Centering Cone For Manual Tire Changer

prusaprinters

December 2023:I've learned that there are now metal cones available on Amazon for as low as 15 bucks!This model is still a viable option if you are in a time pinch, or have some spare filament and don't care to have a metal cone.October 2023:I've used it tons of times now, and it's still working just fine. Forming rings on the back where the post screws down onto it, but not a problem yet.If you're a DIYer, and rarely need to install/replace tires, then I'd say this should be perfect! If you're a shade tree mechanic, then spring for a metal one, cause this would probably wear out in a year or two.Original post:(April 2021) Hello! This is an alternative to the all aluminum centering cone you can find on eBay from lucid_autowerks or kbjunlimitedcom, for manual tire changers like the one sold by Harbor Freight. (Including the HF one of course)Being 3d printed, it of course will not be as strong as the metal ones, nor will it last as long. But if you rarely need to change your tires, then it should last a while. And you could just reprint it when the time comes.Please measure your center post. It should be Juuust under 42mm. If it is, then this should fit fine. The internal diameter of the cone is 43mm. A little tight, but I wanted to make sure the wheel would be as centered as possible. I have included the Fusion360 file, should you need to edit anything.This should fit wheels with a minimum of 55mm center hole, and maximum of 78mm. Edit the sketch should you need a different range. A wheel spacer will be needed for bigger bore wheels. (Or anything that can be used to lift the wheel from the tire changer's base plate, so the cone engages the center bore fully. Such as a roll of tape)I recommend printing with pretty high infill, and a pattern that would give support to sideways pressures. (So, not concentric infill)A minimum of 5 walls is recommended, so the center post screw can have a good place to put pressure on. But if you want to go thinner, get a gigantic washer or make a metal plate that can go onto the flat face of the cone. This is so that the pressure from the post can be evenly distributed over the printed face. Resolution:I did 0.3mmInfill: ≥70% (Might be fine at lower infill, but might as well go for strength on the first try)