Locking ThumbWheels and 3-Point Hot Bed Leveling

thingiverse

For the first few months of my 3D printing venture, I was constantly chasing a hot bed level that I could never accurately repeat. Then, just over two months ago, I changed my Hot Bed mounting from four points to three points, aligned my frame in the process, then leveled and locked the hot bed. I no longer need an auto-leveling sensor to compensate for misalignment because my printer foundation is perfect. Now folks, 3-point mounting the hot bed is not my idea: I just implemented it on my printer. It's truly worth the change. In conjunction with that change, I designed some new thumbwheels to my specifications. The upper thumbwheel has a recess in its upper face to allow the wheel to get as close to the hot bed as possible, keeping your bed off stilts. There is a small flange on the bottom face which serves as a standoff from the Y plate. The lower wheels have the same standoff flange. The flanges of both thumbwheels fit against the Y plate. They are as thin as I could get them and still support an M3 Nyloc nut with some backing. The wheels have Nyloc nuts in them, so when leveled and tightened, the hot bed stays where it is. I haven't touched a leveling thumbwheel since I changed two months ago, and my bed is still level and locked. I simply level the X axis and print. I don't expect to have to touch any of them unless something breaks or loosens. Now, when all is said and done, if you only currently level the X axis and print, you can ignore this. But if not, and you're sick of chasing a bed level, read on. I've included a PDF document that I authored, which introduces you to your 3D printer from a different perspective: simple geometry. It's based on personal experience and acquiring information from various sources. This document provides a solid overview of the hows and whys of three-point mounting, and its benefits. When you know why something works the way it does, no one needs to teach you which button to push; you already know. I urge all of you who are still four point mounted to give this a good read. As a good friend used to say to me, "Don't be afraid!" Come step into a world where you level your hot bed once, and it stays that way. And for those of you with Maker Select V2 printers who have read the PDF, please see my thing on Thingiverse. It's a good X-level spacer that works perfectly every time. STL, STEP, and SLDPRT files are included. Have at it! If you would be so kind, please post your makes. Thank you!