M5 "Locking" Wingnut

thingiverse

Human: Wasn't thrilled with the available wingnut designs for an M5 nut, so I created my own. EDIT: Added a low profile version for bolts that might not quite reach full size and also included a version with softer rounded knurls. The opening for this nut is super tight, so I heated it up using a butane torch and then carefully pushed it into place. Unfortunately, you can see from the photo that I ended up pushing it in a bit too far. The melted plastic (I used ABS in my case) helps secure the nut firmly in place and offers another benefit – as the bolt goes through it, the plastic gets bunched up at the base of the nut, creating an extra-strong locking effect. My top tip for this process is to attach the nut to the end of a bolt and heat it, then carefully push the nut into position until it's flush with the surface. I've also found that placing a hot nut in its desired spot, flipping it over onto a non-flammable flat surface, and gently pressing the wingnut down onto the nut yields the best results so far. When initially attaching a bolt to the nut, you'll have to work it through until the hole is clear, but the locking effect will remain even afterwards. The knurls on this part are designed to withstand decent torque without failing. M5Knob.stl offers sufficient clearance for a smooth fit when positioning the nut correctly – if done properly, there's no risk of the bolt rubbing against the sides. On the other hand, M5knoblock.stl features a tighter passage, which causes the bolt to rub up against the edges as it's pushed through. This further amplifies the "locking" effect I mentioned earlier. Print Settings Rafts: Don't matter what settings you use. Supports: Not required at all Infill: At least 25% infill for the firmest results – I went with 25% and found it was just right for me.