When building my Cupcake, I found that there are two sets of screws that are very difficult to put in place: the Z-rod bearing brackets, and the X-rod rod covers.

This tool is designed to be a 4-nut "wrench" to hold four nuts in place around the rod so you can start and tighten those sets of screws with relative ease. The tool has two ends, one for the Z-rods, the other for the X-rods.

I have printed and tested this. I'm very happy with it. I've also determined that it's very useful for maintenance.

Since there is a huge chicken-and-egg problem with this tool, if there is interest I will put this up on Shapeways for sale at a reasonable price. I also designed it so it can be made with a laser cutter from two pieces of material.

Update: Built-to-Spec is now selling it on their store: http://builttospecstore.storenvy.com/products/53608-cupcake-tool-v1-3

It is also very helpful for putting together a Thing-O-Matic!

I designed it in Illustrator, exported it to DXF, imported thos into SketchUp, exported those to STL using this plugin.

Changelog: 1.3 • It now works better for the Z-stage, and it fits the nuts better. • I added grooves from the edge to make the nut-holding potion part of the outer skin, reducing oozing and making the build quality better.

To-Do: • Add a bevel to the back so it is easier to remove once the screws are tightened. • More photos of how to use it.

You can see instructions in video form on Flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/giseburt/4607795344/in/set-72157623868651903/

1. Print one, or have a friend/service print one.
2. While putting together your Cupcake CNC, when it calls to put the X-rod covers on or the Z-rod bearing brackets on: A) Put four nuts into the holders for the correct side (the X-rod side has a smaller hole, the z-rod side has room to fit the nut at the top of the rod). B) Place the tool around the correct rod and slid it up agains the side/top of the bot C) Push four screws through the correct holes and tighten them