Fully 3D Printed Heat Set Press

*Update Nov 16, 2024: Many asked for a handle design with angled spokes like on a drill press, so I have now added a modified handle design (v4.2) that accepts threaded rods angled at 25 degrees. There are also threaded rods, and rod knobs that go with this version.

I wanted a heat set insert press that didn't require any additional special hardware such as a V rail, T-track or anything else. I designed a rack and pinion style insert press that is entirely 3D printed so you don't need to buy anything extra to get started!

The base is designed with screw holes so that it can be firmly attached to a spare piece of plywood, but it also has leg inserts and provided leg models so that it can be completely standalone as well. 

The carriage system with the pinion gear has pretty tight tolerances with the rack so that the iron translates nice and straight without too much wobble, so you will need to ensure your tolerances are tight with your printer! The carriage is designed to accommodate a soldering iron with a 19mm diameter  (I used this one from Amazon), but there is also a second version for a 17mm diameter iron as well. 

For assembly, print the carriage pieces, two of the V bevel wheels, pinion gear, handle, and nut and assemble the carriage. Insert the bevel wheels on the mounting pegs on the carriage piece, and close up the carriage with the other side using superglue to secure the two sides together. Line up the spur gear and insert the handle through one side of the carriage. Secure the handle with the printed nut and use a small dab of glue on the threads of the handle to ensure the nut does not come unthreaded during operation. The rack is simply a press fit into the base, and same with the legs into the base piece. The soldering iron is secured with a M3 bolt and a M3nS nut (okay, so its not entirely 3D printed…). The carriage assembly simply slides over the top of the rack and should move up and down smoothly by rotating the handle.

All parts were printed in PLA with 3 perimeters and 15% infill and all worked beautifully.