How to Make 3D Filament Rivets

Need to attach 3D printed parts? Rather than use pins, pre-made rivets, or machine screws, you can make quick and easy plastic rivets with a couple inches of filament from your 3D printer. I've been using this technique for a while now, and finally made a quick video showing you how on my YouTube channel Barb Makes Things.

The little creature in this video is one I wrote up a couple years ago, and I haven't yet written an instructable for the scissor mechanism poking device I show in this video. Let me know if you're interested in seeing that.

• A few inches of 3D printing filament. PLA, ABS, 1.75mm, 3mm. I've tried it all and it all works pretty well.
• Wire cutters or pliers with wire cutters
• A hot tool like a hot glue gun or soldering iron

This is very simple. Heat up the hot tool, and press one end of the filament into it until it melts into a head. String it through the pieces you want to attach, trim excess filament from the other side until there's just a small amount left, then melt the other side until it's snug.

That's it! The great thing about these is how quick, easy, and cheap they are. You can make them with a bunch of different colors, matching, contrasting, whatever. You can remove them with snips or a knife and replace them easily.

Hope this is helpful!