New Project: Oil Filter Drain Tool

[Rajini98]

Basically, I wanted to try and make this tool with CAD and use the printer at my school to make it. I dont have the exact dimensions of the filter housing nipple, threads, etc yet so this is just a rough draft. The specs of the plastic the printer uses say the part should remain rigid up to 204*F at 66psi so while hot oil is not within spec, I can always drain it while the engine is cold

The reason I wanted to make it was since I plan on getting the fumoto drain valve for my next oil change and not needing a drain pan for oil changes would be a major plus.

If it fits when I'm finished and people are interested, I can upload the file so that others can use it.

.STL files:
Original drain tool that I know works

Drain tool with less material

 

[Rajini98]

Final draft(bottom is the same):

Edit: price to print was $7.14. In queue to print

 

[Emercado]

let me know how well it works. I might be interested in buying one off of you if it does what it needs to efficiently.

 

[Rude Jr]

Sub'd

 

[Rajini98]

let me know how well it works. I might be interested in buying one off of you if it does what it needs to efficiently.

I would make a few more if others wanted to buy one, but I'm graduating in 2 weeks and the printers are only available to students and faculty. I'll post the STL file so that you can have it printed by some 3d printing service but I cannot become a distributor.

I did this because I find 3D modeling enjoyable and wanted that accomplished feeling of making something that's practical to my needs. Since there are very few 3rd party 3D printing services available that are cost effective, here's a cheap alternative to OEM: http://www.mobilfaction.com/products.html

 

[jdiaz]

If its not too late, add fillets at the base of the walls where the threaded section meets the larger section with the wrench flats. Actually, build it up as much as you can, because otherwise there will be stress concentrations at those sharp corners, and you might twist the thing right off while the threaded section is still stuck in the oil filter housing.

 

[Rajini98]

Good call on the fillets but the design is already in(I'm EE, what do I know about structural design?). I did simulate stress and there shouldn't be any issues as long as everything is hand tight. We wont know for sure though until it's in my hands. As for adding material for more support, I gave myself around 1mm of space around the walls just to make sure that the part clears all of the extrusions from the filter housing. If I added more, there was a chance my part wouldn't fit. If I can test in time for another rev, I'll see what changes I can make if breaking the part is likely.

The printed model will be solid ABSplus, not crappy PLA: http://edge.rit.edu/content/P10022/public/supporting_docs/ABSplus_Data_Sheet.pdf

 

[Rajini98]

Here it is.

EDIT: ended up testing it just now. It works great!. Minimal stress on the threads/cylinder and oil flows right out. I wasn't changing my oil so I didnt drain much but next oil change is looking to be pretty painless. Last change was nasty because it was really windy and the "push the nipple up and to the side" method made a huge mess. If I were to make a second revision, I'd make it so that the oil begins to flow when the plug is almost all the way screwed in. Currently, oil flows after about 1.5 turns when there should be about 5 turns before it cant move anymore.

EDIT2: Just finished reworking the part so that it has less material (1.04 cubic inches to 0.58 cubic inches) and added fillets and extra material where there was room to strengthen the piece. Room temperature bulletproof now.

EDIT3: Working out the new price to print the new model, with the scaffolding material unable to change and printed material almost halved, I can probably print these out at $5-6 bucks a pop.

 

[jdiaz]

Wow, looks very nice. I won't even bore you with the crap tools we had when I was in engineering school. I don't even think we had a digital caliper. :biggrin:

 

[Alex08T]

I have access to a 3d printer, did I miss the file upload or did you not do it?

 

[Rajini98]

I have access to a 3d printer, did I miss the file upload or did you not do it?

Didnt do it. If you want it, i'll post it. No gurantees on fitament if your printer doesnt print with fine enough precision though. My threads were a little rough from scaffolding and I used the more expensive printer that my school offers.

Original drain tool that I know works

Drain tool with less material

 

[Alex08T]

It would be great it you could post it, the one at my school is pretty high grade and I will print it in ABS, I think it will work fine.

 

[Rajini98]

I posted the links in the last post and put them in the first post as well. If anyone needs it in a different format, I can add more, but STL seems to be the norm for 3D printing

 

[Alex08T]

Awesome, thanks so much this will make my life far easier.

 

[itskv]

http://mobilfaction.com/T40057.html

Someone has already made one. works well