If you’ve invested in your very own 3D printer, deciding on what to make next can be challenging. After all, you can create just about anything, so where do you start? While there’s an endless number of ornaments, trinkets and other doodads that you can put together, they serve little purpose beyond being another piece of plastic to put on the shelf.

While it can be fun to mess around every now and then, there are far better ways to make use of your material. Since there’s little along the lines of constraints on what you can create, it would only make sense to build something that is useful in everyday life. 

So, in this post, we’ll take a look at seven fun ways to make use of your 3D printer and create something functional. If you’re new to 3D printing and are looking for some inspiration or guidance on what to do, be sure to check out this 3D printing blog

Phone Holder

Gone are the days of having to hold your phone while watching a video. It’s simple, compact, elegant and extremely easy to print. Since it’s plastic, you also won’t have to worry about it scratching your phone like you would with an aluminum stand. 

Ergonomic Paint Brush Grip

The Kate Brush is an ergonomic grip that helps you get a more comfortable hold on your painting utensils. A bit of adjustment will allow you to use it with pencils, pens, and markers as well. Download it here.

Cable Organizer

Whether you’re an avid gamer or a hardworking power user, you can probably agree that there’s nothing worse than a nest of tangled cables all over your desk, forcing you to reach far and wide to simply plug something in. A handy cable organizer will quickly solve this problem. Thingiverse has you covered with the instructions

Doorstop Cat

This handy doorstop is inspired by the stylish Gayer Anderson Cat in the British Museum. It’s hollow on the inside, which allows you to add weight for a more effective result. 

 Earphone Case

Earphone cables have a knack for being a nuisance to manage. With enough twisting and tangling, the dreaded earphone crackle dawns on its victim, eventually putting your music-makers out of commission. But worry not, as your 3D printer is here to save the day with a simple and effective earphone case. 

Phone Sound Amplifier

Let’s face it – our smartphone speakers aren’t the loudest, especially if you’re outside. Created by 3DShook, the Groovi Monster holds your phone up in place while also adding some much-needed “oomph” to your music. 

Geometric Succulent Planter

These stackable planters are absolute genius. They can be used on their own as a non-draining version or stacked on top of each other to drain through. It’s a stylish and effective way to let your mini cacti flourish. 

Conclusion

Don’t hesitate to think outside of the box when it comes to what you make with your 3D printer. With a bit of brainstorming, you can make the next great project and share it with the world. 

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X