11 Easy Things to 3D Print

11-easy-things-to-3d-print-Square-io3dprint

This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

11 Easy Things to 3D Print

When you only have a few minutes to spare, these eleven easy things to 3D print are the perfect small projects to pick up.

These ideas are just what you need when you want a quick and easy project that will make the most of your available time, and that’s just what this article is about! 

So, if whether you’ve just bought your 3D printer, or you’re a seasoned pro, these quick and easy to 3D print projects will inspire you to get printing!

PolyPanels

You may remember playing with something like Polypanels when you were at school. Polypanels were invented by Devin Montes and are a series of 3D printable snap-together building blocks. 

Polypanels are similar to LEGOs except their articulating movement gives you much more freedom to create complex models. They are also available online for free.

An individual Polypanel piece looks very simple, however, if you print many at a time including a variety of shapes and connectors you will be able to create all kinds of twisting and articulated models.

Pimp it – When you get more experienced you can design your own polypanels in different colors and different materials. You can apply textures or play with the scaling factor to create larger panels. 

3D Printed Polypanels
3D Printed Polypanels

Source: MyMiniFactory

Nozzle Hanger

To 3D printer owners everywhere, the E3D’s distinctive nozzle shape has become an icon. So, why not show off your hobby and create a useful object to showcase your 3D printing skills to everyone who visits your home!

The nozzle hanger is a very useful object and it’s very easy to print. With this particular model, you can keep your coats way more organized and provide a snazzy new decoration for your wall.

Pimp it – Enthusiasts might like to play with the scaling factor in the slicer software to create different sized hangers to suit a variety of coats and hats. Why not make some even smaller ones for hanging keys?  

3D Printed Nozzle Coat Hanger
3D Printed Nozzle Coat Hanger

Source: Cults3D

Door Holder

This simple but well-designed door holder is a perfect demonstration of what makes 3D printing so great. All those little niggling DIY projects that you never get around to are much more fun when you can design your own bespoke solutions. 

Door holders may not be glamorous but they can be a life-saver when you’re unloading the car or trying to create a cooling draft in your home. 

For a semi-permanent solution, you can tape the holder in place or for something more permanent you could add some screw holes. 

Pimp it – In CAD, you can adjust how much clamping force is applied by playing with the size of the C-shape clamp. Make it bigger for a looser fit that is easier to engage, or smaller for a tighter fit that will hold even the heaviest door. 

3D Printed Door Holder
3D Printed Door Holder

Source: Thingiverse

Piggy Bank

Almost all of us had a piggy bank when we were very little and made good use out of it when it came to saving money. With your 3D printer, even now you can print a piggy bank for yourself and use your savings to buy more filament! Online you will find various designs of piggy banks and you can very easily download the STL format and print it out.

Pimp it – Why not add different sized coin slots so when you open your piggy bank up, your coins are already sorted! 

3D Printed Piggy Bank
3D Printed Piggy Bank

Source: Thingiverse

A Very Simple Dice

When it comes to board games, the dice are often an essential element. There are many games where we use dice, so why not print one or a few for your first project? This dice design is designed to be printed flat so that it gives you a very glossy finish. Print some dice and make it ready to roll.

Pimp it – print each face in a different color for a unique looking die. 

3D Printed Dice
3D Printed Dice

Source: MyMiniFactory

Hexagonal Plant Holder

If you have green fingers and have recently bought a 3D printer, what could be more appropriate than printing a plant holder? This nesting plant holder when can be kept at any corner of your house to enhance the beauty of your place. Plants have been proven to help your mental well-being, so get printing!

3D Printed Hexagonal Plant Holder
3D Printed Hexagonal Plant Holder

Source: Cults3D

Bottle Opener

A bottle opener comes very handy at most parties, especially when it comes to opening many bottles at a time. Make sure you choose the design for a bottle opener very wisely, for instance, go for a model like this one that does not require any other elements such as a coin. 

Pimp it – print several bottle openers then no-one will be left waiting to crack open a cold one at your party. 

3D Printed Bottle Opener
3D Printed Bottle Opener

Source: Thingiverse

Amazon Echo Dot Wall Mount

If you are someone who is into your technology, this particular model will be a win-win scenario for you. You get to use your 3D printer to pimp your smart speaker, isn’t that cool? The Amazon Echo Dot is a personal assistant and has gained huge popularity very recently. By printing a mount for the device you will be able to securely fix it anywhere you want.  

3D Printed Amazon Echo Dot Wall Mount
3D Printed Amazon Echo Dot Wall Mount

Source: Thingiverse

DIY Phone Cover

Who doesn’t want to have options for their phone cover? You can actually print a phone case for your phone within an hour. You will find various ideas online, download the STL file for the design that you like and press print! You can print a phone case for every day of the week, or one to match your outfit! 

3D Printed Phone Case
3D Printed Phone Case

Source: Shapeways

Laptop Stand

If you use your laptop a lot then this stand can come in very useful. It raises the rear of your laptop to leave a gap underneath which helps cooling. This can also put it at a better angle for typing. 

3D Printed Laptop Stand
3D Printed Laptop Stand

Source: Thingiverse

Chess Pieces

Chess is a favorite game for many. If you are someone who enjoys playing chess, you can always 3D print your very own chess pieces with your printer within an hour. You can also use them for decorating your shelves. 

3D Printed Chess Pieces
3D Printed Chess Pieces

Source: Thingiverse

So these are some of the great DIY projects that you can try as your first project. All these models can be prepared very easily and within very less time. You will get the STL file for each and every model very easily online. 

So, which model are you going to print?

Quick Guide to 3D Printing

If you’re new to 3D printing, here’s a snappy guide that will get you on your way with minimal fuss. 

  • Browse: The very first step is to look for cool things that you want to print. Pick something from my article or use it as inspiration to go off and find something else. Most 3D print files found online are free. The most popular places to find free 3D prints is Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, and Cults3D. 
  • Download: Once you are done with browsing the 3D models available online and have decided on a design for your project, its time for you to download the STL file of your chosen model. On sites like Thingiverse, this is simply a case of clicking download. Some other sites may ask you to sign up as a member first. 
  • Slice: Next, you must slice the STL file in order to prepare it for 3D printing. You can use an open-source slicer like Cura or whichever software came with your 3D printer. If you’re a beginner, you can use the default settings. 3D printing experts can tinker with settings like layer height, infill, and supports.
  • Convert: The very next step is to convert the STL file into GCODE once you are done with the slicing step. Save the GCODE since you need to upload it to your 3D printer using a USB cable, via a network connection or an SD card. Now you are all ready for 3D printing!

-Dylan

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.