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# Heat Set Insert Tutorial + Assembly

Heat set inserts are used to add metal threads to 3D-printed parts. Many parts of the hand use these. They are inserted into the plastic parts using a soldering iron. The iron heats the metal, allowing you to push the insert in and melt the plastic around it.&#x20;

## **Tutorials for Heat Set Inserts**

In addition to the video instructions, using a razor blade to push the heat set insert in for the last millimeter or so is helpful. This ensures it is flush with the surface.

[Markforged Blog Post on Using Heat Set Inserts ](https://markforged.com/resources/blog/heat-set-inserts)

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7nHyI1TwKY>" %}

## **Materials**

#### **Tools**

* Soldering Iron
* Soldering Tips
* Razor Blade

#### **3D Printed Parts**

Every 3D printed part other than the Backhand and Base Plate is used in this section.

#### **Hardware (Total)**

<table><thead><tr><th width="252">Part Name</th><th width="144" align="center">Total Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 4 x 3.5 mm insert</td><td align="center">30</td></tr><tr><td>M2 x 6 x 3.5 mm insert</td><td align="center">8</td></tr><tr><td>M2 x 8 x 3.5 mm insert</td><td align="center">4</td></tr><tr><td>M3 x 6 x 5 mm insert</td><td align="center">8</td></tr><tr><td>M3 x 4 x 5 mm insert</td><td align="center">1</td></tr><tr><td>M5 x 6 x 7 mm insert</td><td align="center">4</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Instructions

### 1. Fingers: Middle, Index, Ring

<table><thead><tr><th width="297">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>15</td></tr><tr><td>Finger Joint 1 - Printed Part </td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Finger Joint 2 - Printed Part</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Finger Joint 3 - Printed Part</td><td>3</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Repeat instructions 3 times (to make 3 fingers)**
{% endhint %}

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Finger Joint 1</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Finger Joint 2</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Finger Joint 3</strong></td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 1</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/5eczB29Vm8OFIeBIrvz6" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/TTJVFSR9Hn2mdxuohTBr" alt=""></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 2. Pinky

Repeat the same process as above but on the pinky parts.

<table><thead><tr><th width="270">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>6</td></tr><tr><td>Pinky Joint 1 - Printed Part </td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Pinky Joint 2 - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Pinky Joint 3 - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="287" align="center"></th><th width="245.33333333333331" align="center"></th><th width="199" align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Pinky Joint 1</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Pinky Joint 2</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Pinky Joint 3</strong> </td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 1</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="/files/kvLOaSaSZNQwZa5zQd2d" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/Owq5TedVviXeK3aYze0u" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/H5fOMO3VRckCCco0kjDR" alt=""></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 3. Thumb

<table><thead><tr><th width="270">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>M3 x 4 x 5 Heat Set Insert</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Thumb Joint 1 - Printed Part </td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Thumb Joint 2 - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Thumb Joint 3 - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Thumb Joint 1</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Thumb Joint 2</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Thumb Joint 3</strong></td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 1</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5<br><strong>x1</strong> - M3 x 4 x 5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 1</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="/files/ilBth0Zd32zE4KLiUaBv" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/kKy4ZIuRgxJGCBCZJBfs" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/3xmt0kD7i7bwqVeDHe4A" alt=""></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 4. Knuckle

<table><thead><tr><th width="344">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>5</td></tr><tr><td>Tophand - Index + Middle - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Tophand - Pinky + Ring - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="289" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Tophand - Index + Middle</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Tophand - Pinky + Ring</strong></td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 3</strong> - M2 x 4 x 3.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="/files/xqGyzyL4pisFpj7BJ5ht" alt=""></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/Q5l1g1FcroLGoVaifHZI" alt=""></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 5. Palm + Wrist

<table><thead><tr><th width="344">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 6 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>8</td></tr><tr><td>M2 x 3 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>null</td></tr><tr><td>M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Palm + Wrist - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="true"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Palm</strong></td><td>Palm</td><td> <strong>Wrist</strong></td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 8</strong> - M2 x 6 x 3.5</td><td><strong>x 4</strong> - M2 x 3 x 3.5</td><td><strong>x 2</strong> - M5 x 6 x 7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="/files/pihPeG1RdyXzPqrdNstE" alt=""></td><td><img src="/files/svkcFZnnkOotxT6kPAML" alt=""></td><td><img src="/files/BSxZYDp0ARm4ZY1vqG39" alt=""></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 6. Backhand

<table><thead><tr><th width="277">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M2 x 6 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Backhand - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Back Hand**

**x 2** - M2 x 6 x 3.5

<figure><img src="/files/yUnPxdANxR89aQOjwsm0" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 7. Top Plate

<table><thead><tr><th width="250">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Top Plate - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Top Plate**

**x 2** - M5 x 6 x 7

<figure><img src="/files/ZRuTilAgq6GLlhadBGSm" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

### 8. Thumb Motor Panel (For XM430 Motors)

<table><thead><tr><th width="250">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>M3 x 6 x 5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>Thumb Motor Plate - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="238.69140625" align="center"></th><th width="306.1080729166667" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Thumb Motor Panel</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Thumb Motor Panel</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Thumb Motor Panel</strong></td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M5 x 6 x 7</td><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M3 x 6 x 5</td><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M3 x 6 x 5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><div><figure><img src="/files/8yXZXpAp4RsEwXywJIe4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div></td><td align="center"><div><figure><img src="/files/lmgjCxYB3xeJY116s6mn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div></td><td align="center"><div><figure><img src="/files/3peQz5qV9fuuHJUZITUb" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 9. Motor Panel 1 and Motor Panel 2

<table><thead><tr><th width="283">Part Name</th><th width="100" data-type="number">Quantity</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>M2 x 8 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>M3 x 6 x 5 Heat Set Inserts </td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>M3 x 6 x 5 Heat Set Inserts </td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Motor Panel 1 - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Motor Panel 2 - Printed Part</td><td>1</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Repeat the same process (but mirrored) for Panel 2**

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="248.04947916666669" align="center"></th><th width="240.15625" align="center"></th><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Motor Panel 1</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Motor Panel 1</strong></td><td align="center"><strong>Motor Panel 1</strong></td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M5 x 6 x 7</td><td align="center"><strong>x 2</strong> - M3 x 6 x 5<br><strong>x 1</strong> - M3 x 8 x 5 </td><td align="center"> <strong>x1 -</strong> M2 x 8 x 3.5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><img src="/files/sPhVYM1D5xlaOUWslwxp" alt=""></td><td align="center"><div><figure><img src="/files/TBQCKTl69VWQrJuyrN0A" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div></td><td align="center"><img src="/files/WcuVnZNBWY1i57I9ImiQ" alt=""></td><td><a href="/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr">/files/zN2enCDtgxBZjIjPhhbr</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

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