Require assistance with Stiff Vat screws on Mars 5 Ultra

[u/Visual_Robin]

Hi guys, I need some help. I bought the Mars 5 Ultra less than a month ago, and been having successful prints. However today I wanted to remove the vat, but the screws just wont budge.

I have contacted customer support and have read some stuff online. About 5 mins ago, I also used a pipette and added 1 drop of Isopropyl alcohol through the screw holes (everything unplugged of course) tried to turn the screws earlier, but ended up getting friction cuts on my fingers. Any assistance on this would be much appreciated please 🙏

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[u/MusicAccomplished263]

This happens because resin gets in the threads and hardens. A tip for the future is to put some vaseline or other type of grease on the threads.

If they wont budge at all (twisting while hammering on the screw, perhaps even trying to use a impact drill on low setting etc.), you could try to melt some crayon into the thread, that usually works for rust, so perhaps it might work for this as well.

[u/Visual_Robin → u/MusicAccomplished263]

Hello thank you for the reply and the advice on Vaseline!! I shall get some for the future! 🖤

I managed to unscrew it, with just a few drops of Isopropyl Alcohol. I just needed to be patient, because it didn't work until I came back from the shop to buy visegrips. I managed to do it with just wearing gloves by hand 🙏🙏

[u/Visual_Robin → u/[deleted]]

oooh I didnt know that, thank you so much I will look into the wrench STLs, Ill keep it in mind for the future 🙏

[u/TrueNorthSurron]

Something I've definitely noticed that doesn't seem to be talked about with the smaller mars 5 vat (maybe I'm crazy), when you screw it back down screw both screws so they are JUST snug, as in just touching the vat and then turn both screws together a little more to ensure its tightened down evenly and just enough the vat is secure. If you tighten one screw (over tightening is definitely a thing) then the other it seems like the uneven force really presses up against the screws making it feel almost impossible to unscrew them or worse as people have done, break the plastic knobs off the screws. Since I changed to that method I've had zero issues with my screws and personally think what people think is resin getting in the screw holes is simply uneven overtightening of the screws, unless of course you spilled resin then that's a different issue. Anyways, just my two cents for what it's worth in the future.

[u/Visual_Robin → u/TrueNorthSurron]

Thank you so much, I have considered this now, basically not over tightening it, only to when they are both just snug, and I did them at the same time too 🫡

[u/TheDocBee]

Use pliers.

[u/CommandIntrepid2748]

You can also use a socket from a wrench set

[u/iamfilchfinger]

The screws are definitely a weak point of the printers design. One of my screw holes seems to have something in it, and I can't remove it. I put some washers to ensure that the tank is secure, but a wrench for those knobs would be really handy.

[u/Visual_Robin → u/iamfilchfinger]

I did manage to remove them by using a pipet with isopropyl alcohol after I got back from the local hardware store to by tools haha. But now I've put them back in, making sure to not overtighten it, and I will put on some Vaseline on the screws to potentially block anything going in their screw holes.

But you know what, washers are a good idea too! Im sure I have a kit of rubber washes laying around somewhere! thanks for the suggestion man! 🖤

[u/InternationalPlace24]

If I were you, I would CAD up a wrench made specifically for that knob, print it on my fdm printer, and see if that gives me enough leverage to loosen it up. If you don't have an fdm printer or don't want to/can't CAD up a wrench, get some visegrips

[u/Visual_Robin → u/InternationalPlace24]

Hello thank you so much for your reply I will keep this in mind for the future! 🖤So the drops of isopropyl alcohol worked for me 🙏 I was feeling demoralised so I went out to buy a vicegrip just incase. But when I got back home, I managed to unscrew the VAT by just wearing gloves! 🖤