Thread Cutting Die Handle 30mm F3D

thingiverse

Handle for 30mm thread cutting die. I needed to create a large number of parts that use a M10 x 1.5 thread. This design holds a 30mm M10 cutting die I purchased on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081T2ZJ26]. The die is designed to be fitted into a T-handle tool holder to provide the leverage necessary to tap metal parts. My die handle is made for a slightly smaller die. Because I would be cleaning up plastic threads, a simpler 3D printed tool holder would do the job. The design was done in Fusion 360 and all dimensions are set as parameters. The die is designed to be held in place with 4 screws. I chose to use some M5 grub or set screws I had on hand. Any M5 x .8 x 15mm (or longer) screw should work fine. While it is possible to print screw threads from a Fusion 360 design, it really works best with larger / vertical threads. This design prints four unthreaded holes and expects the threads to be cut with a M5x.8 tap. Metal screw into plastic? This is not an ideal match. DO NOT overtighten ;) Why this tool? FDM printing Internal (female) threads will introduce you to something call "horizontal expansion". It tends to produce holes a bit smaller that designed. You "can" compensate for this in your design or your slicer. But, given the variability introduced by the particular filament, printing temp, printing speed, etc. you can expect a print-adjust-repeat cycle. My choice is to come close and run a ream or a tap to cleanup the hole/threads. I use low cost hex drive drill & tap bits. This tool will be used to clean up "external" threads (male) that are cut or cleaned up with a die as pictured inside this handle. Cutting dies are often sold in sets and my SAE set came with a handle. All dies in the set can be mounted in the same handle. When I ordered a M10 die for this printing project I just expected it to fit my handle. It did not :( A separate handle almost made the cost of the needed M10 die more than a small set. Ordering / exchanging would take days. Massive leverage was not needed; just a solid grip. So... 3D printing to solve a 3D printing problem :)