New 3D-Printed 944 Timing Belt Tensioner Tool

[brooklyn944]

This is truly next level! I wish this was around when I first did my belts. I'll definitely print one off to have around and check the tension with every now and then.

[aerolithe]

I try to fine this file could somebody send it to me at marcandre.gosselin@gmail.com
Thanks in advance

[dkofearl]

I’m eager to try this little gem out. Thank you again, Tom, for your gifts to your Porsche community. I’m looking for a local source to print this, though I would be happier buying one that you made. Thanks, Earl

[Nick.k]

post to download files

[Tom]

I’m eager to try this little gem out. Thank you again, Tom, for your gifts to your Porsche community. I’m looking for a local source to print this, though I would be happier buying one that you made. Thanks, Earl

If you don't need it right away, I'm happy to print you one. Some of those 3D services charge crazy money, although they also tend to have super nice printers that made professional looking parts. If you go that route, pick a material and specs for a strong and rigid print. I am experimenting with NylonX right now (nylon with carbon fiber in it). It's a serious pain to work with, but crazy strong stuff....

[Tom]

Working on printing these in NylonX, which is a carbon fiber infused nylon material that is super strong (and light). I tried every trick in the book but it was still warping as it printed, so eventually added a custom brim to the model itself. The problem with a normal brim done by the slicer is that it can still bend and allow the corners to pull up. The custom brim adds little rebars so the brim can't bend. If anyone might find the super-brim model helpful, let me know and I can post it here.

The custom brim and getting the enclosure as hot as I could (92F) allowed me to make my first good tool in CF. I'll see if I can get the technique down so I can print them for others, because this stuff is crazy strong. I printed this with 50% infill and it's just way stiffer and stronger than 100% ABS. Tested it on the motor and it works just like the ABS version, with no signs of the socket port distorting or rounding out.

nylonx-tool.jpg

tool-with-built-in-powerbrim.jpg

tool with powerbrim.jpg

[dkofearl]

So very thoughtful of you, Tom. And no, I’m not in a particular hurry, though I have several early and late cars that I would like to change rollers and belts (maybe H2O pumps) before I eventually sell them. I bought them with no definitive maintenance paperwork some years back before I retired and still had $ and now feel a moral obligation to prospective buyers. Please let me know how I might send compensation to you (Venmo, AppleCash, PayPal, or whatever). Thank you again,
Earl

[dkofearl]

Just a quick thought, is polycarbonate an option? Used to cover leaded glass church windows with Lexan in a former life. Seemed easy to work with and really tough. Would submit this with great humility. Earl

[Black944 turbo]

Looks like a great tool and would be interested in trying it out.

[Tom]

I've been working on making my Lulzbot more capable of consistently printing NylonX without warping, etc. Going to make a test print today (with no brim) to see if I'm making progress. NASA modified an earlier version of my printer in 2016 for this same purpose, so I am largely trying to follow their footsteps with a heated enclosure, filament dryer, etc. Stay tuned. Here is the NASA's playbook I'm trying to follow....

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20170000214