How to Make a 3D Printed Water Filter Wrench
By Tim the Techno-Gardener
My yard uses secondary irrigation water that comes from Utah Lake through a system of canals. Utah Lake is very dirty and murky, so the water we get has a lot of debris and gunk in it. I’ve even found leeches in the irrigation water!
The water inlet to our neighborhood has a cool rotary water filter that removes the larger debris, but smaller particles still get through. So, each house needs a finer water filter to prevent sprinklers from getting clogged.
To manage this, our neighborhood has a rotary water filter at the main inlet to remove larger debris. However, finer particles still make it through, which can clog individual sprinkler filters. These filters require regular cleaning—but taking them apart is no easy task.
The Problem
My home’s irrigation filter is in an underground box and sealed with a large plastic ring connecting the upper and lower chambers. Removing this ring is extremely difficult due to its size, tight threading, and the presence of sand and dirt. The limited working space only adds to the challenge.
The Engineering Solution
As an electrical engineer, I decided to create a solution using CAD and 3D printing. I measured the circumference of the ring using a piece of string — 28.5 inches. With that data, I modeled a custom 3D-printed wrench using CAD software.
Due to the size of the filter, I divided the wrench into three interlocking segments that could be printed separately on a standard 3D printer and assembled into a large, functional tool.
Testing and Results
After printing and assembling the wrench, I tested it on the filter. It worked perfectly, allowing me to easily unscrew the ring and clean the internal filter without frustration. The tool dramatically reduced the time and effort required for this routine maintenance task.
Download the 3D Files
If you’re facing a similar issue with your irrigation system, you can download the 3D-printable files for the wrench design below:
About the Creator
Hi, I’m Tim—an electrical engineer who applies engineering principles to gardening and irrigation. I enjoy solving real-world problems using technology, sensors, and automation.
