Useful 3d printer projects

55 Useful, Cool Things To 3D Print Ideas & Projects (Sept. 2022)

What to 3D print? Are you looking for cool 3D printing ideas you can make at home? Are you aware of the wonders that this little machine can do for you?

3D printing is a powerful technology. It allows you to bring to life anything you have in mind. With 3D printing technology, you can now see, hold and feel whatever is in your imagination.

For those looking for 3D printing ideas, this page is for you! Continue reading to know the best things to 3D print. The list below will give you brilliant ideas on what you should 3D print.

Cool things to 3D print

Beginners often wonder what things to 3D print. I’m here to help, so I’m giving you a list of the smart and cool things to 3D print that will surely be helpful to you!

For those new to 3D printing and are eager to 3D print their first project you can start with the small stuff and work your way up. However, let me remind you – the ability of your 3D printer could limit the things you can 3D print.

Anyway, since this page is about 3D printing ideas, let’s focus on the cool things to 3D print that will be beneficial to you and your household. So, let’s get started!

#1 Measuring Spoons

Let’s start your list of 3D printing ideas in the kitchen! If you love baking or cooking you would never run out of measuring spoons because you can 3D print it. If you know someone who loves to experiment in the kitchen for a new recipe, you can customize these measuring spoons and givgift to them as a present.

Looking for 3D printing ideas for possible giveaways? No problem, you can 3D print party favors for an upcoming event. For instance, you can easily produce customizable bookmarks or paper clips. The 3D printer project I just shared works both as a bookmark or paper clip. Thus, this is definitely one of the cool things to 3D print.

This is one of my favorite 3D printing ideas because I love office supplies. Are you dealing with lots of paperwork in the office? Or do you have lots of notes from school and need an organizer for it? This DIY project, a 3D printed desk paper tray will be a good addition to your working space. It has three different trays. One for general purpose, another for pens, clips, and coins the third one for visit cards.

Other useful things to 3D print is a water diverter. This water diverter fits a tap aerator with a diameter of 23.5mm. It has an annular manifold that prevents the aerator from choking and keeps it working smoothly for a steady aerated stream.

If you love weaving fabrics, you can 3D print a rigid heddle loom. One user already did it using a 3D printer and some raw plastic materials. The user used a screw to keep the whole thing.

The creator used an openSCAD, a 3D modeller program to design it. For those who love weaving, 3D printing a rigid heddle loom will be useful for sure.

If you love music, in particular, guitar, I’m pleased to inform you that you can also 3D print it. Whether it’s acoustic guitars or electric guitar, it is possible with 3D printing. In fact, creating guitars with 3D printing is cheaper, easier and more convenient.

Musical instruments are among the cool things to 3D print. For musicians looking for 3D printing ideas, I encourage you to try 3D printing your favorite instrument. After all, is there something cooler than a 3D printed musical instrument like guitar?

“Typically, musical instruments produce prototypes using wood or metal, which is understandable but can be costly, time consuming, and leave room for error. 3D printing prototyping allows for greater control and the ability to quickly make miniscule or significant changes that are perfectly accurate. This process can eliminate countless hours of trial and error while reducing production costs and generating a quality model,” said 3D Printing Solutions Australia’s CEO Michael Tyson

Cameras are among the most popular devices today. In fact, most, if not all, own one. If you love photography, 3D printing your own camera lens is possible.

One did it using acrylic to replace the glass on the lens and other tools to combine the small parts together. The great thing, it works!

You can also 3D print a camera slider. Feel free to try it if you need one!

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Some other cool things to 3D print are uniquely designed outfits that you can easily customize. If you are a fashion designer and a 3D print enthusiast looking for 3D printing ideas, you can merge your two passions!

Yes, 3D printing is also used in fashion and design! In fact, several dresses and costumes were developed using the technology. There’s a 3D printed swimsuit, a 3D printed helmet, 3D printed dress, name it, almost every wearable can be 3D printed.

3D printing costumes are quicker and cheaper. Also, it can accommodate complex architecture with intricate designs. Plus, customizing it according to the wearer’s size is convenient.

Finding the best shoes could sometimes be a struggle because most items are mass-produced, meaning it does not cater to your specific needs. Also, your left foot may not be of the same size as your right foot. So, finding the best shoes that fit both of your feet perfectly is very unlikely.

However, it’s a different thing when it comes to 3D printing because the computer will create an accurate 3D model of your feet combined with the details of your height, weight and activities to personalize the shoes for you.

A pair of 3D printed shoes are customized to fit perfectly for you. So, if you are into shoes and you are looking for 3D printing ideas, then consider 3D printing your next sneakers.

#10 Medical Models

3D printing is a great option to teach human anatomy and inject realism into surgery practice without using cadavers. 3D printing models are accurate and surgeons can use it to plan surgery and practice before getting a real patient under the knife.

So, if you need any medical models be it, heart, lungs, eyes, or ears consider 3D printing it. In fact, the scientists at Tel Aviv University have 3D printed a small heart using human tissue that includes vessels, collagen and biological molecules. Everything is possible with 3D printing including 3D printing human organs or body parts.

One of the most common but useful 3D printing ideas is phone cases. If you love changing your phone case from time to time, you can easily 3D print one. Gyrobot shared a file where she customized the case of her daughter’s iPhone 4 by adding her classmates’ names on it.

This is a smart way to add a personal touch to your phone case. So, the next time you want a new one, I suggest that you create a 3D printed phone case and personalize it. A 3D printed phone case also makes a great present.

If you want a holder for your business cards, you can 3D print one because almost everything can be 3D printed, so before you buy a new item, search for STL files first if you have a 3D printer, so you can use its magic to get what you need.

For cardholders, you can find a variety of styles and designs online. If you are good at designing, you can create one according to your preference. Some 3D prints other useful things like pencil holder or a smartphone stand. You can also create a holder for your 3D pens.

3D printing is also helpful in keeping you organized. If you just place any item on your desk, finding what you need would be a struggle. So, you need a place for your scissors, pens, glue, cards, paper, sticky notes, tapes, and any office supply.

In short, you need a desktop organizer. There are many 3D printing ideas when it comes to creating a 3D printed organizer. You can look for a 3D model that suits your needs online.

Actually, this is one of the most enjoyable things to 3D print for me because there are many designs online. As I mentioned, I love office supplies. I came across small 3D printed organizers for cards and notepads, others can only hold pens and there are large ones that can store all of your items from pens, papers, scissors and more!

If you wish to have a 3D printed tableware that is doable. 3D printing is capable of producing unique, elegant and durable cups, glasses, plates, dinnerware and more.

Kids can also enjoy 3D printing because it can produce 3D printed children toys. In fact, Mattel unveiled a $300 3D printer, called “Thing Maker” that allows children to 3D print their own toys. The device works in conjunction with a 3D printing app that is developed in collaboration with Autodesk. With the app, children can design the items they want to play.

The app is called ThingMakerDesign. It comes with a variety of built-in character templates and easy tutorials to help beginners get started with 3D printing. It also encourages children to explore their creativity by allowing them to design from scratch. The toys can be customized with different colors and textures. They also bend or twist.

The design can be saved to the device or be uploaded to Google Drive or Dropbox. Then the app will let you export the STL print files wirelessly to your at-home printer. Kids can also create and assemble the printed parts to form dolls, robots, dinosaurs and more.

Toys are great printing projects for kids. 3D printing is also a good solution if you want to produce and replace a missing or dysfunctional part like a robot arm.

If you got your scissors broke and you need one immediately to finish a project but can’t buy one because it’s already late and the stores are close, no problem. Just print one conveniently at home. 3D printing a pair of 3D printed scissors that work is so cool. I tried it and it was pure joy!

3D printed tools are very popular. These 3D printed pliers are easy to print and moderately strong. You can design your tool and choose from needle nose with jaw teeth, needle nose with no teeth, blunt nose with jaw teeth or blunt nose with smooth jaws.

If your collection of hand tools lacks this one, you do not need to buy it. Just look for a 3D printing model and 3D print it. Here’s a 3D printed flathead screwdriver file for you.

Again, 3D printed tools are easy to create. If you need a wrench no matter what size it is, you can easily print one. Barspin has successfully designed several variations, so start 3D printing to complete your collection of 3D printed wrench.

If you love survival tools, then this section is for you. Swiss knife, a versatile tool, can be a life-saver and you can 3D print it. Check out Stephan Albert’s file here to get your own 3D printed portable swiss pocket knife. You have to pay for the file, but the price is minimal compared to buying an actual Swiss knife.

One of the coolest 3D printer projects you can create is this. You can convert your audio files into 3D printed records and listen to it on any record player.

If you’re a huge fan of stamps, you can easily customize its design if you have a 3D printer. Just draw your model in a vector graphics software, edit it in Blender to add a backing plate and make it three-dimensional.

After that export it in STL file. Print the stamp and print a stamp handle. Then, you have your 3D printed stamp and you can now start stamping!

One of my favorite 3D printing ideas is 3D printed violin. This musical instrument is very expensive, but you can own one if you have a 3D printer. F-F-Fiddle is the first to create a full-size electric violin at home. Investing in one is just worth the money as this really sounds good.

Another user created his own version, ElViolin, by improving it. Check it out below and you will love fall in love with it.

3D printed projects also include silverware. So, if you need spoons, forks or knives and you want to show your creativity, then 3D print your own cutlery. Here’s a great example from Jame Kyttaten’s “Ice Breakers”. 3D printed silverware is beautiful and customizable!

You can 3D print your own water bottle or jug for personal or home use. So, if you need one and you have a 3D printer start printing today. By doing so, you’ll get to design your bottle and satisfy yourself with your art. Also, 3D printed water containers are great gift ideas and very easy to personalize!.

The power of 3D printers can save a life. So, you should include a survival whistle in your list of 3D printer projects as it is very helpful in times of emergencies. A 3D printed whistle is durable and it produces a loud sound. I created one and I must say, it really served its purpose. If you don’t have whistles at home, 3D print many and give each family member one. Whistles are among the life-saving tools that you should keep handy all the time.

If you’re fond of cute and artistic items for your kitchen, don’t settle on what you just see in the grocery. You can 3D print matching salt and pepper shakers just like this. These 3D printed salt and pepper shakers will be a great addition to your dining table while you enjoy your meal.

One of the most difficult things to deal with is forgetting your keys. It’s both frustrating and irritating. So, create a spare key using your 3D printer and always take it with you. Make sure to place it into something you always bring with you. 3D printed keys look like plastic toys, but mind you, they work!

Want to create a useful household 3D printer project? Then this should definitely make it into your list. A turbine water saver will help you save on your water bills as the little turbine delivers a neat sprinkler effect while dispersing water in a wide arc so you can wash your hands or dishes more quickly.

This item is a necessity today perhaps due to the rising popularity of social media. If you want a unique camera, your 3D printer can help you create one. There are already a lot of functional 3D printed cameras. But, the process is a bit demanding as you need to smoothen the item and assemble it. The most challenging part would be printing the lens, but it will be worth it once you finish this 3D printer project.

As mentioned above, a screwdriver is among the tools that you can 3D print. If you have enough screwdrivers, you can also print a holder for pegboard. You can download the file here. The 3D printed handle will be very helpful for you and pretty sure, you will love it.

Hinges are useful whenever you are creating something that involves door or covering. You can include hinges in your 3D printer projects and start customizing it. Here’s an example of a 3D printed hinge check it out.

Bottle openers are very handy and helpful during gatherings and parties. So, make sure that you always have one wherever you are. If you’re still looking for one, you can 3D print it because it is one of the easiest things to 3D print. You can download the 3D printed bottle opener file here.

There are times when you just can’t finish the content of your favorite chips or have to seal your bag of cereal or frozen vegetables, but you don’t have the appropriate material to do so. So, 3D print a sliding bag clip because this will surely be one of the kitchen gadgets that you will use more often. If you are interested, check out the 3D printed bag file here.

#35 Wall Outlet Shelf

Have you experienced charging your phone on the wall and placing it on the floor because the socket was too far from a table or chair? If your colleagues won’t see your mobile phone they might accidentally step on it and broke it.

So, get yourself this wall outlet shelf to keep your gadget safe. You can download the 3D printed file here.

Keep your batteries in place using this storage. This 3D printed stackable battery holder can easily be wall-mounted using two screws or it can sit beautifully on your table. It only has three parts, so you can easily assemble the printed parts. Each part is friction fit to ensure a tight and permanent lock.

I’m pretty sure this will become one of your favorite 3D printing ideas after reading this section. Do you feel the need to have your own secret storage at home where you can hide your extra money or very important documents? If you do, you will find this 3D printed secret shelf very useful. No one will suspect that there is something hidden in this beautiful design, so you can safely keep your cards and money in there.

If you need an amplifier for your phone, you don’t need to buy one because you can create it if you have a 3D printer. Cults have a free file for a 3D printed amplifier that you can download and print. The project only takes 6 to 10 hours to finish.

For those who are using a wheelchair or if you know one who does, this 3D printer project will be helpful for you and them. This is designed to help a wheelchair user overcome a step in front of a building, shop, cafe or bar. You can check out the file here and do the necessary changes that you think can improve the design and make it more efficient.

If you love to add new colorful items in your kitchen, better include these 3D printed multi-color citrus coasters on your 3D printer projects. These coasters will surely add a pop of color to your table and your children will surely love these, too.

Having trouble separating the egg yolk from the egg white? Well, this shouldn’t bother you anymore because you can easily create an egg separator using your 3D printer. Download the file egg separator 3D printed file here.

One of the most useful outputs that you can produce from a 3D printer is prosthetics. 3D printed prosthetics are beneficial for individuals with disabilities. Here’s an example if you want to 3D print a

Keep your cables in place to keep things on your table in order. After all, you don’t want to see lots of wires on your working station. If you are among those who badly need to organize the cables on your table then 3D print your own cable holder. This 3D printer project, a 3D printed cable holder, will surely be beneficial to you.

If you have a bunch of memory cards, you’ve got to keep them in good storage to ensure that you won’t lose any of it. One 3D printer enthusiast shares this SD card case with 25 slots making it spacious enough to keep your SD cards safe and organize.

Not everyone is fond of bringing their wallets whenever they step out because it’s too heavy or bulky. If you’re experiencing the same, this 3D printed slim wallet is the answer. Download the file and create one for yourself.

If you have a stock of toilet paper in your bathroom and you’re tired of filing them up in their usual position, then get creative! Here’s an artistic toilet paper holder that will not only serve its purpose but add beauty in your restroom, too.

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If you are looking for a unique addition to your home, this Cellular Lamp will surely impress you. This is designed as a big cellular and works as a lampshade for an LED light or as a sculpture.

While it may sound unappealing to 3D print a food, you will definitely change your perspective if you see how a 3D printer operates to create pizza, ice cream or candies. In fact, 3D printed foods have a more strategic advantage because they do not contribute to global warming and global dilemmas of low natural resources.

Chloe Rutzerveldd, a Dutch industrial design student comes up with something healthy to consume from a 3D printer in her Edible Growth project. The project applies the benefits of additive manufacturing in food production. It is an example of a high-tech but fully natural, healthy and sustainable food, which is achieved by combining natural growth, technology and design.

Meanwhile, Foodini is working on a food 3D printer that could be the next microwave in the future. At the time, the technology is limited to foods that can be made into a paste like chocolate, frosting, dough or hummus. But Natural Machines co-founder Lynette Kucsma is positive that the food printing kitchen appliance will be as ubiquitous as the microwave oven.

Guns are expensive, but if you feel that you need one for self-defense, 3D printing a gun is possible. With regards to the legalities of 3D printing a gun, the Gun Control Act of 1968 mandated that anyone who engaged in the business of dealing firearms must be licensed by the federal government. In addition, firearm dealers must perform a background check for their prospective buyers and maintain records for all sales.  

The act does not prohibit any individual from making a gun for personal use. A non-licensed person may make a firearm, provided that it is not for sale and that he is not prohibited from possessing one (felon convicts). On the other hand, Federal law imposes no restrictions on non-licensed possessors. Thus, if you 3D print a gun, you do not need to register it or go through a background check.

Yes, 3D printers can also make buildings. A Chinese company constructed two buildings with the use of a 3D printer. They used recycled industrial waste for their material.

The company’s printers were 6.6 meters tall and the ink was a mixture of cement and glass fiber. The said printers can manufacture buildings up to 12 stories tall.

One was a 1100-square-meter villa and the other a six-story residential block. It might not sound appealing to live in, but the Chinese company said that the buildings were safe to occupy.

Are you wondering if you can 3D print your own car? If you do, the answer is a resounding “yes”!

The first 3D printed car, Urbee was created in 2011. Local Motors is also making its own. In fact, they are developing a 3D-printed car that exceeds the FMVSS standards by 2017. They have worked with other companies to create a simple and smart car. Their 3D printed cars are also sustainable with vehicle emissions of only half the equation.

If you are uncomfortable with your footwear, you can 3D print an insole and put it inside your shoes. Gensole is a form-fitting insole that matches the scan of your foot and it’s adjustable to have the best fit inside your shoes.

If you love to party with your friends or hang out at home while sharing a bottle of beer, this 3D printed chip bowl is a must-have. With this, you don’t need to hold a plate in one hand and the bottle of beer on your other hand because that’s not fun. Check out this cool 3D printer project and start 3D printing it for your next event. Pretty sure, your guests will love it.

What other cool things to 3D print? If you are a coffee lover, I’m pleased to tell you that you can actually 3D print a coffee maker.

The process is not easy, but if you are willing to create a more complicated 3D printer project, then you should try this Electric Coffee Maker. A 3D printed coffee maker works like a regular coffee maker and is perfect if you love to start your day with a cup of coffee.

If you love adventures and you’re ready to get your hands on in assembling your own 3D printed high-power electric unicycle, you can do so. Matias Eertola already did it and you can access his files and modify it if necessary. Try to 3D print it and you will surely love it!

Take Away

With 3D printing, you can do almost anything. You can 3D print your basic needs – food, clothing, and shelter to your wants, toys, fashionable shoes and more. Others get creative with their 3D printing idea by designing useful stuff like self watering flower pot and more. If you own a 3D printer, there are tons of cool things to 3D print. In fact, you will never run out of ideas because you can bring to life anything you have in mind.

I hope the 3D printing ideas above answer your question about “what to print with a 3D printer?” If you want to enjoy the best in life, try 3D printing and you will surely love it. Start working on the 3D printer projects above because they are cool things to 3D print.

If you want to know more about 3D printing, feel free to check our homepage.

51 Cool Things to 3D Print – Clever Creations

Image: Marvin via PrusaPrinters

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One of the struggles of owning a 3D printer is deciding what cool prints to make next. With so many 3D model sharing websites, there are endless 3D print ideas to try.

In this article, we’ll give you our top picks for the coolest 3D printer projects and show you where you can find the models you need.

Top 3D Printing Projects and Ideas in 2022

Elastic Football

This two-player elastic football game uses rubber bands to make the player pieces flexible in order to manipulate the small ball across the printed field. The sides of the playing field have an abacus-style point counter for both players and a lever to control the goalie piece on the back.

• Designed by: Wilko_SLO
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Mechanical Wall Clock

Clocks are fairly complex and cool in general, but 3D printed clocks like this one by Hairald are especially interesting to look at. This design is fully printed and does not use any electronics or batteries.

The mechanism uses a wind-up method with a hand crank and a hanging weight to move the gears using the force of the falling weight. You can watch a video of this particular clock in action here.

• Designed by: Hairald
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Squid Game - Front Man Mask

Can’t get enough of Netflix’s Squid Game? Neither could the designer of this front man mask. Print this model for an interesting decor piece to hang on the wall or use it to finish off your best cosplay outfit.

• Designed by: r1nce
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Articulating Raspberry Pi Camera Mount

While the best 3D printers come with a built-in camera option for creating time lapse videos and remotely monitoring prints, you can also add this functionality to any 3D printer that does not natively have it.

This articulated camera mount uses a Raspberry Pi controller to bring a fully flexible camera option for remote viewing, time lapse recording, or taking stills of your prints as they are in progress.

• Designed by: Sneaks
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Original Simpsons TV

Keep a little ode to the Simpson’s on your shelf or desk with this miniature recreation of the original TV set from the show.

This design uses a Raspberry Pi and other inexpensive components to create a working miniature television screen that plays videos on loop.

• Designed by: buba447
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Charger Cable Organizer

The only thing more annoying than an unorganized wad of chargers and cables is a tangled unorganized wad of chargers and cables. These printable organizers store your chargers when not in use, keeping them tidy and protected from other cords.

They work like small spools, letting you unwind the charger only as far as you need. When you’re done using the cable, you just twist the lid to wind the cord back up.

• Designed by: DFV Tech
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Screw Measuring Tool

Nothing slows you down more than a container full of mixed-together mystery screws and bolts. This screw measure tool is easy to print and has all the most common bolt and screw sizes to help you quickly identify the size and type of errant bolts, screws, or nuts.

• Designed by: MattG
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Rugged Desktop Organizer

Keep your desk tidy and your office supplies close at hand with this multipurpose desktop organizer. It has built-in slots for your USB sticks, SD and micro SD cards, and compartments for your pens, scissors, and any other tools you use on the regular.

• Designed by: Byzantium3D
• Where to get: Cults

Giroid Vase

Both functional and beautiful, this giroid vase is a fast and easy print project that doesn’t require any supports or serious post-processing work.

If you don’t intend to use it with water (such as when using silk flowers), it’s ready to use right off the build plate. However, if you plan to use it as a traditional vase, it is best to spray it with some sort of sealant to keep the water from leaking through the print layers.

• Designed by: Area3D
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Marble Maze

You’ll need to move the zen garden on your office desk, because this printed marble maze is the clear cure for office boredom. Fully printable (aside from the marble, of course) and easy to assemble, this design uses snap-together ball and socket joints on the parts to avoid glue or other adhesives.

• Designed by: ericman314
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Cute Caravan Birdhouse

Camping enthusiasts rejoice: now the wildlife can also enjoy the charm of a vintage camper with these cute caravan birdhouses. You’ll need to 3D print the two colors separately before gluing the 3D prints together for a cute two-toned effect. This build fits on most print bed sizes.

• Designed by: PA1
• Where to get: Cults

Drippy Bucket

Add a little pop art to your work or living space with the drippy bucket. Printed as three separate pieces, the handle and paint drips both snap onto the main bucket without glue or screws required. It’s the perfect container for pens, dice, or even loose change.

• Designed by: davemoneysign
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Fractal Vise

Not only is this fractal vise model extremely cool-looking, it is also an incredibly useful tool once fully assembled.

This project requires quite a bit of hardware, including multiple sizes of bolts and screws, as well as lengths of both smooth and threaded rods. Assembling the vise is also quite time-consuming, but the designer thankfully has a video tutorial outlining the whole process.

• Designed by: TeachingTech
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Squeeze Fan

This hand-powered squeeze fan is as useful as it is fun. Using the handle pushes the inner gears and turns the propellers. This design is perfect for camping trips, emergency kits, and other scenarios where power or batteries might be hard to come by.

• Designed by: GeorgeZSL
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Face Shield

With the pandemic still in full swing, personal protection equipment is as important as ever. This basic face shield was designed by the Prusa research team and gained EU certification as a viable personal protection tool.

Whether you are still looking for protective methods from COVID-19 or work in an industry that requires face shields, this model is fast and easy to print.

• Designed by: Prusa Research
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Lithophane Moon Lamp

This project uses a lithophane model that maps the actual surface topography of the moon to make a realistic miniature rendering of it. This version adds tripod legs and a hole on the bottom for a light to make it a functional, beautiful lamp.

• Designed by: Frank Deschner
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Landy Mini

If you think this is a basic miniature car model, think again. Assembled with only a handful of screws, the Landy Mini has a fully functioning suspension system.

Though it’s a bit time-consuming to print and assemble, the Landy Mini is a fun and well-designed project that would look great on a desk or shelf in your home or office.

• Designed by: 3D Sets
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Self-Watering Planter

Love plants but have a brown thumb? This self-watering planter slowly feeds in water from a reservoir as the soil dries. So even if you forget to water them for a few days (or weeks, let’s be honest), they’ll still get the care they need.

• Designed by: Mikolas Zuza
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Split-Flap Display

Based on the split-flap displays of the past, this model uses a handful of components and a wireless adapter to make a DIY digital split-flap display that connects to your network. You can program it to work as a clock, calendar, message board, or whatever else you can think of.

• Designed by: David Kingsman
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Cryptex

Inspired by the Da Vinci Code, this cryptex has a small compartment to hide things like candies, jewelry, or notes inside. You can program the cryptex to open for a specific series of letters, much like a combination lock.

While this is in no way a secure place to store anything valuable (it is printed from plastic, after all), it’s a funny way to keep coworkers out of your sweets, to give someone a gift, or to play a game with your kids.

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• Designed by: Cees
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Bag Clip

A stark improvement on the chip clips of old, this clip prints in place with minimal supports. It uses a three-hinge system, so it stays on the bag more securely without slipping off. If you want something that will be quick and easy to print, this is a great option.

• Designed by: Andrei
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Rotating Rings Toy

The mini gyroscope has remained one of the most popular fidget toys in the 3D printing community for several years, most likely due to its unique design. It prints in place and can be used right off the build plate.

• Designed by: Marvin
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Mantis Clamp

The mantis clamp is an interesting take on a vise design, using a hand crank and gears to tighten and loosen the clamp. As illustrated in the photo below, that makes it a handy device for holding up small things like electronics components, painting miniatures, and so on.

• Designed by: zuberio
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Deadpool Bust

This fine-detailed Deadpool bust is a great novelty item for any Marvel fan. Printing this model in 3D printer resin on a resin 3D printer maintains the model’s high level of detail, whereas using a metallic filament like CopperFill or BronzeFill on a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer will give it the appearance of a metal cast statue.

• Designed by: Eastman
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Avocado Seed Floater

Sprouting avocado seeds is a little more delicate than just dropping them in some potting soil and hoping for the best. They need to be partially submerged in water for several days for the pits to start growing a sprout. Luckily, this is easy to control with this 3D printed seed floater.

• Designed by: Mikolas Zuza
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Drill Depth Stop

When you need a specific stopping point for your drill bit, these printable drill depth stops are an easy and economical way to keep your drill from going too deeply into your material.

The model offers a variety of sizes that correspond with popular drill bit dimensions, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs regardless of which drill bit size you use.

• Designed by: Highrise Workshop
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Sunflower Clock

Unlike the other clock we shared in this list, this beautiful design is a fully functional wall clock with added electronic components. This clock has a lot of different pieces to print, thanks to the thin bands of PETG used for the petals. It takes some time to assemble, but the final look is worth the effort.

• Designed by: Romano Rugeri
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Cute Skull Lamp

We’d say these skull lamps are a perfect addition to your Halloween decor, but they’re so adorable that you’ll probably want to keep them up year-round. They are easy to print and only take an inexpensive strand of LED lights and a few batteries to assemble them.

• Designed by: rayjizza
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Ancient Guardian from Zelda BOTW

Any Nintendo gamers reading this will automatically know what these deceptively innocent-looking articulated robots are, and probably started sweating and hearing dramatic piano music the moment they spotted them.

But if you haven’t been totally traumatized yet by the ancient guardians during your BOTW playthrough, these models are a must-print item. The legs are fully articulated and print in place, so you can just pop the entire figure off the build plate and immediately start your campaign to bring down Hyrule.

• Designed by: Crafty Sven
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Ornamental Bulbasaur

If you haven’t gotten enough Bulbasaur from Bulbasaur planters, low-poly figurines, or Pokemon chess sets, you’re in luck. This ornamental Bulbasaur model is one in a set of three decorative Pokemon models that you can print for free.

Since the model uses a lot of Victorian filigree elements, it looks fantastic with a metallic finish, especially with a patina. They acquired that look in the photo below using paint, but metal-filled filaments or cold casting the model in resin are two other possibilities for making this model look its best.

• Designed by: Psdwizzard
• Where to get: Thingiverse

3D Printable Drone

For a functional mini-drone, this design works well and is a lot of fun to use. Designed around a battery case for a single lithium battery, it is not going to be very powerful. However, it does work and it is a good beginner project for those wanting to learn how to 3D print and build more capable drones.

• Designed by: David Cledon
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Back Loaded Horn Speaker

This little printed speaker transforms into a powerful Bluetooth speaker with a little assembly and about $20 in components. Even better, the designer includes a wiring diagram and full assembly instructions along with the free STL, so even if you are new to this type of project, you can easily follow along.

• Designed by: guppyk
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Among Us Crew/Body/Ghost/Imposter

This five-piece set of Among Us models is a fun project for fans of the game. With all of the character types in the game available, you can vary the colors of each model to account for any possible in-game combination.

• Designed by: WalRit
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Print-in-Place Bearings

If you need bearings for one of your projects or you just want to give your printer a nice torture test to check its calibration, these print-in-place bearings are the answer. Designed in five common sizes, these models should have all the options you need for most projects.

• Designed by: guppyk
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Helmet Hanger

Both functional and decorative, this 3D printing project is the perfect solution for storing your helmet while also showing it off. The model is easy to print and allows for printing the sphere whole with supports or in two pieces without supports (to glue together after).

• Designed by: Sergi Lorenzo
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Tensegrity Table

When regular furniture gets too boring, choose some that appears to defy physics instead. This small table ties the bottom and top parts together with string, and the tension keeps the table parts upright. While the designer used blue string, a clear string is ideal because it’s harder to see and makes the table really look like it’s floating.

• Designed by: Austin Steingrube
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Hydroponic Self-Watering Seeds Starter

Another model for the gardening-challenged, these cute self-watering planters will keep your plants watered and nourished even if you don’t. The planter comes in five different poses, with some sitting flat and others dangling their legs over a ledge, you can get really creative in staging your planter people on your desk, table, or shelf.

• Designed by: Studio Aditivo
• Where to get: PrusaPrinter

Print-in-Place Briefcase

Need a place to store your miniature work documents? What about your doll-sized stacks of money? This print-in-place briefcase does exactly what it says: it prints a miniature briefcase in one piece with fully functioning hinges and latches straight off the build plate.

This model (and other print-in-place projects) are a good way to test your printer’s calibration and to see where it’s having issues.

• Designed by: Dehapro
• Where to get: Cults

Bone Fingers

These articulated bone fingers bend with your fingers, making their movements look incredibly realistic. The project requires quite a bit of gluing and assembly after printing, but they are a stunning addition to cosplay outfits and Halloween costumes.

• Designed by: Littletup
• Where to get: Cults

Lazy Dogs

Yet another print-in-place project on the list. These adorable canines have articulated hinges in their body that gives them a wider range of flexibility. While they are mainly for decorative (or playful) purposes, these little dogs are quite popular with kids.

• Designed by: Mcgybeer
• Where to get: Cults

Hexagonal LED Panels

DIY printed light fixtures are one of the easiest ways to customize your decor, and these hexagonal LED panels are one of the best options we’ve seen.

Each hexagon light is printed and assembled separately before being fit together, which leaves plenty of room for creativity. Each light panel could have a different LED color, or work through a controller to loop through certain behaviors like blinking, twinkling, or transitioning through the RGB spectrum.

• Designed by: Jim Misel
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Mechanical Quick Grab/Release Phone Stand

This phone stand tightens around the phone when it’s placed in the cradle and loosens when the phone is lifted off. It also rotates the phone up, down, and side to side while it is in the holder for optimal viewing at any angle.

• Designed by: Arron Mollet
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Slim Credit Card Wallet

When you want the bare essentials to keep your pockets from being weighed down, a card wallet is an essential accessory. This particular one is fully printed and comes with the added bonus of an ejector button to help you easily remove your cards when you need them.

• Designed by: Aljaz Titoric
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Measuring Cube

A modern take on the old concept of measuring cups, these cubes are a fun way to incorporate the different measurement sizes into one piece. However, we don’t recommend using them for liquids in the kitchen since the small gaps between layers in 3D prints are not watertight.

• Designed by: Matt Stengler
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Thor Hammer

One of the more iconic Marvel props in the 3D printing community, Thor’s hammer is easy to print and looks great on display. While it has a lot of fine details that would be best captured with a resin 3D printer, it will be challenging to print it at full scale on most consumer resin printers.

• Designed by: Rob Pauza
• Where to get: MyMiniFactory

CNC Machine

One of the best things about having a 3D printer is the ability to use it to produce additional printers or machines. This CNC machine is a perfect example of that. It uses 3D printed joints to assemble the rails, motors, and carving tool into a fully functional CNC.

• Designed by: Creative Think
• Where to get: Thingiverse

Raspberry Pi 4 Case

In case you missed it, this list is full of projects and ideas that use Raspberry Pi boards as the controller. Being small, cheap, and surprisingly flexible in its capabilities, the Pi lends itself extremely well to 3D printing.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that you can find dozens of models for Raspberry Pi cases on most of the project sharing websites. This one has one of the more attractive and functional designs available.

• Designed by: Carter
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Prusa Enclosure

Enclosures are often a necessity for printing ABS and other high-temperature filaments successfully, but DIY and budget printers rarely have them incorporated into their design. Fully enclosed 3D printers do exist, but they come at a price. Thankfully, enclosures are not overly difficult to make yourself, especially when upcycling existing furniture like this build.

This project gives you all the pieces needed to turn an IKEA Lack table into a functional 3D printing enclosure and filament station. While it is specifically designed for Prusa 3D printers, any printer that fits on a Lack table should work with this project.

Recommended:

9 Amazing DIY 3D Printer Enclosure Ideas

• Designed by: Ondřej Stříteský
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Fidget Infinity Cube

While fidget toys are always a popular category for 3D printing, these fidget cubes are especially interesting. Using a hinge design, you can fold and unfold the cubes in multiple directions.

This model prints flat and requires no assembly after printing. Since the hinges print in place, this project may take some experimentation with printer settings and calibration before it is printed successfully. The designer includes a test print with the model files so you can quickly try out different print settings without printing the full model.

• Designed by: Austin Vojta
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Addams Family Thing

Yet another spooky prop on the list, the Thing from the Addams Family is a great item to add to your Halloween decor. This is a model with a high level of detail (especially around the knuckles and nail beds) that would do well with resin printing.

Recommended:

Resin vs Filament 3D Printers: What’s the Difference?

• Designed by: Js-studio
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Collapsible Basket

Our final pick for print-in-place designs, the collapsible basket is fun to print, cool to use, and easy to put in storage when you don’t need it.

• Designed by: 3D Printing World
• Where to get: PrusaPrinters

Conclusion

Those were 51 of the coolest free 3D printing models! Did you like our picks? Have you printed any of these models before? Let us know in the comment section down below!

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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.

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