Hand Tools
Hand tools for 3D printers that earn their place on the bench: anti-static stainless steel tweezers, ball-end hex keys in single sizes and Phillips head screwdrivers for printer upkeep, assembly and small repairs.
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Choosing hand tools for 3D printers
Most bench jobs that are not printing come down to gripping small things, turning hex screws and turning Phillips screws. The three tools on this page cover those jobs. The hex keys and screwdrivers are sold individually, so you can pick the exact sizes your printer and projects use instead of a large set you will only half use.
What each hand tool is for
| Tool | Sizes | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Static Stainless Steel Tweezers Set | See product page | Handling small electronics, pulling strings and ooze from the nozzle, placing nuts and small parts |
| Individual Hex Key Wrench Ball-End | 1.3, 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5mm (ball end on 2mm to 5mm) | Hex socket screws on printer frames, hotends, extruders and printed assemblies |
| Phillips Head Screwdriver | PH00 (2x75mm), PH0 (3x75mm), PH1 (5x100mm), PH2 (6x100mm) | Phillips screws, including our stainless steel countersunk screws |
Using tweezers, hex keys and screwdrivers
Anti-static tweezers
These tweezers are stainless steel and resistant to static electricity, which makes them a sensible choice around mainboards, sensors and small connectors. They are also the safer way to deal with a hot nozzle: pull strings, blobs and ooze away with the tips rather than your fingers, and keep your hand well clear of the heater block. Our 3D printing safety warnings are worth a read too.
Ball-end hex keys
A ball end engages a hex socket at an angle, so you can reach screws behind a fan shroud, under a gantry or inside a printed enclosure where a straight key will not line up. The ball end is on the 2mm to 5mm sizes and the keys are made from S2 steel. Use the straight end for final tightening, because it sits fully in the socket and is less likely to round it out.
Phillips screwdrivers
Match the driver to the recess in the screw head. A tip that is too small cams out and chews the head, while one that is too large never seats properly. The four sizes were picked to suit the stainless steel countersunk screws in our fastener range, from PH00 for the smallest heads up to PH2.
Buying hand tools for 3D printers from OzFDM
Since the keys and drivers are sold one size at a time, it is easy to add the one you are missing to a filament or fastener order. We dispatch from Perth and Melbourne, and orders over $299 ship free Australia-wide after discounts, excluding PO Boxes.
Hand tool FAQs
Which hex key sizes do I need for my printer?
It depends on the screws your printer and parts use, so check the socket in the screw head or your printer manual before you buy. Most makers end up needing several sizes, which is why these keys are sold individually in 1.3, 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5mm. Buy the sizes you actually use now and add others as projects need them.
Can I use tweezers to clean strings off a hot nozzle?
Yes, and they are far safer than fingers for it. Grab the string or blob from the side, pull it away from the nozzle and drop it clear of the build plate. Do not rest the tips against the nozzle, as the steel will heat up quickly. For baked on residue, a brass wire brush from our maintenance range does a better job.
Why choose a ball-end hex key over a standard one?
A ball end can still turn a screw when the key is tilted, which helps when a fan duct, frame member or printed part blocks a straight approach. It is also quicker for spinning screws in and out. For the final tightening, flip to the straight end, which seats fully in the socket and puts less stress on the screw head.