Level for 3D Printer

[dgbreggin]

My grandson recently acquired a 3D printer. He needed a way to roughly level the bed, so he purchased an inexpensive bull's eye level.

The bed gets hot enough to damage the inexpensive plastic level. He asked me to help make a holder for it such that it could be used while the bed is hot. Waiting for the bed to cool, then leveling, then waiting for the bed to warm up again would (understandably) try his patience. My first thought was to use a piece of aluminum round bar and make a recess on the top to hold the level. After further consideration, I figured it would not be good to have a large area of contact with the bed since it would likely make a cold spot. So, I thought I would make a recess on the bottom as well. Then, I figured that 3 small-ish legs would be even less of a heat sink.

Here are pictures of the level on the holder, and the top and bottom ends of the holder.




I used the mini lathe to make the recesses in the top and bottom. I also knurled the outside on the lathe. I drilled a hole in the center to fixture the piece on my rotary table and used the mini mill to cut the legs. (The brass in the center plugs the fixturing hole.)

Here are some pictures of the level and holder in use.




All in all, a fun family afternoon in the shop.