Kate. G - June 11 2024
Unlocking Practicality:
Top 20 Useful 3D Prints
Are you seeking inspiration for your next 3D printing project? Look no further as we delve into a plethora of practical and innovative items that you can create using your 3D printer. From versatile mobile phone and tablet holders to quirky tape guns and charming plastic vases, this blog post will introduce you to a world of creativity and functionality.
Exploring the Array of 3D Printed Gadgets
1. Leaf Coasters Holder
At first glance, this model might appear to be a 3D printed plant, but that’s not all there is to it. This is a decorative plant designed to hold leaf-shaped coasters.
You can set your drink down on the leaf, and any water dripping from the sides will collect on the coaster.If it’s summer and you’re drinking some cool lemonade while you’re working, this cute model will not only add a touch of nature but will also ensure that your desk avoids any potential stains.
There are at least three different variations of leaves, trees, and pots to choose from. Use any combination you like and personalize the decorative plant. After printing, keep something heavy at the base to make it easier to remove the leaves. This way, you don’t have to hold the base every time.
It’s not advisable to place any hot cups on the leaf coasters, as PLA may begin to deform at temperatures of about 60-70 °C.
- Who designed it? Trilobyte3D
- STL file available on Printables
- Is it free or paid? Free
2. Modular Hydroponic Tower Garden
This model provides a unique and innovative approach to hydroponic gardening, making it a valuable tool for both hobbyists and experienced growers alike.
Modular structure, easily scalable, put modules together, twist & lock,done
doneModule adapter to be glued into water tank's lid
- Who designed it? 17chrisebryan
- STL file available on printables
- Is it free or paid? Free
3. The Phone Pillow
Crafted to resemble a cozy cushion, this unique accessory is actually made from durable plastic. Its plush design provides a comfortable resting place for your device, seamlessly blending functionality with style.
- Who designed it? HpInvent
- STL file available on Maker world
- Is it free or paid? Free
4. Flexible & sturdy phone arm (100% Printed)
A 100% printed, free-moving and stable holding arm, providing a flexible and secure mounting option for Smartphones.
A 100% 3D printed Smartphone-holder-arm that offers, at least, three axes. And the option of double braces between the axes. In the standard configuration, the arm easily supports around 500 grams in any position.
The versatility of this arm enables secure and flexible positioning of smart phones or even tablets and cameras (coming soon) in any desired orientation.
Print with high infill and clean up the prints carefully, the minimal gap dimensions of the 3D printed parts ensure reliable function and solid haptic but could also be hard for some printers. Additional parts for rotating your phone, small phones adapter or counterscrews available.
- Who designed it? FunkeyArt
- STL file available on Printables
- Is it free or paid? Free
5. Flexible Hose for Dust Extraction
A Flexible Segmented Hose that attaches to your Shop Vac and with attachments to secure to 60mm Pillar Drill Column.
- Who designed it? Makers Manual
- STL file available on Printable
- Is it free or paid? Free
6. Phone horn repro
Horn repro for any size of phone. Significant sound amplification from your phone. Passive operation without electricity
- Who designed it? Mik Fik
- STL file available on Printables
- Is it free or paid? Free
7. Machine Vise
This is a quite robust 3d-printable machine vise. It's 100% 3d-printed - no screw or other piece of hardware is needed to hold the individual pieces together. Pieces clip and snap together.
It's a demonstration that it is very important to consider forces and material properties already when designing a mechanical object.
- Who designed it? TheGoofy
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
8. Dice Tower Castle Stairs
This dice tower with a castle motif includes a beautiful wrap-around spiral stair case, allowing the dice to bump and roll with randomness as they descend. The tower's top provides a funnel shape that allows for the dice to be easily dropped in.
This is an easy print, and has been carefully designed so that no supports are required. The tower is just under 18 cm tall, allowing it to be printed on smaller volume printers as well.
9. Klein Bottle Vase
The Klein vase was designed for a flower lover.
Our design was created by taking two mobius loops, sewing them together, thickening that surface, and then strategically punching a bunch of holes into it using a UV map. After a succesful watertight print, the stem of the vase proves to be an elegant home for flowers.
This model requires no supports and scales up/down very well. It's a small perimeter challenge for printers. Make sure your printer's retraction is up to snuff.
- Who designed it? giogias
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
10.Headphone Stand
The Headphone Stand for your desk is not only a great solution for storing your headphones, but also a stylish accessory for your workspace. Printed on a 3D printer, this stand is a perfect example of simplicity, functionality, and quality. With its unique print-in-place design, which is easily and quickly printable, you can always have your headphones at hand.
- Who designed it? MakerBot
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
11. Phone Holder
Are you looking for the perfect holder for your smartphone? If so, we have the solution for you - a Phone holder designed specifically for your mobile phone, 3D-printed for maximum functionality and adjustability with a unique toothed mechanism that allows it to be easily adjusted to any angle.
- Who designed it? E. Soderberg
- STL file available on PRINTABLES
- Is it free or paid? Free
12. Threaded Container
This exquisite container merges practicality with luxury, rendered in a striking combination of red and gold. Designed for the meticulous storage of small items, its threaded design ensures a secure closure, making it not just a storage solution but a decorative piece that adds a touch of elegance to any space.
The Threaded Container captivates with its elegant red body accented by a luxurious gold lid, a color scheme that evokes richness and sophistication. This vibrant interplay of colors not only highlights the containers sleek lines and intricate threading but also turns it into a visually stunning piece. The red and gold design makes this container a standout object, transforming the mundane act of storage into a statement of style.
- Who designed it? Engineering_Aesthetics
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
13. Glasses Stand
ntroducing the amazing Glasses Holder, which allows you to keep your glasses within reach at all times. This stand is printed on a 3D printer and its design is simple, witty, and functional.
The stand features a funny nose and a big mustache, and when you place your glasses on it, it looks like a head, adding not only a practical purpose to your workspace but also a humorous element. Moreover, it is created using the print in place technology, which means the stand is printed in one piece, without the need for assembly.
- Who designed it? Zyltech
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid?
14. Iris Box
The entire box prints as a single piece. Use a 0.2mm layer thickness to maintain the internal clearances that make the print-in-place magic work.The internal clearances are quite tight, so a very clean print is essential to getting it freed up after printing. One tricky issue is seam placement. Unfortunately, most of PrusaSlicer's seam placement option want to place the seam (which is usually a little lumpy) along an edge, but this is also where you are most likely to get interference between the internal moving parts.
Therefore, the easiest option is to choose the Random seam placement option which will keep from forming internal ridges that fuse together.
- Who designed it? LoboCNC
- STL file available on PRINTABLES
- Is it free or paid? Free
15. Hex Bit Storage Box
Are you looking for the perfect way to store and organize your bits? Then Hex Bit Storage Box is here for you, specially designed for your workshop. This bit holder is 3D printed and consists of two parts, making it a simple and functional tool for every handyman.
With Hex Bit Storage Box, you can easily store and organize up to 36 bits. Its simple design ensures that the bits do not fall out while they are stored in the box. Plus, you do not have to worry about losing any of them because they are securely seated in the box.
- Who designed it? 3Dizain
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
16. Cable Management Loop
__Marsgizmo Cable Management Loop __It is designed for FDM 3D Printing.
- Who designed it? marsgizmo
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? $10
17. Delta Stand for Macbook
The Stand for Macbook is printed in multiple parts that can be easily assembled using screw connections, allowing you to adjust the height and angle of the stand according to your needs. This ensures that your MacBook display is at the optimal height for comfortable use, reducing strain on your neck and providing an ergonomic solution for working on your laptop.
Furthermore, this stand also offers modularity. Printed using a 3D printer, the Stand for Macbook is produced with great precision and quality. The layer height used in printing is 0.16 mm, resulting in a smooth surface finish and sharp details. The printing process is conducted at a temperature of 215 degrees Celsius, ensuring the strength and quality of the final product.
- Who designed it? MKingery
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
18. Coffee Bag Clip with Screw Cap
Introducing the 3D Printed Coffee Bag Clip with Screw Cap, a brilliant solution designed to enhance the coffee storage experience for enthusiasts around the globe. Available for download, this innovative accessory combines the practicality of a bag clip with the added security of a screw cap, ensuring that your coffee beans remain fresh and aromatic. Rendered in a vibrant shade of blue, this coffee bag clip is not just functional but also adds a touch of style to your coffee storage routine.
The Coffee Bag Clip with Screw Cap is designed to offer an effective and stylish way to store coffee beans. The vibrant blue color makes this clip a noticeable addition to any kitchen, ensuring that it is easy to find when you are ready to seal your coffee bag after use. The screw cap feature enhances the clips sealing capabilities, providing an airtight lock that maintains the freshness and flavor of your coffee beans for longer periods.
- Who designed it? Supercoolbuilds
- STL file available on PRINTABLES
- Is it free or paid? Free
19. Modern Vase
The Modern Vase is coated in a vibrant red, enhancing its multi-faceted design and making it a focal point in any room. This bold color not only amplifies the vases contemporary form but also injects a dynamic energy into its surroundings. The red hue complements the angular nature of the vase, highlighting each edge and surface change with dramatic shadows and highlights, creating a visual spectacle that captivates and engages.
The versatility of the Modern Vase extends beyond its aesthetic appeal, serving as both a decorative item and a functional piece. Whether used to house flowers or as a standalone sculpture, it adds a modern touch to any setting. Its design is particularly suited for contemporary spaces that emphasize bold forms and colors, making it a practical choice for those looking to enhance their home or office with a piece that is as artistic as it is functional.
- Who designed it? Qbatronix
- STL file available on THINGSIVERSE!
- Is it free or paid? Free
20. Chainmail Pad
Introducing the 3D Printed Chainmail, a marvel of modern 3D printing technology that brings the ancient art of armory into the contemporary world. Available for download, this design features a small square piece of chainmail fabric, ingeniously printed in place without the need for assembly. Rendered in a striking silver finish, this chainmail piece embodies the fusion of historical craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, offering a glimpse into the past through the lens of the future.
The 3D Printed Chainmail shines in an intricate silver design, capturing the essence and detail of traditional chainmail armor. The silver finish not only enhances the realism and historical accuracy of the piece but also adds a touch of elegance and authenticity. This small square of chainmail fabric, with each link seamlessly connected, showcases the potential of 3D printing to recreate complex structures with precision and beauty.
This 3D Printed Chainmail serves as a symbol of strength and durability, echoing the protective gear worn by warriors of old. It stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit of innovation, from the blacksmiths of the medieval period to the 3D printing pioneers of today. The silver chainmail piece invites admiration and curiosity, bridging the gap between historical defense mechanisms and modern technological advancements.
- Who designed it? Agustin Arroyo
- STL file available on PRINTABLES
- Is it free or paid? Free