Transform your gardening and watering setup with this easy-to-print Water Hose Splitter Stl 3d Print design! Instead of struggling with complex setups requiring multiple connectors and extra tubing, this innovative splitter simplifies connecting two drip hoses to a single water source using just two standard hose connectors. This guide will walk you through everything you need to create your own efficient and cost-effective water hose splitter stl 3d print.
Parts You’ll Need for Your 3D Printed Hose Splitter
To bring this water hose splitter stl 3d print to life, gather these readily available components:
- Standard Gardena Style Hose Connectors: You will need two standard hose connectors. These are widely available at most hardware or gardening stores and ensure compatibility with standard garden hoses.
- Rubber Ring from a Male Hose Connector: Salvage a rubber ring from an existing male hose connector. This small but crucial part provides essential sealing to prevent leaks in your water hose splitter stl 3d print system.
- 3D Printing Filament: For the main body and washers, you’ll need specific materials detailed in the print instructions below to ensure durability and water tightness.
3D Printing Instructions for a Watertight Hose Splitter
Achieving a leak-proof water hose splitter stl 3d print relies heavily on correct printing parameters and material choices. Follow these instructions carefully:
Main Splitter Body:
- Material: Opt for robust and water-resistant materials like PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) or ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate). PETG, like the Prusa PETG orange used in the original design, offers a good balance of strength, durability, and ease of printing.
- Seam Position: Crucially, set the seam position to “random”. This scattering of the Z-seam minimizes a continuous line of potential weakness, preventing water from seeping through the layers of your water hose splitter stl 3d print.
- Infill and Perimeters: Prioritize structural integrity and water tightness. Use a high infill percentage and at least 3 perimeters (walls). These settings create a solid, dense structure for your water hose splitter stl 3d print, essential for withstanding water pressure and preventing leaks.
Washers (x2):
- Material: Flexible TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is ideal for the washers. A Shore hardness of 98A, like the Sainsmart TPU used previously, offers the necessary balance of flexibility and sealing capability.
- Quantity: Print two washers. These will be placed over the threads of the hose sockets to create a watertight seal when assembled into your water hose splitter stl 3d print.
Assembly Guide for Your 3D Printed Water Hose Splitter
Putting together your water hose splitter stl 3d print is straightforward. Follow these steps for a secure and leak-free connection:
- Washer Placement: Take the two TPU washers you printed and carefully slide one over the threaded end of each of your standard hose sockets.
- Socket Insertion: Screw the hose sockets, now with washers in place, into the main water hose splitter stl 3d print body.
- Tightening: Tighten the sockets firmly to ensure a good seal. However, be cautious not to overtighten to the point where the TPU washer excessively squishes out, as this could compromise the seal. Aim for a snug fit that provides resistance without extreme force.
- Rubber Ring Installation: Place the rubber ring you salvaged from a male hose connector onto the male connector of your water hose.
- Hose Connection: Connect your hoses to the assembled water hose splitter stl 3d print. You are now ready to utilize your DIY splitter for efficient watering!
Important Note on Washers:
While readily available sealing washers from hardware stores might seem like a convenient alternative, experience has shown they may not always be effective for this application. Specifically, ring washers are prone to squishing out and failing to create a proper seal when the connector is tightened in this water hose splitter stl 3d print design. Printing your own TPU washers as described is highly recommended for optimal performance.
Feedback and Community Engagement
Your feedback is invaluable for improving and refining this water hose splitter stl 3d print design! If you decide to print this model, please consider:
- Leaving a “Like”: Show your appreciation and help others discover this useful design.
- Posting a “Make”: Share photos of your printed and assembled splitter. Let the community see your successful makes!
- Commenting and Rating: Provide constructive criticism, suggestions for improvement, and rate the design based on your experience. Your input helps others understand the print’s performance and guides future iterations.
- Filament Feedback: When posting a “make,” please specify which filament you used. This information is incredibly helpful for others choosing materials for their water hose splitter stl 3d print.
Support the Creator
If you find this water hose splitter stl 3d print design helpful and would like to support future projects and improvements, consider donating a coffee via https://ko-fi.com/antimaterie. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and directly invested in 3D printing resources to create more high-quality models for the community.
Commercial Use Considerations
Please note that, generally, these designs are intended for non-commercial use. If you are a print farm owner or interested in selling prints of this water hose splitter stl 3d print, kindly reach out to discuss commercial licensing options.
Enjoy your efficient and custom-made water hose splitter stl 3d print!
