3d Printer Enclosure / Electronics Workstation | I Like To Make Stuff

I made a 3d printer enclosure workbench!
For $50 off select Casper mattresses, go to www.casper.com... and use promo code: iltms at checkout. Terms and conditions apply.
BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO
• 3d Printer Enclosure W...
TOOLS & SUPPLIES (affiliate links):
kit.co/iliketo...
amzn.to/2EuQxKP - 24" drawer slides
amzn.to/2FDvgye - 4' power strip
kit.co/iliketo...
kit.co/iliketo...
My family has had this massive stainless steel counter top for years. My grandfather built McDonald's restaurants for a living and this counter came from one of his remodels. Like all good family heirlooms, it has passed from person to person, but I finally took it in and used it to build a new electronics/3d printing workbench.
If you remember, I already made an electronics worktable in my old shop, but Josh now uses it as his desk. The counter top is big enough to span a large area in the office so it can do way more than just function as a work surface. We decided that the area under the table would become a 3d printer enclosure. An enclosure is used to house the printers and the filament to keep the temperature and the humidity consistent. Heat fluctuations can cause prints to warp on the print bed and can sometimes hurt the adhesion between print layers. Humidity negatively affects the filament, it can cause little pits and bubbles in the printed lines.
This project started with building a simple 2x4 base to support the table top. Before assembling the pieces, I cut two slots in the lower support and the two front sides to accept some sliding acrylic doors. The board were then joined together with pocket screws and glue.
The top was about 12 feet long and needed to be cut down. Wanting a nice, crisp cut line, I clamped a scrap piece of steel to the top and used it as a guide for my grinder with a cut-off wheel. I was happily surprised with how nice the cut was, but it needed to be de-burred with a file.
This counter top had been sitting in an alley behind my brother's house for years. As you'd expect, it was covered in nastiness that would need to be cleaned off. Josh and I scraped, sanded, and polished the stainless steel to a beautiful shine worthy of an inspection from Ronald McDonald himself. We attached the top to the base with some screws and the workbench's structure was finished. The acrylic doors were cut to fit the slots and a hole was drilled in each panel to act as a door pull.
The design for this cabinet evolved several times during the build process. One of the features that made the cut, was a set of pull-out platforms that would hold the printers. Instead of rotating the printers to access the filament, the machines could slide forward to replace the spools. To organize all of my filament rolls, we made a shelf that sits inside the cabinet to keep the environmental conditions consistent inside the space. I lastly added a motion-activated set of LED lights for added ambiance and the project was completed.
This workbench is a great piece of multi-functional furniture. I was really happy to incorporate the stainless steel counter top that my grandfather salvaged and that we were able to make a dedicated space for my 3d printers. This project had a lot of design changes but I am really proud of the final result. If you liked this build, check out more projects of mine in the playlist above!
Subscribe: bit.ly/ILikeToM...
Check out my TopVideos!: bit.ly/ILikeToM...
Learn 3d modeling, get digital plans, and cool merch at
iliketomakestu...
Want to support ILTMS? Get exclusive content and more...
www.iliketomake...
FOLLOW:
/ iliketomakestuff
/ iliketomakestuff
/ iltms
#ILikeToMakeStuff
About I Like To Make Stuff:
We have lots of projects including woodworking, metalworking, electronics, 3D printing, prop making and more!
These videos are our attempt inspire and empower others to make the stuff that they want to have. Hopefully you'll see something here that will inspire you to make something that you're passionate about!
3d Printer Enclosure / Electronics Workstation | I Like To Make Stuff
• 3d Printer Enclosure /...
I Like To Make Stuff
/ iliketomakestuff

[@Iliketomakestuff]

A couple of things I didn't mention in the video: 1. For electronics, I work on a mat.. the surface is conductive and would be bad for making electronics projects on directly. 2. Filaments that need more specialized moisture control stay in zipped bags with desiccant packs. I only have a few of those, and 90% of my filament is PLA. 3. This is intended to be standing only desk, thus no room for legs to go underneath.

[@Werdna12345]

I Like To Make Stuff are you looking at also adding a heater to keep the printing area consistent temp?

[@CrashedDreams534]

Maybe metalic surface and electronics wont mix that well hahaha

[@jenyates3033]

Looks very low for a standing desk. Might want to fashion some sort of raised section to avoid doing your back in.

[@TheHomeMAK3R]

If printing with PLA ventilation is not needed and would likely diminish the benefit of the enclosure. If printing with filaments known to have toxic fumes, such as ABS, proper exhaust and filtering should be employed.

[@jeremyfisher2767]

Clean design Bob, easy access with those slides. I like to use hanging closet moisture absorbing bags you can get just about anywhere. I date them with a sharpie for 3 months and switch them out. Shop stays dry and comfortable.

[@paulpardee]

Just wanted to give a big thumbs up for not stopping your video to do your sponsor message... I HATE commercials. But I can stand having you talk about something else while I'm watching you do what I came here to see. I think it's a good compromise.

[@MadeWithLayers]

Awesome to see enclosures being used more! They're really great for enclosing fumes and the extra temperature does help tremendously for part strength in ABS.

[@3DPrintingNerd]

OH MY GOODNESS. This is wonderful!

[@JoshMakesStuff]

You get a shout in the Behind the Scenes video too.

[@cjoe5977]

Hey Joel high five

[@micahdunsmoor3133]

Am i the only one that finds these vids so satisfying?!?!?!?!?

[@jotapeoutdoors]

Old parts giving by the old pops are the best parts people could use for their projects.

[@TheJmanUniverse]

2:54 idk what it is but there is just something nice about seeing bob laugh and stuff while working

[@DavidPlass]

Wow, those LEDs are BRIGHT.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

I really like the simplicity of the doors!

[@scotttheengineer3780]

I love how you did that ad. You got the message across while not having to stop the flow of the video. Well done.

[@lamazmorradeIsaac]

Wowwww!! What a great project Bob! Amazing

[@RachelDaPotatoTTV]

Prior to watching your videos, I had no intention in woodworking as a future career after highschool. You deserve a pat on the back Bob not only for what I just mentioned, but coming this far in as a KZbin channel that has been steadily thriving and growing over the past years

[@hughevans2433]

This is really cool. You could print some stuff to tidy up the cable gore - you could run cable chains alongside the slide mechanism to tidy away all the power cables.

[@GabeSwart]

I bloody knew it... I need a clean spot for my printer in the garage, and Bob has come up with a solution for me. Thanks Bob, you're a legend.

[@HumanCreativity]

those pocket holes get me every time!

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

We need this in our life. For the sake of our guest bedroom which has now become the "3D printer room"

[@brickdaddiy]

Your whole house seems to be turning into Maker Central! Makes me wonder where you eat.

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

The Beardless Man we eat on the dining table, next to another 3D printer (not even joking, that's where the Moai lives haha)

[@brickdaddiy]

#sharedspaces

[@sudonickx]

Stay with Evan and Katelyn, make robot friends.

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

Nick Baker we have lots of robot friends 🤖❤️

[@RELLOH-]

Love that countertop

[@jacobolson1960]

Put a wooden dowel going through the spools of filament so they can spin and you can just feed the filament straight from the storage to the printer.

[@TurtleTime1]

Jacob Olson but if a spook runs out it’s hard to remove

[@noahchapman4196]

Thanks for the McDonald’s counter top grandpa

[@MikeTheMaker1]

Why do grandpas always have that stuff or can just get that stuff at a moments notice?

[@MikeTheMaker1]

heygeno1951 hahaha. Even if grandpas don’t have it they can get it in 24 hours

[@miracle7088]

Bob you're skills have progressed so much over the last 3 years! I am so amazed each week by what videos you bring us!

[@metalmini]

Great idea with the sliding rails! Going to steal that little tidbit 👍🏼

[@Bicketybam68]

I really love the way you incorporate your adverts into these videos. They are short and concise and give the viewer the information you need to get across whilst not making your viewer moan _oh a bloody ad_ . I also love the way you have that orange line as a visual countdown... you really need to show other youtubers how to do this as it is very unobtrusive way of honoring your commitments. As always, cheers for the content.

[@Iliketomakestuff]

Thank you for that, I really do appreciate hearing that. 👍🏼

[@DarrenC_1024]

so your guests can sleep in the enclosed area under the table?

[@DrLol07]

Loved the way you did the sponsorship, do them like that

[@REALMIKEYMCC]

I like how the Prusa MK2S magically turned into a Prusa MK3 :)

[@ali49077]

Enclosure looks amazing!! And the video is suuper fun to watch!!

[@TheQuiptastic]

I don't have 3D printers...yet. Speaking as a novice maker, I enjoy watching your process. I learn a lot with every vid. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@victorruiz7744]

What a perfect place to 3D printer station, nice work!

[@HammerandNeil]

Nice "Alec Steele" talking transitions. Awesome build too!

[@workshop_edits]

Came here to say just this - I remember him talking about them on Making It - they're so simple yet add so much to the story telling! Agree on the build!

[@AlainPilon]

Casey Neistat popularize/mastered this a very long time ago. Probably did not invented it, but he is the one who made it popular among KZbinrs.

[@HammerandNeil]

alain pilon you're probably right. I was saying it because he brought up how Alec did it on one of the recent podcasts.

[@tedfry236]

Nice score on the stainless counter top!

[@gkkent]

Loving how efficient and useful this space is. This will definitely influence our makerspace!!

[@AGlimpseInside]

I really liked this one! The use of so many different materials in one project is great! I especially liked the Filament storage above the 3-D printer.

[@jacobforsterrothbart]

Great project, not sure why anybody would dislike it. Come on 99 people! Why?

[@jamiereader]

Absolutely gorgeous work, Bob. Really good tip with the doors in having the deeper slot at the top for getting them in and out. Loving the camera work too so props to the team for camera and editing - Steele transitions for the win!

[@Dark_Reader]

Can't believe some people don't enjoy such satisfying videos! And this is great one!!

[@Arrviasto]

Some ideas: 1. Ground the top so you would not get a shock if a live wire slips from the mat. 2. Reinforce the doors with wood strips. That way you could still see the interior, but it would be less wobbly. 3. Bring another power strip on top. It's very convenient. 4. Make a stationary 12V and 5V supply with banana/screwed sockets. Last 2 I used in my workbench and it's great.

[@printedpropscreations3017]

I don’t think I could be more envious😂😂

[@hackershack]

Love the slides for those 3D printers!

[@crystalsoulslayer]

Awesome build, as always. Your background music better than half of what's on the radio, too. :D

[@tiny_mandan4827]

I love the new intro man! The combo is nice!

[@qosmioamit]

You have a garage inside a garage! Wow! On another note, I loved your video. You just taught me how to setup drawer rails on the bottom instead of the sides. Thanks a lot. You inspire me.

[@alexbennett997]

Bob, I a tall enjoy the way you sponsor. Plenty of channels make it a thing. I'm happy it's secondary to the video

[@alektad]

I'm becoming jealous of your shop, looks great

[@SpecificLove7]

Always impressed with your projects and how you make it looks so fast and easy.

[@xDanoss318x]

A thermostat inside the 3D printing box connected with a heater and a cooling fan to be able to set a temperature and hold it automatically would be awesome too!

[@TheChipmunckMiester]

I've always wondered what to do with my 3D printer for an enclosure... Now I know! Brilliant video as always

[@TheHomeMAK3R]

I was inspired by this video... an enclosure may be coming soon.

[@TheChipmunckMiester]

The Home MAK3R I'll keep my eyes peeled!

[@larndavies6954]

Agree on that. Will be borrowing this idea I think. Free's up counter space for sure

[@Dloweification]

Definitely another enjoyable and indepth project. I like it. The countertop looks great, aesthetically, but stainless top and acrylic sides might not help too much with temperature control. Still a beautiful project.

[@scikick]

Damn, that shot at 9:55 looks awesome.

[@BC-bf1fq]

Good stuff Bob. Love the music in this video.

[@motzemog]

That stainless top makes the workstation! Nicely done.

[@joshwiley881]

Very cool. You are going to love that Lulzbot. Great build.

[@judefairburn1599]

Thanks again bob

[@Mogy336]

Really nice man I'm enjoying your projects very much Greetings from Egypt

[@sensei_ruka1802]

How oddly satisfying

[@kenl5217]

Nice find on that huge stainless top. Those are not cheap

[@enby-girl5020]

I've been sleeping on a Casper mattress for just under a year and it's the best mattress I've ever slept on.

[@anathegiiirl964]

Hey Bob Could you make a pool table I think your family will like it too BTW all of your Videos are Great 👍

[@ElisaShaffer]

As someone who wants to get more into making and woodworking, I would love a "here's what's in my shop/these are the top tools I would recommend to get started" type video sometime. Love your videos and projects. Thanks for the work you put in.

[@frgi10]

Tu es un génie. Congratulations dude

[@ciaranfarley]

i would like to say that I love the way you do your ad integration, GENIUS

[@handydan1591]

Although I do miss the old bob videos, I’ve been really enjoying the new bob videos since you’ve been in your new shop. Ordered your book too. Thanks bob

[@schoonerlabs4656]

If you want to add some ambient heat to the enclosure that also helps with humidity, check out the GoldenRod Dehumidifiers. Lee Valley sells them and they are basically a heating rod often used in gun cabinets to help with moisture by raising the dew point. I've used one in my Makerbot to help keep the temps up when shop is cold.

[@ian3314]

Awesome video! Looks really beautiful!

[@deanv269]

Beautiful work

[@project_idea]

Very awesome! I really like repurposing the old countertop, it looks great too!

[@CRayTechVlog]

By far the best enclosure I have seen. Great job.

[@dave14647]

this is so Cool Bob. Nice work Bob Vinci

[@iamspeare]

First, such an awesome solution to a great problem to have. Second, my ideas: 1. A security/nanny cam set up to keep an eye on prints from elsewhere in the shop/home/world (Plus consider the Twitch streamability!) 2. For the area where you directly do electronics work, rather than just relying on the mat, have you considered painting a rubberized surface? It would be non-conductive, and have a little bit of grip for small parts and keeping things from sliding. 3. ...Lasers

[@Supermuttt]

I see you Ace McCloud, one of my favorite toys as a child. Nice work as always.

[@farvizn5721]

wow! ultimate setup bob! i have never seen before like this one. name it as "Bob's 3D Studio'.😜

[@John316Ross]

I live vicariously through your videos! I have no ideas what you could do with this stuff! I wish I had your gadgets Bob! Keep em amazing videos coming!

[@eflizotte]

Great project! love the rescue of the steel countertop!

[@Twin_Flyer]

Sweet bench!!

[@instantsiv]

Very cool... Looks like those display counters at stores.

[@chrisvandermerwe2355]

I love those LED lights. Great idea.

[@sls2111]

3D printing is so cool. Nice setup you've made there.

[@itsyaboitrix5984]

That looks awesome!!

[@xandemogi]

Congratulations Bob. As always, another great job!

[@lelandclayton5462]

That is pretty neat. I myself prefer to sit when working on Electronics.

[@_Rikk_]

awesome station

[@XxElementalPhoenix]

for ultimate heat control it may be a good idea to seal the back of the printer area, nice selection of printers btw

[@meatball5249]

"big and floppy." Nice.

[@moriconanjohn]

Awesome build! I wish i could have one!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Bob! 👍👊

[@anthonyboutet7277]

Wonderful! Good job! Take care about ESD from carpet and plexiglas for lower equipment

[@SmithKerona]

The classic Hakko soldering iron! Nice workbench to top it off.

came out excellent...

[@davidramey2672]

You should add a magnetic strip above the electronics work station to hold wire strippers and screw drivers, etc. It keeps the tools out of the way wile keeping them easily accessible. Awesome project!

[@antonrc1700]

Awesome, Bob. I have one thing to improve, and that is putting the printers in a smaller enclosure, so that they donˋt have to heat up this whole thing only with the heatbed. Or you could put a heater in there to raise the temperature faster. I love your vids. Keep on building

[@BsB702]

Wow! I love that! Dream...

[@samiam7]

Was not expecting another garage @ 00:52

[@Pyroleon15]

This is so amazing. Thank you for the inspiration! Definitely going to make something like this once my printer family expands.

[@Eli0569]

Awesome setup!!!

[@olavmioen691]

Super cool project

[@currygod9273]

I would add a over the top hanger which can hold your electronic projects

[@EyeNTheSky]

Just a couple of things to mention. One great video: I would install return fans to help remove dust on your printers and secondly a mat on the floor. Finally, a project and parts. selves

[@NickMakes]

This looks fantastic! It’s a small thing but I think the led lighting inside made this.. it’s awesome how it lights everything up!!

[@nothingspeaks]

i love your video format, you have a really well done voice over and dont take anything too seriously

[@WayWoodworking]

Looks great with the LED lighting!

[@franzeleznjak913]

Fun project: make wipers for glasses just with servo and arduino and you can add sth

[@Maxx1985it]

Omg absolutly awesome!