Alternative Plunger for 20mm Syringe

thingiverse

Having used my solder paste syringe for roughly two and a half months, the plastic plunger finally gave way under the immense pressure needed to push it through small gauge needles, which also caused it to shift sideways with alarming ease - a clear indication that it was woefully inadequate for long-term use. This meant that I had to replace it with a sturdier steel shaft, onto which I would attach custom-designed elements created using 3D printing technology. Since most of these devices are designed for single-use only, it's inevitable that they will eventually break - and often at the deliberately weakened point where they're meant to fail. I understand the reasoning behind this design choice: it's likely intended to prevent people from misusing the syringe by attempting to re-use it after it has broken. However, my purpose for using the syringe is quite different - I need it to apply solder paste to a printed circuit board and complete a soldered circuit. When the plunger finally gave way, I was left with a nasty cut on my left palm (as seen in the accompanying photo), which served as a stark reminder of the safety issues associated with using these single-use plungers with excessive force. This is a risk that others may also need to consider if they're still relying on the same old design. To alleviate this problem, I created a syringe holder that allows users to hook their thumb over the rounded handle and rotate it to suit, providing a larger gripping area where pressure can be applied. By doing so, the comfort level is greatly increased, making it easier to use the syringe with small gauge needles without experiencing undue strain on the hand. As a result, I've developed a more comprehensive solution that addresses this issue head-on, providing users with a safer and more comfortable experience when working with solder paste syringes.