Thumb Wheel for a 1/4 - 20 Nut or Bolt

thingiverse

This is a thumb wheel for 1/4 - 20 nuts and bolts, designed to fit snugly over both. The thumb wheel itself remains unchanged, but the cap for the nut has a slightly shallower profile due to the thicker nut size compared to the bolt head. A through-hole allows threaded rods or bolts to pass right through it. The bolt head or nut will fit tightly in the hexagonal pocket, but might require a gentle tap with a hammer to get started. Once begun, the hardware will easily draw itself through if you temporarily tighten it within a scrap piece of wood featuring a drilled hole. Caps for the thumb wheel are designed to be loose-fitting, intended for gluing into place rather than being an integral part. They're not strictly necessary because the tight fit and natural pull of threads keep everything securely in position during use. If aesthetics matter to you, feel free to glue them in; if not, simply omit this step. For those outside North America: don't worry about imperial measurements – they're widely used here, even in Canada where metric parts can be hard to come by. An M6 hex head bolt might fit the bill for a suitable substitute. Print Settings: Printer Brand: RepRap Printer: Prusa i3 ZRIB Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.3 mm Infill: 20% Notes: The seat for hardware is 3mm thick, so be sure to print five solid layers at the top and bottom to ensure it prints solidly. Otherwise, tightening the wheels might deform the part. Post-Printing: Glue caps in place – any strong adhesive will do. I personally used epoxy, but feel free to choose your preferred method; it won't affect the structural integrity of the thumb wheel.