Makerpipe mini connectors for bamboo skewers

thingiverse

I'm a big fan of the Makerpipe EMT connector set, and love their mini connectors for prototyping big builds. The original posting of mini connectors had multiple uploads for various connector sizes (to match different stick sizes, coffee stirrer, straws, etc), but the files had a couple of sizing errors, and the upload for Skewers was actually empty. Of course that's the size I most wanted, and anyway I needed a starter project to begin learning my cad software. SO, I've redrawn these from scratch to match (my) bamboo skewers (approx. 1/8" or 3mm diameter). Bamboo skewers provide many construction opportunities that you don't get from straws or other materials. Most notably, they're long compared to their diameter, approx. 9" without the point. This allows for a nearly 1 inch to 1 foot scale models (EMT comes 10' long) when prototyping large builds. Skewer can be trimmed and cut to length with pruning shears, wire cutters, or your filament trimmers. Another advantage is that skewers can be boiled in a pan of water and bent into hoops to mimic greenhouse roofs and other similar builds. I'm convinced this will work, so far my results have been mixed. But here we are. New pieces included in this set (which are not available in Makerpipe's original lineup) are the three adjustable angle clamps (and they WORK!). Also available is a regular flat flange, and less functionally, a caster (for looks only). All adjustable angle pieces print-in-place with an integrated hinge. These have been tuned to my Prusa Mk3, and your mileage may vary. PLEASE NOTE - these are TINY pieces and I've lost many of them to the Great Spaghetti Monster. A clean bed and good first-layer bed adhesion is critical. For all hinged pieces (which have tiny first layer surface area), I used some version of a helper-dot to hold items to the bed. This means two or three hold-downs per printed piece to hold each individual segment. Often I would print a small batch and string them together with a thin 0.2mm tall rectangle to help hold them down. See the Prusa slicer screenshot above for an idea of what I mean. All credit to Makerpipe, <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4629562">linked here</a>, for the original designs. My set are very spare and fit snugly (sometimes too snug) to a bamboo skewer. A small file or some persistent twisting and patience will help with the tight fittings. Or just swap to another skinnier skewer. Enjoy - and happy modeling!