Mini bubble level

While organizing my toolbox, I stumbled upon a small vial. Instead of discarding it, I decided to put my 3D modeling skills to the test and learn a few new tricks. The result? This mini level, which not only printed beautifully on my Ender 3 but also serves a practical purpose. Perhaps you have a few of these vials lying around too, waiting to be repurposed?

The vial I found measures 8mm in diameter and 35mm in length.

The model consists of three parts: the main body and two covers that slide onto the main body to securely hold the vial. Although the covers should be identical, I exported them independently from Fusion 360. While the screws are optional (since the covers stay in place through friction or a drop of glue), I thought they added a nice touch. If you choose to use screws, consider reinforcing the infill settings around the screw hole to prevent tearing. The hole is sized for tapping an M3x0.5 screw, but any self-tapping screw of a similar size should work. The dovetails might push the limits of what my printer can handle with a 0.6mm nozzle, but the standard 0.4mm nozzle should print without issues.

I printed mine in PETG using an Ender 3 with a 0.6mm nozzle, but PLA should work just as well. When slicing the model, orient the wedges upside-down and ensure the base of the level touches the print surface. This approach eliminates the need for supports and ensures a flat base.