If you have purchased a 3D printer and are looking for new tools to use, know that you can print 3D printing accessories instead of purchasing them. Think about it: even though many of these items aren’t that expensive and only cost a few dollars at the store, you have the option of using your own printer. So, in addition to saving money, you will be able to carry out your first projects.
This is a simple way to understand, in practice, how the printer works. Simple projects, like a scraper or filament guide, allow you to test your device settings without using a lot of materials. After that, as long as your print is going well, you can still use these accessories to help you with more complex jobs.
In addition, unlike accessories purchased in stores or online, you can adjust yours to the desired size. When printing media, for example, you can adjust the size to better fit your desktop. So if you are interested in the best 3D printing projects for beginners, here are some good options.
A custom poop chute keeps your printer workspace clean
Depending on the printer you have, like the Bambu Lab X1C models, it may purge leftover filament from the back while printing. This material can build up quickly, especially on larger projects requiring color changes. For this reason, a poop chute ranks among the best 3D printed accessories for keeping these setups more organized.
This object functions as a small chute or collector, directing discarded materials to a specific location. This way, instead of letting all the used filament spill out behind the device, you can keep it concentrated in one place. It also helps you clean everything up after each new project and avoid a messy workspace.
Another reason why a poop chute is one of the best 3D printing accessories for anyone with a printer is its ease of manufacture. There are many models available online that allow you to choose the one that best suits the space you have in your home. Plus, it doesn’t require a lot of filament or advanced setup to print, making it a good starter project that will help you later.
Protect your PEI plate using a printed scraper
Today, most 3D printer beds make it easy to clean after each project, since a simple swipe of a sponge removes dust or loose filaments from the plate for most prints. However, FDM printed parts can stick to the surface, making them more difficult to remove. When this happens, using the wrong tool, such as a knife, is one of the most common 3D printing mistakes made by beginners and can scratch or even damage the plate’s special PEI coating.
So one of the first projects you should print is a bed scraper, which helps solve this problem more safely. Instead of using a metal tool that might apply too much pressure to the print bed, this accessory slides under the part with less risk. This 3D printing accessory works well for removing stubborn prints and leftover filament without being too aggressive with the plate surface.
Since it has a simple design, uses little filament, and prints easily, you should make one early. Depending on the type of project you plan to do with your printer, keeping a scraper nearby can save you time cleaning and help protect your equipment. So although it’s a small and simple tool, it can become part of your regular printing routine.
Printed filament guides make the feeding process easier
If your printer doesn’t have a way to properly guide the filament, whether because you keep it off to the side or away from the printer, you’ve probably noticed that it’s reaching the machine at an awkward angle. This creates unnecessary friction when printing your projects and can even snag during the process. Over time, this tension can affect the consistency of the filament feed. For this reason, printing a filament guide helps solve this problem by guiding the material along a smoother path.
Since this is a simple project, it’s also easy to do for the first time, and many models available online attach directly to different parts of the machine. This way, these guides don’t take up extra desk space, which helps anyone with a compact setup. They also make your print area look more organized, especially if the spool is outside the main frame. Additionally, several versions are available on the best sites for free 3D printing projects, so you can research alternatives and even adjust the proportions before printing.
Monitor long projects remotely with a camera mount
If you want to install a camera to monitor your 3D printer when you are away, but your model does not offer this option, you can print one yourself. Sites like Printables have options that can fit whatever device you have at home, whether it’s a tripod for an old smartphone or a dedicated camera for that job.
Having a camera pointed at the printer can be more useful than you think, especially for longer projects. With it, you can monitor the printing progress from your phone or computer without staying nearby all the time. This helps identify potential failures during the project before errors accumulate and cost hours of labor and filament.
In addition to monitoring your project, the camera lets you record time-lapses of the print, which is useful if you want to share the process online. So even if you’re not interested in recording or monitoring prints at the moment, a camera is one of the gadgets that every newcomer to 3D printing should have, and you can also save money by printing the media yourself.
