Stealth Press 1 — heat set insert press (legacy)

Stealth Press 1

Important!

As of November 26, 2024, this revision of Stealth Press 1 is considered a legacy version.

We recommend downloading and building the Stealth Press 1S version.

Stealth Press 1 revision will remain accessible for reference purposes, as it is linked in numerous locations and has multiple community mods.

This ensures continued access to Stealth Press 1 files for those who need them.

About Stealth Press 1

Stealth Press 1: Precision DIY Heat Set Insert Tool

Stealth Press is a highly accurate, mostly 3D-printed heat set insert tool compatible with generic, TS100/101, and Pinecil soldering irons. Key features:

Uses 300mm MGN12H linear rail for precision, simplifying construction;

Integrated, printable build plate for enhanced accuracy;

KEY-BAK key reel with kevlar belt loop for durability (1 million or more pulls);

Unique design improvements over similar DIY projects;

This user-friendly tool offers professional-grade performance without the need for costly extrusions.

Bill of Materials and Sourcing guide

Kits

Buy kits

Vendor	Kit version	Product page	Region
KB3D.com	1S	Buy here	US
Veetec3D	1S	Buy here	EU, INT
Blurolls3D.com	1	Buy here	INT
Blurolls [on AliExpress]	1	Buy here	INT
Toaiot [on AliExpress]	1	Buy here	INT

Self sourcing

Part	Size / Standard	QTY	Source
M3 bolts	M3x8 SHCS	40	Buy here
M5 bolts	M5x25 SCHS	2	Buy here
Bearings (F = flanged)	F695-2RS	4	Buy here
M3 threaded heat set inserts (M3OD:5L:4)	M3x5x4	30	Buy here
Linear rail with bearing	MGN12H 300mm	1	Buy here
Retractable device (Key-Bak®)	Super48 36" 13oz	1	Buy here
Retractable device (Budget savvy alternative)	500g version	Buy here

Soldering irons and adapters

Soldering irons (supported variations)	Type	Source
Variation 1	Generic	Buy here
Variation 2	TS101	Buy here
Variation 3	Pinecil	Buy here

Adapters	Type	Source
Soldering iron adapters	Generic	Buy here
Soldering iron adapters	TS101 or Pinecil	Buy here

Printed Parts

Parts	QTY
Stealth Press printed parts	16

Download printed parts for Budget savvy alternative here

Assembly manual

Download FULL AND FREE assembly manual with visuals and a step-by-step guide.

Video build guides

Iconic FAB video build guide

Live build by Nero3D

Live build by ModBotArmy

Supported soldering irons

Generic, TS100/101 or Pinecil.

Print guidelines

Here are print guidelines for you to follow in order to have decent success with printing parts:

3d printing process	FDM (fused deposition modeling)
Infill type	Grid, Gyroid, Honeycomb, Triangle or Cubic [1]
Material	ASA, ASA-CF, ABS, ABS+, ABS-CF
Infill percentage	40% - 60% [2]
Layer height	Recommended: 0.2mm
Wall count	Recommended: 4
Solid top/bottom layers	Recommended: 5
Extrusion width	Forced 0.4mm

Side notes to the print guidelines

[1] You can succeed with Support cubic infill type (slicer support may vary).

[2] As low as 25% infill for all parts if are aiming for faster print speeds and less filament usage. Consider using 60% of infill for build plate part to ensure it's not sagging over time.

PLA, PLA+, and PETG are also considerable filament choices. However, take into account that soldering iron radiates some indirect heat. The usage of less temperature-stable filaments may result in part deformations over time.

It is recommended to use PETG ir ideally - ASA or ABS at least for “arm” and “iron mount” parts.

A wall count of 4 is an absolute must to ensure the structural integrity of the parts. There is no need to go over the top with this. 4 are OK for this particular build.

File naming for printed parts

The parts use this naming convention:

Primary color	These files will have nothing at the start of the filename. Example: buildplate_x1.stl
Accent color	Files have “[a]” to the front of any STL file that is intended to be printed with accent color. Example: [a]_bushing_x1.stl
Count of parts	Files have “x1” to “x4” at the end of any STL file. The number represents the count of identical parts to be printed. Example: [a]_m5_1mm_spacer_x4 (In this case you will need to print 4 identical spacers).

How to support the project

If you like this project press like and download model files.
If you find this useful and want to see more from Iconic FAB first - consider following.
If you really like this and find it very useful support project with amount of your choice.

Credits and acknowledgements

Special thanks to Stefan and Alexander from CNCKitchen for backing this project by providing a generous set of soldering-iron tips and heat-set inserts for building and testing purposes.

Here is the list of other open-source projects used for sourcing multiple CAD parts. Models are used as-is or modified to fit the project purpose and design:

VORON TAP: https://github.com/VoronDesign/Voron-Tap [CAD models for heat-set inserts and bolts]
VORON Switchwire: https://github.com/VoronDesign/Voron-Switchwire [Base for remix of KEY-BAK mounting parts]
Ender SW: https://github.com/boubounokefalos/Ender_SW [Base for remix of Support arms]

Change log

Date	Changes
15.08.2024	Complete update to information on this page, keeping it up to date.
07.07.2024	Version for Generic soldering iron mount added to support irons with 17mm (OD).
27.03.2024	Alternative version for build-plate WITHOUT sacrificial support is added as file: [extra]_no_sacrificial_support_buildplate_x1_r1.1. This version of build-plate should be printed with classic or tree supports. Serves as a back-fall/last resort to resolve reported issue with current sacrificial support sticking to the build-plate base too well, which can be result of over-extrusion or something else, unknown. Do not print both - regular and alternative version, you only need one.
14.11.2023	STLs for variations of generic soldering iron mounts were added supporting 18mm and 19mm (OD) irons.
12.11.2023	Minor update preparing for Dremel Add-On release. leg_x1_r1.1.stl is updated to leg_x1_r1.1_1.stl removing safety buffers. This was necessary to ensure cross-compatibility in between base parts and multiple add-ons in development.
04.11.2023	Printed files updated to R1.1. with cosmetic changes to ALL parts. (Note that mechanical parts - BOM is not affected, zero changes there.) What's new: All heat-set insert hole sizes are now reworked to 4.7mm solving the issue of being too tight and pushing out excessive plastic. Holes now have 0.4mm fillets on both the entry and the end. Wire strain reliefs now have an extra opening for the M3 bolts solving an issue that the bolts were too hard to fit in. The LEG plate now has specific safety buffers preventing linear rail bearing carriage accidental slide-offs (Sometimes referred to as dropping balls :) Do not do that.) Ton of other incremental improvements optimizing general printability of parts even better than it was in Rev.1.0
10.10.2023	.STEP files added for soldering iron mounts only (for all 3 currently supported types - Pinecil, TS100 / 101, and “Generic”.
26.10.2023	Minor changes in BOM - Key-bak Super48 36" 13oz variant as recommended.
11.10.2023	Initial version (Rev1)

Stealth Press 1 — heat set insert press (legacy)

by Iconic FAB · original on Printables ↗

Hobby & Makers / Tools

♥ 5.1k⬇ 17.0k🖨 196 prints

License: GNU General Public License v3.0 ↗presstooljigsolderingscrewbearingroller2020visethreadedinsertworkstationthermalheatsetinsertrigheatsetinsertpressheatsetinserttool

Print profiles

top_x1_r1.1.stlIN STOCKDEFAULT
⏱ 48m · 25 g · 84 × 42 × 40 mm · 1 material(s)
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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[a]_m5_1mm_spacer_x4_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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keybak_plate_b_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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keybak_plate_a_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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support_arm_l_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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support_arm_r_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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[a]_bushing_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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center_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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[a]_strain_relief_l_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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buildplate_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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iron_mount_ts100-101_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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[a]_strain_relief_r_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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iron_mount_generic_ID16_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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iron_mount_pine_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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arm_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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leg_x1_r1.1_1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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iron_mount_generic_ID19_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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iron_mount_generic_ID18_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
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[extra]_no_sacrificial_support_buildplate_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
Order this print
iron_mount_generic_ID17_x1_r1.1.stl
⏱ time and weight estimated after preparation · 1 material(s)
Made to order: we prepare this file when you order, which adds a few minutes before printing starts.
Prints on: A1 mini 0.4PLA
Order this print

Stealth Press 1Important!