Tent Stake Pusher

Set tent stakes into hard soil with this small and lightweight tool.  No more pushing on tent stakes until it hurts, or looking around for naturally occurring hammers.  The small size is perfect for ounce-counting backpackers.  The stair-stepping effect of stacking layers provides nice grip. 

This tool works well with nail/peg, X, Y, and V-shaped tent stakes.  It does not work with shepherd's hook style tent stakes that have an open hook on the end, or stakes that are twisted/screwed into the ground.  

Which size?

The versions are differentiated by the diameter of the hole on the underside of the print.  For stakes that are non-cylindrical (like an X), diameter refers to the size of the hole they fit into.  I include sizes from 10 to 24 mm.  The design easily scales in a slicer for more flexibility with size.

Printing and Slicing

If you anticipate using stakes with very hard soil, make your print strong by printing slow with plenty of perimeters, top and bottom layers, and infill.  Voron settings are a good place to start (4 perimeters, 5 top/bottom layers, 40% infill).  

You may not need supports for the recessed hole, but I recommend using supports for a clean and flat surface on the underside.

Which filament?

I recommend printing this tool out of the most durable filament that you have.  I would stay away from PLA because it is likely to perform poorly in hot weather.  I made mine in ABS/ASA.  PETG should also work and will be easy to print.

Internal bracing

I designed hidden, internal walls to reinforce the region around the tent stake head.  With 5 top and bottom layers at 0.2 mm height, this feature will connect the top and bottom with solid plastic and (hopefully) keep the layers from getting crushed.  I recommend checking your layers to verify that this area is solid without infill.   

Thanks for visiting, and enjoy the outdoors!