. No supports.

Helpful Tip: Remove the battery when not in use. The 'Off' button only turns off the LCD display. The rest of the circuitry remains powered, causing the battery to deplete prematurely.

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