So you’ve bought a 3D printer, made the usual assortment of fidget toys and Benchy models, and now you’re looking for something else to print. Though some people have trouble leaving their 3D printers idle, others experience “printer’s block” and run out of ideas completely.
Here’s some inspiration to get you started again.
Learn to create your own models
If you’re bored by printing models that everyone else has made, this might be the perfect opportunity to start thinking about creating models from scratch. Learning to model and refine your designs will bring greater rewards than simply downloading things that other people have created, and could even earn you some money or credit.
A good starting point is to look around your own home for problems to solve. Start with something simple, like designing a bracket to fit in a specific location or printing a replacement piece for a plastic item that broke long ago. Get yourself a cheap set of digital calipers so that you can measure gaps and items accurately.
You can start designing in a simple web app like TinkerCAD, jump straight to the free personal tier of Autodesk Fusion, or embark on the long journey of mastering the notoriously complex FreeCAD. If you’re looking to crowdsource some inspiration, check out the r/functionalprint subreddit.
Look to your other hobbies for ideas
Many hobbies can benefit from the addition of a 3D printer, but they’re not all immediately obvious. The most impressive thing I’ve printed so far has been a step-up ring adapter for a camera filter so I can use a 52mm filter on a 49mm lens. Not only did it cost me 6 cents in filament, it has a fine 3D-printed thread that utterly boggles my mind.
Consider what else it is you spend your spare time doing, and look for ways that prints could make life a little easier. This might be a proper case for a card game, custom pieces for a board game, a graphics card support for your PC, or a custom smartphone mount for your mountain bike.
If you have or are starting a homelab, then your 3D printer can be used to create enclosures and mounts for single-board computers, network switches, routers, or mini PCs. You can even 3D print mounts for your Apple TV or similar devices to attach them to TV or monitor VESA mounts.
Turn your attention to friends and family
Unless all of your friends are as nerdy as you are, there’s a good chance that you know people who don’t have access to a 3D printer. A great way to get out of your own mindset is to step into someone else’s, and that could be as simple as telling them what you’ve been making and asking them what they’d use a printer for.
Filament is pretty cheap on the whole, especially when you buy in bulk. Creating items and giving them away feels like part of being “the nerd with the 3D printer,” and there’s nothing wrong with embracing that. The exception here, of course, is items that are just going to end up in landfill. Not all of your friends want articulated 3D-printed dragons, sorry.
Gifts are another solid use for your new printer, whether you’re putting together party favors for a child’s birthday or thoughtfully designing something that has real utility. Some games can be 3D printed, great for taking to a party and then leaving there. Other things can be fully customized with names, messages, logos, and more.
Consider a bigger project
There’s something of a warm-up period when you first get your 3D printer. This usually means printing a few small models, followed by some longer prints. Perhaps you’ll mass produce some items, experiment with multicolor 3D printing, or try using some unique filament. It’s all part of the excitement of getting your hands on a 3D printer.
Eventually, the time is right to take on a bigger project. For many, Gridfinity is the next logical step. This modular organizer system uses a series of baseplates and bins to organize just about any space in your home, garage, workshop, or office. It’s free, heavily customizable, and has a massive following which has led to a good selection of planners and model generators.
Beyond this, there are projects like Print Your Speakers which let you quite literally print stereo, home theatre, and wireless Bluetooth speakers. Though many other 3D printed-speaker projects exist, PYS is a solid choice since it offers both kits for purchase and detailed bills of materials if you want to source the parts yourself.
While Gridfinity is a wholly 3D printed project (though you can add your own magnets for a satisfying snap), Print Your Speakers is a more in-depth project that requires soldering, too.
You don’t need to print for the sake of it
It’s good to get use out of your 3D printer if it brings you joy and solves problems, but if you don’t have anything you want to work on right now then you shouldn’t feel compelled to print for the sake of it. A 3D printer is a tool, like an impact driver or a table saw. It would be odd if you felt compelled to walk around the house drilling holes and sawing things in half just because you can.
Instead, you can look at your 3D printer as a means to an end. A way to solve problems that arise by learning how to model, a way to bring other people’s smart ideas to life, and a gateway to projects that you might not otherwise have been able to complete.
Believing you have to keep printing because you bought the printer is a fallacy. It’ll be ready for you the next time you need it.
