Things you need to 3d print

67 Cool Things to 3D Print

3D printing is such a fun way to produce creative work—and it has totally taken off. Now, creators are using this amazing new technology to create all kinds of wild and wonderful 3D printer projects that were previously all but impossible to make at home.

These 3D printer projects are a great addition to your online design portfolio. This is such a hot space that shows your mastery of this chic craft could win you some big new clients. You can showcase a collection of cool things to 3D print and some of your best 3D printings too.

Want to get in on this cool 3D prints trend? We’ve compiled a list of 67 inspiring 3D printing ideas to fuel your next 3D printer design. So, what can you make with a 3D printer? Well, there’s something cool for everyone!

Next in our list of cool things to 3D print is a simple project that can be completed in approximately one hour and will produce a whistle. It can produce an eye-popping 118db sound, perfect for camping or sporting events.

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that earbud cords are a pain in the butt to keep organized. They constantly get tangled and eventually produce the dreaded earphone-crackle, rendering your treasured music-makers useless. This is a great example of what you can make with a 3D printer that can improve your everyday life.

A simple toy originally created for Settlers of Catan, this project is durable and (in our opinion) cute. This is one of those 3D printer projects you could use in a few ways: gaming, office desk decoration, children’s toy, you name it! Plus, T-Rexes are (always!) cool.

Organize your desk, and add a little flair at the same time! With these simple 3D printer designs, you’ll have all you need to generate truly unique desktop organizers that not only keep your stuff where it needs to be but look cool as well. You can 3D print a pencil holder that is unique to your own personality and have others mistaking your pencil holders again.

With a 3D printer you’ll be able to replace your dinnerware with new and original 3D printer designs in no time at all. Take this blueberry-themed bowl, for example. Why stop there? There are numerous other designs for plates and bowls out there to make eating at home a unique experience.

One of the cool things to 3D print is an abstract planter for your succulents and cacti. Why use traditional planters to hold your plants? There are cool 3D prints out there that don’t allow you to skip the traditional clay pots. These modular little guys are modern and fresh and guaranteed to make your mini-garden more attractive.

Measuring Cube

Get rid of those 72 measuring spoons from your utensil drawer and replace them all with a single implement! One of the most immediately useful and cool 3D prints in this list, it’ll make for an interesting tool that others will want when they see it.

Cable Holder

Stop the tyranny of cords taking over your desk and entertainment unit and 3D print some space-saving cable management devices. You’ll cut back on desk clutter and all that cord-related aggravation. These are the blessed 3D printed objects that make life a little less annoying!

Nearly everyone these days has a smartphone, and we’ve likely all had moments where we wanted to prop up our phones for viewing video or photos and had to resort to piled books or whatever else is on hand. And it rarely works out as well as we hope! That makes this tiny project one of the coolest 3D printed objects on the list. Plus, they look like cats. Cats are good.

A perennial childhood favorite, kids love them just as much today. Of course, adults can enjoy these toys, too. They could be just the ticket to break through some creative block!

A truly inspiring 3D printing idea, these pop-out business cards allow you to speak to clients in a way they won’t have experienced many times (if ever) before! Rather than a drab piece of cardboard, hand them a toy they can assemble that speaks much louder than a traditional printed card.

Can’t sit still? Searching for a 3D printer project to help you focus? Look no further. Fidget spinners are an excellent way to occupy your mind, and this 3D printed object will definitely do the trick.

This is probably one of the most fun and cool things to 3D print, these gimmicky little toys are quite literally affixed to food items found in your house. A lemon helicopter? A banana-car? Why not! Easy to print and awesome for providing hours of enjoyment to restless rainy-day kiddos.

Definitely among the most interesting and cool things to 3D print in this list (and showcasing a bit more complexity than other entries), the dragonfly is a tiny little flying machine you can whip up in a short time. It’s perfect for providing a little entertainment for your kids on a rainy day.

Why settle for boring cutlery in your drawer? With minimal effort, you can produce some decorative handles for your eating utensils and wow visitors to your humble abode. When they inevitably ask “so, what can you print with a 3D printer?”, you can tell them they’re eating with it!

Drop your phone into these useful little devices to amplify the sound from its speakers. They offer surprisingly high-quality sound—and now you don’t need to lug portable speakers around on picnics or at the beach.

If you’re looking for some more simple and cool 3D printing ideas, consider 3D printing a set of drink coasters. Thanks to simple 3D printer designs like this, we won’t need to spend our hard-earned cash on flimsy little discs anymore. Make your own coasters with whatever designs you want, and say goodbye to tacky freebies and over-priced novelty ones. This idea makes for one of the cool things to 3D print as gifts!

If you’re an audiophile, you’ll truly appreciate this entry as one of the best things to 3d print. By converting audio files, you can create your own records that will play on turntables. Why limit it to music? Record your own special messages to loved ones and send out the love!

Simple 3D printer designs like this are great to have on hand. Hinges are always useful, and come in handy all over the house. These particular designs are super-simple, even by 3D printing standards, requiring just a single step!

With a sliding clasp, these unique chip clip designs work quite well and are fantastically simple things to 3D print.

A larger-scale project than other 3D printing ideas, the Drawing Machine is quite unique: attach a pen and create works of art from files on your computer. This 3D printer project can help you produce invitations, cards or any other manner of drawings.

Some nostalgic old-timey engineering comes into play with these uber-neat 3D printing ideas. Relive the past and have your desk decorated with a sign that uses something other than LED or LCD displays!

When it comes to 3D printing metal, there are people who may choose to use a laser cutter instead. The reason is that 3D printed projects using metal can be costly and time-consuming. However, the two are quite different. 3D printing is an additive process, while laser cutting is a subtractive process. Depending on your needs, those that are looking to create multiple pieces at a quicker pace may choose the laser cutter as it can conveniently cut multiple materials and larger size.

With digital trends of raw and rustic design, you might be considering 3D printing cool things at home with metal. However, printing metal is extremely costly due to its process and the machinery required. If you’re looking for cool things to 3D print at home with a metal-looking finish, we recommend using materials on the market that can create metal-like 3D printed objects instead. These materials give the illusion that your 3D printed pencil holder or camera mount is made out of metal but without the actual cost.

Thanks to 3D printing, it has also made highly-customizable prosthesis possible. One of the coolest things about 3D printed prosthesis is that they can create custom fits for the patient and also a much lower cost. Instead of creating static designs that are “one size fits all”, 3D print gives companies the opportunity to create products that are affordable and personalized. What would have cost lots of money to create is now more accessible thanks to 3D printed prostheses.

Beyond science, 3D printed homes and shelters have also become one of the cool things to 3D print across the world. To address the housing issue around the world, companies have been using this technology to print emergency shelters and 3D printed homes. With this technology, companies and cities can build a community in a much shorter amount of time and for a cost cheaper than traditional home building methods. Each home inside the community can then be purchased at a more affordable cost.

If you love architecture and buildings, companies have created kits that allow people to replicate architectural structures and other cool things with a 3D pen. For boardgame lovers, you 3D print your own figurines by drawing it with your 3D pen. You can also turn your favorite cartoon show characters or movie heroes into 3D. While a 3D pen allows you to draw 2D things to 3D, their limitation tends to be the size of the project you can make. If you’re looking to 3D print a life-size chair, it may be easier to use a printer because 3D pens may not be able to create something as durable.

• Tangram: A super easy and fun game to play with your kids or friends. If you’re going on a road trip or simply trying to pass time, this 3D printed tangram makes for portable entertainment.
• Klöts (Quick shoe ties): Some cool things to 3D print for your kids are these quick shoe ties. With this project, you’ll spend less time worrying about their shoelaces being undone and risking a fall.
• Puzzle Keychain: This heart puzzle is perfect as a gift or personal use. If you’re tight on schedule for an anniversary or valentine’s day gift, this heart puzzle is one of the quickest things to 3D print.
• Door Stop: Some things to 3D print for practical uses are these door stops. Whether you’re using it at home or for your office, printing them is super easy and fast.
• Light Switch Locks: This definitely tops for cool things to 3D print, especially for parents. This awesome tool can prevent your kids from turning the lights on and off at home. Keep certain lights off to save energy.

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Now get out there, get creative, and start turning heads with amazing 3D creations!

Need some more design project inspiration?
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What Do You Need for 3D Printing? – 3D Printerly

3D printers need certain materials and parts to work properly, but people wonder what exactly they need. This article will get into what you need for 3D printers, both filament and resin machines.

What Do You Need for a 3D Printer?

You will need:

• 3D printer
• Computer
• Filament
• Downloadable STL file or CAD software
• Slicer software
• Accessories

The important thing to note, 3D printers come in the form of assembled kits or need manual assembly right out of the box. Most companies offer different items included in the package such as:

• Toolkit (screwdriver; spatula, wrench, Allen keys, and wire cutters)
• Standby nozzle and Nozzle dredge needle
• Test filament
• USB stick/SD card etc,

Most of the things you need already come in the box.

Let’s go through each of the things you’ll need for 3D printing.

3D Printer

The first thing you’ll need for 3D printing is a 3D printer. There are a few options that are great for beginners, the Creality Ender 3 being one of the most popular 3D printers. It’s on the cheaper side of 3D printers for around $200 but it can still get the job done very well.

You can also look at the more modern versions of the Ender 3 such as the:

• Ender 3 Pro
• Ender 3 V2
• Ender 3 S1

Some other filament 3D printers are the:

• Elegoo Neptune 2S
• Anycubic Kobra Max
• Prusa i3 MK3S+

These go for higher prices but they have some great upgrades that improve the operation and ease of use.

The things you want to keep in mind when choosing a 3D printer is what kind of 3D prints you will be making. If you know you want to make larger 3D prints that might be used in costumes or decorations, then it’s a good idea to get a 3D printer with a larger build volume.

These will usually be more expensive, but it makes sense to buy them now rather than buy a medium size 3D printer and need a larger one later.

Another factor that’s important is whether you want a 3D printer for smaller, higher quality items. If that’s the case, you’ll want to get yourself a resin 3D printer which is different from the usual filament 3D printer.

These have a layer resolution of up to 0.01mm (10 microns), which is much better than filament 3D printers at 0.05mm (50 microns).

Some great resin 3D printers are:

• Elegoo Saturn
• Anycubic Photon M3
• Creality Halot One

Computer/Laptop

A computer or laptop is another item that you’ll need for 3D printing. In order to process the files onto the USB stick that you insert into the 3D printer, you want to use a computer or laptop to do this.

A standard computer with basic specs should be enough to handle 3D printing tasks, though a modern one helps to process files faster, especially larger files.

Most 3D printer files are small and mostly below 15MB so most computers or laptops can handle them easily.

The main program you’ll use to process these files are called slicers. A computer system with 4GB-6GB of RAM, Intel quad-core, clock speeds of 2. 2-3.3GHz, and a proper graphics card such as a GTX 650 should be good enough to handle these files at a decent speed.

Recommended Requirements:

• 8 GB RAM or higher
• Ideally SSD compatible
• Graphics Card: 1 GB memory or higher
• AMD or Intel with a quad-core processor and at least 2.2 GHz
• Windows 64-bit: Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7

For more information about this, check out my article Best Computers & Laptops for 3D Printing.

USB Stick/SD Card

A USB drive or SD card is a key part of the process with 3D printing. Your 3D printer will come with an SD card (MicroSD or normal) and a USB card reader. Your 3D printer will have an SD card slot that reads 3D printer files.

You’ll user your computer or laptop to process the file, then save that file to an SD card. It’s better to use an SD card rather than having a direct connection to your computer to your 3D printer because if something happens to your PC while you print, you can lose hours of printing.

You can always buy another USB if you want more space but this isn’t usually necessary for most 3D printer hobbyists.

Downloadable STL file or CAD Software

Another thing you need is the STL file or G-Code file itself. This is what tells your 3D printer what design to actually 3D print, processed through a slicer software which I’ll go through in the next section.

You can choose to either download an STL file from an online file repository, or design the STL file yourself using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software.

Here are some popular STL online file repositories:

• Thingiverse
• My Mini Factory
• Printables

Check out the video below for more information about this.

Here are some popular CAD software for creating your own STL 3D printer files:

• TinkerCAD
• Blender
• Fusion 360

Check out the video below to see how to design STL files in TinkerCAD.

Slicer Software

The slicer software is what you need to process the STL files into G-Code files or files that your 3D printer can actually read.

You simply import an STL file and adjust a number of settings to your desire such as layer height, nozzle and bed temperature, infill, support, cooling fan levels, speed, and much more.

There are several slicer software out there that you can download depending on your preferences. Most people prefer to use Cura for their filament 3D printers, and Lychee Slicer for resin 3D printers since you need the right type of slicer for your machine.

PrusaSlicer is a good mix between the two because it can process both filament and resin 3D printers files in one software.

Some other slicers include:

• Slic3r (filament)
• SuperSlicer (filament)
• ChiTuBox (resin)

Check out this video from Teaching Tech to know all about slicer software.

Filament – 3D Printing Material

You’ll also need the actual 3D printing material, also known as filament. It’s a plastic spool which usually comes in a 1.75mm diameter that feeds through your 3D printer and melts through the nozzle to create each layer.

Here are some types of filament:

• PLA
• ABS
• PETG
• Nylon
• TPU

The most popular and easy to use is PLA. This is a corn-based plastic that is beginner-friendly, non-toxic, and fairly inexpensive. It requires low temperatures to print as well. So very easy to handle. You can get yourself a spool of the Hatchbox’s PLA Filament from Amazon.

There is a version that makes PLA stronger, that is PLA+. It is known to be mechanically stronger and more durable version of PLA, while still being easy to 3D print.

I’d recommend going for something like eSun PLA PRO (PLA+) 3D Printer Filament from Amazon.

ABS is another filament type that’s known to be stronger than PLA, as well as having a higher temperature resistance. It’s similarly priced to PLA but does require a higher temperature to 3D print. ABS can produce quite toxic fumes so you want to 3D print it in a well-ventilated area.

You can get yourself some Hatchbox ABS 1KG 1.75mm Filament from Amazon.

I’d actually recommend using PETG over ABS because it doesn’t have those same toxic fumes and still have a great level of durability and strength. A good brand of PETG is Overture PETG Filament on Amazon also.

The video below goes through a bunch of different filaments you can get for 3D printing.

Accessories

There are some accessories you’ll need for 3D printing. Some are necessary for the maintenance of your 3D printer, while some are used for post-processing of the model to make them look good.

Here are some accessories used in 3D printing:

• Spatula for print removal
• Toolkit – Allen keys, screwdriver etc.
• Glue, tape, hairspray for adhesion
• Oil or grease for maintenance
• Sandpaper, needle file for post-processing
• Cleaning tools – pliers, tweezers, flush cutters
• Digital calipers for precise measuring
• Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning

You can actually get full sets of 3D printer accessories like the 45-Piece 3D Printer Tools Kit from Amazon which includes:

• Art Knife Set: 14 blades & handle
• Deburr Tool: 6 blades & handle
• Nozzle Cleaning Kit: 2 tweezers, 10 cleaning needles
• Wire Brush: 3 pcs
• Removal Spatula: 2 pcs
• Digital Caliper
• Flush Cutter
• Tube Cutter
• Needle File
• Glue Stick
• Cutting Mat
• Storage Bag

This is a great video from Make With Tech to learn the basics about 3D printing.

What Do You Need for Resin 3D Printing?

• Resin 3D Printer
• Resin
• Computer & USB Stick
• Resin Slicer Software
• STL File or CAD Software
• FEP Film
• Nitrile Gloves
• Wash and Cure Machine
• Isopropyl Alcohol or Cleaning Liquid
• Silicone Funnel with Filters
• Paper Towels
• Miscellaneous Tools

The initial process of setting up for resin 3D printing is a bit different than normal FDM 3D printing. The difference here is almost all resin 3D printers come pre-assembled.

So, there is no need to manually assemble any of these. Also, there are items that are included inside the package itself like:

• Metal & plastic spatulas
• USB stick
• Mask
• Gloves
• Slicer software
• Resin filters

Resin 3D Printer

For resin 3D printing, you’ll, of course, need a resin 3D printer itself. I’d recommend going for something like the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro if you want a reliable and competitively priced machine.

Other popular resin 3D printers are:

• Anycubic Photon Mono X
• Creality Halot-One Plus
• Elegoo Saturn

You’ll want to choose a resin 3D printer based on build volume and maximum resolution/layer height. If you want to 3D print larger models at a high quality, the Anycubic Photon Mono X and Elegoo Saturn 2 are good choices.

For a 3D printer with a medium build volume at a decent price, you can go with the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro and Creality Halot-One Plus from Amazon.

Resin

Resin is the main material that resin 3D printers use. It’s a liquid photopolymer that hardens when exposed to a certain wavelength of light. You can get resins in different colors and properties such as tough resin or flexible resin.

A few popular choices of resins are:

• Anycubic Eco Resin
• Elegoo ABS-Like Resin
• Siraya Tech Resin Tenacious

Nevertheless, there are different types of resins. You have to choose your resin depending on the type of model you want to print. There are extra tough resins, resins that are good for painting, and sanding as well.

Computer & USB

Just like in FDM 3D printing, you’ll need to have a computer to upload files to the USB stick to insert into your resin 3D printer. Similarly, your resin 3D printer should come with a USB stick.

Resin Slicer Software

Though some slicers work with both FDM and resin printers, there are slicers that are specifically for resin printing. Their performance is tailor-made for resin printing.

Here are some of the most popular resin slicers:

• Lychee Slicer – my top choice for resin printing with plenty of great features and easy to use. It has a great automated system that can auto arrange, orient, support, etc.
• PrusaSlicer – This is one of the few slicers that works with both FDM and resin 3D printers. It works very well with unique features and is popular among 3D printer hobbyists.
• ChiTuBox – Another great choice for resin 3D printing, it works smooth and has constant updates that improve over time.

STL File or CAD Software

Similar to FDM 3D printing, you’ll need an STL file to put into the slicer so you can process files to 3D print. You can use similar places like Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory and Printables to find some popular STL files to create.

You can also use a CAD software to design your own 3D prints as previously mentioned, though this usually takes a decent amount of experience to create something of high quality.

FEP Films

The FEP film is basically a transparent film that is found at the bottom of your resin printer’s vat. This film mainly helps UV light to pass through without any hindrance to cure resin while printing. This in turn helps the entire process to go faster without compromising the model’s strength and accuracy.

This is a very important part of resin 3D printing and with time and use, it tends to degrade. So, it needs replacements from time to time.

You can get something like the Mefine 5 Pcs FEP Film from Amazon, suitable for many resin 3D printers of medium size.

Nitrile Gloves

A pair of nitrile gloves is a must-have in resin 3D printing. Any kind of uncured resin is sure to cause irritability if it touches your skin. So, touching it barehanded should never be done.

You can purchase these Medpride Nitrile Gloves from Amazon right away to protect yourself. Nitrile gloves are disposable and can protect you from all sorts of chemical burns as well.

Get a Wash & Cure Station

Resin 3D printing involves many processes. The last and vital process is post-processing. This is where you clean, wash and cure your resin model. This process tends to be a bit messy and thus a proper wash and cure station can make things easy and efficient for you.

The Anycubic Wash and Cure Station is a great workstation if you need something professional. A 2-in-1 station that offers washing modes, convenience, compatibility, UV light hood, and much more. This can make your process seamless!

It should take around 2-8 minutes to cure your resin using this professional setup.

Check out my article on How Long Does It Take to Cure Resin 3D Prints?

Although you can also go the DIY route and save some money. You can make your own curing station. There are many YouTube videos that can help you build your own. Here is one that can be pretty useful. These are effective and cheap as well.

You can also use sun rays as it is also a natural source of UV light. This one takes a lot longer to cure models, especially for locations where you don’t get a lot of sun.

Bottle Of IPA or Cleaning Liquid

IPA or Isopropyl Alcohol is a popular solution for washing and cleaning resin 3D prints. This solution is very safe to use and effective for tools as well.

This is especially very effective for cleaning the print bed and also for cleaning uncured resin.

You can go for the MG Chemicals – 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol from Amazon.

You can also go with some other cleaning liquids. I wrote an article about How to Clean Resin 3D Prints Without Isopropyl Alcohol.

Silicone Funnel with Filters

With the help of a silicone funnel with add-in filters, you can completely clear your resin vat by transferring all the contents from the vat into a separate container. The filters are waterproof, durable, and solvent resistant.

Also, the filters eliminate the chances for any hardened resin residue to go inside the container while pouring the content. You never want to pour your resin from the resin vat directly back in the bottle because it can contain some small bits of hardened resin that contaminates the whole resin bottle.

You can go for this JANYUN 75 Pcs Resin Filter with Funnel from Amazon.

Paper Towels

Cleaning is a very important factor in resin 3D printing and paper towels are one of the most efficient ways to clean up resin. Don’t go for normal drug store paper towels though. They are usually much lower quality and not so absorbent.

Go for something like the Bounty Paper Towels from Amazon. They are highly absorbent and perfect for resin 3D printing purposes, and general day-to-day use.

Miscellaneous Tools

Resin 3D printing also needs some assistance from certain tools. These are optional and help in printing and post-processing of 3D printed models.

• Safety Goggles: Though optional, just like nitrile gloves, you can also invest in safety goggles when you are dealing with chemicals that are irritable in nature. Better to be safe than sorry!
• Respirator Mask: Just like keeping your eyes and hands safe, you might also need masks to save you from resin fumes. It is also highly advisable to use resin 3D printers in a well-ventilated area.
• Sandpaper for post-processing the model and smoothening it out.
• Knife and cutters for post-processing the model
• Resin Bottles: you might want to keep some of your old resin bottles to store different resins, or to help with mixing resins.
• A toothbrush to clean uncured resin more thoroughly on models.

This is a great video for resin printing beginners from Slice Print Roleplay.

50 Cool Things to 3D Print / Sudo Null IT News

No ideas for 3D printing? Tired of worthless trinkets? Here is a list of 50 cool really useful things for 3D printing.

Like us, you're excited about the possibilities of 3D printing. But, unfortunately, the horizon is littered with trinkets, trinkets and other unnecessary things. We are in danger of being buried under a heap of useless rubbish.

Throw off the shackles of mediocrity! Let's create really useful things! Here is a list of cool things that you can make on a 3D printer right now. Prove to your family and loved ones that this wonderful technology can be used daily and in practice. nine0004

No access to 3D printer? No problem. Just upload your files to our 3D printing price comparison system and choose the best price, ONLINE!

Don't have a 3D printer to print these amazing things? Then come to nine0004

Download from ThingiVerse