Bored of pointless 3D printer projects? Out of 3D printing ideas? Check out our April 2019 list of cool things to 3D print which are actually useful.
Like us, you’re tremendously excited by the possibilities of 3D printing. Unfortunately, the landscape is cluttered with trinkets, doodads, and ornaments. We’re in danger of drowning in 3D printed objects that nobody wants or needs.
Fight the tide of mediocrity! Let’s make stuff that’s useful! Here’s a list of cool things to 3D print, right now, today. Prove to your nearest and dearest that there’s an everyday and practical application of this wonderful technology.
Updated monthly under the guise of our very own printocracy, each month we remove the five least clicked models and replace them with five new printables. As the year trudges on, there will always be something new, and the uninteresting items drift away. Simple!
An ingenious use for spare scraps of filament, Sunshine’s zip-tie print is perhaps the smartest system we’ve seen yet, complete with a print out size guide to ensure the filament fits your ties. The clips themselves print as part of a sheet, with easy breakaway supports for a clean workspace. Neat.
Who made it: Sunshine
Where to download: Cults
You ask a reasonable question, with no measurable timeframe the answer. They facetiously reply “How long is a piece of string?”. You fist-pump triumphantly, “I do, you metaphorical trickster.” Producing the Geneva Roller Ruler from your pocket, you yell “Behold.” Awe ensues; respect earned.
Be in no doubt about the length of turns of phrase, or indeed any turn, curve and non-linear stretches of things ever again, thanks to this 3D printable measuring device. Needing only a couple of Philips head screws and few printed parts, this Geneva Roller Ruler can help you measure along a path in 5mm increments.
Who made it: MechEngineerMike
Where to download: Thingiverse
When confronted with the Fully Compliant Pliers, visions came to mind of a nameless bureaucrat rubber stamping plastic thingies because yes they are indeed, plastic thingies. In reality, this small single-piece print takes the input force you exert when pinching the handle, and redistributes it to the gripper at the end. It is, undoubtedly, a pair of pliers. Just smarter.
Who made it: BYU_CMR
Where to download: Thingiverse
When the Altoid corporation started stamping out little tins for their curiously strong mints, who’d have thunk it would inspire a cottage industry of hackers repurposing the stylish boxes for all sorts of inventive ends.
One of the latest Altoids tin retrofits comes in the form of this natty battery holder mod. No more overflowing pockets filled with loose batteries for you, you power-prepared clutz. Keep them safely stowed and easily accessible.
Who made it: dave312
Where to download: Thingiverse
Feel the fake turf between your toes with this clever evolution of the hairy 3D print craze. Workshop shut-ins can pretend to bring a little of the outside, in, but perhaps the most logical use here is as part of a table decoration. Printed on its side, this grass is best fabricated with a raft for bed adhesion.
Who made it: Superbeasti
Where to download: Thingiverse
Cults user Syboulette adds to their collection of fancy screwtop pots with this hexagonally textured tub. According to the image, ideal for oats! Other grains are available.
Who made it: Syboulette
Where to download: Cults
Modeled after the Gayer-Anderson Cat housed at the British Museum, this judgemental looking kitty keeps your doors from being ajar. Note that it contains a void by design, allowing you to fill with weighty material for added heft.
Who made it: Duaneindeed
Where to download: Cults
Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show your appreciation for the one you love with this lil’ special somethin. A remix of buho29’s original Jewelry Rose Box, it features handy dividers and detailed assembly instructions. Print in your woodiest of filaments and varnish for a classy aged look.
Who made it: TheGreatMrBill
Where to download: Thingiverse
Not useful in the traditional sense, since the bubonic plague is mostly a thing of the past, but say your cat/dog/significant other has left a nasty mess you can’t bear to deal with unprotected. Fight the fumes with this medieval classic! Stuff with the incense of your choosing and have a happy, stink-free March. Or, you know, use it as a carnival mask — each to their own.
Who made it: Odrivious
Where to download: Cults
Brighten up your home with this funky printable. Derived from Harvhammas’s original Nanoleaf Light Panel Replica, this smart version improves on the software for controlling the LED lights, alongside detailed instructions and a large number of printable parts for configuring the setup as you need it.
Who made it: Surrbradl08
Where to download: Thingiverse
Inspired by research into stiffness actuators, this adjustable auto-winding spool holder uses a 3D spring and adjustable clutch to rewind itself up to four full rotations. It’s the ideal holder for tidying up pesky material changes.
Who made it: VincentGoenhuis
Where to download: Thingiverse
Don’t you hate it when you submerge things in water, and they come out all wet? What’s that all about? There’s got to be an easier way.
Cults user ZX82 has the solution in this 99%-printed waterproof box. Print in PLA or PETG with plenty of walls, top, and bottom layers, add a seal from flexible TPU and throw in a handful of M3 screws for the spring hinge and you’re all set.
Who made it: ZX82
Where to download: Cults
Designed to be printed completely flat to give a glossy first-layer finish on all surfaces, this instant dice is snap-fit and ready to roll.
Who made it: Devin Montes (MakeAnything)
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Can a coat hanger ever really be cool? Probably not. Being able to produce one at the drop of a hat, pick up said hat, and then stow it along with your coat, however, is.
Who made it: Komaru
Where to download: Thingiverse
New Year, new you? Or was is new brew? The excesses of Christmas may be over, but that doesn’t mean a portable six-pack needs to be more than an arm’s reach away, not least with this handy carrier. Print completely solid to avoid a bottle-breaking tragedy.
Who made it: seabeast
Where to download: Thingiverse
Say you’ve got a tasteful new card to show off to your fellow Wall Street execs. Bone, with Silian Rail lettering… you know the score. What better way to whip it out for admiration than this Zippo-like holder, complete with flip-open lid for ultimate swagger.
Who made it: PentlandDesigns
Where to download: Cults
Is it an iceberg? A melting beehive? The latter is most likely, given this creation is the work of Portuguese 3D printing manufacturer BeeVeryCreative. It’s cool, curvy, and keeps your stationary stationary.
Who made it: BeeVeryCreative
Where to download: Cults
Catching drips, protecting tabletops and giving your favorite infill pattern an airing — what more could you ask for from a printable called Infill Coasters? And best of all its completely customizable, since you’re configuring the pattern using the infill settings of your slicer.
Who made it: jmdbcool
Where to download: Thingiverse
Designed by PrintFutura for a growing collection of succulents, these stackable geometric planters can be configured to drain into adjacent blocks, or not at all (if you print the non-draining version). A simple and stylish print.
Who made it: PrintFutura
Where to download: Cults
This is a survival whistle of completely original design, which is rugged, easy to make and carry, and is very loud. How loud? Try 118 decibels for size! That’s more than enough to get you noticed in an emergency situation.
Who made it: Joe Zisa
Where to download: Thingiverse
This is a fully assembled platform jack, 3D printed as one piece. No messing around with multiple parts. The adjustable height can be used to raise or prop up an object of reasonable weight.
Who made it: Intentional3D
Where to download it: Thingiverse
The feelgood success story of 3D printing in 2018 is already here; a simple but totally ingenious measuring cube for use in the kitchen. Each side of the cube has a slot to measure out a foodstuff in either cups (for American cooking) or metric (for everyone else). Best printed in PETG material to maximize food safety.
Who made it: iomaa
Where to download: Thingiverse
Designed in OpenSCAD, this is a parametric butt hinge that can be fully customized for your specific needs. Moreover, you can print it in one step, as individual leaves, or without a pin at the centre.
Who made it: Rohin Gosling
Where to download: Thingiverse
A useful item to keep you looking cool on sunny days; a car sun visor clip where you can affix you sunglasses when not in use (but still need easy access).
Who made it: Trevor Long
Where to download: Thingiverse
This is a fantastically useful item that, at first glance, might be mistaken for a planter. In actual fact it’s a cutlery drainer in the shape of low-poly elephant, where the trunk is used to drain excess water while your knives and forks are drying.
Who made it: Alejandro Gabriel Iovane
Where to download: Thingiverse
Unlike the vast majority of 3D printed bottle openers out there, this model doesn’t need a coin or other additional elements to provide the necessary leverage. Instead, its ergonomic design uses a curved prying edge that catches on a substantial amount of the sharp cap edge.
Who made it: Jeremy Peterson
Where to download: Thingiverse
For those folks spending any amount of time listening to music at their desk, a decent headphone stand is a crucial accessory. Sure, you could have an ordinary headset stand, or you could make some big audio dynamite with a 3D printed headphone stand. Choose wisely!
Who made it: MakerBot
Where to download: Thingiverse
Sometimes it’s the simplest items which prove to be the most useful. And so it is with this sliding bag clip, which is printed with two parts that can securely hold packets closed. Perfect if you want to keep your herbs and spices fresh but don’t have a jar, or maybe you want to hold off on scarfing a full bag of chips.
Who made it: Walter Hsiao
Where to download: Thingiverse
Sure, it’s debatable whether you should use a 3D printer to fabricate something in 2D. But this lovely little panda bear just looks too cute not to be mounted as a wall display. It’s easy to 3D print and, depending on the bed size of your printer, can make an interesting alternative to a painting. Also available: A deer, lion, fox and other 2D animals.
Who made it: Tony Liebana
Where to download: Thingiverse
Fully articulated plastic wrench, for general purpose, er, wrenching around the house.
Who made it: Daniel Noree
Where to download: Cults.
Can something made from plastic look light as fabric? This chainmail, made by one of 3D printing’s best designers, looks and feels astonishingly real. Make a dress from it or print it in Mithril and bring that damn ring back.
Who made it: Flowalistik
Where to download: Thingiverse
The contents of a dishwasher are the Schrödinger’s Cat of household appliances; both clean and dirty until an object is removed or placed inside. Fact.
Tip this quantum game in your favor and know whether the cutlery is clean or the mugs are manky with this ingenious sliding dirty/clean text printable.
Who made it: MiddleFingerBoss
Where to download: Thingiverse
Pimp your picnics with this M.C. Escher-esque collapsible basket. Portioned off into five cascading sections that hold their shape when extended, it’s marvelous design that prints in few parts and assembles with a dab of glue.
Who made it: PatternToPrint
Where to download: Cults
Houseplants dying from neglect? NEVER AGAIN. Print off this automatic plant waterer, and your conscience will remain clean. Particularly useful for kitchen herbs, where you can make them last up to a week longer by re-potting in this natty device.
Who made it: Parallel Goods
Where to download it: Cults3D
When it comes to giving gifts, cash is not the most imaginative of presents. Wrap up your notes in a more exciting package with this Labyrinth Gift Box. There’s only one correct path, so the lucky recipient will have to work at it a fair bit to unlock the prize tucked inside.
Who made it: Robert
Where to download: Thingiverse
We spend a small fortune on our earphones for music on the move, but not enough to protect them when not in use. Securely stash those buds in this 3D printed earbud holder.
Who made it: Robert
Where to download it: Thingiverse
Squeeze every last drop of toothpaste from the tube with this toothpaste tube squeezer. It prints in three separate parts, and is wide enough to accommodate most tubes on the market. Not only a cool thing to 3D print, but also something to keep your breath minty fresh.
Who made it: Justin Otten
Where to download it: Thingiverse
In an age where online privacy is diminished, fewer people feel comfortable with a front-facing camera on their laptops. Instead of ruining those clean lines with a bit of sticky tape or a post-it note, this 3D printed solution is a sliding door you can afix over the camera, so you can still use it for video-conferencing when you need to.
Who made it: Horizon Lab
Where to download: Cults
Phone charger cables, USB cables, HDMI cables, Thunderbolt cables, DisplayPort cables… Your office space is covered in a spaghetti of cables, are we right? Banish the mess with this set of hex drawers. The design is stackable too, so you can extend the hive as the need arises.
Who made it: Dan O’Connell
Where to download it: Cults
Put a shelf on your power socket, so you can prop up the phone when charging. This model also has an angled slot that holds your smartphone and tablets in an upright viewing position.
Who made it: Tosh Sayama
Where to download: Cults
A nice and easy system for sorting your battery collection, with clear labeling and sizing. Not only are these boxes stackable, but they’re wall mountable too.
Who made it: Adoniram Sides
Where to download: Thingiverse
Those prone to mid-shuffle fumbles, your Poker face-saving prayers are answered! MyMiniFactory user LarsRb has concocted this colorful creation with the sole purpose to successfully shuffle decks of cards up to official poker card size.
Who made it: LarsRb
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
A secretive box for keeping secret things secret. Those out of the know will have a hard time cracking the sequences required to expose both the key and keyhole. Print in your prettiest filament to make a most magnificent gift.
Who made it: 3DPrintingWorld
Where to download: Thingiverse
Your eyes do not deceive you. This insanely cool thing to 3D print is a digital sundial. And it really does work. The shape of the sundial has been engineered to only let through the right rays at the right time and angle, so it can display the actual time at 20 minute intervals. Operational only during daylight hours, naturally, between 10:00 and 16:00.
Who made it: Mojoptix
Where to download it: Thingiverse
This is a variation on the classic Swiss Army Knife design that swaps out the blades and can openers for something infinitely more useful — your house-keys. Prints in two halves, and the keys are held in place using standard hex nuts and bolts.
Who made it: Craig Blanchette
Where to download: Thingiverse
Image credits: All images copyright their respective owners
License: The text of "50 Cool Things to 3D Print in April 2019" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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