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Anybody have a 3-D printer? If so, what are some of the things you print?

I have been fascinated with videos of these things. I am not sure what I would use this for, but they are so darn cool.

I have one. I don't use it for much lately because most of my life is taken up with farm stuff these days, but the original intent was to be able to rapidly make parts for things, or just to play around. My bro-in-law has a fairly high-end one and he makes gifts, xmas ornaments, and other things. I've watched a lot of videos from creators/makers where they use the printer to prototype things, or sometimes to just create parts (boxes, enclosures, fairings, covers, etc). Once the major farm projects are done here, though, I will be turning back toward setting up my wood & metal shops and the printer will be part of that, especially since you can print so much more than just plastic these days.

Snap in place curtain rod holders
Specialized replacement bolt for my rear windshield wiper
Parts to fix my son's power windows
Fence post caps
Fence repair channels
Numerous magnet holders for specialized applications
Battery Adapters
Numerous replacement parts for restaurant applications
Bicycle water bottle holder
Spice shelf brackets
Shallow electrical box for a unique garage application
Stereo mounts adapters for older car stereos
Designer mouldings
Light switch covers
Bed frame grommets
Shelf brackets
LED strip lighting mounts
Drop ceiling adapters
RING doorbell mounting adapters
Burette Clips for my son's lab
Specialty picture hanger mounts
SharkBite tools
Folding door spacers
Flexible replacement box fan handles
Parts for my weed trimmer
Skeleton key for antique cabinet
Replacement parts for my solarium
Ridge vent clamps
Garage door replacement pulley
Decking spacers
Flag pole mounting grommet
Security camera mounts
Shop light mounts
Appliance legs
Barbell bushings
Drain plugs
Dozens of "parts" for equipment
Dozens of washers and spacers
Hundreds of decorative pieces
Dozens of hooks, hangers and brackets


That's just reading part of the way through my 3D file, and those are just things I personally designed. There is a WORLD of free designs ready to print here: https://www.thingiverse.com/


I have two printers and have been printing for about 15 years. One prints filament which I mostly use for TPU (flexable/ rubber-like filament). The other is a Stereolithography (SLA) printer. That technology uses a UV laser to cure liquid photosensitive resin into solid parts, layer-by-layer, with incredible precision.

Here's a recent design. I borrowed a buddy's cooler from his restaurant and saw that all his Igloo coolers have missing or broken closure tabs. These replacements are flexible. The one on the right is after a "aha moment". The bottom hole allows you to store the cooler with an air gap so mold and mildew doesn't grow inside. No more stinky coolers!






If you're thinking about buying one - you'll have a blast! There's definitely a learning curve to design. I started with rather simple designs and "learned my way" to some that are a little more advanced. But honestly, there is more than enough to keep you busy with free designs that already exist; and there's a great community of people that design "for the greater good" without seeking profit.