🔩 Manhole Key Cover Cap – Twist Fit with Built-In Supports (No Supports Needed!)

⚠️ WARNING: Do NOT enable supports in your slicer.
This model comes with built-in, print-in-place supports that are easy to remove by design — adding slicer-generated supports will ruin it.

This file was fully optimized for Bambu Studio slicer, so if you're using something else, double-check your settings:

🧾 Recommended Print Settings:

• Walls: 3–4
• Layer Height: 0.2 mm
• Infill: 15% Gyroid
• Ironing: Enabled (for smoother support interface removal)
• Supports: Absolutely OFF
• Outer Brim: Enabled
• Brim-to-Object Distance: 0.18 mm (for very easy brim removal)

🛠️ What Is This?

This is a replacement cap for the “WREKIN” manhole key cover — the little twist caps used in block paving access hatches. A friend needed 14 of them, and the only official source was charging £4.50 per piece… plus £15 shipping.

And I said: “There’s no way I’m paying that. I own a 3D printer — it’s a matter of principle.” 😄

So I made my own.

But rather than just duplicating the part, I used this as an opportunity to showcase a neat little trick — print-in-place supports you can actually remove cleanly and easily without slicer-generated nonsense.

🧠 Print-in-Place Support Demo

• The twist handle uses a yin-yang-style curved support structure that keeps overhangs clean. You’ll see two support pieces with small holes — grip with pliers and pop them right out.
• The side wings also print with built-in supports that snap off with a bit of side-to-side wiggling.
• All supports have a 0.2 mm Z-gap and are engineered for easy manual removal — no scraping or chiseling required.

🧵 Materials:

If you're placing these outside, go with PETG at the very least. ASA is even better for UV and weather resistance. PLA is not recommended unless it's temporary or shaded.

💡 Why It’s Cool:

This design doesn’t just solve a stupidly overpriced and hard-to-find part — it also shows a repeatable technique that can be used for:

• Hinges
• Handles
• Trays with built-in hooks
• Snap-fit overhangs
• And tons more without ever enabling supports

🧩 Real-World Tested

These have already been printed and installed successfully — even with nozzle-hugging overhangs, thanks to the custom supports.

Here’s to solving practical problems… and proving you can outsmart a £4.50 part with a roll of filament and a bit of stubbornness.