Ratchet Thumb screw lever handle - Metric (M3 to M10) with stand-off

6 RATCHET THUMB-LEVER HANDLES - METRIC SIZES - M3, M4, M5, M6, M8 AND M10 - with STAND-OFF

Ratchet lever thumb screws are an indispensable item for many jigs and builds. They are pleasant to use, convenient and are a must if space is constrained. Simply lift the handle to disengage and it can then rotate freely. These handles are perfect to be used in applications requiring frequent and quick adjustments and when working in confined areas.

I have used ratchet lever thumb screws with jigs and fixtures but the store-bought ones tend to be pricey. I searched to find a 3d print of these but could not find one so I decided to design them. It took some thinking to come up with a workable design and then some testing time and many prints to get the right tolerances and sizes. I would appreciate feedback that I could use to improve the design and printing of these.

Presently, I have made sets for metric and imperial and with and without out a stand-off. The stand-off is a bit of extra length to provide more clearance for movement.

This is a metric set and includes M3, M4, M5, M6, M8 AND M10 sizes. It will require the corresponding metric Hex cap screw. These also have a stand-off at the tip to provide extra clearance.

Printing these require a precise 3d printer. I set mine at 0.12 mm and print them upright. You want to print these using a high-quality setting. Also, support is required, and I strongly recommend using Tree – slim support as it worked best. Normal support did not give good results.
Also, the tolerances are tight, so some wiggling is required after printing to separate the handle from the body. Once the handle loosens up a bit it moves freely and is easy to use. Also make sure to remove all the support material. The Hex cap screw should fit tightly in the socket but if it doesn’t just add a few drops of cyanoacrylate glue or epoxy.

I have printed these in PLA and PETG. PETG seems to work best but I found some variable in the prints due to filaments. A bit of trial and error with the filament may be needed.