Tried 3D printing my own chain checker tool and the measurements were way off

I got one of those cheap 3D printers from Micro Center last month and figured I'd save $15 by printing a chain checker from a file I found online. After assembly the 0.75% and 1.0% slots were hitting way too early compared to my Park Tool CC-4, which I've used for years. Anyone else run into issues with printed plastic tools losing accuracy after a few uses?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_robin9d ago

Yeah, the heat from using that tool on a dirty chain is gonna mess with the plastic. I've noticed PLA gets soft around 60C and even a warm drivetrain can push it there after a few minutes of checking. The layer lines also create tiny ridges that grab the rollers, so you're probably getting false wear readings from friction alone. Maybe try annealing the print next time, it helps with flexibility but still won't match a metal tool's consistency.

rowanw919d ago

Man, I have to disagree with you there. I've been printing chain checkers for a couple years now and never had heat issues, even on long rides. The key is using PETG or a good tough PLA, not the brittle stuff. Layer lines can be a problem if you don't sand and polish the tool, but a little work makes it smooth enough. I think annealing is overkill for something this simple, a quick finish pass with fine sandpaper does the job. Plus, the plastic is way cheaper than metal, so I can just print a new one if it wears out. For the price of one metal tool I can make like twenty of these things.