Get ready to unleash your creativity with these 5 cool 3D printing projects that you can try this weekend. From functional items like cookie cutters to collectible figures, we’ve got you covered.
It’s amazing how quickly an idea or file can turn into something tangible thanks to FDM and resin 3D printers. There are some brilliant community models available for free (not for commercial use), and a weekend is plenty of time to print and finish a project without headaches. They’re available on some of the best websites for free 3D printing projects, such as Thingiverse and Makerworld.
The Bluey Cookie Cutter and Stamp by a Thingiverse user is a two-part design, a stamp for the details and a cutter to form a cookie, keeping design and cutting into two easy steps for a fun snack to make with the family. Users can print with standard PLA filament, which is reliable to use in light use cases such as this, and it doesn’t require any supports, making it a quick and easy project. Weekends should be about baking after all.
Practical prints for storage and organization
Instead of heading out and buying a new side table this weekend, you can stay home and 3D print a handy side bed shelf that mounts directly to a bed frame. With the back of the brackets being sandwiched between the frame and mattress, it can be a super-stable surface for phones, glasses, books, medication, and more. The design found on Thingiverse is sturdy and features thick walls and generous contact points, making it a reliable little gadget even when printed in standard PLA. Getting a nice wood-effect filament would look great with this project.
A rhino with realistic articulation
One of the best things about having a 3D printer is making toys, and there’s a ridiculous amount of them to try. The Jointed Rhino, by a Thingiverse user, prints off in separate parts, then it just needs to be clipped together. Unlike some articulated toys that use bars, hooks, or just flop around, this has limited articulation that allows the jointed rhino to stand up and move naturally. It’s a well-thought-out project.
Make collectibles you won’t find in a store
Not everything 3D printed needs to be practical. Sometimes people need to print off a Hylian Shield and Master Sword based on “The Legend of Zelda,” like one Thingiverse user designed. The accuracy here is fantastic, perfect for a display piece or hollowed out and scaled up for an incredible set of cosplay accessories. Imagine something like this wall-mounted over the fireplace in the lounge. Just make sure auto supports are on, and weight is a consideration when scaling up. Oh, and don’t hit anyone.
For more information on 3D printing and its applications, you can visit Thingiverse, a popular platform for 3D printing enthusiasts. The company’s stock price rose 5% following the announcement, a detail confirmed by Bloomberg.
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