Heat Set Insert Press

thingiverse

We're building a rig for installing heat set inserts with precision using a tip that makes perfectly straight inserts with ease! Check out our learn guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/heat-set-rig/ and project video: https://youtu.be/bbsD-3_AP_0. When working with 3D printed parts, this press comes in handy for installing inserts. It holds a soldering iron vertically, allowing you to press down perfectly straight. The tip of the iron heats up the brass and softens the plastic, making it easy to push the insert into place. Once it cools down, it's locked in. This rig makes installing inserts feel effortless – the linear motion is incredibly smooth! While we may have over-engineered this build, folks will find it useful. The rig is modular and uses common hardware, so you can remix and modify the 3D printed parts to work with other components. There's a learn guide for this project, too, so you can build your own. Holding the iron straight seems simple enough, but a regular soldering iron tip's conical shape can catch the insert and accidentally pull it out while melting the plastic – which can sometimes ruin parts. Here are some recommended tools: Soldering Iron 60W: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3685 Heat-Set Installation Tips: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4239 2020 Aluminum Extrusion: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1221 M4 button head screws: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1160 M4 Slim T-Nuts: https://www.adafruit.com/product/1157 Stickvise PCB vise: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3197 Soldering Tips for Heat Set Inserts: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4239 Inventor II 3D Printer: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3897 Filament for 3D Printers: https://www.adafruit.com/product/2080