Things to 3D print when you're bored!

Links:
Best free cad software - • BEST FREE CAD / 3D Mod...
Gridfinity - • Gridfinity: Your Ultim...
SD card desk organiser - www.makersmuse.com/sd-card-de...
Mini desktop escalator - www.printables.com/model/1652...
Expanding lock box - www.makersmuse.com/expanding-...
Knucklebones game - www.makersmuse.com/knucklebon...
Join the Maker's Muse Community - www.makersmuse.com/maker-s-mu...
3D Printing Quick Start Guide - www.makersmuse.com/fdm-fff-3d...
3D Printer Buyers Guide - www.makersmuse.com/purchasing...
3D Printing Essentials - www.amazon.com/shop/makersmuse

[@xenontesla122]

Printing things for other people is great, too! People are genuinely impressed and grateful when you can solve that one problem that's been bugging them with a quick print.

[@3D_Printing]

1:02 the cat checks it still works 😂

[@SenselessUsername]

Are we convinced it's a cat? I mean, they've had a year and haven't disassembled/conquered it yet.

[@Ricky_B4]

The proper term is Cat Scan.

[@LonicGheshu]

I've been modelling and printing parts for my camper van for a year. Bezels, mounts, shelves, enclosures, clips, cup holders. There's always something.

[@garagemonkeysan]

Nice video. Totally agree learning a CAD releases the real potential of a 3D printer. It's so rewarding designing stuff that solves a problem so quickly. Mahalo for sharing!

[@dogsbd]

I just need to say that your channel is the best, no nonsense, get to the point, don't waste anyone's time 3D printing channel on KZbin. Thank you.

[@TheAciditty]

When ever my child has a school project I take it as a challenge to take my kids ideas and make them extra with my designs. I have also sent "treasure" boxes that are filled with coins that have jokes on them, pictures of them being happy, funny little toy figures, or fidget toys and puzzles that the Teacher can give them when they are having a bad day.

[@MakersMuse]

heh sounds like a lot of fun! Wish this kind of stuff was available when I was back in school.

[@TheAciditty]

@@MakersMuse Yeah, I just had wood working and small motors in my school as a kid. Still came in handy for summer jobs, but nowhere near the speed of prototyping/testing CNC brings.

[@a178design]

Ender 3 bought over 6 yrs ago and it's one of the most useful tools in my shed, countless bespoke, practical things have been designed in CAD and printed on it. The latest piece was a door knob 😁

[@anthroponacious]

Glad to see our favorite ageless Australia is back making content again.

[@Review3d]

Designing and printing simple replacement parts or solutions for around the house is still one of the most satisfying things I do with my printers. It's nice when your kids look at you like a hero because you printed a part for a broken toy and fixed it, or quickly designed and printed that little extra piece that they mentioned, in passing, that would be neat to have.

[@Review3d]

Also, we have a great relationship with our younger daughters' school staff and I pop into the office sometimes just to see if the school needs anything that I can print. They have a little store where the kids can trade points (earned by academic achievements, good citizenship, etc) for various treats and small toys. I enjoy printing some of the little toys for the store.

[@lilithstenhouse267]

I've fixed so many broken and missing parts with my printer. My dad once lost one of a pair of really weirdly shaped round washer spacer thingimajigs with square holes for a door, so I asked for the last one and handed him a replacement 15 minutes later. Felt awesome, because replacement parts simply weren't available.

[@CtrlAltCanc00]

Do you have any suggestion on how to start designing? I would like to learn but don't know where to start!

[@Review3d]

@@CtrlAltCanc00 I started with Fusion360, which suites me and my functional, less artistic designs. For more organic modeling or sculpting Tinkercad or Blender are good choices. There are tons of other options also. Whatever you choose, there will be tons of tutorials on KZbin to get you started and give you some inspiration. It's a steep learning curve, but you can do it.

[@Review3d]

@@CtrlAltCanc00 my original reply disappeared, but I started with Fusion360. It's not as intuitive as some other options, but it suits me and my functional, less artistic designs. For more organic shapes or sculpting Tinkercad or Blender are good choices. Maker's Muse actually did a great review of free options just a couple months ago. Check his channel for the video "BEST FREE CAD / 3D Modelling software 2024". Regardless of which you choose the learning curve can be steep. There are tons of great tutorials on KZbin though.

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

NO ONE. No one can be bored with the happiness of Angus and his cockatoos

[@vooveks]

I bought a 3d printer a few months ago (Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro), and to be honest, all I printed were bits and pieces from Thingiverse etc, even though I really wanted to make ‘useful’ things with it. Part of the problem was that I was scared of learning to model in software, even though I did have some experience in 3ds Max from years ago. But then I needed to make a custom sized, simple box for a project and I thought ‘ok, let’s do this’ and got Blender going, watched a few tutorials and after not that long, made exactly what I needed. It was such a good feeling to finally be in control of this amazing tool, and not just printing other people’s stuff for the hell of it.

[@BRUXXUS]

I still remember when I got my first printer like... dang... like, 10 years ago now? That strange feeling of kind of reprogramming my brain from thinking, "I need to go buy thing X" or "I sure wish there was a thing that did Y" to, "oh, I could just print one!". Was such a cool experience constantly realizing just how much fun and useful stuff I could print! It pretty quickly became just a normal part of everyday life. When I tell someone about something I printed, or they see something and are like "whoaaa, that's 3D printed?!" I forget that it's not something everyone's familiar with. haha.

[@daveh7720]

I put off buying a 3D printer for a long time. I really liked the idea of it, but I was afraid I'd drop hundreds of dollars on one then get bored with it in less than a year. (I've done that a lot over the years.) But I finally gave in and bought one, and haven't regretted it a bit. The more I use it, the more ways I can think of to use it.

[@BRUXXUS]

@@daveh7720 That's awesome! I have had some friends that got printers then stopped using them shortly after, but that was usually because something broke or went wrong. I think once you "get" it, they become a tool that's hard to live without. :D

[@ThoughtandMemory]

My wife recently bought a second hand sylvanian house. Lots of accessories missing like ladder, balcony rails, veranda steps and rails, broken windows. All replaced with 3D prints. Next up is the lamps for the doorway and DIY lighting kit battery boxes. She loves it and I get to practice my CAD to furnish her with the items.

[@MartynDerg]

ngl this quickfire round of "here's a thing you can do" is refreshing in a way, I wouldn't mind seeing more showcases of models and ideas for models. that brief showing of the battery holder caught my eye big time, never occurred to me to store them like that, but I know I will now

[@migacz112]

Agreed, would love to see more models showed off in future videos

[@3DJapan]

I wasn't bored but I recently printed a replacement for my kitchen sink faucet handle. I 3D scanned the old one, fixed the broken part in 3D, then printed the replacement. It works great.

[@mg_customs8531]

Ayy! Its Friday and Angus posted a new video! I want to say thanks for getting my son interested in 3d printing! We ordered the sv08 and he's actually excited to help me put it together and print video game props haha. Powering creativity through technology!

[@MakersMuse]

Awesome, thanks for sharing! I'll be testing the SV08 soon myself.

[@Cuqerr]

Thank you so much for updating the knucklebones game!

[@licensetodrive9930]

"Hoopin TPU Cable Tie", one of a few designs I created out of necessity that turned out to be quite popular. I put the design out there along with its core components for people to remix into their own designs. Printed at 150% scale it was easily carrying 12kg..

[@austingood22]

What was that book you were looking at?

[@rallywagon261]

Never did find a 3d solution for minis I actually liked. Two options I try and thought were pretty good was printing off a storage setup for an old empty spool. And the other option I still am using is reusing a box that the spool came in, and another box that I cut strips put of to make little compartment slots for my minis and some other gear I use to fit into. In the end, Ive actually bought a hard plastic case with foam that can be customized inside of it. Ill likely 3d print some bits and bobs for it along the way, but I havent had a moment to circle back around to that project yet.

[@LimestoneCoastCustoms]

NEVER EVER am I bored! I don't print dust collectors, every one of my prints has been useful! I've printed everything from O'rings in TPU & re-usable zip ties to parts holders for my lathe, to cup holders in my 4wd, brackets for holding things, tape dispensers & zip tie holders in my workshop, the list is endless! #D printing has opened up a whole new world for me. I'm a fabricator, with a workshop full of welders & some very unique equipment like an English wheel, stretchers & shrinkers etc but 3D printing has opened up a whole new world for me! I'm NEVER bored!!

[@cmawhz]

I had a TPU cable tie in my hand as I was reading this, they are amazing! Mine are printed with a 1mm nozzle, they only take 1 minute to print, 1 gram of filament, and are extremely strong for only being one layer thick. Just had a project last night where I needed about 20 of them. Set the slicer to print 1 at a time, and pulled them off as I needed them. Worked out so perfectly! By the time I was ready for the next one it was already done printing. When I take it down eventually, I will be able to reuse all of those as well.

[@MrDivinePotato]

Oh hey nice job updating the knucklebones game! I was impatient and made my own version, it ended up looking a lot like your updated one ;)

[@heyspookyboogie644]

Multiboard is the handiest thing I’ve made lately. Definitely worth checking out.

[@MakersMuse]

Oh wow that does look handy! Noted, thanks

[@glittalogik]

I've done a few small boards around my desk and printer, but I'm about to move to a new house and the garage is getting a giant Multiboard tool wall. Can't wait!

[@rachellejanssen2655]

I 3D printed a toolbox for all my makeup :) it was quite a fun project

[@MakersMuse]

That's so cool! Perfect use case for 3d printing :)

[@lilithstenhouse267]

I had some 3d printed brush holders that sat on my desk back when I regularly wore makeup, it was one of my earliest projects. Thank you for reminding me of it.

[@The18107j]

"When all you have is a 3D printer, everything looks like a hammer" or something like that.

[@AKcess_Dnied]

You're doing your prints wrong.

[@axelSixtySix]

Most 3D printer owners find themselves deeply bored, to the extent that they continuously print useless trinkets or equally questionable pseudo-improvements for a mediocre printer. Thank you for demonstrating that 3D printing can, above all, be a fantastic production tool for useful projects and accessories, provided that the user understands that the machine is merely a means to an end and not the hobby itself...

[@danilaalpatov1374]

Wow, you can actually print something with these things? Amazing!

[@MakersMuse]

At least until they destroy themselves again, but they're getting better :)

[@urgon6321]

One of my early 3D printed items was something I call "Pancake vase". My wife needed a container for mixing a very runny dough for polish pancakes, that will work with hand mixer while keeping it from flying out. So I designed a vase-shaped container that had a narrow opening on top, rounded bottom and wide base for stability. It took ~20 hours to print, but it's still in use after over a year...

[@Poorgeniu5]

Recently, I have adapted 3D printing tech to my woodworking project, they're simple plates to just hide my imperfections tbh and I thought it is brilliant! Can't wait to adapt 3D Printing to my next woodworking projects!

[@arthurgiannakis2156]

I also printed a door catch to replace one that had broken also. Just so handy to have a 3D printer. I also printed a bag full of those weak plastic push clips that are used to secure finishes and panels in car interiors/exteriors. The ones that always deform or break when you have to pull off an interior door panel etc, etc. Printed them in PLA+. These alone were worth the expense of my Ender 3 Pro

[@randyscorner9434]

After printing some widgets and toys with my 3D printer, I then started using it to create replacement parts for my dishwasher, refrigerator, cabinet latches, etc. Then I started printing a lot of jigs for woodworking (Kreg jigs, alignment dowels, trammel points, etc.). Then functional things like ports for my dust collection, etc. Tool cases, taps and die organization, and so many more. The printer is not a toy, it's a meta-tool. Oh, and altimeter and nosecone bays for high powered rocketry....:)

[@whooparse]

That was a great video. My old printer is mostly used to make replacement parts or something small and custom, but you laid out some good things to try again. I will get back into some Fusion 360 learn to make something more complex... Thanks Angus! You're the best keep up the good work!

[@tripperdan]

Inspired!! Thanks for the tap on the shoulder, I need to revisit this. Have a wonderful little 3D printer on my desk I've not touched in months. Need to change that

[@MakersMuse]

Awesome! hope you print something cool on it

[@t3chninja_official]

Now after like 2 years of tinkering and majorly modifying 2 different I'm printing other stuff. My wife is like wow this stuff is impressive. It feels so good to be at this point of printing stuff from others or things I design.

[@Mr850man]

If you don't have anything to print, put your printer in a cardboard box and store it in a storage room. I bet you will want to print something in less than a week

[@Bean891]

Wrong

[@heyheyjj]

you will never have more brilliant printing ideas than when youre away from your printer or its not working

[@TheBugGaming1]

Buddy try to ruin the mood

[@markstarling3405]

Sounds like a good idea, but I’m sure if I did that my other half would turn my 3D printing space into a laundry drying room

[@wowhthumperh5911]

I ordered a new one lmaoooo

[@roscored1000]

I maybe use the printer once or twice every year now, I know that isnt much but when I want to make something it just works as it is supposed to. yay Aldi

[@WeekdayWeekend]

Learning CAD is one of the best things you can do for your 3D printer. There are so many CAD options out there, but my favorite is Alibre because it's a one time payment

[@extremelydave]

A beacon of light in a world of darkness. You rock.

[@MisplacedMoose]

In my experience, as soon as people learn they can print their own (generally incredibly powerful) nerf blasters on their printers, their printer never stops running after that.

[@Zurlingo-3D]

That's mad - I also designed an under desk drawer for myself a while ago and coincidentally the design is almost identical to yours! haha

[@piconano]

My 3D printer is not a toy to get bored of! It's a tool and a great one at that. I fix at least one thing around the house every month. Last month was the shower handle. It was made of acrylic and cracked from thermal expansion/contractions. Printed one out of PETG and replaced the original. Looks even better cuz it's my own design. This month will be the top of the bird feeder and probably other stuff...

[@cmawhz]

I recently got a 1mm nozzle and holy smokes is it fun! Those thicc layers are so satisfying! If you can 3d model or want to learn/practice, then go around your home and find one of your most popular items or tools or whatever. Identify a problem with it, and invent a solution for that problem. For example, let's say you have an iphone and the charging cable doesn't stay plugged into it. Hop in CAD and design a retaining device for it. It may take a long time and many iterations, but once you have a product pop it up onto ebay or something. I did this for something else and have made $845 in the last 90 days on ebay with just 1 product. A lot of that is further spent on filament and maintenance and electricity and shipping materials but any profits go right back into the hobby to keep me from boredom. I am not a success story where I don't need a day job, but I am having a lot of fun with it and the hobby is paying for itself!

[@LincolnWorld]

I totally agree with people learning CAD if they have a 3D printer. I used to make all of my models in Blender or Z Brush, but they were mostly organic/character based models. I have made some mechanical things in Blender, but the more I "get used to" Fusion 360, the more fun the process gets. Making parts that need to interact being designed parametrically is such a more pleasant workflow when it comes to making adjustments and iterations or variations of designs. I still use Blender almost every day for some of it, but haven't opened Zbrush in years.

[@avejst]

great video as always ❤👍

[@matthewmathis62]

3:57 Hey Angus, What is that book you have there?

[@landofbosses7844]

I really can't imagine owning a 3D printer and not learning even basic CAD

[@heyspookyboogie644]

I started making shelves that slip over my bed’s headboard. Super handy.

[@ameliabuns4058]

Organization and 3D printers are such a fun deadly combo lol. Specially if you have a pegboard!

[@EMOJarvis]

Thank you. I got so bored. I needed this.

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

I've been printing stuff fairly regularly the last few months, and it seems like the more stuff I print the more stuff I find or get requested to print.. glad I have a KE to try to keep up with all of the projects now.. now I just need to get my E3Pro up and running again so I can have that capacity as well (it's kind of bin going over a massive road bump, and one of the bearings to the new extruder falling and evaporating definitely hasn't helped BigBrother)

[@ratstarone]

Thank you for a awesome video!

[@MakersMuse]

thanks!

[@xypod]

Dude's still rocking the OG G502 💪respeeeect

[@yzkn8848]

especially if you live with your parents, there will be a lot of decorative things you are going to print and lot of things to fix in the house. i originally bought mine as a tool so i can R&D easily at home. but probably the things that i printed for my parents already paid printers cost for it :)

[@ivovass195]

All great ideas indeed

[@Slurgical_3D_Terrain_Channel]

BTW, thank you!!! You made me buy my first 3D printer before I ever learned 3D Modelling.

[@timhicks1118]

Knowing which filament to choose is difficult for me to pick for certain types of prints is important to know.

[@davydatwood3158]

I sort of took the opposite approach when I hit that "now what?" wall. I'd started with an Ender-5 and fought and fought and fought with that damn thing to make it work. Then I was a very early adopter of the X1C and blew through my backlog of things I *needed* to 3D print in about a month and a half, and then all the things that I *could* 3D print but was trying not to (so I didn't have to deal with that gorram Ender-5) in another month. And then I was all "now what?" It took a while, but at this point I use the 3D printer when there's a thing I need to make. And when there isn't a thing I need to make (or at least, not out of plastic) I'm okay with just turning the printer off. I don't run drill or my ratchet set 24/7, I use them when they're the right tool. Same with the 3D printer. So this is a great video for the person who is "I want to run the printer but I don't know what to make!" But another thing to consider is "maybe turn it off for now, you'll have an idea soon enough."

[@TheSecurity16]

KITTIES!!!!!

[@MakersMuse]

Two new babies! 😂

[@TheSecurity16]

@@MakersMuse My 3 babies are all grown up babies now. They are enjoying the mountains but scared of my slightly trained kookaburra

[@jackhammer_au9961]

Love your channel! What was the book you were scanning through that had the tech drawings of mechanisms and stuff in it? It looked interesting. Cheers!

[@dmitriyteslenko5836]

Love your videos. I like both your projects and your positive style. Can you please tell me what book you showed in the middle of the video?

[@deathshaker0026]

I have 3d printed a few other things. Lithophanes, tool holders/ tool, bic lighter covers. desk tool racks

[@chuckbassett4044]

I used Fusion 360 to design various custom things for around the house. Making my own stuff is much more fun than printing someone else's.

[@iteerrex8166]

Hey Angus, what’s the name of that book? Thank you.

[@najgel3732]

the engineers illustrated thesaurus

[@iteerrex8166]

@@najgel3732 Thanks amigo 👍

[@OnlyAnairaGirl]

You talked about boredom busting and then went straight into household stuff and organisation. Classic 😅

[@krzysztofmazurkiewicz5270]

Hah i thought this was actually one of the reasons to have a 3D Printer. I used mine to print new brackets for my roller blind. Old one broke so i made a set of new ones that are better suited for the window. Also some trays for some boxes. But having some fun with it as well

[@austinwyrick9089]

Yo, I got the clearance castle and it printed great. It was awesome trying to figure out the thread pattern. Can I upgrade the board in my base ender 3 and use a sonic pad?

[@JohnWilliams-vy2gw]

I need this video!

[@robertjonas7503]

What was that book you had at 3:58? I've been looking for a good resource for different mechanisms to look through to add to my designs.

[@jonathandaigle5518]

Not trying to peddle my designs, but if you like fun mechanical designs, there's a whole series of printed in place locks on Cults 3d...

[@Slurgical_3D_Terrain_Channel]

I saved almost $1000 worth of stuff around the house by 3D modelling parts. Now designing terrain for tabletop gaming, so not likely ever be bored with it.

[@diamondly6250]

whenever im bored i print minis then once i get up to 12 i sell them on ebay I then put them up to bid and they sell for around 12 to 10 bucks. A roll of the pla cost 20 bucks and I can print sooo many of them. and i got the setting tuned to print minis pretty good for pla.

[@everettcass7904]

Can you do another video on FR4/G10 but with some of the newer PETG mixed filaments. to determine whether its still worth it to get a G10/FR4 Bed

[@Mpdarkguy]

Re: mechanisms: I would love a collab between you and the guy that 3d printed a working internal combustion engine. I would for some reason love a miniature engine that would work with lighter fluid sitting on my desk

[@ratstarone]

Yeah there's some stuff I need to print that's practical instead of cosplay oriented.

[@MakersMuse]

Cosplay is still useful and a great hobby! Some of the designs I've seen made are incredibly complex.

[@mariodiforte]

Suggestion... I really enjoy the channel and the content. So many KZbinrs have nice intros but don't provide outros. I'm sure there are many people like me that enjoy the content and don't remember to leave a like during the video. So people like me that like to show our appreciation have to go back into the video to leave a like. I'd bet many people don't bother so I'd like to suggest an outro and reminder to leave likes. Looking forward to the next video!

[@ookamiueru]

Hey Angus! What's that book you showed around 3:58? It looks amazing.

[@scratchinjack608]

One issue: time. But the video is good in the sense of thinking beyond the actual act of 3D printing. Thank you!

[@mcbrite]

Over 4 decades: Never been bored once... 😀

[@GamingWithSantanas]

4:40 spotted the Spots board game. We recently picked that up. But now I'm curious about the Knuckle Bones game. Never heard of it. Do you have a collection of board games? Bohnanza is a classic!

[@chuckthetekkie]

I must be really dense in trying to learn how to CAD. I have watched so many videos here from yours to other 3D Printing KZbinrs and I can't even figure out how to put a hole in a shape. The same goes for my 20+ years effort to try to learn C++. Can't even understand the basic "Hello World" code. I can put together a PC in my sleep yet can't understand how to put a hole in a shape in CAD. LOL.

[@goatmodegaming]

I’m 3d printing catan, every tree, every sheep, mountain, everything in their own color on my Enders, it’s hard but it’s looking awesome. However, my PETG doesn’t seem to be sticking to my PLA

[@Foxhood]

It seems silly to use a printer to just churn out storage stuff. Yet it is one of the greatest things to use a printer for. As it can save decent money and scale extremely well. I own a legion of electronics components, but buying storage for that is expensive and a hassle. Now i am designing my own tray system with drawers that can hold components/SMD-boxes that would cost a fraction of the price of a professional system, which i can scale as needed for any kind of area. Even exploring the idea of integrating some little magnets in the corners so the drawers anchor themselves to the cabinet a little for easier handling of the entire system without everything flying out. After that. Off to design parts for my big projects. One being Animatronic in nature, the other more like an attempt at toy-making.

[@AdultsSwim1]

Another great game to print is Quoridor

[@TheBlobik]

I was bored once, but then I got myself some kids, and now I think I will not be bored until late 2060's

I'm not bored, i'm burnt out from fighting my ender for 3+ years. It was never worth my time so it's finally going and being replaced with a bambu x1c.

[@TracksByTrent]

Love the video, but how do you get bored with a 3d printer?

[@Busker_3000]

a screw fell out of drywall the other day. Needed a drywall screw anchor, Took me longer than I'd want to admit that i remembered I had a 3d printer. Problem solved!

[@Nednal404BW]

Is modelling a rubber duckytopus in blender good?

[@737AMT]

Anybody know what material would be best to 3d print sockets for driving bolts/nuts?

[@darththuban00]

Hi Angus! What book is the one that appears at minute 3:58? Thanks in advance.

[@rayleeya8561]

What was that lovely old engineering book?

[@TheNewBloodDan]

After 3.5 years of modding my ender 3 It’s pretty close to what I could call perfection for a bed slinger printer, then the ender 3 v3 SE came out….

[@cs233]

Are those door latches for your cats? I had to put latches to hold the door open on my doors because my cat liked to play behind the doors and I’d come home from work to find him very upset because he had closed the door and trapped himself in a bedroom all day! I tried some like those but finally had to go to metal industrial style ones that were adjustable to take a lot of force to unlatch because my stupid cat seemed to take it as a challenge to get the door unlatched! If it moved even a tiny bit he’d work at it till he forced it to unlatch!

[@lajoyalobos2009]

Organizing: if your printer has time to lean, it has time to clean 🤣 if it's idle, it can always print more Gridfinity bins

[@Garoninja]

Well I guess Im printing a escalator now

[@robberd7devos]

1:02 you can even try to make the part stronger

[@mikgus]

3 days with the printer, still stressed since i find new things to print faster than the printer can manage. Printing some Gridfinity boxes at the moment

[@metalnightt]

What's the name of the book you flicked through?

[@leviwuzere07]

Does anyone know the name of the book he shows at 3:58?

[@acalavidyaraja]

Videos you make when you are bored :D