Making Weighted Bases For Jigs and Fixtures

This is a simple solution for when you need to add weight to something. I’m sure Im not the first to be doing this but thought I would share. I occurred to me when I was ordering expensive brass plates to weight down fixtures at work that there could be a cheaper way to add a nearly equivalent weight within the 3d printed structure.

 The example i am using here is part of my usb microscope stand

Step 1

Print a box, of course the box needs to be part of your design. Either fully enclosed or with the open face somewhere hidden.

Step 2

Fill it with something heavy that will conform to the shape. Research what is the cheapest per unit weight as sometimes it changes

To this end I have used

• Shot blasting media.
• Brass Rivets
• Steel Tacks (make sure you leave enough  headspace to cover the points)

I haven’t used sand but epoxy sand is a thing

Step 3

Cover with resin, at work we have resin dispensers so its easy to fill the base with resin, but epoxy resin from amazon or ebay will work fine – choose the cheapest as this is only there to stop the weighted media from rattling, vacuum degassing won’t be required.