Vortex Z Knob

myminifactory

This is matching a Z Knob to my Vortex Extruder Knob, allowing me to spin the Z axis rod to raise and lower the X gantry for nozzle checks. Most of the time, I'll be raising up, so I've added claws on the knob to make it easy to turn clockwise. I printed this in PLA with a filament change to create a 2-color knob. You can also print it solid in one color if you prefer. There are two versions included: normal and extended. The Extended version provides extra clearance over the top brace, while the normal one works well when keeping your filament holder up top. I kept the threads fairly deep so that I can screw the knob to any length I want. To keep it secure, I recommend stuffing something in the cavity to prevent the knob from screwing further than desired. The thread tolerance is fairly tight to prevent the knob from getting loose and unscrewing itself. If it's too tight to screw on, I suggest heating up the tip of the Z rod with a lighter and then screwing the knob on - essentially heat-setting it into place. This will ensure a perfectly tight fit. Try it out and see how it works for you.