Sanding 3D Prints Like a Pro: The Tool That Saves Time and Effort
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- For months, I've received messages asking, 'What's the name of the sanding tool behind your smooth 3D prints?' 🛠️✨ I totally get the curiosity - achieving that flawless finish can be a game-changer for any 3D printing enthusiast.
In this video, I'm revealing the exact tool I use to transform my rough prints into professional-looking 3d prints. I'll break down not just what the tool is, but how I use it, and why it's become an absolute game-changer in my workflow.
Whether you're a 3D printing beginner or a seasoned pro looking to elevate your finishing game, this video is packed with practical, actionable insights that will help you level up your 3d prints quality.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below! I'm always happy to help fellow 3D printing enthusiasts.
🛒 Amazon links for the tools mentioned in this video are available in the description below.
Proxxon 28594 pen sander PS13 12-volt device with sanding inserts and sandpaper
amzn.to/3Bd4dw2
Proxxon 28707 Micromot power supply NG2/E transformer with speed control 230 volts AC alternating current to 12 volts DC direct current
amzn.to/41kjOV7
3M Soft Pads, Pack of 5, Sanding Sponge, Sanding Pad, Sanding and Polishing, Wet or Dry Sanding, Foam Pads, Washable and Reusable, Grit: Medium, Fine, Super Fine, Ultra Fine, Microfine
amzn.to/4fkbQPn
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Music track by
The Gentlemen by @DivKid
Here's a PRO tip:
@ 3:02 you mention that hot glue might be hard to remove.
Solution is to use few drops of alcohol.
It seeps under the glue and loosens it almost immidiatly.
I usually use 90% - 100% concentration alcohols and
Both ethyl and isopropyl alcohols will work.
Enjoy
Now that's a superb tip! Thank you so very much! That's the only part I find annoying in this process! Thank you!
You can use a velcro on the tips. Put a bigger velcro on the sponge and cut it together. So it´s easyer to remove and you can change between grid.
Yeah you can, but I usually use them until they are done, so I would prepare 8 tips glue them, sand all the parts in that session and throw them away and then once I move to another grit I'll glue the new ones.
I bought a mini sander pen after watching one of your videos a while ago! Makes sanding so much faster, 10/10 recommend! 😊
So happy to hear that! Thank you!
Loving where your going here. Haven't been this excited to talk tools, and techniques since art school. And it never took a bend towards the maker world. In for the long haul.
Your comment put such a big smile on my face, thank you so much for the kind words, I was so on the fence if I should record this video. Thank you so very much!
You are killing it with this Channel, Oasim. I have been following for a long time and I’m impressed with everything you have been doing. Keep the good job!
Thank you so very much with the kind words, I am trying my best to get more comfortable in front of the camera and to share more behind the scenes!
How I got around the grit paper issue: Take a velcro strap, dip it in acetone. this instantly gets the cloth side off the velcro. Then cut the velcro to the desired shape and super glue it to the tools vibrating end. Then I get sanding pads for orbital sanders. They come in many different grits. They also have a side that clings to the velcro really well. I also use this same method on sanding sticks I 3D printed.
NIce, thank you for sharing that! I need to give that a try!
Many tools made for shaping and sanding fingernails can be repurposed for smoothing 3D prints. I have a battery-powered sander that came with 3 different grit replaceable heads. I use double-sided carpet tape to attach emery cloth sandpaper of various grits over the old worn heads. I think I bought 10 units when I saw them at a Dollar Tree many years ago but I'm still using the original unit which still works great.
Yes, I agree, I used one of those, but they aren't strong enough and if you sand 40 pieces in one session it wasn't working for me. But talking about nail salon tools, I got a really nice sanding vacuum and it just changed the way I work. one of the things I hated about the mini sander is the amount of dust it made and I had to wear a mask, with the new vacuum it's just fun to work now, I'll make a video on that one soon.
Proxxon also sells a foot pedal you can plug ahead of the transformer to turn the whole thing on and off as needed. First got one as part of their hot wire foam cutter for dioramas and then bought another one for this use case.If you'Re crazy like me, you can even print additional custom-shaped tips for things that pop up on your projects regularly.
That's very good to know! I was thinking about designing and 3d printing custom shaped tips to fit some special scenarios, like maybe a curved one for dome shaped pieces, or maybe even a larger one for larger pieces!
@@karmieh There's already files for spare tips on Thingiverse to get you started. That way you already have the collet piece and just need to add the custom tips for your own variants.
Perfect timing for this video. Thanks!
Happy to help!
I also got one of these a couple years ago but it ended up unused for a long time as I really didn't like how the pads it comes with almost immediately wear through to the plastic arm. Then I tried putting some regular sandpaper on with some of that thick double-sided foam tape and that really made a huge difference. It seems like a bit of cushioning is key.
Yes, exactly what happened to me, I bought it and used it like 2 times and then I had to find a solution and yes cushioning is key, I found this company called Micro Mark they also sell sanding sponges cut into those shapes micromark.com/products/sanding-sponge-square-120-grit-10pcs?pr_prod_strat=pinned&pr_rec_id=1c873f003&pr_rec_pid=8002233270443&pr_ref_pid=8002234515627&pr_seq=uniform but 10$ for 10 pieces is ridiculous, I go through 20 pieces sometimes in a session, imagine spending 20$ for a sanding session.
Thanks, I wasn't aware of this tool and it looks ideal, used your link to buy and subbed also 👍
Thank you so very much! I can't wait to hear what you think of the tool!
Thank you my friend for this tips !!! Really usefull. Take care.
Thank you!
The yellow knob on your transformer is loose and shouldn't be. It might have a missing or broken nut that makes it loose. And once it's loose like that it's easy for it to break or damage its electrical connection to the circuit board and make the speed control always be at its default setting. It's a relatively easy fix if you're handy with a soldering iron and tearing apart equipment, but it's probably best to have Proxxon fix it if you're not 100% comfortable doing so.
Yeah you are the 2nd person to tell me that. I don't have a soldering iron, and it's out of warranty so I'll keep using it like this, cause I am planning to grab another model from a new company I have found, maybe ai can get them to send me one so I can review it!
I keep saying your channel is way too underrated.
You have always been super kind, thank you so much for your love!
@ Much love!! my friend.
Legend. Thank you bro👊🏽
Thank you! Happy to help!
Love this style of videos 😍
I know right! it cam out pretty nice right??
Thank you! Happy to hear that!!
@@pixelbudah oh absolutely! Cant wait for more 🙌
I had a generic variable power supply on my bench already for electronics work.
I bought the sanding pen a couple of months ago but the Proxon variable power supply seemed vey expensive for what it is so I decided to take chance and run the sander off of my existing power supply.
It works great!
Only thing is, I need to look into a female socket for power. I'm just attaching alligator clips to the sander at the moment.
It might be time to learn some 3D print design so I can just print a female socket.
It's good to know that it works with a generic power supply.
Use existing connectors like XT30, in the tool body (requires modification, cut away the existing cable - the rectangular cut out where cable enters looks like the ideal size for it). Spiral cable is annoying anyhow, replace it with a flexible silicone cable.
@@cromyjr1592 Hmm, that's interesting, and yes Spiral cables are annoying!!
Just picked one of these up. HA! do you have any reco's on switching out to different sanding grade pads in a project?? LIke when you go from 100 - to 600 - to 1000... Do you replace the sanding pads on the same sanding arm?? put each sanding grade on another sander arm?? Thanks for sharing all your tricks and advice!!! great videos!
I usually glue 8 pieces of the same grit, finish those and then glue the next grit, so I don't have to switch mid session, but if I am doing one piece then yes, I would glue two of each and just switch head while sanding. It comes with many heads in differnt shapes and sizes which I like! Thank you for your kind words!
Helpful video!
Thank you, happy to hear that!
Thank you very much for these tips ❤
Happy to help!
Yoooooo my comment question was used about the sander !!!! 🔥🔥🔥👍🏼
Oh yes!!!
Awesome video. Subbed
Don’t own one but it looks like the knob control is broken. I doubt it should be loose.
Thank you! Yeah, I think you are right, it's out of warranty, so i might try to open it up and see if I can fix it.
Great info thanks 😄👍
Always, happy to help! Lots of love!
Great video mate!
Oh mate! Thank you soooooo very much!! Love ya!!
Lovely!
Thank you :D
Maybe you can stick a piece of 3m hook and loop command strip on the sanding arm. Then you could use any of 3m's hook and loop products and change them easily.
Now that sounds like a great idea, thank you!
Isnt breathing all that resin dust dangerous?
Yes, it is, but this is why you wear a mask and even get an air purifier on while working and I also use a sanding vacuum.
Thanks for your info. I now have some of the 3m pads for my Proxxon sander due to your recommendation. Are you still happy with the Formlabs or do you wish you’d got something more independent? I think you’re locked into their resins etc. I’d love to know your thoughts. Van
Lovely, let me know what you think when you get them! Am I still happy with the Formlabs? Well I just bought the Form 4, I am still happy with them, I know they are more epxnsive and it's a closes system but for what I do It fits perfect, after working for years with small chinese brands of printers and tinkering to get it right, and instaling heaters and worrying if my office is go up in flames cause, I would wake up middle of the night to check on my printers. The fact that I don't have to worry about that makes it worth it. OH and the prints on the form 4! are just wow, you will see more videos with form 4 prints very soon.
@@karmieh hi, yes. I’ve used Elegoo and Uniformation but keep thinking about a Formlabs 4. Is it a useful step forward from the 3 for you? I hope your business is doing well for you as it’s a wonderful thing to be doing “your” thing as much as possible. Van
@@SCULPTURAMA Oh yes, the Form 4 is mind blowing, here is a concrete example which blew my mind, I had a piece that I am currently recording a video, it's a large piece it took 33 hours to print on the form 3, the same exact piece at the same resolution of 50 microns it took 4 hours! 2nd thing, the new resin si way better, easier to sand, prints caome out way smoother and cleaner, and did I mention the speed :D, I know the price is very high and if I wasn't making using it for my client projects I don't know if I would have spent this much money, but damn it's good. Business is doing ok, I have had the good fortune to work on some awesome projects, I am wishing I could do more of my own stuff, more videos, more tutorials and release my Toy Design course, thank you so much for asking!
@@karmieh thanks for letting me know your experience with it. I'm contemplating it as I sell Star Wars sculpts (not done by me I might add but I print currently on a GK Two. I always enjoy watching process videos and love seeing artists workshops. I absolutely love watching yours as there's something meditative about them. Van
@@SCULPTURAMA Happy to help! And thank you so much for the kind words!
It looks like something that would have been sold in 1987.
Ha! Good one, yeah it does look that old!
I know Proxon tools since the mid 90s, they never changed their design 😁
@AndreasKainz hey, if you got a good product why change right ? I've had plenty of "cool" looking tools but they we're sh*t quality. I bought a Wow stick due to Ninjons influence and it crapped out after the first charge. Sent it back for a replacement. This one has so far earned its keep.
@@AndreasKainz I didn't know they were this old!
@@jc7997aj Yes, exactly!