Tapping Guide (M5) for OpenBuilds V-slot

thingiverse

I'm constructing a D-Bot printer; this one: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1001065. I'm utilizing V-Slot extrusions from OpenBuilds for the frame. When it was time to tap the extrusions for M5 screws, I needed something to help me keep my non-self-guiding taps straight. This was my solution and it worked very well: a guide for an M5 tap. It slips onto the end of the V-Slot extrusion and you insert your tap and start. I generally let it get going, then pull the tap, remove the guide, and finish without it - you need to back out a bit every couple of turns to clear the waste and keep the tap from jamming. Once you get the tap started, you don't need the guide anymore. I used the profile http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:884966 created by SanderSae for the extrusion shape. I reworked some values so I could difference() the shapes to get the correct profile for the slot inserts. Thanks to SanderSae. Print Settings Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: I printed at .30, but there's no real detail that requires anything finer Infill: 20% is fine Notes: Build it in any material you want. It doesn't have to be very strong because it's just a guide and you shouldn't be putting any pressure on it when you're using it.