Screwing 3D printed parts together

[parkview]

This was listed on a recent 3D printer blog last week. I didn't keep the original site URL, perhaps it was via Adafruit?

Basically the idea is that you purchase special brass threaded insert that you either press into a specially printed hole with the correct dimensions, or you use a solder4ign iron to heat up another type of threaded brass insert into the 3D printed hole.

You can see a quick demo of the two techniques here:

http://blog.stratasys.com/2014/08/26/3d ... ds-screws/

You can buy them from here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#=thohec

I haven't been able to find an Australian or an AliExpress supplier. Some get close, but don't have the 2-3mm range of inserts I require.

[Jubbp]

Is this on the right track?

https://www.totalfasteners.com.au/part/ ... d-20-33-m4

[Jubbp]

More googling found these guys,

http://www.microfasteners.com.au/miniature-fasteners/

[parkview]

http://www.microfasteners.com.au/miniature-fasteners/

while these are great people, they only do basic nuts and bolts. I purchased my stash of 1.6-3mm nuts of bolts from them. They don't do any insets.

[parkview]

Is this on the right track?

https://www.totalfasteners.com.au/part/ ... d-20-33-m4

Yes, might be. I called them today for a quote. Turns out they can't sell to WA. Even their phone number doesn't work. I rang the website guy who gave me the correct phone number. I suggested that he update the website, but was told it's too difficult, even after mentioning that effectively he will get all the WA people calling him... Hmm.

Moving on, I had to call Blackwoods: http://www.blackwoods.com.au/ who resale to WA. They don't sell Inserts either, but are going to see if they can find an Australian distributor of them. Otherwise, I guess we just import from the USA McMasters website.

[seaton]

I bought mine from my usual place - aliexpress.com if you need some let me know and I can give them to you next time we meet. I've only got the M3 ones

Honestly buying from aliexpress for fasteners is THE most cheapest way, I can get 100 of any for about $7-17 that price also includes postage to Australia, I spent a couple of hundred dollars and decked out most sizes I thought I'd use of M2, M3, M4, some M5 mainly in CapScrews (and others CSK etc), nuts, and nylocks, mostly in stainless. I would always hate having to try and find screws and Bunnings never have anything that small.

This is the store I've used and they are reliable and bought from them a number of times. the only downside with any store on Ali is the delivery time, and can take from a couple of weeks to a month, but if you plan ahead then not a problem.

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/219903

Stephen...

[parkview]

By the way, don't bother trying to purchase the above mentioned parts from McMaster-Carr. I received this nice little blurb from them:

"Due to the complexity of US export regulations, McMaster-Carr only accepts international purchases from our established international customers"

To which I replied that I would then purchase via China.