DIY Lulzbot Wiper Pads

thingiverse

You can produce high-quality wiper pads yourself very cost-effectively, as outlined in the Lulzbot whitepapers on producing these essential tools. 1. Buy McMaster part #88085K311 and get ready to start your DIY project. 2. Print out both STL files to create the necessary components. 3. Insert a Stanley "1992" trapezoidal razor blade into the recess of one print, making sure it's securely in place. 4. Clamp the two prints together with 1-3/4" or longer UNF 10-32 screws and hex nuts for added stability. 5. Use shears, scissors, or a hobby knife to cut a precise 3-inch long v-notch in the middle of one end of the felt, taking care not to damage it. 6. Feed the cut end of the felt into the opening in the assembled "Felt Splitter," making sure it's properly seated. 7. Pull the entire spool through the splitter with ease. You now have the raw material needed to make your own wiper pads. The whitepaper explains how to create an ABS sludge by cutting a 3-foot section of ABS filament and submerging it in Acetone for 24 hours, then dipping the felt coils into that solution for 10 minutes per side before letting them dry. Alternatively, you can achieve decent results with simply applying two coats of "Vinyl & Fabric" spray dye, which deposits a thin layer of plastic onto the felt. Using the pads without a coating is also an option if you pair them with a secondary scotchbrite wiper pad. While using bare pads hasn't been ideal, it's still worth trying.