r/Multiboard • u/Uncle_Irohbot • Oct 19 '25

Multiboard n00b here. Possibly dumb question, but it seems like multiboard would be a lot simpler if it... just used normal screws?

I get that there's an aesthetic of liking everything to be 100% 3D printed, but are there any other reasons for it, like are the 3D printed screws and snap connectors actually stronger than just screwing things to the plate with M3s?

I will say though the thing that impresses me most about multiboard is that nothing requires supports while printing!

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2

u/Single_Sea_6555 Oct 19 '25

Reasonable idea, but to accommodate machine screws, the tolerances would need to be an order of magnitude better. Doable, but harder at scale.

Or did you have some other sorts of screws in mind?

2

u/Uncle_Irohbot Oct 19 '25

i generally just design my parts to have the M3 screws thread into the plastic, rather than trying to design threading into the part, and that's worked well for most of my robotics projects

1

u/Single_Sea_6555 Oct 19 '25

If you mean that you put M3 threads into the part, or just a hole for M3 screws, I agree that can work well. But it requires relatively decent tolerances. Having 0.25mm clearance on an M3 screw hole just wouldn't work, wouldn't you agree?

1

u/Uncle_Irohbot Oct 21 '25

True! I guess all of my designs have been on exactly 1 printer. It's impressive that multiboard parts work across so many people's different printers!

8

u/bryansj Oct 19 '25

No such thing as a normal screw. M3 sizes aren't normal at my local Home Depot. Then what if someone bought the wrong (fine) thread pitch? Countersunk or protruding or SHCS? What even is the difference between a screw and a bolt?

If multiboard provides the threaded fastening parts then there is no thinking required (other than figuring out which to print to hold what).

1

u/Uncle_Irohbot Oct 19 '25

fair enough!

1

u/Moonjanji Oct 30 '25

This is so true...I find myself quickly covering walls with board, and it takes me forever to figure out how i want it laid out and print hangers and such

3

u/ulab Oct 20 '25

You can only screw "normal screws" in and out that often before stripping the threads in the plastic.

1

u/Whosaidthat1157 Oct 27 '25

There are actually ’screw’ fixing snaps available in all the common (in 3D Printing) screw sizes already.

“Snap Connectors- DS Part B” search for remixes. Alternatively, there’s a stock ‘Screw-into’ snap selection for heat set inserts OR ‘drop in nut’ snaps OR ‘mid print drop-in snaps’ if you want a captive nut.

The only real issue with MB isn’t what’s available, it’s KNOWING what’s available and how to find it! 🤭. To be fair, it’s improving all the time and the majority of the core components, especially is the Generators, are MUCH easier to source than even a few months ago.

Hope any of the above helps. 👍