Thing-O-Matic Restoration I found a poor ToM sitting on a shelf that hadn't been used for years. Pieces were missing or broken, and there was a nice layer of dust over everything. I was able to procure it from the previous owner for a very nice price. I plan on building a very large Delta bot in the future (for printing RC airplane wings/airfoils and other large parts), but this would help me on my way. I can even print some pieces I need for my Delta bot with this printer. How I got it: s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('437d380fc89048996a9685759c2dfc91', '/forum/thumbcache/fa2/88b/94d/3b5/083/ef8/a06/6f5/b99/91d/89_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131118132202808_zps018a911a.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131118132202808_zps018a911a.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131118132202808_zps018a911a.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); Tearing it down: s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('4d7a5e1c697221ee4c8ee3c7235f0fd4', '/forum/thumbcache/bb8/10b/11f/196/8d7/8e8/862/ed1/9d3/57b/ba_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131118184852804_zps680ec170.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131118184852804_zps680ec170.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131118184852804_zps680ec170.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('428dc642fb9a105c1ffe0b1b71212abf', '/forum/thumbcache/5f5/763/9de/7e2/eb2/753/994/490/237/2ab/f0_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131118184913785_zps94ac08b8.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131118184913785_zps94ac08b8.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131118184913785_zps94ac08b8.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); I decided to disassemble everything and glue the wooden pieces together that will never need to come apart: s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('a6433a8e998c181f3bccf50f06d6e77e', '/forum/thumbcache/c1b/fc2/e55/e3a/b08/fe6/cf0/c8a/13f/044/79_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131119182245691_zps1d48e6e2.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131119182245691_zps1d48e6e2.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131119182245691_zps1d48e6e2.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('bae739024ed98b6c08eb9abd027403a8', '/forum/thumbcache/e83/4ff/ff0/879/78e/e5b/fa8/414/b00/217/22_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131121103428278_zpsc4fb466c.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131121103428278_zpsc4fb466c.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131121103428278_zpsc4fb466c.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); Build platform had some aluminum and Kapton tape that was all tore up. I took all of that off and replaced it with two criss-crossed rows of Al tape followed up by blue painters tape s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('ef16147d0e42e7bd3257b4ca72f7f1cb', '/forum/thumbcache/503/552/4d6/a07/371/aaf/cb6/20f/732/dcc/fd_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131121111617687_zpsa29f590e.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131121111617687_zpsa29f590e.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131121111617687_zpsa29f590e.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('9c07daa01693df737dfdcef70db89ab1', '/forum/thumbcache/a28/89d/6cd/b04/c86/25b/628/6bf/bd3/235/3b_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131121112822031_zps866df6d6.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131121112822031_zps866df6d6.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131121112822031_zps866df6d6.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); I decided to replace the bronze pressbearings on the X and Y carriages with Delrin pressbearings. I didn't know this, but bronze pressbearings were NOT designed for linear motion. Neither were Delrin, but at least it is a little better than bronze. s663.photobucket.com mod_embed_images_loadimage('f64e51a9f604ee001b6009a14ed6ffe9', '/forum/thumbcache/2ca/b6e/4a2/998/b05/f0e/f2e/ea9/220/98d/17_800x400.png', 'http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu353/MisterBaz/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131127130155951_zps340c64b1.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?4,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi663.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fuu353%2FMisterBaz%2FThing-O-Matic%2FCameraZOOM-20131127130155951_zps340c64b1.jpg', 'http://s663.photobucket.com/user/MisterBaz/media/Thing-O-Matic/CameraZOOM-20131127130155951_zps340c64b1.jpg.html', 272920, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272920#msg-272920 Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:27:01 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,518105#msg-518105 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,518105#msg-518105 wesleytullos Reprappers Fri, 05 Jun 2015 12:37:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,489879#msg-489879 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,489879#msg-489879
Do you guys have any tips for improving the resolution on my ToM prints?

Also, is there anything I should be aware of when updating my firmware to Sailfish 4.1 or above?]]> LiteDesign Reprappers Sat, 28 Mar 2015 17:26:56 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,292084#msg-292084 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,292084#msg-292084

]]> MrBaz Reprappers Thu, 09 Jan 2014 17:20:21 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,291655#msg-291655 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,291655#msg-291655
It is actually printing replacement print bed holders since the ones that are installed are gen1 and measurements are a bit off.


]]> MrBaz Reprappers Thu, 09 Jan 2014 03:04:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,285264#msg-285264 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,285264#msg-285264
Quote
MrBaz

Cool. I'm going to be printing me out an extruder upgrade just like that. I just wanted something better than stock until I replaced it with a bearing/spring-force extruder.
I've since been printing directly on the bed. The raft is just too difficult to remove and leaves a terrible surface.

It took me several days of tweaking to get a good print without the raft.

I found the most critical part is getting the bed super level. I have the HBP and the stock setup with the screws was just not easy to level at all. I used my laser engraver to cut some knobs and used some springs to allow me to easily adjust the level. That was probably the turning point to getting the TOM to create a consistent good print.

Another issue I have with printing directly on the bed, is you have to smash the first few layers to get good adhesion to the bed. That will then cause your part to be a bit wider at the bottom than the intended design. I found when I was creating some bearing spacers and printing directly on the bed, my parts then were a few mm larger on the first 3-5 layers.

I also have a Replicator 2X and the way the rafts on are done on it make it easy to remove the part after the print. However, the bottom of the part does not have the nice smooth bottom.]]> JimFouch Reprappers Fri, 27 Dec 2013 09:40:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,285258#msg-285258 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,285258#msg-285258
Quote
JimFouch
I'm also bringing a TOM back from a long period of inactivity. I bought one used in late 2011 and got frustrated with it after several filament jams and bad prints.

Do yourself a favor and upgrade your extruder with this... [www.ebay.com]

There are other ones you can printout yourself if you want to save a few bucks. Since upgrading to this I have had very few extruder problems. The only time I have jammed was when I had the extruder way too close to the build platform and the filament had no where to go.

Here is a video of mine running after a few weeks of tweaking.... TOM priniting with acceleration on.

Cool. I'm going to be printing me out an extruder upgrade just like that. I just wanted something better than stock until I replaced it with a bearing/spring-force extruder.
I've since been printing directly on the bed. The raft is just too difficult to remove and leaves a terrible surface.]]> MrBaz Reprappers Fri, 27 Dec 2013 09:11:20 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,285158#msg-285158 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,285158#msg-285158
Do yourself a favor and upgrade your extruder with this... [www.ebay.com]

There are other ones you can printout yourself if you want to save a few bucks. Since upgrading to this I have had very few extruder problems. The only time I have jammed was when I had the extruder way too close to the build platform and the filament had no where to go.

Here is a video of mine running after a few weeks of tweaking.... TOM priniting with acceleration on.]]> JimFouch Reprappers Fri, 27 Dec 2013 01:21:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277451#msg-277451 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277451#msg-277451

Looks good!
]]> MrBaz Reprappers Sun, 08 Dec 2013 22:00:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277441#msg-277441 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277441#msg-277441 MrBaz Reprappers Sun, 08 Dec 2013 20:42:29 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277062#msg-277062 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277062#msg-277062
The stock setup has the hobbed pulley arranged such that it is so close to the motor, the set screw is not engaging in the flat area of the motor shaft. I flipped it around and aligned it up so that the set screw now makes use of the flat part of the motor shaft.



I also removed one of the plastic washers. I took the two metal washers and bent them into domes. Now, they act more like a really stiff spring. I know it is nearly impossible to see it in this picture, so I apologize for that.


Well, now you can see a problem. The pulley sticks out on the shaft so now it doesn't clear the aluminum heatsink. I guess I'll have to fix that.


That should do the trick.

By the way, don't try and hold this with your hand while working with power tools. It doesn't end well.

The filament moves MUCH more fluidly than before. It still engages the hobbed pulley so well I get 0 slippage when pulling on it myself with quite a bit of force.

I just tried to print a calibration cube. I now have a higher amount of plastic flow than I did before. Well, back to the drawing board on the calibration sequence!
]]> MrBaz Reprappers Sat, 07 Dec 2013 20:55:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277034#msg-277034 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,277034#msg-277034
Now if anyone knows where I can find a Makerbot Gen4 LCD interface kit, that would be awesome.]]> MrBaz Reprappers Sat, 07 Dec 2013 17:56:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,275843#msg-275843 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,275843#msg-275843
Quote
MrBaz
Since i'm replacing the 17 tooth pulleys with 16 tooth pulleys, I need to change the steps per mm in the firmware somewhere. I'm mainly using ReplicatorG for the Thing-o-Matic. Does anyone know how I can change the stepspermm?

What firmware are you running?]]> NewPerfection Reprappers Wed, 04 Dec 2013 14:27:03 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,275521#msg-275521 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,275521#msg-275521 MrBaz Reprappers Tue, 03 Dec 2013 21:22:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,273830#msg-273830 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,273830#msg-273830 MrBaz Reprappers Fri, 29 Nov 2013 10:18:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272991#msg-272991 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272991#msg-272991 BlackDragon Reprappers Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:59:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272952#msg-272952 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272952#msg-272952 caffeinatedsoap Reprappers Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:30:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272950#msg-272950 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272950#msg-272950 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:26:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272924#msg-272924 Re: Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272924#msg-272924


I did the 5V mod to all the stepper motor drivers (sorry - no pics)
I did a little bit of cable management. I replaced the prefab network cable with a custom cut one for better length (shorter) and more room on the connector ends:



Grounded all of the stepper motors to the power supply to prevent ESD problems.

]]> MrBaz Reprappers Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:15:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272920#msg-272920 Thing-O-Matic Restoration https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,272920,272920#msg-272920
How I got it:


Tearing it down:



I decided to disassemble everything and glue the wooden pieces together that will never need to come apart:



Build platform had some aluminum and Kapton tape that was all tore up. I took all of that off and replaced it with two criss-crossed rows of Al tape followed up by blue painters tape



I decided to replace the bronze pressbearings on the X and Y carriages with Delrin pressbearings. I didn't know this, but bronze pressbearings were NOT designed for linear motion. Neither were Delrin, but at least it is a little better than bronze.

]]> MrBaz Reprappers Wed, 27 Nov 2013 15:05:33 -0500