GoPro style thumb screws and handle bar mount

When I realized that commercial GoPro style thumb screws are often much bigger than needed, making the whole camera setup frequently more bulky then necessary, I started to create my own thumb screws of different length.

Then last weekend I had mounted my mobile phone to the handle bar of my bike using my cool new homemade thumb screws. After a short drive, the commercial (injection molded) mount broke on one side, almost dropping my phone on the street. So I decided to design and add a stronger handle bar mount to this collection.

Printing:

All parts can be printed without supports, but for the handle bar pieces I recommend to have the mounting legs pointing towards your part cooling fan to get nice rising roundoffs (i.e. for a Prusa i3 Mk3S have the legs pointing towards you).

For the thumb screw parts I strongly recommend to use a brim. Print the main thumb screw part standing upright, so you don't mess up the round edges on the top with the brim. Print the lid on the round side (not the hexagonal side), to get nice and clean top surface for the lid.

I propose to print all parts with 100% infill for maximum strength. The lid for the thumb screws can be printed with 15% infill, which makes it slightly more flexible so it's easier to press it in.

Assembly:

All you need for the thumb screws are screws M5x20 with a hex head. Simply put the screw in the main thumb screw part and press the lid part in. That may need significant force (sometimes I had to use a vice to press the lid in) but that makes sure that it will never ever come off again. If you manage to press the lid in completely, it should completely press onto the screw and hold it completely tight.

If you print on a Mk3S, I recommend the “less tight fit” lids, they will sit well enough, you will have a hard time to press the “very tight fit” in. On an Ender3 things looked a bit different, the extra 0.1mm size of the “very tight fit” did work out well.

For the handle bar mount you need three M5 nuts, which should fit in quite snuggly into their places. If you intend to unscrew the mount once in a while, I recommend to secure the nuts with some tiny drops of glue on their outer edges. Make sure not to mess up the thread at the inside of the nuts. 

Disclaimers:

1. I am in no way affiliated with GoPro, neither the company, nor the brand. The parts published here are not original GoPro parts, but are made to fit the typical mount that is use for GoPro and other action cameras. That is why I call it “GoPro style”.
    
2. I have tested these parts and found them to be very tough, both from PETG and from PLA material. Nevertheless you use these parts completely at your own risk. I will not be responsible if you drop your electronic devices or damage them in any other way.

License:

The license does not allow derivatives, as one of my designs was “taken” from me in the past to collect donations on Thingiverse via a “Remix”, that did not add any significant value. That made me really sad. If you want to seriously remix this design, please contact me and I will gladly approve that.