Long Spacers, or something else?

[HarveyMoon]

It seems like there are a lot of people who switch out the long Nylon spacers with something else.

I have no nylon spacers, so for awhile I was using aluminum tube cut down to size.
This seems like a popular solution:




Alternatively I was thinking of building a little mount that may do the same.

inspired by this mounting solution, I think I want to 3d print one.



I am no good with a Tig, but I have a makerbot so I was thinking of making something like this.

WhitebOard posted about just that :
http://buildlog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1280&p=11187&hilit=nylon+spacers#p11187

I am not sure my maker bot will print that so well, so I was thinking of a solution closer to this:

http://www.ponoko.com/design-your-own/products/nema-17-robust-stepper-motor-mount-universal-7228



I think I am going to throw something together in OpenScad. Has anyone else tried this? files to share?

[RSWeaverAz]

From a pure cost standpoint the 4 metal spacers/standoff's would appear to be the best "Fix". Its a lot stiffer than the original plastic / nylon? spacers provided and can be purchased for several dollars.
I've stopped construction on my Hadron for a bit while I build up a ShapeOko CNC http://www.shapeoko.com/. The ShapeOko's Z-axis used 3/4" long plastic spacers over a 3 mm x 50 mm bolt.
I replaced it with 6 (out of the package of 25) of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/350517960078?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_500wt_1180
The seller is in china, took about 2 weeks ... He also has other lengths than the 25mm. There's also a lot of aluminum spacers on ebay as well. Radio Shack and most electronics stores are a lost cause,
mail order seems to be best way to go. Home Depot and Lowes in the USA may have some offerings, I found some metric 5 mm bolts, nuts and washers there.


Constructing a ABS mount would be a good exercise using the various 3D modeling software's, there's nothing like designing a part, fabricating it, then using it.

[HarveyMoon]

I did end up using aluminum tubing that was easy enough to cut down, not sure if the wall thickness I got is sturdy enough, they also have copper tube at ACE. Conveniently McMaster is in the same state so I can always get parts same day (usually).


Those risers look great! i bought some for the future!

I already have a Makerbot so these parts are easy enough to figure out.
Having a good handle on the SW side is just as important as knowing your machine.

I use openScad and love it!