(506) 2240-6804
Small 3d printer kit
The 10 Best DIY 3D Printer Kits 2022 (Starting at $150!)
Increasingly, makers are turning away from desktop FDM 3D printers, preferring to buy a cheap 3D printer kit and build their own DIY 3D printer from scratch. Some of these are RepRap 3D printer kits, and some are specially designed kits.
The 3D printer kit revolution has reduced prices, led to a number of key breakthroughs, and has made 3D printing more accessible than ever before.
These 3D printer kits can take just a few minutes to assemble, or take hours or even days. They can also vary greatly in price, print accuracy, maximum build and print speed. Some even use technologies other than fused deposition modeling — you can now buy DIY SLS 3D printers and SLA 3D printers.
| 3D printer kit name and brand | Build Volume (mm) | Price | Where to purchase for best price | Alternative Purchase Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creality Ender 3 | 220 x 220 x 250 | $189 | Creality Store here | Amazon here |
| Prusa Mini | 180 x 180 x 180 | $399 | Prusa Store here | |
| Creality Ender 3 V2 | 220 x 220 x 250 | $279 | Creality Store here | Amazon here |
| Creality Ender 5 | 220 x 220 x 300 | $349 | Amazon here | |
| Flsun QQ-S | 255 x 255 x 360 | $369 | Amazon here | |
| Tronxy X5SA Pro | 330 x 330 x 400 | $399 | Amazon here | |
| Anycubic Vyper | 245 x 245 x 260 | $429 | Anycubic here | Amazon here |
| Creality CR-10 / V3 | 300 x 300 x 400 | $369 / $459 | Creality here | Amazon here |
| Prusa i3 MK3S | 250 x 210 x 210 | $749 / $999 | Kit available available on Prusa Store here | Fully assembled on Prusa Store here |
| Peopoly Moai | 130 x 130 x 180 | $1,295 | Matterhackers here |
Advantages of DIY 3D printers
- Open source: Most homemade 3D printers are also open source 3D printers, meaning they can be tinkered with, upgraded, and modded freely with the creators’ permission. Many Creality, Prusa and Anet printers are open source, as well as desktop 3D printers like BCN3D and Ultimaker printers.
- Open build areas: 3D printer kits rarely feature closed chambers or enclosures as standard. This would affect the printing of filaments like Nylon or PEEK, but is less of an issue for standard filaments like PLA or PETG.
- Easily upgradable parts: DIY 3D printer owners are frequently switching out parts, such as nozzles, hot ends and extruders for better quality parts.
- Lower price: For the quality and size, you get a better deal if you build your own 3D printer.
- Larger build volume: The open build area means that you can have a larger 3D printer build area for the same size, neglecting the need for an enclosing frame.
Therefore, low cost kits like the Creality CR-10 can have huge build volumes.
Build your own 3D printer: what makes a good DIY 3D printer?
We used several criteria to determine which 3D printer kit made it into our ranking:
- Cheap DIY 3D printer kits: We only included FDM 3D printer kits under $1,500. The printers are listed in price order, cheapest first.
- Print quality
- It it easy to build your own 3D printer: Not everyone is a technology wizard. Therefore, any kit that can be assembled quickly, easily, and is simple to operate, is at an advantage.
The best 3D printer kits
3DSourced is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
1. Creality Ender 3
- Price: $189 — Available on Creality Store here / Available on Amazon here
- Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
The original Ender 3 is still one of the most popular 3D printer kits in the world, more than three years after it was originally released.
The low price, great build area, and reliability have cemented the Ender 3 as one of the best 3D printer kits around.
The reliability is a major selling point in such a cheap 3D printer kit. Whereas most DIY printers in this price range are plagued by issues caused by low-quality parts, the Ender 3 is dependable and consistent, partly due to its upgraded extruder to prevent clogging or poor extrusion.
The resume printing function is useful if you’re prone to power cuts or want to print for several days straight and don’t want to risk a huge ruined print, and the Ender 3 is fairly quick to assemble, and shouldn’t take more than an hour or so.
However, it doesn’t feature auto-leveling — you’ll need to install a BLTouch or similar kit for that.
2. Prusa Mini — Great Prusa 3D printer kit
- Price: $399 — Available on Prusa Store here
- Print volume: 180 x 180 x 180 mm
- Print speed: up to 200mm/s
The Mini 3D printer version of the wildly successful Prusa MK3S, the Mini retains the 0.
05mm layer precision and can still calibrate itself, but costs less than half of the i3 MK3S. With the Mini, you can build your own 3D printer — and one with Prusa-level reliability! — for just $349.
It’s more compact, with a smaller build volume, and features removable spring steel sheets that make removing finished prints extremely easy — just flex the build plate and prints will come off with ease.
The extruder cannot reach the same temperatures during printing as the MK3S, though you can still print a number of tougher filaments like ABS, PETG, ASA and flexible filaments. The Mini retains the fast 200mm/s max printing speed, and can be upgraded to feature a filament sensor.
Overall, it’s another reliable 3D printer by the trusted Prusa brand who have proven over the years that their printers are some of the best 3D printer kits around. If you have the money, go for the MK3S, but for those on a budget, the Mini does a great job.
3. Creality Ender 3 V2 — Best DIY 3D Printer Under $300
- Price: $279 — Available on Creality Store here / Available on Amazon here
- Build volume: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
Building on the success of the Ender 3 and improving and fixing its few flaws, the Ender 3 V2, while the same size build volume, is a much enhanced DIY 3D printer.
The upgraded motherboard makes the printer quieter than ever, and the extra power makes for a much more stable and precise printing experience.
Read more: the quiet 3D printer buyer’s guide
The upgraded extruder is also a great touch. It’s easier to load and feed filament into via the rotary knob, ideal for PLA and flexible filaments. The large 4.3-inch screen makes the interface more intuitive, and the Ender 3 V2 is really easy to use overall.
Another extra is the carborundum glass platform, which can heat up faster than ever and improves adhesion so you can be sure of a great first layer. Overall, if you have the extra $100 to spare, consider going for the Ender 3 V2 over the original.
4. Creality Ender 5 — The Best DIY 3D printer under $500
- Price: $349 — Available on Amazon here / 3DJake UK & Europe here
- Print volume: 220 x 220 x 300 mm
Another Creality kit, the Ender 5 is another great 3D printer you can build at home.
The Ender 5 is $100 more expensive, but boasts a number of improvements that make the extra money seem worth it.
Firstly, it can print taller prints than the Ender 3 — 300 mm high rather than 250 — important if you print tall structures like tall vases or monument 3D models. The structure is also stronger, having adopted a cube shape like the Tronxy X5SA which helps with stability, reducing vibrations or movements from external events, and improving part surface finish and quality.
Moreover, the minimum layer height of 50 microns is extraordinary for such a cheap machine. Review after review repeats how crisp the surface finish of their prints look with the Ender 5, so it’s fair to say the Ender 5 is a smash hit.
- For an extra $50 you can upgrade to the Ender 5 Pro printer kit, at $399. It’s available to buy here.
Note: while the Ender 5 can be tweaked to increase print speed without a noticeable loss in print quality, we recommend you don’t get too extravagant with this.
Stick with 60 mm/s or below for models with intricate parts — it’s worth a bit of extra printing time to guarantee crisp prints.
5. FLSUN QQ-S — Great Delta DIY 3D printer
- Price: $369 — Available on Amazon worldwide here
- Print volume: 255 x 255 x 360 mm
- Print speed: up to 300mm/s
One of the best DIY delta 3D printer machines out there, the Flsun QQ-S features notable improvements on the original Flsun QQ. It comes 90% assembled, so though technically still a 3D printer kit it will take under an hour to get up and running.
- We were lucky enough to test the FLSUN QQ-S, make sure to also check out our FLSUN QQ-S review.
Not only does it have a fantastic build volume for the price — especially the ability to print tall parts! — but it also comes with an upgraded lattice glass print bed, allowing for faster heating up to 100C in under 5 minutes, less warping and better adhesion during 3D printing. This is perfect for materials such as ABS filament, which are known to warp significantly under the wrong conditions.
Another advantage that beginners will enjoy is that as delta 3D printers don’t move the print bed — the print head does all the moving — the printer only needs to be auto-leveled once. It comes with a titan extruder, and can print with common printing materials like PLA and ABS, PVA, and HIPS for supports, as well as wood-filled filaments and flexible filaments.
It’s accurate, too, able to print at up to 50 microns. Overall, it’s a fantastic delta 3D printer kit that prints accurately, and super fast — it even made it into our fastest 3D printer ranking. It’s also one of the easiest DIY 3D printers to build, coming almost fully assembled — you just need to attach the gears and rods to hold the structure up, and then attach the extruder and filament holder.
6. Tronxy X5SA Pro — Huge Self-Assemble 3D printer
- Company based: China
- Price: $399 — Available on Amazon here
- Build volume: 330 x 330 x 400 mm
Kit 3D printer kings Tronxy showed humility and dedication to improve the X5SA Pro, fixing a number of small issues that affected the original.
The X5SA Pro addresses the X-axis issues and has made it more stable, and upgraded the materials forming the printer kit’s structure. Now on the X5SA Pro, most of the printer is made from aluminum and is heavier and more stable, reducing vibrations and generally improving print performance.
As for the X5SA’s specs, it’s a large 3D printer DIY kit with similar printing sizes to the Creality CR-10, and boasts a 330 x 330 x 400 build volume. It claims increased precision vs the original Tronxy X5SA, and has a maximum accuracy of 125 microns. It’s impressive, reliable and one of the best cheap 3D printers you can get with such a large size — so those with big 3D printing ideas will enjoy both this and the Creality CR-10.
It’ll probably take you around four hours to build this printer kit, but it’ll be worth it once you start printing!The Tronxy X5SA Pro’s cube shape offers stability benefits resulting in good surface finish.
7. Anycubic Vyper
- Price: $429 — Available on Anycubic store here / Available on Amazon here
- Build volume: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
A key feature on the Anycubic Vyper missing from many printers in this price range is that the Vyper self-levels.
This is a huge relief for busy makers who would rather not re-level their printer every few prints, and who just want to get to the fun part — printing! The 16-point bed leveling process accounts for differences between the nozzle and bed and can be done in just one click.
The 32-bit motherboard is beefed up compared to previous Anycubic 3D printer kits, offering silent printing and improved stability. We tested the Anycubic Vyper and found it to be consistent in printing, easy to operate with the 4.3-inch touchscreen, and it was incredibly easy to assemble — we built it in 10-15 minutes.
The new PEI spring steel magnetic print bed can be lifted off the platform easily for easy removal of your finished parts, and is designed to be scratch and heat resistant and to work well with standard filaments such as PLA, ABS, PETG, and TPU.
The Vyper also features an innovative new two-fan dual cooling system, cooling down parts quicker and enabling faster printing without causing errors — the Vyper can comfortably print at 100mm/s.
8. Creality CR-10 / V3
- Price: $369 / $459 — Available on Amazon here / Available on Creality Store here
- Print volume: 300 x 300 x 400 mm
The Creality CR-10 has a passionate group of supporters who hail it as the best DIY 3D printer kit in its price range. Manufactured by Creality, the CR-10 is a fantastic 3D printer build kit that can be built within 45 minutes.
- For a larger version, the Creality CR10 MAX has 450 x 450 x 470 mm maximum build volume, and costs $999. You can buy it here / or on 3DJake UK & Europe here
- For a smaller version, the CR10 Mini is available — you can buy it here / or on 3DJake UK & Europe here
The Creality CR-10 has an accuracy and print volume which is competitive with printers 5 times more expensive. With it’s minimum layer thickness of 0.05mm and fantastic 300 x 300 x 400 mm build volume, the Creality CR-10 is a great printer for just $370. It’s easy to use, making it the perfect 3D printer for beginners.
9. Prusa i3 MK3S — best 3D printer kit
- Company based: Czechia
- Price: $749 as a kit — Available on the Prusa store here / $999 fully assembled — Available on the Prusa store here
- Build volume: 250 x 210 x 210 mm
The Prusa i3 is known as the undeniable king of DIY 3D printer kits. These RepRap kits are fantastic, sporting an impressive print volume of 250 x 210 x 210 mm, and being able to print at speeds up to 200mm/s! It’s also accurate, durable and a complete workhorse, with layer heights from 0.05 mm and a bendable print surface to make removing finished prints as easy as possible.
Accessible via USB stick or by SD card, the Prusa i3 MK3 kits are designed to be simple to use as well as effective. With layer resolutions up to 50 microns, the Prusa i3 homemade 3D printer is so effective that it outperforms far more expensive 3D printers. It can print tougher filaments than more expensive printers too, with a Bondtech extruder that can reach temperatures of up to 300C, making printing Polycarbonate, ABS, Nylon, and other difficult filaments no problem.
Colorful prints are possible with the Multi Material Upgrade Kit, which we discuss below.
Additionally, you can print up to 5 colors simultaneously with your Prusa if you purchase their multi-material upgrade kit, costing $300. This makes colorful model printing a breeze, and opens up for far more extravagant printing projects.
- With a Multi Material Upgrade kit, it can also print multiple colors. We explain more in our color 3D printer buyer’s guide.
- You can buy the Multi Material Upgrade Kit 2.0 here.
You can choose to either assemble the kit yourself or buy the printer pre-assembled, though this costs a few hundred dollars more. Overall, the Prusa remains the undisputed king of DIY 3D printer kits, with its competitors needing to do a lot of catching up to dethrone it.
The Prusa, with Multi Material Upgrade kit, allowing it to print multiple colors simultaneously. We explain this in our color 3D printer guide.10. Peopoly Moai SLA Kit — Homemade resin 3D printer kit
- Price: $1,295 — Available on Matterhackers here
- Build volume: 130 x 130 x 180 mm
The only resin 3D printer featured in our 3D printer kit guide, the Peopoly Moai is an incredible feat of engineering.
It’s huge, offers incredible accuracy and precision, and best of all, you can build your own 3D printer at home from scratch.
For those looking for an effective SLA 3D printer, and who do not want to pay full price, the Moai kit could be the perfect printer for you. It is so accurate that it can mechanically print up to an astonishing 5-micron layer height, according to Peopoly, though you’ll likely never reach this accuracy because you won’t need to, nor would most resins or models accommodate this.
Featuring a 70-micron laser spot size, once you’ve built this homemade 3D printer you’ll be ready to create resin molds for 3D printed jewelry, dental models, engineering pieces, as well as prototypes for rapid prototyping or fun characters if you use the Moai as a 3D printer for miniatures.
The Peopoly Moai is open to use third-party resins, for those who want to save money on lower-cost resins and are fine with the slight quality drop-off. The printer itself however does not come with any resin, so you’ll need to purchase that with the kit.
It is only to be expected that the Moai will take some time to assemble, as resin 3D printers are more complex than their FDM 3D printer counterparts, but most makers will be able to build their own 3D printer within 4 hours.
Cheap 3D Printer Kit, Best DIY 3D Printer and Reprap Kits
DIY 3D Printers
We have the collections of high quality reprap 3d printer kit to make your own 3d printer. 3d printer kit became very popular with students and enthusiasts who wants to make a 3d printer. Our store provides best 3d printer kits and you can choose your DIY 3d printer on your choice based on your budget and specifications.
3D Printing has been declared as one of the top emerging technology of the past decade and now is certainly the best time to get your hands on with it. 3D Printers have been around for some time now however the recent expiry of patents and the widespread availability at an affordable price has been a real catalyst in the spread of its acceptance with general public.
One of the most budget friend kind of the 3D Printers are the DIY (Do it yourself) 3D Printer kits. Although assembly of these 3d printers need some patience and some basic DIY skills, we have to point out that they are the one of best if you are inclined to understand the mechanics of these amazing machines.
All the DIY 3D printer kits available on our store have been handpicked and have gone through our strict quality control. We keep close eye on these printers and make sure every product delivered to our customers have gone through rigorous quality testing, such as inspection of raw materials used to make the kit , safety tests conducted on electronics and circuits used, and inspection of all finished products before delivery to our customers.
DIY 3D printer kit is the best low-cost option if you want to learn the Nitty-gritty of 3D printing.
We are proud to pamper our customers with 3d printer options that are available at our store.
You can chose from the widest range of 3d printer like 3D printer DIY Kits, Personal 3D Printers, Professional 3D Printers as well as Consumable which work with most kind of 3D printers.
Product Compare (0)
Filter
Sort By:
DefaultName (A - Z)Name (Z - A)Price (Low > High)Price (High > Low)Rating (Highest)Rating (Lowest)Model (A - Z)Model (Z - A)
Showing 1 to 25 of 92 (4 Pages)
Show:
255075100
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-54%
$139 USD$299 USD
(9 reviews)
(9 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-36%
$145 USD$225 USD
(4 reviews)
(4 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-19%
$154 USD$189 USD
(5 reviews)
(5 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-36%
$159 USD$249 USD
(17 reviews)
(17 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-25%
$169 USD$225 USD
(8 reviews)
(8 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
NEW
SALE
-26%
$169 USD$229 USD
(5 reviews)
(5 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-30%
$174 USD$249 USD
(7 reviews)
(7 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-54%
$183 USD$398 USD
(42 reviews)
(42 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-38%
$186 USD$299 USD
(2 reviews)
(2 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-24%
$189 USD$249 USD
(106 reviews)
(106 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-46%
$189 USD$349 USD
(33 reviews)
(33 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-60%
$199 USD$499 USD
(9 reviews)
(9 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-23%
$199 USD$259 USD
(5 reviews)
(5 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-38%
$199 USD$319 USD
(4 reviews)
(4 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-31%
$206 USD$299 USD
(88 reviews)
(88 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
NEW
SALE
-16%
$209 USD$249 USD
(2 reviews)
(2 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-43%
$209 USD$369 USD
(21 reviews)
(21 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-56%
$222 USD$499 USD
(10 reviews)
(10 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-54%
$229 USD$499 USD
(27 reviews)
(27 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-43%
$229 USD$399 USD
(12 reviews)
(12 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-41%
$234 USD$398 USD
(2 reviews)
(2 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-21%
$235 USD$299 USD
(43 reviews)
(43 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-21%
$237 USD$299 USD
(7 reviews)
(7 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-20%
$239 USD$299 USD
(15 reviews)
(15 reviews)
QUICK VIEW
SALE
-38%
$248 USD$399 USD
(6 reviews)
(6 reviews)
This product has no stock!! Please enter your information to form bellow.
We will send you notification when it is back!
Your Name
Your Email
Your Phone
Tools needed to maintain the 3D printer
3DPrintStory Reviews Tools needed to maintain a 3D printer
Building a 3D printer from scratch is hard enough, not to mention trying to assemble it without the right tools. Below we highlight some of the most common 3D printer repair and assembly tools.
Caliper
Calipers are used to measure the distance between opposite sides of an object. Although used in many industries, including medicine and woodworking, modern calipers in mechanical engineering are often Vernier calipers that offer a high degree of accuracy compared to purely mechanical options.
The included digital dials and scales can display measurements to the nearest thousandth of a millimeter/inch.
Screwdrivers/Hex Keys
The 3D printer is made up of complex individual parts that are held together with a variety of materials and fasteners. In matters of assembly and repair of a 3D printer, screwdrivers and hex keys are crucial. Be sure to stock up on a flat head screwdriver as well as a set of hex wrenches of various sizes. Due to the huge number and variety of mounts, most 3D printers use metric mounts, but this statement is not an unshakable truth, anything can happen, there are a lot of manufacturers of desktop 3D printers.
Hex keys are simple and small hex head screwdrivers that are very cheap in cost. So it is convenient for both manufacturers and consumers, who can purchase a set of hexagons of various sizes for a small amount and use it not only for a 3D printer, but in general in everyday life.
Wrenches
Although there are dozens of wrenches, each with a specific purpose, for those who work with a 3D printer, hex keys, socket wrenches, spanners and adjustable wrenches will be the most useful.
Due to the large number of fasteners used in 3D printers, manipulating in tight spaces and applying a lot of force without moving the entire wrench arm is key. To do this, hex keys have a relatively small footprint, and socket wrenches allow you to securely tighten fasteners without swinging the entire socket wrench arm (and likely avoid damaging the 3D printer frame). Adjustable wrenches have the same backlash as adjustable pliers, allowing precise control of fasteners in tight spaces. keys like these will be useful for working in and around the 3D printer's extruder.
Wire strippers/wire crimps, soldering iron
Often included in the same tool, wire strippers and wire crimps are used to strip wires and connect crimp connectors, respectively. While any pliers with sharp inside jaws can strip the wire, the process is more difficult than using a good wire stripper. Similarly, sharp-tipped pliers can be used to terminate crimp connectors at the ends of wires, although this requires more skill and patience than using crimp pliers.
3D printers often include dozens of wires, and having clean connections between various electronic devices ensures they last a long time. Along the same lines, a soldering iron may sometimes be required when assembling and maintaining the printer. However, solder joints can serve as replacements for crimp connector bodies, although the solder joint is not as flexible/modular if changes need to be made.
Please note that most solders cannot withstand the temperature of a 3D printer's hot end. Crimp connectors should only be used in areas of the printer that can become very hot. This applies to the greatest extent to the connections of the heating element and the hotend thermistor.
Pliers
When building your basic 3D printing tool kit, don't overlook a good pair of pliers. They will definitely come in handy for scraping off excess filament from the hotend and bed, or for fixing parts of a 3D printer and attaching wires. Due to the extreme temperatures around the hot end, you should never manually adjust components under the X carriage while the printer is heating up or cooling down.
Pliers (and to some extent wrenches and screwdrivers) will allow you to manipulate the hot parts of a 3D printer without getting burned.
Lubrication
With many moving axles, bearings and carriages, a 3D printer is nothing more than a finely tuned dynamic machine. It is very important to properly lubricate the parts with a few drops of machine lubricant. Silicone-based compounds or those containing PTFE are best for protecting the rods, bearings, and bushings that allow the printer to print. Lubricant and timely maintenance of the mechanics of a 3D printer will definitely help protect your brainchild from unnecessary and unpleasant breakdowns.
Spirit level
A simple water level can help calibrate the 3D printer bed, X carriage and frame components. Mostly used during assembly. It can also be used to check the alignment of parts after a long period of use or during troubleshooting.
Cable Ties (Cable Ties)
Fully assembled 3D printers rarely require additional cables, but do-it-yourself 3D printers and printers assembled from scrap materials and assemblies will require adequate cable management.
In addition, many 3D printer parts use cable ties as structural elements - again, with the exception of most prefabricated assemblies.
Material spool holder
A clean material feed to the 3D printer is very important as it helps to maintain the integrity of the extruder and the mobility of the extruder carriage. It also prevents jamming during long 3D prints where it is simply not possible to be present during the entire print. So if your 3D printer did not come with a holder for a spool of material, you definitely need to make it yourself.
Top 20 3D printed toys
Why 3D print toys? What toys can be 3D printed? 1. Mini monster truck 2. Surprise eggs 3. Gliders with elastic band 4. Folding sword 5. Micro catapult 6. Spinning top 7. Moving animals 8. Spirograph 9. Transformers 10. Toy tool set 11. Castle 12. Lego bricks 13 14. Edible toys 15. Anti-stress keychain 16. Chunky Trucks set 17. Sword rattles 18. Vikings Squigglepeeps 19. Math Spinner 20.
Jumping Turtles Results
Today, 3D printing is developing and spreading very rapidly, gaining more and more popularity. And no wonder, because 3D printing is an invaluable tool for prototyping designs, creating mockups, fabricating parts, and more. At the same time, it is no longer difficult to buy a 3D printer at an affordable price even for home use. However, a 3D printer is not only a tool, it is also a kind of toy. A toy capable of creating other toys! Using a 3D printer to make toys gives you control over the material, color, size and other components, so the models you create with 3D printing will be unique!
But what if you don't have your 3D printer and you need to print a toy or some part of it? It doesn't matter, in this case our 3D printing studio will help you! You only need to place an order by uploading the file of the desired finished model, after which our specialists will contact you to calculate the cost and resolve other possible issues.
Why 3D print toys?
This is probably the first question that comes to mind, and it is not surprising, because often 3D printing can cost you more than the cost of such a toy in the store. But there are also a number of advantages of 3D printing, as well as cases when it would be more profitable and appropriate to turn to creating models on a 3D printer.
- As already mentioned, a toy printed on a 3D printer can be absolutely unique due to the ability to set exactly the shapes, sizes and colors that you and your child want.
- Some toys can be hard to find in the store and can cost more than the printed copy.
- Sometimes you only need to replace one or a few broken or missing parts of a toy, such as a building toy. In this case, it will be much more profitable and more expedient to use a 3d printer than to buy a whole set for a high price.
- An important factor is, of course, the impressions of the 3d printing process itself, which will captivate both a child and an adult.
And the positive emotions of your child from the toy you created will be the best reward! - And for those who are just getting acquainted with their printer and 3d printing in general, the process of creating toys will be an excellent, exciting simulator to improve their skills and gain experience.
Which toys can be 3D printed?
In the context of constant development and increase in the possibilities of 3D printing technology, you can create almost any toy on a 3D printer, but the result largely depends on the capabilities of your device, your abilities, as well as the time, resources and effort that you are willing to devote to this process. Therefore, more or less simple projects are most often created on a 3D printer. But the relative ease of manufacture does not mean boring finished products! Below we will give you a list of 20 interesting 3D printed toys that are not particularly difficult to create. Among these crafts you will find toys for children of all ages, including the smallest: mechanical products, motion figures, building blocks and even rattles! For each toy from the list, we leave a link to the finished model so that you can try them yourself.
So let's get to know them better!
1. Mini monster truck
Two monster trucks. Source: Thingiverse
Not everyone can afford a monster truck, but if you have a 3D printer, you can print yourself a mini copy of it... which is almost as cool. Thanks to the all-printed suspension and removable discs that attach easily and without the aid of glue to the body, this truck is perfect straight from the printed surface.
You can even choose from a variety of body styles and wheels. And for a two-tone tire, stop printing the wheel at 19.8 mm and replace the filament.
Model files for download can be found here.
2. Surprise eggs
Surprise! Source: Twitter
Bigger is not always better. And often the most interesting thing is just a small size, and these 3D printed eggs with a surprise are an example of this.
These tiny cars with moving wheels and other accessories are amazing! Plus, you have plenty to choose from, as you can print surprise eggs with just about anything inside, be it a fire truck or even a fighter plane!
No support required for these models.
We advise you to use at least 40% infill to make sure that small elements are both beautiful and durable. Given the number of such tiny parts these machines have, be prepared that printing them can be a real challenge for you, but with good calibration and fine tuning of your machine, everything will work out in the best way!
3. Elastic Gliders
Get ready to take off! Source: Thingiverse
With 3D printed gliders, you can "pull" even more fun out of ordinary rubber band ! Just 3 simple steps, and your glider will take off: hook it with an elastic band, pull it towards you and release it.
With this model on Thingiverse, you and your friends can take to the skies a whole fleet of these rubber gliders!
100% infill and a layer height of 0.1 mm is recommended for greater aircraft strength and longer life for thin wings.
4. Folding sword
Telescopic pirate sword. Source: Thingiverse
This toy may not be best given to a child when there are breakable items nearby.
But in the right environment, telescopic swords will bring tons of fun and enjoyment to kids! From the designer of this folding pirate sword, you can also find models of telescopic katana, daggers and even lightsabers!
This Telescopic Pirate Sword is designed for printing at low speed using a 0.4mm nozzle. Also, successful printing requires a printer with a good retract and precise settings for Coast (turning off extrusion at the end of the layer print) and Wipe (“wiping” the nozzle at the end of the layer).
5. Micro Catapult
Hit all your enemies (or at least the roommates). Source: Thingiverse
This little catapult is a great toy for kids and bored office workers alike. She can throw small crumpled pieces of paper and any other small things that will fit in her. Selected ammunition can fly about 2 meters, which is enough to hit unsuspecting victims at another table!
This model is an all-printed prefabricated assembly that does not require any supports or special adjustments.
A minimum filling and layer height of 0.25 mm is sufficient.
Despite the fact that many catapults are made from PLA plastic, the author of the design still insists that this model is not for PLA, but for ABS plastic. We can also recommend PETG filament for this printing, which has the best qualities of PLA and ABS.
6. Top
The oldest toy for the whole family. Source: Thingiverse
As far as we know, the spinning top is one of the oldest toys in the world. In ancient times, tops were made from almost any material: from stone and wood to fruits and nuts. And now additive technologies allow you to make your own spinning top using a 3D printer! All you have to do is print this model, glue the pieces together and have fun with this simple yet fun toy!
Offered 0.2 mm layer height and 20% infill.
7. Moveable animals
Cute articulated octopuses. Source: Thingiverse
Making flexible prints with a 3D printer has become completely affordable and common practice thanks to special filaments such as TPU.
But what if we said that you don't have to use flexible plastics to create flex parts?
Using excellent hinges that are printed in one piece with the entire model, you can create movable, bending toys even from plastics such as PLA, ABS and PETG, without any additional settings and adjustments.
The standard specifies a layer height of 0.2 mm and an infill of at least 15%.
The most popular of the models:
- Octopus
- T-Rex
- Lizard
8. Spirograph
Convenient case for creativity at any time. Source: Thingiverse
Everyone knows such a children's toy as a spirograph, which allows you to easily draw masterpieces with repeating geometric patterns. But this model has gone a little further and is a whole case containing a platform for drawing and a compartment for storing gears and paper. It fits easily into your pocket, backpack and bag, so you can take it with you and paint whenever you want!
The case has several levels.
The lower level holds slips of paper for notes, drawing gears and, if desired, a small pencil or pen, if, of course, you can find one. The next level provides a secure, flat drawing surface so you can make art while walking! The top level has fixed gear teeth and holds the piece of paper in place.
A layer height of 0.2 mm and an infill of 20% or more is recommended. As a loop, a regular straightened 1.75 mm filament thread is used.
9. Transformers
Toys from the planet Cybertron. Source: Thingiverse
Transformers are still a hugely popular children's toy, so these Optimus Prime and Megatron will definitely appeal to your children.
This printed Optimus Prime transforms from a classic Optimus truck into a fully functional standing robot. And it's amazing, considering that you immediately get a ready-to-use all-printed model right from the printing platform, which does not even require supports!
But, of course, every Optimus needs an opponent to fight.
Therefore, you can also print Megatron, but it should be noted that his model is more difficult to print and consists of two parts.
10. Set of toy tools
The first tools for little craftsmen. Source: Thingiverse
The toy tool set is a great way to introduce kids to basic tools, how they look, what they do, and how they work. Print your child's first hammer, screwdriver and pliers and he'll feel like a real craftsman!
The hammer is modeled to fit two pieces together with a screw, but some users simply glue them together, which is just as pretty. You can also use a hammer to assemble pliers: just lay the two pieces on a flat surface with the screw down and tap lightly a couple of times.
Model can be found here.
11. Castle
Build your own medieval world! Source: Thingiverse
This medieval castle playset is meticulously designed for 3D printing. Walls and towers are easily attached to each other with a simple connection.
You can make as many details as you want to create a large or small original castle layout of your own! The set contains walls, towers, houses, characters, animals and a variety of props to add to the fun of this medieval set.
All parts are small enough to be printed comfortably even on 3D printers with a small printable area: 140x140x140mm. For such purposes, the Flashforge Creator Pro 2 3D printer is perfect, equipped with two independent extruders and has excellent printing accuracy. This printer will cope with the study of small details, and two extruders will help you print several parts at once or one part in two colors!
12. Lego bricks
Favorite construction set is now more accessible! Source: Pinterest
LEGO is one of the most popular toys for children. At the same time, the cubes of this designer are made of ordinary ABS plastic. So, having your own 3D printer, you can print the missing/lost Lego bricks yourself or even some of your author's design of the details of this amazing designer! At the same time, you can use not only ABS, but also other 3D plastics: PLA and PETG are also great.
Thingiverse has a lot of Lego models, and we'll take a look at one of them. It's customizable model of several different LEGO and LEGO DUPLO pieces. These bricks are not completely identical to real Lego, but they are compatible in every way.
13. Ballista
Fire! Source: Thingiverse
Introducing a fully printed ballista model, ready to use right out of the box. One has only to set the string and load the projectile, and this ballista will impress you with its simplicity and good range of the arrow. As a bowstring, you can use several layers of thread or ordinary stationery gum.
Recommended to print in PLA or PETG with 90% coverage and 0.2mm layer height.
14. Edible toys
The Open Toys project turns ordinary vegetables into toys. Source: Thingiverse
The project was originally envisioned as a way to turn commonly discarded residual materials such as wood and cork into toys: helicopters, planes, cars and so on.
But soon, wood and cork were replaced by more accessible and easily pierced materials: fruits and vegetables. With this project, you can turn ordinary food items into fun personalized toys.
15. Anti-stress keychain
Entertaining keychain. Source: Thingiverse
Add some flair to your keychain with this cool little toy. She will entertain you wherever you are!
This model is not the easiest, but try it and you will definitely succeed! Important print quality settings are "Outer Walls Before Inner Walls" and being extra careful with temperature. It is printed with supports and requires a certain, sometimes lengthy, post-processing. Remove not only supports, but also make sure that the surface of the part is smooth, otherwise it will cling and stutter. A scalpel or a 1 mm drill will do. Periodically rotate the gears to see where it still sticks, which is especially true when using PLA.
16. Chunky Trucks set
Two models from the fun and cute Chunky Trucks set.
Source: Thingiverse
The adorable Chunky Trucks collection includes various unique models of small trucks, fun builders and even a movable barrier. The cars are specially designed so that even the smallest children can play with them. Unlike builders, who are not recommended to be printed for toddlers so that they do not try to put them in their mouths, but which will greatly amuse older children.
All models can be printed without supports. And for long truck life, at least 25% infill and three-wall use are recommended.
17. Rattleswords
Arm your warrior! Source: Thingiverse
Rattles are an integral part of all babies. But what if we move away from banal and boring designs and build a rattle in the form of a sword for your little warrior? This fun design will not only amuse your baby, but also you, as this rattle will be a lot of fun to print!
All corners of the model are rounded for safety. There are also two versions of the tip.
Initially, a gem was attached to the tip, but after some concern that the stone could slip off the tip and be swallowed by a child, a second version was created that did not include a gem.
Print two sets of peas first. Then, while printing the sword, throw them inside the blade. This will ensure that the peas stay inside the rattle forever. After printing all the elements, simply fasten them with superglue.
As with any printed toy, parental guidance is required. Be sure to throw away the toy if it breaks.
18. Viking Squigglepeeps
Three Viking Squigglepeeps set sail. Source: Thingiverse
Squigglepeeps is another baby-safe toy, this time with absolutely no glue required. These fun chubby Vikings and their boat are too big to choke on, making them suitable for kids of all ages. They look funny even in one color, but they will be even more beautiful if you paint them with child-safe paints! The model also absolutely does not require supports.
19. Math Spinner
A great way to have fun learning math! Source: 3Dtoday
This math spinner is the perfect companion for learning math. Moreover, it is suitable for all ages, because it is never too late to brush up on your arithmetic knowledge! You can print this finished model or modify it for yourself by removing or adding rings. This advanced design contains all the signs of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, equality and inequality, as well as a pointer to the string to be solved! On the central insert there are special grooves for fixing. For this version, you will need to print 2 caps and 8 rings of numbers, the rest of the details are printed in a single copy.
Recommended coverage 25% and layer height 0.2 mm.
20. Jumping turtles
The variety of these turtles is amazing! Source: Thingiverse
Last but not least, jumping turtles! Agree, even the name sounds fun! And a variety of shell designs will give each turtle its own uniqueness.
This model uses the same flex concept as the Mini Monster Truck above, making the Turtles bounce when you tap on the body. Also in this turtle, the head can be drawn into the shell.
The model is assembled with printed H-clamps and does not require glue. All parts are printed without supports. Also note that using the raft (rafts) and brim (margins) options can have a negative effect on the results if you don't then take the time to sand and clean the edges at the base.
If you are having trouble with head slip, you can try printing 1 of the 3 narrower shaft head files that the author uploaded specifically for this case.
Results
We hope you enjoyed this selection of toys for 3D printing, and you will definitely choose some option for yourself, because 3D printing of toys is not only fun and interesting, it is also a new experience and knowledge for both you and and for the child. But we have considered only some entertaining options from the many existing ones.
