https://www.printables.com/@barnslig_425031

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hozelock-1-2-3-4-threaded-tap-connector/52973?tc=MA1&ds_rl=1249410&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&gad_source=1&ds_rl=1247848&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWuVqRlPtpu_2DQYTRrRxOs7BoNYNLMIkFWY1lI1RkOhDmIQ9k6q2HhoClkgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.screwfix.com/p/hozelock-1-2-3-4-threaded-tap-connector/52973?tc=MA1&ds_rl=1249410&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&gad_source=1&ds_rl=1247848&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWuVqRlPtpu_2DQYTRrRxOs7BoNYNLMIkFWY1lI1RkOhDmIQ9k6q2HhoClkgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-miniflo-round-half-shed-water-butt-guttering-pack-black-14-pieces/9400j?

Calling all fellow Gardeners and rainwater wranglers! Are you ready to dive headfirst into the grand adventure of DIY rainwater collection?

Imagine yourself in your greenhouse, surrounded by a symphony of raindrops and the vibrant greenery of your plants. But hold onto your gardening gloves, because we're about to embark on a journey filled with twists, turns, and plenty of DIY magic!

I have been investigating ways to collect the rainwater from my greenhouse now for years for both the environment and my wallet in the long run. While the initial cost might seem daunting, £41.99 for the Floplast Miniflo Round Half-Shed Water Butt Guttering Pack from Screwfix is a reasonable investment considering the long-term savings on water bills but just a tad too much for me.

In my quest for the perfect rainwater collection solution, I stumbled upon a design by Printable user @barnslig_425031 . Sadly, he only posted the .stl files and initially inspired by his files, I encountered challenges during printing, prompting me to reverse engineer and refine the design using Fusion 360. This reversed-engineered version not only addresses previous issues but also offers greater customisation to suit individual greenhouse setups.

I went ahead and printed one of the Blind Plugs and one of the Hose connectors left and found that the inner dimensions were two mils too tall on one of the sides. “Damn Bollocks and Buggeration.”

So, I set about reverse engineering his design from the ground up and have produced a Fusion 360 version. There is an element that I can not find out how to remove but in the final .stl etc files it is not a problem. But this will enable me to tweak and poke the design to fit nicely in my greenhouse and with those Fusion 360 files you will too. This was not as easy as it sounds though as it took me 23 attempts to get the shape right for my standard greenhouse gutter shape, so be gentle if you play with the Fusion 360 files as I very nearly gave up with this project.

Currently, I'm experimenting with printing the design in PETG for its superior strength and durability with water compared to PLA. I've included various file versions—F3D for Fusion 360, 3MF, STEP, and STL—to facilitate customisation and collaboration within our community of rainwater enthusiasts.

But the journey doesn't end there! Inspired by @barnslig_425031's design, German contributor @luckiesdavid_1649285 has introduced modifications to accommodate a standard Hozelock/Gardena hose connector from Screwfix ().

I shall leave a message on his file and see if he can reproduce a parametric version for my files.

I have included the following file versions: so as to help you get ahead if you wish to tweak the design to your specs. Those being .F3D for Fusion 360, .3MF, .STEP, and .STL. I have included my .gcode is to illustrate that I have turned the two ends that take the hose pipe are printed at a 45 degree angle as my first print snapped at the base of the pipe because of the layer lines.

Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a novice tinkerer, feel free to customize and share your creations. Collaboration fuels innovation, and together, we can enhance the design and maximize its potential.

As you embark on your rainwater collection journey, remember to share your feedback and experiences. Your insights are invaluable in refining and improving the design for the benefit of our community. And if you encounter any challenges along the way, don't hesitate to reach out—I'm here to help!

Now, let's roll up our sleeves, fire up the printers, and bring this rainwater harvesting vision to life. Together, we can make a splash in sustainable gardening practices and nurture our green spaces for generations to come. Happy harvesting, fellow rainwater wranglers!

If you encounter any issues or if the design doesn't meet your expectations, please let me know on the sharing page. I'll do my best to address any concerns. Additionally, I would appreciate it if you could like the design, save it to your collections, and share it. Your feedback, both positive and constructive, is invaluable in aiding my development efforts to create these items for myself.

I'd love to see a photo of your creation, as I'm curious to see how it turned out for you. Thank you for your interest and feedback!

Print Settings:

Standard Quality

Nozzle: 0.2mm

Fan Speed: 45%

Supports:

Type: Tree

Mouse Ear Anti Warp Tabs. This is because I found that because the wall thicknesses of the parts are only 1.20mm as I found the corners tended to lift from the build plate.

3 walls

4 top/bottom layers

15% Cubic infill

Material: eSun PETG

Colour: Grey

Amount: 62.27 g

Time to Print: 6 Hrs 55 Mins

"Greenhouse Rainwater Gutter Hose Connector"

0.2mm layer, 2 walls, 15% infill