M3 bolt locknut with handle (15mm diameter)

thingiverse

I needed a quick and easy way to level one of my printers, so I designed this locknut M3 bolt handle to do just that job efficiently. It works perfectly for me, and the outside diameter is approximately 15mm, which fits well with my coarse fingers (it also works fine with normal-sized fingers). To assemble the handle, simply insert a M3 nut into the hole, then screw in the M3 bolt, followed by inserting the second M3 nut from the underside of the base. Since there's no hole for the M3 nut on the underside, tighten it carefully to avoid any issues. Next, press or insert the top part (if desired) to close the handle, and you're done. With tolerances taken into account, this design should fit together well. You can use some glue if you'd like. The dimensions for the standard version are 15-16mm in diameter by 15mm high, while the slim version measures 15-16mm in diameter by 9mm high. Printing without support is possible, and I recommend using PLA instead of ABS because this design requires a high level of resolution to print cleanly. You can expect some sanding with ABS prints, but it's not a heavy-duty part - just a thumbscrew. The FreeCAD source code is included if you'd like to customize the design further. This enhancement was created for my other design on Thingiverse: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1504679 You can also Z-scale this design up, but keep in mind that the M3 nut insert will grow accordingly. As a tip, you don't need to destroy the top cap to remove it - simply unscrew the underside M3 nut 15mm, add a second M3 nut as a locknut, and then unscrew the M3 bolt using the locknut, which should push out the cap with its head. Be gentle when tightening the slim version, as it's relatively fragile. Enjoy! UPDATE (24-MAY-2016): I increased the nut diameter to make it easier to insert without needing to press or heat fit it, and tolerances are now better than before. UPDATE (27-APR-2016): Similarly, I increased the nut diameter to prevent any issues with insertion. UPDATE (26-APR-2016): A slim version with a 9mm height has been added for users who prefer a smaller handle. UPDATE (25-APR-2016): Based on feedback from a friend, I included an optional round top model of the handle as well.