3DR Part Sourcing Hi, I've built two 3D printers from kits, and now I'd like to build a RichRap 3DR delta printer from scratch. My question is about sourcing of the smooth rods. I have two questions: 1. Do these need to be stainless steel or just steel (such as drill rods)? 2. Where is a good source for 6mm smooth rod? It looks like the standard 3DR needs a total of 6 smooth rods, each 450mm long. If I went with 400mm instead of 450mm, McMaster has steel rods at $10.38 each, while stainless steel is $25.53 each. I also found some drill rods on eBay that are 36" long and are $10 each. Thanks, -- John https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243537#msg-243537 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 01:42:23 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,272670#msg-272670 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,272670#msg-272670 caffeinatedsoap Delta Machines Wed, 27 Nov 2013 09:17:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,272249#msg-272249 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,272249#msg-272249
My test springs were from an old spring-kit sold here in the UK (Maplin) for a few £ the set.]]> richrap Delta Machines Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:57:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,270197#msg-270197 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,270197#msg-270197
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caffeinatedsoap
Does anyone know where to get the anti-backlash springs he uses on the extruder arms?

I bought mine at a local hardware store called Elliotts Hardware in Dallas, TX. The number was like 178 or something like that. Most hardware stores carry a bunch of different sizes, and you can easily compare the sizes to find the right dimension. It would be nice to know RichRaps exact source though as the springs i used may have been too tight or not tight enough.]]> CidVilas Delta Machines Thu, 21 Nov 2013 12:18:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,270013#msg-270013 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,270013#msg-270013
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caffeinatedsoap
Does anyone know where to get the anti-backlash springs he uses on the extruder arms?
Use rubberbands?]]> TheTechnicalNoob Delta Machines Thu, 21 Nov 2013 01:50:10 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,269522#msg-269522 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,269522#msg-269522 caffeinatedsoap Delta Machines Tue, 19 Nov 2013 23:10:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,245446#msg-245446 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,245446#msg-245446 JohnSL Delta Machines Sun, 15 Sep 2013 01:33:13 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,245347#msg-245347 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,245347#msg-245347 maboo Delta Machines Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:28:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,244364#msg-244364 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,244364#msg-244364


I'll need to redesign the top pieces, and the carriages, but I should be able to use all the other pieces without change.
]]> JohnSL Delta Machines Wed, 11 Sep 2013 00:09:52 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243743#msg-243743 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243743#msg-243743 www.ebay.com]

Or VXB has LM6UU's for less than $7 each: [www.vxb.com]

Going to 8mm rods and LM8UU's is another option, just make sure that you are able to modify everything to work, such as the carriages.]]> NewPerfection Delta Machines Sun, 08 Sep 2013 15:51:54 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243689#msg-243689 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243689#msg-243689
Now for my next question. I'm thinking of switching the rods from 6mm to 8mm for two reasons. First, I'm planning to use the parts from my Printrbot Simple to build the 3DR, and it has 8 LM8UU bearings in it, which means I wouldn't have to buy any bearings. Second, it seems like LM6UU bearings are hard to get here in the US at a reasonable cost. The 6mm bearings seem to be 5-10 times more expensive than the 8mm bearings. Is there a good source for LM6UU bearings in the US? Or should I just change the design to use 8mm rod?]]> JohnSL Delta Machines Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:21:26 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243544#msg-243544 Re: 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243544#msg-243544 NewPerfection Delta Machines Sun, 08 Sep 2013 02:31:55 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243537#msg-243537 3DR Part Sourcing https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,243537,243537#msg-243537
I've built two 3D printers from kits, and now I'd like to build a RichRap 3DR delta printer from scratch. My question is about sourcing of the smooth rods. I have two questions:
    1. Do these need to be stainless steel or just steel (such as drill rods)?
    2. Where is a good source for 6mm smooth rod?
It looks like the standard 3DR needs a total of 6 smooth rods, each 450mm long.

If I went with 400mm instead of 450mm, McMaster has steel rods at $10.38 each, while stainless steel is $25.53 each. I also found some drill rods on eBay that are 36" long and are $10 each.

Thanks,
-- John]]> JohnSL Delta Machines Sun, 08 Sep 2013 01:46:24 -0400