User guide

22
USEFUL TOOLS
Your MakerBot Replicator 2X package
includes everything you need to start printing,
but here are a few other things that might
come in handy as you begin to experiment.
A cra spatula. A thin metal cra spatula
is a great tool for removing stubborn prints
form the build plate. Carefully work the
edge of the spatula under the edge of your
print, making sure to keep the spatula at a
low angle. If the spatula is pointing down
too steeply, it’s more likely to damage your
Kapton tape. When you’ve used the spatula
to detach as much of the edges from the
build surface as possible, twist the handle
slightly. The print should pop right o.
Sandpaper and files. Files are good for
removing small imperfections in a print, or
removing traces of support structures, and
sandpaper is great at smoothing out layer lines.
Use progressively ner grades of sandpaper for
a smoother and smoother nish.
A small brush or canned air. You can use
either of these tools to clean out the drive
gears on your extruders. The drive gears are
accessible through the outside sides of each
extruder’s drive block.